this isnt a book. its an experience. and one that captured both my heart and mind.
because i wasnt just reading a story. i was participating in a mystthis isnt a book. its an experience. and one that captured both my heart and mind.
because i wasnt just reading a story. i was participating in a mystery unfolding within the pages and witnessing a relationship developing in the margins in real time.
this is an immersive love letter to storytelling, research, and writing.
and one i will be rereading again and again for the rest of my life, imagining i am experiencing this for the first time once more.
how wonderful that books/stories like this are created and exist.
this story has the same effect as seeing a glimmer of light whilst being held in a space immersed with seemingly impenetrable darkness.
its amazing tothis story has the same effect as seeing a glimmer of light whilst being held in a space immersed with seemingly impenetrable darkness.
its amazing to me how RR has taken the horrors of war and crafted a narrative that guides the reader to focus on hope, new directions, and comfort. just like that light. its really quite lovely.
and its all because of the writing. there is such a light and ethereal quality to it, which helps lift the heavy and traumatic events of the plot. and the writing also really suits both iris and kitts personalities, as well. to me, this doesnt feel like an author telling a story about two characters, but rather two characters telling their own story themselves.
i am absolutely blown away by this book and know its one that i will come back to again and again.
a tremendous thanks to st. martins press/wednesday books for the ARC.
there are stories that make you feel everything. and then there are stories that leave you empty.
this story is both.
and its all because of benji.
if there are stories that make you feel everything. and then there are stories that leave you empty.
this story is both.
and its all because of benji.
if you have read the previous two books in the beartown series, your heart will already belong to him. you will know the boy with the sad eyes and the wild heart. you will know the kind of person he is.
i really wish this book had kept its original title ‘those who run towards fire,’ because thats benji. hes the sort of person who runs toward a fire. no hesitation, no questions, he just runs. people like that are rare, but you know who they are when you see them. and those of you who know benji probably knew deep down that he was never the sort of person who would get a happy ending.
obviously we still hoped. oh, how we hoped.
this final book, this ending, benjis ending, hurts too much to touch with words.
but thank you, fredrik backman, for giving it to us all the same.
thanks, TJR. this made me cry ugly tears on a public bus.
and about tennis! i shouldnt be crying about tennis. i hate sports! lol.
but i absolutely lovethanks, TJR. this made me cry ugly tears on a public bus.
and about tennis! i shouldnt be crying about tennis. i hate sports! lol.
but i absolutely love with every fibre of my being a good story about a daughter and her relationship with her father. the heart of this story is javier soto and his unconditional love and support for carrie, both on and off the court. that is what made me cry.
i wish i wasnt living halfway across the world from my own dad so i could hug him right now. ...more
there are some books that you know are going to be worth 5 stars even before you read the first page. and this was one of them for me.
the synopsis remthere are some books that you know are going to be worth 5 stars even before you read the first page. and this was one of them for me.
the synopsis reminded me so much of ‘love and other words,’ which is one of my all time favourite stories. and i knew this one would be as well. this has the same amount of heart, childhood longing, and second chances.
this book gave me the nostalgia i never had - memories of lazy summer days and falling for the boy next door.
this story is soooo unbelievably, imaginatively good. omg. i love everything about it.
the atmosphere is peak gothic ghost vibes. i love the family shthis story is soooo unbelievably, imaginatively good. omg. i love everything about it.
the atmosphere is peak gothic ghost vibes. i love the family shrouded in dark history and the old manor filled with restless spirits. it creates a living, breathing setting that propels the story in a wonderfully spooky direction in terms of plot.
the characters are also top notch. i loved them all. signas stubbornness, sylas’ snark, deaths charm. each and every one of them are full of depth and personality and are so enjoyable to read about.
and the writing is so improved from AGs previous books. not that her writing was bad before, but this feels more elevated, more mature. and i really appreciated that.
so not a single negative thing to say, tbh. honestly, this is the kind of book where i would collect multiple editions of it because i love it that much! lol.
a massive thanks to little brown books for the ARC!!
this story is work of art. its a stunning piece of calligraphy, every word as intentional as a brushstroke, every scene as the impactful as the pressuthis story is work of art. its a stunning piece of calligraphy, every word as intentional as a brushstroke, every scene as the impactful as the pressure of a hand, resulting in page after page of valuable meaning. and, after reading the authors note at the end, im even more in awe.
JTZs father came across a marker referencing a moment in history while visiting idaho and asked her to write the story of what happened. the product of the request is this book. and i am so grateful for JTZs father for wanting such a story, because i had no idea how much i wanted it, too.
the story of daiyu is full of trials and adversity, hope and optimism, strength and resilience. it it not a happy story, but it is a real one. an honest one. and it does right by daiyu. JTZ has handled her with love and care and has given a voice to a moment in history many people are unaware of.
oh wow. this is a book you will be willing to sacrifice sleep for. its just that good.
i couldnt put this down. this story is everything i love about oh wow. this is a book you will be willing to sacrifice sleep for. its just that good.
i couldnt put this down. this story is everything i love about books. ive always been a fan of AYs storytelling - she has such a unique and captivating way at creating immersive worlds and relatable characters. but this, her first adult book, is a total game changer.
its subtle and quiet and has the kind of magic that slowly creeps its way into your bones. its the complete opposite of her YA books and i love that. saiorse island is just like any other small town - everyone knows each other and everyone has their secrets - but its also more. its a little darker, a littler wilder, and a little more unforgiving. its the perfect atmosphere for a story about troubling pasts, first loves, and community ties.
im so impressed with this novel and i cant wait to reread it when it comes out just in time for spooky season!
a massive heartfelt thanks to random house/delacorte press for sending me an ARC!
and i was not prepared for how much i would love this, obsess over this, devour this.
the story is dark and gritthe empire of the vampire is upon us.
and i was not prepared for how much i would love this, obsess over this, devour this.
the story is dark and gritty and vulgar and takes vampires, as well as the tale of the holy grail, in a completely unique and bloody direction. JK wasnt lying when he said this book is for adults only - it gives ‘nevernight’ a run for its money in terms of mature content. but i love how brutally real this feels. if vampires were to take over the world, this is exactly how i imagine it would be. the world-building is outstanding and really creates such an immersive setting. the amazing illustrations really add to that, as well!
but honestly, the waves of nostalgia i constantly felt throughout is what surprised me the most. the narrative format reminds me so dang much of ‘the name of the wind.’ from the prologue/epilogue combination, to how a man of legend recounts his tale of how he has fallen so far, and just the overall vibe reminded me how much my heart loves these kind of stories.
its only the first book, but i truly believe that this is going to my favourite series by JK.
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i got about 25% in before i realised my ARC was only an extended sampler and, because of that and personal reading preferences, i am going to hold off until i have a complete copy. but what i did read. oh my goodness. release day cant come soon enough.
to readers who thought they were over vampire stories, think again.
thank you, st. martins press, for 200+ pages that blew me away.
‘life has given me little reason to feel large, but i see no need to make myself feel smaller.’
JZs books have never failed to move me, but this is‘life has given me little reason to feel large, but i see no need to make myself feel smaller.’
JZs books have never failed to move me, but this is the first time he has made me ugly cry.
this is the kind of story that gently touches you and the feeling spreads right to your very core. its a story of loss and new opportunities, of the homes that create us and that distant places that refine us, of peaceful waters and contentious anxiety, of best friends and family, of the healing power of words and finding the beauty in struggles.
but most importantly, its a story of not letting your circumstances or emotions limit you, of becoming the person others have helped you to be, and living a life of your own making.
‘you are not a creature of grief. you are not a congregation of wounds. you are not the sum of your losses. your skin is not your scars. your life is yours and it can be new and wondrous.’
even though this is a coming-of-age story, these are the kind of messages and reminders that everyone needs. and they are so stunningly and tenderly told. easily JZs best work and easily a timeless story i know i will reread over and over again.
you know those books where you immediately know its going to be a 5 star read from the first page? yeah, this is one of those books. i mean, just readyou know those books where you immediately know its going to be a 5 star read from the first page? yeah, this is one of those books. i mean, just read this prologue.
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i cannot even begin to describe my obsession with pretentious students seeking to find meaning via questionable moral means. my soul lives and breathes dark academia; and although the theme of this is more coming-of-age, rather than crime like most dark academia books, this is still a story that has me wishing i was privileged enough to attend some elite school and insert myself in a small detached group of likeminded colleagues where i can wear tweed and debate scholarly subjects (in this case, jewish theology).
this is such an ambitious novel for a debut and i think it has paid off rather extraordinarily. at the end of this, i feel learned, debauched, enlightened, bereft, and full of longing. which is exactly what i want from this kind of novel.
this book is fascinating and mysterious in all the same ways that people who seem untouchable are.
but what those on the outside dont see is the narcithis book is fascinating and mysterious in all the same ways that people who seem untouchable are.
but what those on the outside dont see is the narcissism, ambition, jealousy, desire, and rage.
this story thrillingly captures those exact imperfections the untouchable people desperately try to hide. and us readers on the outside get to see just how destructive false pretences can really be.
utterly riveting, dark academia at its best, and easily a new favourite.
a massive thanks to sourcebooks landmark for the ARC!!
wow. i must have been on one when i first read this because i was waxing all kinds of poetic. but i still feel the same after a reread, so i will allowow. i must have been on one when i first read this because i was waxing all kinds of poetic. but i still feel the same after a reread, so i will allow it. lol.
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every once in a while, there are books where it feels as if your hands are simply not strong enough to hold the immense weight of it on their own. and so your heart steps in and with every beat, every pulse, you begin to feel that pressure. because its the kind of weight that stays with you for a long time, a particular kind of density that makes a home inside your chest.
i can feel how my heart now carries the heaviness of this book. and oh, what a privilege that is.
because this book is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the best story is the story of your life, the best characters are the people you love, and the best writing are the words that come from your heart. this confirms that not all endings have to be filled with grief, and sometimes there doesnt have to be an ending at all. this shows how courage often just means turning one page, making it through just one more day. this promises that life is worth more than an abridgement.
this is a book i will recommend until the end of my days with the hope that maybe, just maybe, others can carry this story in their hearts, as well.
my eternal gratitude to st. martins press/wednesday books for the ARC.
this series. oh man, this series is simultaneously giving me life and killing me. its such a wild ride and i have no hesitation in saying this is the this series. oh man, this series is simultaneously giving me life and killing me. its such a wild ride and i have no hesitation in saying this is the best book so far. the stakes are higher, the tensions are thicker, and the secrets are being revealed.
i also think the story really benefits from all four of the main characters being in the same book (‘dark shores’ had two while ‘dark skies’ focused on the other two). i dont care that this book is super hefty because of it - give me 600 more pages. i dont care that there are constant POV switches - its an adrenaline rush jumping from each adventure to the next. it definitely enhances the story having everyone within the same pages and i am so looking forward to the day when all the POVs finally cross paths.
i feel like getting this ARC is both a blessing and a curse. a blessing because this installment is helping to save my 2020, but a curse because who knows how long i will have to wait until the next book. praying to the book gods it comes soon!
an eternal thank you to macmillan-tor/forge for the ARC!!
i honestly dont know what i could say that hasnt already been said. every positive thioh, addie. who could ever forget you?
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i honestly dont know what i could say that hasnt already been said. every positive thing you have read about this book, take it and multiply it by 100. thats how stunning this story is.
ive always been a fan of schwab. i love how atmospheric, energetic, and wholly engaging her stories are. but wow. i would have never expected her to write something so beautiful, so alluring, so comforting. i really like this look for her writing and i hope she continues this style of storytelling. i think i would dare to say this is probably her best work to date. its that remarkable.
loving this book/series is as easy as breathing, and i inhaled it in one breath.
while i rbook #3 seriously cant come soon enough.
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loving this book/series is as easy as breathing, and i inhaled it in one breath.
while i rated the first book 5 stars because i really had no reason not to, im giving this sequel 5 stars because i have EVERY reason to.
the characters, the plot, the world-building, the writing. everything is so developed, so thought-out, so engaging, so satisfying, and just so dang addicting. i really have no other way to describe it.
i also love the direction this series is going. im so happy the story is expanding beyond two books, but im also looking forward for the next two books to focus on a new couple. its like mini-duologies within one series. cant wait to see what happens next!
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