Book Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern /  by A.M. Molloy

What an incredible book from start to finish, from the writing style to the complex characters to the gorgeous formatting.

I'm not even sure where to begin with this review as there is so much wonder to talk about. So, I guess I'll start with the story. There are essentially three different stories; the main story, the future, and "your story", at least that is what I liked to refer to them as. I love how each story is told in the present tense, something I don't often see, although not entirely rare. What is rare, however, is the use of 2nd person perspective. Morgenstern is literally making the reading a character in the story (hence the "your story" perspective I mentioned). I love that in the end, all three stories eventually meet up and merge into one and it was done so masterfully that I have to applaud Morgenstern for the execution.

The Night Circus cover

The main story itself centers around a circus (as stated in the title) that appears randomly at night. Each story perspective all centers around this circus. How it came to be and why. The main players are a girl named Celia and her competition/love interest, Marco. At a very young age, they were bound to compete in a magical competition. The thing about this competition is that its rules are very vague throughout the entire novel and I did feel like most of the time the author almost didn't know about the rules of the competition as well. Granted it does get mostly explained at the end and it felt a little anti-climactic since these characters were training since they were really young and at least 30 years have passed and neither knew much about it. However, though it is a talking point of the story, I don't think it's the main purpose. I think the main purpose of the story was the love between Celia and Marco and how dreams become reality. Also, it was about character growth. At least, that's how I see it.

The magic system was never explained. It seems that people just will things to happen and they do. No spells or anything. There was no showing of how anyone learned their magic, though it is implied that anyone can learn magic should they try hard enough. While most people would consider the lack of magic description a flaw in the world-building, I think it adds to the mystery of the Night Circus. Therefore, I actually think it works well with the world Morgenstern had created.

Overall this was a highly enjoyable read from start to finish. If you are looking for a fantastical read filled with wonders and mysteries, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it.

Book Review: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig /  by A.M. Molloy

Wow. Simply, wow. Quite possibly the best book I've read all year, and I've read a lot of good ones this year.

This book is not only an exemplary read, but I think a necessity. How it handles such deep and important subjects all while telling an excellent story is amazing. A must-read for anyone struggling with mental health. (And a must-read for anyone, really).

Now this book is by no means a cure for depression, but the way it handles mental health is so well done. I think it's important to read this book. Plus, we got some LGBT+ rep and we always love that.

Haig had me at the very first line. It's so hard to have the first line of the book be the hook that keeps you reading. I admit I get into books really easily and that the first line usually isn't what gets me, it's the first few pages and such, but Haig manages to snag you with the book opening line and keeps you going straight until the end.

The Midnight

Library

by Matt Haig

The concept of the Midnight Library is genius. I love that there is a place between life and death (purgatory perhaps?) where you can see all the possibilities of lives you could have lived if you had made different choices in your life, be it small or large. And yes, the library is different for everyone who finds themselves in this state, but the concept is brilliant nonetheless.

Honestly, if you are looking for a great read that also makes you think more about how precious your life is, this is the book for you. You won't be disappointed. With engaging characters and all its possibilities, you'll never want to put it down. Loved it from start to finish. And I also love how it came full circle.

I can't say enough praise for this book so do yourself a favour and pick up a copy today and form your own opinion. After all, life is about our own choices and how we live with them.

Book Review: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury /  by A.M. Molloy

A short yet enjoyable read. I also love dystopian-type future novels, and this one was right up my alley. (Although, since this book was published in the fifties, they mentioned how they had two atomic was by the end of 2022, and this kinda made me laugh. This is primarily because of what an insane ride it's been up to this point, but also because 2022 is now upon us, and we have sometimes come close to having atomic wars. At the very least, there were threats).

A lot happened to Montag, the story's protagonist, in a week or so. At the start of the novel, he is very much into his job. He loved it. And I loved that he loved it. In his world, being a fireman and starting fires to do his job should excite him. This is an entirely normal thing for him. However, he soon changes his mind and begins to question everything. I was expecting that. It's one of the driving points of the novel. But I find that his change of mind and rebellion happens way too fast, in my opinion. Perhaps Bradbury just wanted to keep his book short and to the point -- hence no flowery descriptions of scenery and charters or much of anything except for the needed details. But I would have liked to hear a bit more about the life of a fireman and why they do what they do and why they love it at least a little bit longer.

Fahrenheit 451

by Ray Bradbury

Also, while well-written, many of the characters sound like carbon copies of each other. The exact manner of speech, same actions, same word usage. Perhaps this is because of the world they live in, but to me, it just made it seem like everyone was moulded from the same palette.

As the book went on, it did get a little too religious for me, but that still didn't take away from my enjoyment of reading it.

Despite those tiny flaws, which are more of my opinion than flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was an interesting read to see how past people could see our "future" play out. I hope that I'm not alive if they decide that our current reality does not need books.

Book Review: The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay /  by A.M. Molloy

This was one helluva good read from start to finish. I love how Tremblay writes his characters. Each of them is so unique and interesting. With the perspective of each character, I felt like I really knew the character.

I love that for characters like Wen, for example, it read like the little girl she was yet at the same time it was still written for adult readers. I know, that doesn't make much sense but if you read it you would know what I mean.

Also, LOVING the LGBT+ representation and a happy family. Well, happy until their lives were destroyed.

This book had twists and turns that I was NOT expecting. Wen's death was the biggest one. She was such a main character and then she just wasn't. In fact, I didn't realize she was dead until later in the next chapter. I thought she just passed out but nope! She died!

The Cabin at the End of the World

by Paul Tremblay

I will say though, parts of the book frustrated me. The fact that Andrew and Eric never once ask "Why us?" really bothered me. Like, I'm sure they wouldn't have gotten their answer but they should have at least asked the question. I sure would want to know why my family is so special that one of us dying would stop the apocalypse.

I also felt like the ending was a little unresolved. I really wanted to see this apocalypse they created by not sacrificing each other. It still ended wonderfully. I'm just saying I wanted more answers than the author provided.

One more thing to add, on the positive, is that I love how we learn so much about the characters all while the horrible events take place. Each character remembers something about their backstory that plays into the present day. It was perfectly balanced and never felt like an info dump.

All in all, despite some frustration in not getting all my answers, I would highly recommend this book. It was truly an entertaining read.

Book Review: The Green Girl and the Serum by S.T.L. Armstrong /  by A.M. Molloy

Well, where to begin? First off, I would like to mention I have the honour of knowing the author. He's a really great guy. He wrote "The Green Girl" and had it published a few years ago and I bought it and read it. It was for sure not edited even once. I have a lot I could say on that book but this is the review we are here for. (As a side note, Armstrong had pulled this original book from stores and started over, the new book being "The Green Girl and the Serum" and thus the storyline is technically new. I say technically and you'll see why later).

Before I get into the positives of the book, let's get the negatives out of the way. Apologies to my friend but I did promise an honest review.

This book is filled with info dump and exposition. In fact, almost all dialogue is exposition. It's also a victim of white room syndrome. The entire book is all tell and no show at all. There are grammatical errors legit in the first sentence of the book. There are also punctuation errors that could have been picked up if a proofreader was used, and I know for a fact there wasn't. (I also know this book had been only edited once or twice by an editor and it's obvious that there was no copy/line editor, beta readers, or proofreading done past that point). There are many plot holes and inconsistencies in almost every chapter. (I’ll give a few examples in a bit but I can’t give them all or this will be a book about the book). So many characters are always being introduced that you have no time to get to know anyone. (Again, it's all tell not show). Also, if you haven’t read the OG book I feel like you may be lost. Also, also, why is the book (and blurb) stating Stacey is the MC when it actually seems to focus more on Ben, her boyfriend. Stacey is mentioned a lot but barely a character and she’s on the freakin cover!

The Green Girl and the Serum

by S.T.L. Armstrong

Here are a few of the examples I said I'd mention in regard to plot inconsistencies:

Ch3 Stacey is mean to Ben about his past and is aggressive to him for no reason. All WHILE a literal terrorist attack is happening. Like, could y’all wait to have this discussion? Only after she made him talk, then she suddenly cares about saving the people. Also, it’s daytime and yet evening in Florida?

Ch8 Mist (one of the many characters) can legit teleport multiple people across the world instantaneously (as shown in previews chapters) why can’t she take Chris with her? She literally left him to die. He didn’t have to sacrifice himself.

Ch17 Stacey says Bens caused her nothing but heartache but we’ve literally haven’t seen any of it. Barely any interactions. In fact, if anyone 'cause heartache it’s Stacey for being so aggressive to Ben for literally no reason.

Ch20 Ben has a phone. How has he not been searched since arriving at The Outcasts? This should have been gone and is a weak plot point whether it was taken away or not.

Ch24 Stacey continues to be such an ass that even the other characters have to point it out.

Ch25 Who used as a grown adult “frig” I know he meant "fuck" but it’s a YA and thus there is a lower swear count. But “screw” would have been a MUCH better replacement. Then again, Stacey IS very childish and thus does fit her personality.

Also, love the LGBT+ rep but Stacey outing Mist, when she wasn’t ready, was not cool. Also sounds like Mist is bi or pan not lesbian (but that’s minor). Also, was Mist engaged to the main antagonist (Craig) or do they just happen to share the same name?

Ch50 how did Stacy kiss Ben'slips when he has a breathing mask on? Also, I’m no doctor but something feels off about Ben’s injuries. I can tell no medical research was done.

Ch51 Also wasn’t Surge shot in both knees? Doesn’t that bother him at all?

Also, not chapter-specific but just in general: Every time Stacey and Ben talk, Stacey becomes a dick. I mean she’s a dick to her friends too so I guess being a dick is in her personality at this point.

Also, also, a lot of the characters talk the same. (Ex: Using babe/baby all the time and the word "boss".

Those were just a very small sample of some of the issues I found that could have easily been fixed had the proper writing stages been met. As I said, I know the author and thus I can say for a fact that not all writing stages and proper editors were made. BUT! There are positives.

I did enjoy the read. The plot was vastly better than the OG Green Girl book. The writing was also better (although that last one may be the help of an editor).

The book was an easy read and I can see myself picking up the next few books in the series. I do think Ben should be the MC as he's more prominent than Stacey is, but that's just my opinion.

There was a twist near the end with a traitor that I didn't see coming and I enjoyed that. This book defiantly felt more fleshed out than the OG book. I can tell Armstrong is improving in his craft and I love that for him.

All in all, if you're looking for a super simple and quick read, pick this book up and give it a go. Despite it's flaws it's still an alright read.

Book Review: Ashes by Iona Wayland /  by A.M. Molloy

What a wild ride from start to finish. I absolutely love the writing style and characters in this book.

First off, before I go any further, I want to say that this book has two stories in one. Yet Wayland has written it in a way that it never feels like two separate stories. Both the past when Angela's brother Donny is alive and well and the present where Angela is in the forest with her brother's ashes intertwine extremely well. I will say, however, that while each story is compelling as a read on its own, if you were to separate them and make them into two books, it wouldn't work. Not only would each story be too short, if you tried to pad it out, but the story would also lose its impactfulness and quality storytelling.

Ashes by Iona Wayland

I do think it would be cool to expand on the world where Wyatt lives, though. Like, can you see the forest and The Mount from afar? When Angela was on The Mount, could she see anything else besides the forest? I also want to know more about why Wyatt is stuck in the forest yet alive in the "real world". I believe it was explained a bit at the end but I think it wasn't clear, at least to me. I'm not the best at picking stuff up sometimes.

That being said, I loved this book from start to finish. From the characters to the world-building. I loved each story (Donny being alive to Angela with his ashes in the forest). Wayland chose the perfect way to write about grief and trauma and executed it wonderfully. I also praise Wayland for writing the trigger warnings in the book. Great for anyone who needs them.

All in all, this was a great and quick read with all the feels. If you want a good read, I highly recommend checking this one out.

Book Review: A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena /  by A.M. Molloy

I applaud Lapena for her writing style. The use of short, easy sentences, all in the present tense. really help suck you into the world and dangers of the story. The book was written to pull you in and keep you engaged. Make you feel part of the events taking place.

And I gotta say, it worked.

Lapena had me believing Karen was innocent right until the end. I honestly didn't see it coming. Between Karen and Bridgit's story and everything that happened up to the end, I really couldn't tell who killed Robert but I thought I knew for sure it wasn't Karen. What a twist the ending was!

A Stranger in the House

by Shari Lapena

I will admit, though, that I wasn't expecting a "whodunnit" kind of story. I thought the whole book would be trying to figure out what happened as Karen recalled her memory after the car crash. And yes, it technically is that way, but she recalled most of her memory pretty early in the book and I was wondering what could possibly happen for the rest of the 50%.

I also was expecting more of a stalker-type story, you know, with the title being A Stranger in the House and all. And it sort of is. Just not in the way I was expecting.

I guess everything I was expecting, didn't happen, and this is a good thing! It shows skills on Lapena's part.

I was also impressed with Lapena's knowledge of the police force and lawyers and such. She other has some first-hand experience (like knowing someone) or she did her homework. It all helped make the crimes of the aftermath of said crimes more believable. I really felt like I was Karen going through this hard investigation and I felt like I was in jail alongside her.

Overall, a good, quick and easy read.