I really enjoyed this one! I also liked that the ending was so.. open. Though some may not be a fan of that kind of ending, I found it to be the perfeI really enjoyed this one! I also liked that the ending was so.. open. Though some may not be a fan of that kind of ending, I found it to be the perfect choice for this story. Anything more would have made the book just a tad less... meaningful. Like, we're left with the wonder, you know. The "what if". I don't know, this makes sense in my head. *shrug*...more
WAIT! Do not come at me with pitch forks! >.< I love this author, I really do. Hopeless is a book I absolutely loved, and her writing is still just asWAIT! Do not come at me with pitch forks! >.< I love this author, I really do. Hopeless is a book I absolutely loved, and her writing is still just as compelling, but I just did not click with this romance.
The main characters are well developed, and the emotional aspect of the story itself is intense, but they saw each other twice and they were acting like the earth was imploding when they had to say goodbye. It was just way too romantically intense way too fast. I never had the chance to see them form a connection or understand their attraction other than on the surface. They did have great chemistry, don't get me wrong, but I wanted something more; I wish we were given more time to get to know them before this all-encompassing love. Also, almost all the side characters left me highly irritated - I was creeped out by Trey before she even knew she should be, too! *shudders*. It is a quick read, and Colleen has a compelling writing style that pulls you right into their lives, regardless of my complaints. Full review to come! ...more
Penny, Jasmine, and Indy are back in all their wonderful glory! Losing at Love is the sequel to Game Set Match which I completely loved when I read itPenny, Jasmine, and Indy are back in all their wonderful glory! Losing at Love is the sequel to Game Set Match which I completely loved when I read it 2 years ago. And even though so much time has past since, I was easily taken back into the world of tennis and competitions and romance and drama. This novel is more character than plot driven - the later doesn't progress all that much, but the friendships and personal goals do, which are just as important for the story to move forward.
All in all, this novel is a character driven drama about these girls' complicated lives as Tennis pros. Don't let this scare you off, however, I know squat about that sport, and I was completely captivated by the matches. It's all due to the atmosphere that's so wonderfully painted throughout. It's a sport with a lot of pressure, a lot of uncertainty, and just as much about the physical skills than the mental - this intensity is very well captured by Jennifer's writing style. I easily found myself rooting for these girls both on and off the court. It's not all about Tennis, though, the story is full of friendship and romance to give it a great balance overall.
My favorite aspect of this story is definitely the friendships that we have between the girls. There are 3 main characters with alternating perspectives, so we get to experience everyone's fears and insecurities, and how these look from the outside, as well. I'm especially a fan of Indy and Penny's friendship. They're forming a bond that's closer than ever which I love, though with some bumps in the road, naturally. All 3 girls also have obstacles to overcome that range from a confidence issue to a serious injury. They make it easy to understand their determination to push through no matter what, though, making their story bittersweet at times.
The romance is again a welcome part of this story. We get just the right amount of romantic subplots with some drama, but not overwhelmingly so. I'm most happy about how Jasmine doesn't drop everything for her first crush. Someone who's actually moving on, guys! So refreshing! With 3 perspectives who are all in relationships, not to mention have families and friends, the cast of characters is quite large, but not once did I lose track of who was who. Each voice is distinct, each personality is unique; the characterization is overall incredibly genuine.
Like I mentioned, this book is very character focused, while there's no significant plot developments, we get to see the girls make sacrifices and big decisions. The ending, although very happy-feely… kinda feels like a bad omen - the calm before the storm, maybe? I was left with a bad vibe towards Indy, especially. Book 3 is bound to give us nothing but greatness! And probably heartbreak. I feel it coming, guys! *clutches heart* >.<
-- An advance copy was provided by the author for review.
I'm just incredibly bored with this one. It started out intriguing enough but far-fetched, too. And the whole priceless painting bit was just DNF 58%
I'm just incredibly bored with this one. It started out intriguing enough but far-fetched, too. And the whole priceless painting bit was just not convincing. Her being this perfect teenage con artist was not convincing either. I was kept mildly curious due to the tagline on the cover - does that mean she's the real Erica somehow? Or decides to play the con forever? But I just have no interest in these characters at all :(...more
I have loved every book by Stephanie Kuehn so far, and this one is no exception. Her books are so… bizarre and unique and wonderfully compelling. You I have loved every book by Stephanie Kuehn so far, and this one is no exception. Her books are so… bizarre and unique and wonderfully compelling. You feel as if you're being played with, as if the book is making sure you're never quite certain of what's happening, except for the fact that it's terrible and disturbing and wholly messed up!
In Delicate Monsters we've get ourselves 3 perspectives, and while I fear this would be a bit much - multiple perspectives can be so tricky - it ended up being the perfect choice for this story. Each perspective is very much distinct, with voices you could not confuse for another even if you tried. We meet Sadie first who we quickly learn is trouble. She's angry and bored with everything in life and likes to pass the time by being corrupt and just plain vicious. She's candid and rude and, personally, I found her interesting and quite entertaining - though I would never want to befriend the likes of her. Then we have Emerson who starts out as a pretty normal, likeable guy… until you get to know his darker side. And it's a really deranged side, let me tell you. The third is Miles. You can tell he's different from the start. He's a sickly person who seems a bit mentally unstable with his talks of seeing the future and stuff. He intrigued me from the beginning, though; you can't help but want to know what the hell is wrong with him.
Like in her previous books, Kuehn has added a good dose of mystery that moves along quite nicely, unraveling at just the perfect moments. You can't ever really trust what you think you know. The more you learn about these characters, the clearer the real story gets - clearer and more horrific. It's the kind of book that will work for some and not others, though. It's a novel that's miles outside the box. It's strange and eccentric and makes you feel uneasy throughout. Me, I think it's brilliant. I loved this explicit look at potential psychopathic behaviour and the bold, unflinching nature of the plot. I was not, however, a big fan of the ending. Don't get me wrong, though, it's kind of the perfect ending for what this novel is trying to be, but I was left rather rattled and worried - not the kind of resolution I expected, particularly with the whole visions thing. It's the kind of ending where the author's telling you "you KNOW what happens now, don't you? Huh!? Huh!?" In a way that's cryptic, while also being so final. Or maybe I'm just in denial.
Complicit, remains my favorite Kuehn book so far, but all three novels are so unusual and brilliant, but evil to its reader.. wonderfully evil! This one is the story of three messed up individuals whose lives intertwine in appalling ways. Kuehn is the kind of author you must experience at least once. Those who love her books will undoubtedly become forever fans.
-- An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
If you thought Queen Levana was evil before, you will see just how corrupted she really is! I don't often read novellas, but tActual rating: 4.5 stars
If you thought Queen Levana was evil before, you will see just how corrupted she really is! I don't often read novellas, but this one is a bit longer than average and completely worth it to be able to see Levana's childhood and how she grew up to be who she is. It also gives us a glimpse at our beloved characters' childhood so we get a real 360 look at what happened in the past.
Despite her evil ways and sometimes shocking delusions, Levana's story is just plain sad. This hard-edged personality of hers was built from a tough childhood that lacked real parental guidance and, most importantly, love and affection. The fire tragedy that brought about her scars was horrifying, and some might consider it the beginning of the end. Having such a low self-image cost her a lot. She even becomes so deeply lost inside her own delusions that she's missed out on so much - love and happiness for one. Her craving what she thinks is love only makes her more blind to what she's actually denying herself - she's lost in a vicious circle of her own doings. It's sad and not entirely her fault, even, having grown up with a twisted view of love. I found this novella to be an incredibly in-depth and revealing look at her character. While I won't ever sympathize with her, it make us at least understand the "why" behind her actions, her wants.
Even though this novella is ultimately a character study, we also get to see the plot of the whole series take root. The virus sent to earth and her plan to blackmail, the beasts they're breading out of shells, the reason why some want to escape Luna - it just gives the whole series an extra layer of foundation. It's interesting to see that it doesn't all come from pure evil, there were some good intentions in Levana. If she attacked problems in a more… humane way, I'd even say she was a very good Queen for her people. She cares about her planet, about the future; her ways to reach her visions just happen to be quite… destructive. Like whoa!
I do recommend you read this one after you have read books 1-3, just so that it makes it all the more interesting. When you know the characters in the present, it's all the more fascinating to read about their past. But if you really wanted to read this one first it would still all make sense. You just wouldn't be able to appreciate all the connections, and the potential "spoilers" would probably not be noticed by someone who has no idea what's pertinent to the series. All in all, whether you're a fan of novellas or not, fan of the series should definitely read this one. I mean, is there anything better than an in-depth look at the villain of a story?
-- An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
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