Once in a while I encountered a gem in young adult fantasy (in my case, the Winner’s Curse and The Bear and the Nightingale trilogies), and I wait untOnce in a while I encountered a gem in young adult fantasy (in my case, the Winner’s Curse and The Bear and the Nightingale trilogies), and I wait until the next rare one comes along. I’m happy to announce Six Crimson Cranes is as good as I expected it would be - an interesting heroine, a kind male protagonist, great premise - based on a folklore at that, good storytelling, even pace, a fearsome enemy, and best of all, awesome world-building. This one has it all, despite its flaws I love it. Now waiting on bated breath till the next book is released. Should I read Spin the Dawn by the same author next?...more
**spoiler alert** You know the feeling of never wanting a book to end just because it’s so beautiful and you don’t want to let go? I rarely get that f**spoiler alert** You know the feeling of never wanting a book to end just because it’s so beautiful and you don’t want to let go? I rarely get that feeling; I usually rush through the ending because I can’t wait to know what happens fast enough. But this one, I want to savor.
The premise is original, but it is the execution that surprises me, in a good way. I’ve heard only good things about Victoria Schwabb but this is my first time reading her work, and suffice to say I will read more soon.
Her prose is smooth and beautiful, slowly taking time to unveil everything. Every description vivid without being too much, every gesture meaningful, the dialogue and interaction wonderfully done. There are barely any gaps in the story, and the relationships between people become a study of humans, making readers think deeply about happiness and the cost it would take.
Addie LaRue is a wonderful character you’d want to root for. Her loneliness is so palpable throughout the story that I feel for her, even feeling as if the story had been real and that Henry Strauss had indeed written her whole journey for her.
What a book to end the year. I hope I will get another chance to encounter a book as amazing as this again soon....more
When i was a teenager i impulsively bought a book about Greek mythology from Amazon, and ended up hooked in the tales of gods and goddesses, monsters When i was a teenager i impulsively bought a book about Greek mythology from Amazon, and ended up hooked in the tales of gods and goddesses, monsters and demigods. I just love them all. Circe is one of the goddesses i don’t recall hearing much about, but her story is one about finding herself, also redemption, along the way. The first half drags a little despite the easy move in plot, but i can hardly put the book down as soon as Oddyseus came to Aiaia. Certainly a memorable book for a myth geek....more
What a gorgeous finish. The Winternight series is one of my favorites, sitting high on the shelves next to Winners trilogy.
Vasya’s journey is vast andWhat a gorgeous finish. The Winternight series is one of my favorites, sitting high on the shelves next to Winners trilogy.
Vasya’s journey is vast and hard and long, and in the end she has grown so much it is marvelous to see. All the characters are so vivid, so alive with their flaws and quirks, which make it a joy to read. Don’t let me start on the writing - i want to weep at some words and just read them over and over again.
The final book is actually my least favorite of the whole series, despite all the action. Everything builds up to this final battle, but with Vasya getting her hands on magic and all the events leading to the finale, it feels a little full of carefully constructed conveniences. I am not complaining too much though.
I will read anything written by Katherine Arden. I guess the next read would be the Small Spaces series....more
I expected to find this boring, or that i won’t find the character as compelling as Xifeng, and that i would not like the journey mentioned in other rI expected to find this boring, or that i won’t find the character as compelling as Xifeng, and that i would not like the journey mentioned in other reviews. But what do i know, turned out i loved it more than its predecessor.
Jade is humble yet strong, fearful yet tries her hardest to be brave. Her companions in the journey are likable, and the quest is hard yet exciting enough to read. I love how the folktales come together, and the retelling of Snow White and the Evil Queen is even more apparent in this book.
I have to admit i was a little disappointed about the final battle, which was not as mighty as i had hoped, but it did portray the whole retelling accurately. I love the epilogue too, at the promise that hope and love prevail, that evil could be vanquished....more
I’ve been wanting to read this for a while and finally got the book at a Kinokuniya closedown sale. 3.5 glittering stars - for the wonderfully heinousI’ve been wanting to read this for a while and finally got the book at a Kinokuniya closedown sale. 3.5 glittering stars - for the wonderfully heinous character who’s torn between a sense of self and desire. The author definitely succeeded in making her easy to both love and hate.
The palace conflict feels realistic, certainly moving from one to another without being drawn out too long. I also like the variety of characters and the purpose they are given. The description is lush and sufficient, though i find myself skipping them to get to the point.
Fantasy does play a part, and it can get gory at times. But the mystery adds a thrill to the story, something that would not feel as amazing if this had just been a historical piece of fiction.
I have my hands on the second book and cannot wait to read it soon!...more
**spoiler alert** This is probably the most hyped book in 2018 that i have seen, and it piques my interest enough to buy it. Does it keep me gripping **spoiler alert** This is probably the most hyped book in 2018 that i have seen, and it piques my interest enough to buy it. Does it keep me gripping the edge of my seat? Yeah, by all counts it is fast paced and full of action. Does it make me scramble in wait for the sequel? Yep, the ending is definitely chilling. Does the magic fulfill its plot and is it as amazing as it sounds on the synopsis? Pretty much.
Then what is lacking?
The characters. Other than Amari, i have zero tolerance for the others. They are painted beautifully, seemingly fleshed out with plenty of room for development. Zelie needs to know how to turn her vulnerability into strength, and Inan needs to grow up and makes his choice. But their romance is as shallow as it is fleeting - how are they connected, really? Why are these two even drawn to each other?
And Inan has to be the weakest, most despicable lead character i have ever read. Mostly he spends a long time alternating between choices, not making his mind. I get he is torn by his love of the country and duty to his father, but next we see him gushing about Zelie and how he cannot live without her, only to turn against her in the next chapter. How indecisive.
So that pretty much turns me off. One other thing, i find myself detached from the characters and story for reasons i myself cannot fathom. I have no idea why i want the read to be over soon, and why i keep skimming the pages just to get to the action. This used to be the kind of story i loved - Bear and the Nightingale, Winner’s Curse, but this one is just a 3.5 for me.
I adored the movie and really wanted to read the book too. I thought the movie is visually enchanting, but it does not allow much room for character dI adored the movie and really wanted to read the book too. I thought the movie is visually enchanting, but it does not allow much room for character development other than Elisa’s growth as the lead. The book, however, is a completely different story. It humanizes everyone, even the antagonist and side characters we don’t much see in the movie other than in snippets of scenes.
I have to admit i was bored to tears by the first chapters of the book, despite being charmed within the first few minutes of the movie. But i kept reading and it paid off; despite being detailed, the book is so different yet maintains a lot of similarities to the movie. I like knowing more about Giles, Elaine, and even Strickland and Dmitri feel so much more flawed, so much more human than they appear. It gives a realistic vibe and draws a rich background for everyone, which i appreciate.
That being said, i would still watch the movie many times over, but the same probably cannot be said for the book. The prose feels stiff, though some parts stand out in their descriptions of love and humanity. 3,5 stars....more
I think i found a specific genre i really love - the winner’s trilogy and this one make me realize how much i like books with strong heroines, with a I think i found a specific genre i really love - the winner’s trilogy and this one make me realize how much i like books with strong heroines, with a medieval setting, and a lot of (political) intrigue. Even better when mixed with fairy tales and an intriguing romance.
This one stars off very slow, not unlike the first book. i’m not fond of the back stories told through the perspective of other characters, but understand they are necessary. So after getting through this first part, Vasya’s story starts to kick in and when we reach the third and fourth parts, i can’t read fast enough. I just want to absorb every word, every conflict, every anguish and let them simmer deep inside. I love it.
Am so disappointed i need to wait around 5 months to get my hands on the final book, but i believe it will be worth the wait....more
Love the Russian folklores, love the strong and vivid characters, love how the story unfolds despite its rather slow (but solid) pacing.
I do4.5 stars.
Love the Russian folklores, love the strong and vivid characters, love how the story unfolds despite its rather slow (but solid) pacing.
I don’t read much Russian fairy tales or books set in Russia, but this book feels like a well loved childhood book showing wonders to someone unfamiliar with the stories. The read never feels difficult to grasp, or too complicated to follow.
It does take a long time exploring all the characters in the book before settling on our wonderful heroine Vasya, and i have to say at first i was disappointed to realize it was set in third person narrative and that the story jumped from one arch to another, but later i saw how important it was to see various characters’s point of views. Had we focused solely on Vasya, i do not think we would have a deeper empathy and connection to the others, which would be a shame since they are all flawed and human too.
That being said, i found myself unable to put down the book once i reached the third part of the book. Action took over, so did suspense, and it all folded out so marvelously until the very last page. Can’t wait for the second book in the trilogy. ...more
I thought this novel would be hard to read without watching the movie first. That being said, both versions complement each other wonderfully. I love I thought this novel would be hard to read without watching the movie first. That being said, both versions complement each other wonderfully. I love reliving the scenes and getting to know both Taki and Mitsuha all over again....more
Tiger Lily is equal parts devastating, mysterious, and beautiful. I am a huge fan of Peter Pan ever since i read the original version, and that means Tiger Lily is equal parts devastating, mysterious, and beautiful. I am a huge fan of Peter Pan ever since i read the original version, and that means i have bought most books with its retellings, watched the movies, et cetera. Out of the others, i think this retelling is the best.
It borrows the plot in some ways but develops the story so richly that i feel like entering a new yet familiar world at the same time. The pacing is often slow but the scenes keep changing and moving along to not allow a moment of boredom. The setting is wonderfully written, but out of all, my favorite lies in the interactions between the characters. Friends, lovers, enemies, father and daughter, everything is artfully written with a sensitivity and a sense of humanity. There is no black and white, only shades of greys the characters themselves are still trying to find out.
I am surprised at how everything feels like they click just right with the original story, even with the Disney version. I can imagine everyone so vividly, and while Tiger Lily is not the most personable person to know, i love her courage and everything else about her enough to want to root for her. I also applaud the choice to write in Tinker Bell's voice, because it gives her a role that as we go along in the story, feels like i wouldn't have it any other way.
As i reach the second half of the book my heart literally aches for Tiger Lily, for everything she's lost and tried to gain back. As i finish i just want to shed tears and mull over the ending, which is as satisfying as it is heartbreaking. After all, who decides what's a happy ending and what's not?...more
Enthralling, enchanting, all beautiful and broken things at once. The words are like magic, the story evenly paced with just the right amount of conflEnthralling, enchanting, all beautiful and broken things at once. The words are like magic, the story evenly paced with just the right amount of conflict. The world is thoroughly built, and whenever the descriptions get close to too much, the author expertly pulls back. So many secrets, all revealed smoothly in one intricate story. I have so much love for this book! And am assuming the second one will be from Donatella's POV?...more
Well i like this much better than the Selection series. The idea is fresh and quite intricately executed in a way that makes sense. The characters areWell i like this much better than the Selection series. The idea is fresh and quite intricately executed in a way that makes sense. The characters are all well developed and unique, and i especially like Kahlen as a heroine because she feels flawed and real.
The chemistry with Akinli does sound a little forced, maybe too far fetched, and the idea of a soulmate or true love feels too deep for the brief relationship they've had, but i like the unpredictability of the story, how the author takes us somewhere else than what we originally expect.
I also do not know how much of it is being rewritten from the first draft, but this feels like the most mature out of her other books. The selection series is a little juvenile although enjoyable, but this one is more grown up in terms of writing style, character voice and relationships. I like the intricate details about sisterhood, relationship with the ocean, and love/hate relationships the characters have with their past. ...more
I got this book at a Periplus book sale, and thought it'd be fun to read a children's book about ghosts and knights.
The first chapter was actually funI got this book at a Periplus book sale, and thought it'd be fun to read a children's book about ghosts and knights.
The first chapter was actually fun. It reminded me of boarding schools as in Harry Potter, and the setting really is wonderful. Old cathedrals, history, Stonehenge.. they give off a mysterious air, an adventure just waiting to happen.
And then I get halfway, and I cannot bring myself to finish. It bores me to tears. Jon gets to meet a friend Ella, they summon a ghost knight, they fight. It's supposed to be more exciting, but I feel like slugging along just for the sake of finishing.
Maybe ghosts and knights in boarding schools are not my thing. Perhaps I'll read it a different time and find it more exciting. For now I'm shelving it back, and will move on to my next read....more
Loading...
