Listed: Mini Reviews {January 2019}

Hello lovelies! Jen has her own awesome overview post called 'What I've Been Reading Lately," so rather than use the same format and make it confusing about who's posting, I decided to stick to my short review style from The Forest of Words and Pages. Though truthfully, the fact that Jen literally reads 10 times the amount of books as me will also likely be a dead giveaway.

 So, whether I loved these books or not, I’m going to lay out a few bullet-pointed reasons you should, or shouldn’t spend your time reading some of my recent reads.

 

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

Source: Audiobook from Library

✽ I was interested in this book primarily because I loved Kiersten White's book And I Darken. Though to be honest, I haven't loved many of of her books and I haven't read the rest of the Conqueror's Saga YET.

✽I did love that this story is centered on a female perspective. I enjoyed Elizabeth and found her story intriguing. However, I did see a lot of the twists coming and whenever that happens it leads to my feeling that the protagonist is naive for not seeing what the reader sees.

✽ As a follow up point to my last point, I really dislike seeing all the things that are being foreshadowed too clearly, way early on. It feels like you've already reached the end of the story when it is too predictable.

✽ My favorite parts of the story were the parts when Elizabeth and Victor were children. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if more time was spent there and it had went chronologically, instead of back and forth. I did sincerely love Elizabeth as a character and that made me keep picking this one back up.

✽ Final thoughts: If you love Frankenstein retellings, this is probably a story you will enjoy. It was an original take on a classic story. I realize that I'm usually not a big fan of this particular story. I've read a few retellings of Frankenstein and I haven't 'loved' any of them. Kiersten's writing here did keep me coming back for more, but I was satisfied, not enthralled, by this tale.

Bottom Line: It was okay🌟🌟🌟

 

Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke

Source: Purchased

✽ I love me some April Genevieve Tucholke and I love stories about badass girls dealing in death, so my body was ready for this experience.

✽ I didn't exactly dislike The Boneless Mercies, but it also is far from my favorite AGT book. Usually I get delightfully caught up in the weirdness of her stories, but this one just didn't grab me like I'm usually grabbed. Parts of this story were lovely, many parts dragged on and felt like filler.

✽ The female friendships in this book are perhaps my favorite part. I loved the different characters and the realistic dynamics that played out. Complicated and dynamic relationships for the win!

✽ Confession: I have never read Beowulf. So it's quite possible, that you way-cooler, better-read nerds will totally love this because of gorgeous elements that went over my head.

✽ If you love, April GT, you should read this, but expect a different experience.

Bottom Line: It was okay🌟🌟🌟

 

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

Source: Purchased

✽ I am unconditionally, and irrevocably in love with the autumn prince, Rook (a little Twilight humor.. since I shamefully binged the movies on Prime last week). But seriously, Rook trumps other fae book boys. He just does.

✽ I can confidently say that this book is better than it's cover and the cover is stunning. I adored it and wish I'd read it way sooner. So GO READ THE BOOK if you haven't. This story deserves all the love and hype.

✽ Isobel is a lovely, fierce, smart AF and relatable heroine. Her journey involves bravery and vulnerability ( I adore a book girl with both) and her character added so much magic to an already gorgeous tale.

✽ The characters and setting of this book are so vivid and engaging. I loved the detailed descriptions and dynamic people of this story. I felt like I was experiencing this story with the characters.

✽ One of my favorite reads in the last several months. Super highly recommend. Thanks to Jen for telling me that I'd be a fool to not read it. <3


Bottom Line: Loved it! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Also FYI, Margaret Rogerson has this gorgeous book coming out in June! Can't wait to read it too!

 

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Source: Audiobook from Audible

✽ Listen... I wanted to love this one. I really did and there is a strong possibility that this is a case of incompatibility of mood and book. But I truly struggled to be interested in this story almost the entire way through.

✽ A huge part of my dislike is centered on the first 75% of the story. For me, it was extremely slow and involved a lot of detail that didn't hold my attention. Normally, a slow beginning is not a deal breaker for me. However, there were so many character names to keep up with, and because I listened to the audiobook, I kept getting lost wondering who a character was. This really kept me from getting truly invested in the story.

✽ I did like the ending much, much more. A lot of deeply beautiful story elements came together in a way that I wish the entire story had going for it. I know a lot of people really loved this book and I wonder if I had read a physical copy, if I might have liked the story better.

✽ Vasilisa is the one constant part of this tale that I did very much enjoy. I loved her eccentric nature, her determination and the way she navigates her own beliefs and values in a town rich in spirits and lore.

✽ Again, while this was not a book I would push into your hands with pure, geeky excitement myself, plenty of readers I respect and trust, really loved this one. So give it a chance if it sounds like your thing.

Bottom Line: It was okay🌟🌟🌟 

 

 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Source: Audiobook from Audible

 

✽ I have not laughed out loud this much with a story, maybe ever. I ADORED this book. And yes, for all of you judging me for just reading this, I KNOW, I'm judging me too.

 

✽  Cath's roommate, Reagan, is seriously sarcasm & honestly goals. She is the kind of friend I always look for in this world and the kind I hope to be, so her and Cath's friendship was a huge part of my love for Fangirl.

 

✽ To be fair, there is literally, not ONE thing that I can think to say about this book that isn't actually fangirling about it, so if you, like me, have had this on your shelf waiting to get to it, DO THE THING! READ the book! It's the actual BEST.

 

✽ I think this book resonates with so many of us in this community because we have things in common with Cath: the online community of 'internet friends' that is not always understood by people who don't do online communities, the way it's easier to relate to people online sometimes because we are anxious, or introverted, or both. Cath is relatable and lovable and this story hit me right in my soul.

✽ Lastly, more books with college-aged people and swears please! I'd fucking love to read a thousand more stories with the magic that Fangirl has. Super jealous of anyone who hasn't read it yet. This will be a frequent re-read for me for sure.

Bottom Line: Loved it! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

 

Have you read any of these? Did you enjoy them? Despise them? Despise my review of them? Let me know in the comments!