UPDATE 28/07/2023 - Gripping! Even though I knew the outcome already.
Holy smokes that was sooooo good! It was literally unputdownable. I love the chaUPDATE 28/07/2023 - Gripping! Even though I knew the outcome already.
Holy smokes that was sooooo good! It was literally unputdownable. I love the characters so much and they all shone in this third installment. The 'case' was really engaging and a bit terrifying. Waiting impatiently for book 4 to be returned to the library. No pressure whoever your are...okay...a small amount of pressure. Said with love....more
"Sometimes the things we think are lost are only hidden, waiting to be rediscovered."
Oh my! I totall"Don't be so quick to dismiss yourself," he says.
"Sometimes the things we think are lost are only hidden, waiting to be rediscovered."
Oh my! I totally loved this book. So much so that on completion I went back to the beginning and read it again. The instant reread was also to catch anything I missed as it is a very complex and layered story spanning three broad time frames with time shifts within those periods as well. We get to know our five main characters in little sound bites as the story flits from POV to POV. The power of writing and reading as a way to connect people through time and place is the most phenomenal element of this novel to me. We are on this review site exchanging our thoughts about books because we obviously understand how the sharing of stories compels us to reach out, through and beyond our existence to get a sense of where we fit in the grand scheme of things and how our lives intersect. This novel embodies those connections. This story will not be for everyone as the jumps in time and character can feel a bit jarring and in addition to this it switches between genres such as fantasy, historical and futuristic sci-fi. I absolutely loved this crazy beautiful story!
"The world as it is, is enough."
CW: (view spoiler)[Loss of much loved animals in quite painful and traumatising way, terrorism, homomisia, suicide off page of background character, war crimes (hide spoiler)]...more
It's a big call to make so early in the year but this may end up being a 2022 favourite!
An absolutely lovely story with characters that were easy to cIt's a big call to make so early in the year but this may end up being a 2022 favourite!
An absolutely lovely story with characters that were easy to connect with. The novel took me to highs and lows as I was drawn into a world that is a bibliophile's dream. The author did an incredible job of illustrating how books and libraries can nurture connections. These connections became instrumental in creating positive changes in our characters' lives. A list of books makes its way through a random collection of people within a community. No one knows who wrote the list or what it might mean, but when people start reading the books they start to find their own profound meanings in the pages of these great novels.
It has inspired me to reread some of the books mentioned and have borrowed a couple I have not read from the list. Loved it.
CW:(view spoiler)[bloody murder scenes, suicide, death of loved ones, drug and alcohol addiction/over use, child neglect (hide spoiler)]
Well that was CW:(view spoiler)[bloody murder scenes, suicide, death of loved ones, drug and alcohol addiction/over use, child neglect (hide spoiler)]
Well that was simply phenomenal!
Front and centre of this wonderfully written story is 13 year old self proclaimed outlaw, Duchess Day Radley. If there is ever a character that you want to hold up as a beacon of strength, grit, determination, and love, then look no further than Duchess. Her ability to exist so fiercely in the crappy world she has been given actually moved me. She and her younger brother are surrounded by a stellar cast of 'found family' members. The story itself was brilliantly and intricately plotted with tension running throughout the whole novel as Duchess reels in the aftermath of a shocking crime. I think this may well end up being one of my favourites for 2021!...more
Well this was the one I was waiting for and it truly delivered!
A clever explora4.5 rounded up to 5
CW: A little bit of gore
Book 11 of my zombie-a-thon!
Well this was the one I was waiting for and it truly delivered!
A clever exploration of what it means to be alive when you are dead. There is a little bit of satire in there which was thoroughly entertaining. At one point the Living Dead are at a conference and one delegate proposes they are no longer referred to as LDs or zombies, but instead they should be called 'Differently Living'. There are various factions within the LD that have differing ideas on whether they should merely exist or in fact thrive. I won't say too much more but the characters are rich and engaging and I thoroughly recommend this amazing novel.
Thank you to my fellow Cantabrian, Fiona, for suggesting I read this for Zomvember!
CW: (view spoiler)[loss of loved one in car accident. loss of loved ones by drowning, thoughts of dying after guilt over death of loved ones, emotionaCW: (view spoiler)[loss of loved one in car accident. loss of loved ones by drowning, thoughts of dying after guilt over death of loved ones, emotionally absent parent, father leaves wife and daughter (hide spoiler)]
Well I loved it.
Everything worked for me.
The characters were real, and their raw and painful moments had me tight chested and teary eyed. I also luxuriated in the many warm moments that made this book a joyful reading experience. I don't know what else to write. The writing was incredible and the story mesmerising. Simply wonderful....more
That was brilliant! Jude will definitely be on my favourite female CW: (view spoiler)[Drugging, kidnap, torture (hide spoiler)]
Well I am all shook up!
That was brilliant! Jude will definitely be on my favourite female characters shelf after this gripping sequel! Holly is so good at having a big cast of characters. They felt distinct from each other, fully developed and utterly engaging. The intensity, drama and intrigue ramped up significantly in this book and I was glued to the second half! Thank goodness I have lined up book 3 and can start that now. Like literally right now....more
Well I utterly loved this dramatic, violeCW: (view spoiler)[violence, on-page violent deaths of loved ones, war, difficult child-birth (hide spoiler)]
Well I utterly loved this dramatic, violent, beautiful book!
Fifteen minutes from typing the above line and I have eaten a large punnet of lovely fresh cherries (on special for $5 at New World supermarkets) whilst staring at my screen and thinking what to write in my review....
Okay.
In my opinion, Sabaa writes intimate and emotional connections between characters incredibly well. The strength of the story comes from the love and emotional investment Readers have for the relationships between people. Whether it is Elias and Taz, or Helene and her sister, or any of the romantic relationships, the love and chemistry bleeds off the page. Without giving spoilers I confess that I had a few sliding tears in moments where these believable connections were facing challenges.
The action sequences were brutal and gripping. I won't say too much more other than, for me, the ending was perfection....more
Well I am still in a haze of incredible writing, possessive lovCW: (view spoiler)[Sexual content, suicide ideation and almost attempt (hide spoiler)]
Well I am still in a haze of incredible writing, possessive love and living in the mind of a willful woman.
This was a wonderfully slow burn. That may not suit everyone. For me the pace was a crucial part of the story-telling as Addie is an observer of time. It passes her slowly without ever including her due to the bargain she struck with a deceitful deity-like being. It also makes the meetings with Luc over the centuries more anticipated as she waits to be seen again by the only person who truly knows and remembers her. Enter Henry who despite the curse miraculously remembers her. I loved their connection and how their relationship developed. This is another book that is a journey that can't really be explained and that as the reviews show, will mean different things to different Readers. I will take away the importance of pausing and being in the moment so that I can truly listen to my loved ones to ensure they feel seen. Loved it. ...more
Absolutely fabulous! I cannot emphasise enough how utterly wonderfully charming this book is! Put it on your must reads list Goodreads people. Must. RAbsolutely fabulous! I cannot emphasise enough how utterly wonderfully charming this book is! Put it on your must reads list Goodreads people. Must. Read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a truly incredible fantasy retelling of Mulan. Hua Minglan’s family are descendents of the last Dragon Lords of PI thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a truly incredible fantasy retelling of Mulan. Hua Minglan’s family are descendents of the last Dragon Lords of Piao. Their family has been forced to hide their true identity as people fear the potential ancient dragon power running through their blood. I loved Hua’s fierce determination to fight for her people and to get justice for her much loved sister. She is strong, fearless, assertive and clever. Hua is supported by many other absolutely fabulous characters that have depth and are so relatable. I loved the dynamics between the male characters in the story too. They were bound together by loyalty born from blood, brotherhood and honour, but they also had strong emotional bonds which they did not shy away from. So wonderful to see men written in this light. The connection that Hua had with Jian and Luca developed naturally and felt authentic and in keeping with their personalities and what was happening around them. Quite often writers struggle to avoid ‘special snowflake syndrome’ when writing female characters as heroes, but I felt this author created a well written and genuine hero in Hua. My first 5 Star rating in quite a while! I will definitely be seeking out more books from this author....more
CW: There were some unpleasant attitudes to the role of women and a lack of regard for the lives of black people in the community. Some of these attitCW: There were some unpleasant attitudes to the role of women and a lack of regard for the lives of black people in the community. Some of these attitudes didn’t seem to fit with the 1990s as Fiona expressed in her earlier review. Shout out to the Cantabs!
CW: (view spoiler)[ Rape, horrible killing of black man with racist motivations, suicide attempt, suicides as a result of their emotional state after vampire attacks. (hide spoiler)]
Well y’all aside from some of the things described in the content warning this was a great book! I mean seriously, middle aged book club housewives turned vampire slayers? Brilliant! I was pretty stressed during some really tense moments which is a refreshing change as I rarely find supposed thrillers all that thrilling but during the attic scene I was a bundle of nerves. To me this was perfect as an audiobook as it really gave you a sense of the different characters due to the excellent voice acting. I like how the story took place over a number of years as I felt quite immersed in the lives of the people in the community. I gotta say that was seriously the best (view spoiler)[dispatching of a villain I have ever read. They were so practical, calm and efficient. It was hilarious when they were discussing different cleaning methods. (hide spoiler)] Women rule! I thoroughly recommend this book for 16+ and am adding it to my favourites....more
CW: (view spoiler)[Horrific levels of violence, drug use and drug addiction, rape, suicide, self harm, genocide... basically all the possible categoriCW: (view spoiler)[Horrific levels of violence, drug use and drug addiction, rape, suicide, self harm, genocide... basically all the possible categories of content warning. All. Of. Them. (hide spoiler)]
I'm still reeling 2 weeks later.
It's like a journey. A horrific, wonderful, traumatic journey.
I only want to make a few points because it is impossible to write everything I thought and felt.
Firstly, Rin is incredible. I love her. She is powerful and vulnerable at the same time. She feels everything on a level I haven't seen captured in a book before. Everything that seems like it should break her only contributes to the vital strength that pours from her by the end of the book. Her magic is more visceral reaction than honed skill and I look forward to seeing how she continues to master her powers.
Secondly, how amazing is this world! One with echoes of reality underlying the imagined. The Poppy War is a military fantasy that loosely mirrors the wars fought by China during the 20th century. These were bloody times and the book does not shy away from highlighting this dark period in history. I cautioned a student at the school I work in that she was in for some truly dark reading (I mentioned "babies and fruit ninja" to her as an example of the levels of violence in the book). It really goes there Readers.
Readers may struggle with how jarring the first and the second half are but that's part of what I loved about the book. You get taken in one direction and there is a degree of safety and security as you recognise some familiar tropes and story arcs but then WHAM! it's a 180 into the depths of hell. Loved it.
I could keep going but I think this is definitely one that Readers need to experience themselves.
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