Book Review: The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

The Starless Sea

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The Starless Sea 〰️

The stories! Oh! The stories this book tells. Literally! So many stories and yet they somehow all fit together at the end.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

The easiest way to describe how good this book was, (especially after reading Morgenstern's debut novel, The Night Circus), is that now anything Morgenstern writes will be an automatic insta-buy for me. I absolutely LOVE her writing style. It's so unique I could pick up her books with no cover, start reading, and know it was her writing it.

The sheer amount of imagination to have like a bazillion different stories all being told at once and yet somehow all intertwine in the end is something I find incredible. The author essentially wrote like 50 novels in one yet none of it felt out of place.

Morgenstern's description of literally everything in this book is astounding. I could vividly smell all the books, see all the elaborate stories, and taste the honey on my tongue. Plus there were cats. Lots of cats. I love cats so that makes this book A-Okay in my books. Not to mention that the MC is gay makes my LGBT heart squeal for representation.

Honestly, I don't want to divulge too much of the book because I think people need to experience this for themselves. It's not just reading a book. It really is an experience. I just wish I could learn a little bit more about how the underworld library Starless Sea came to be, but that's just a small nitpick. The rest of the worldbuilding was great. Though now that I think of it, I would have liked to see what happens when <sspoiler>Kat opens her door and if Zachary and Dorian eventually make out to the top world. </spoiler> But it still had a great ending.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story.

Book Review: Not Quite Out by Louise Willingham

Not Quite Out

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Not Quite Out 〰️

I truly wanted to fully love this book because I will never stop advocating for more LGBT+ representation in literature. (Or any form of media, really). And I did like this book, to some extent. I will admit there are things I liked, so I will list them off first before I get into what I didn't like.

First, we love ourselves some good LGBT+ rep. That will never be a negative in my books. Second, I really liked a lot of the secondary characters, especially Lilley (although we don't see her, or much of anyone for that matter, much). Although I will say her suddenly dating Cas at the end did seem to come out of nowhere. Love that it happened, but it felt out of place. I also liked Dan's recovery story. He seemed to be the only one with some character growth, and I did find him likeable.

Unfortunately, I had some issues with the rest of the story, mainly the MC and narrator, Will.

When Will first met Dan, he became very stalker-like, very fast. And then he was just plain obsessive with Dan literally the entire book, so much so that even other characters had to keep pointing out how obsessive he was. I didn't like Will very much, which is sad since he is the MC we are stuck with. He's way too obsessed with Dan from the beginning and can't seem to function unless Dan is literally touching him. Even then, he just bawls at literally everything. Nothing wrong with men showing emotion. In fact, it's terrific. But I feel like Will is just crying and upset at everything and everyone.

Also, I don't think his relationship with Dan is very healthy. Dan was going through some tough times and all Will can think about is how much he wants to be with him. Like I get it, he cared for his friend, but the way he handled every situation just rubbed me the wrong way.

Not Quite Out by Louise Willingham

Not to mention Will was so obsessed with Dan that he ignored his friends and even classwork. For someone who wanted to be a doctor, he wasn't putting in the work. Nor do I think he's in the right mindset to become a doctor.

As for the writing, especially for over half the book, they say "thank you" and "you're welcome" (and "I'm sorry" like fifty bazillion times. I get they are polite and all but there had to be better ways to write that. Especially because they'd be thanking each other multiple times per paragraph. It's almost drinking game level. (But don't, because you might die).

I also didn't like that so much time was spent with them going to sleep and waking up. I get the author was trying to make some cute scenes between Will and Dan, but it wasn't doing it for me. I also didn't see any chemistry between them until waaaaay later. Like, near the end later. For most of the book, as I mentioned, it was just Will obsessing over Dan while he was recovering.

The book itself was still a good read. Not the best book I've ever read, but certainly not the worst. I think it could have been excellent with some more revisions. Or have Dan be the MC instead of Will. I really didn't like Will.

Book Review: Here's to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Here's to Us

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Here's to Us 〰️

That ending!!!

Okay, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Here's to Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

This was the perfect sequel to a fantastic LGBT+ novel. We need more diverse books like these in the world. I'm sure they exist, but I have yet to find them. I'll be on the lookout, that's for sure.

I will admit, having most of the book with Arthur being with Mikey and Ben sorta with Mario, I was worried about how the authors would get these two back together. It was bound to happen given that the perspective was both of Ben and Arthur. I'm so glad the authors found the perfect way to have them meet-cute all over again and get back together.

This book had me going for all the feels. With Dylan and Samantha's secret life, to the will-they-won't-they of pretty much every couple, to that OMG ENDING! And how Ben proposed to Arthur!?! It was so cute!!!. I loved it from start to finish.

The only thing I didn't entirely like (and in book one, but I failed to mention that in my review of it) was that sometimes it was hard to tell who was talking. But other than that, I don't have anything negative to say about this book. Or the first one.

If you want to read a good love story where there isn't any doom and gloom (like most of the stories I read) this is the book for you. I mean you could technically count breakups as doom and gloom, but I'm not in this case. This duology is a breath of fresh air. Anyone in the LGBT+ community (or anyone in general really) would enjoy these books and I highly recommend them.

Book Review: What if it's Us? by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

What if it's Us?

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What if it's Us? 〰️

Before I start, I just want to say I'd give this book more stars if I could.

What if it’s Us? by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

This book was a wonderful breath of fresh air after reading so many doom and gloom books. Not that I don't like doom and gloom, but it's nice to cleanse the pallet now and then.

This wonderous LGBT+ story warmed my heart with so much cuteness that I could die of happiness. A simple boy meets boy story filled with adorable awkwardness and falling in love. Sure there is sadness during the final act, but there had to be some conflict after all. And the payoff to the conflict was worth it.

Not gonna lie, the epilogue threw me off. Didn't expect things to go the way they did. But there was room for more, and would you know it there is a book two. Can't wait to dive into that.

The characters have to be the best part. I LOVED Arthur's POV and I absolutely LOVE Dylan. Everyone needs a Dylan in their life. He low-key kinda reminds me of Mark in my own LGBT+ novel, SOUTH.

Honestly, everything and everyone read like a romanticized New York novel version of a movie and I'm here for it. It was great to just read a cute story about two boys falling in love with nothing super high stake beside the will they or won't they stay together sort of thing. Nothing world ending. No serious mental health. No deaths. Just a sweet love story. I think we all need a little bit more love in our lives.

If you're looking to escape the world and follow two loveable characters and their awesome friends on a cute journey through New York, this is the book for you. Just make sure you have the sequel nearby when you finish so you can jump right back into Ben and Arthur's story.

Book Review: Truth of the Divine by Lindsay Ellis

Truth of the Divine

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Truth of the Divine 〰️

Wow, this book is dark, and I love it. I'm glad Ellis gave a huge trigger warning at the start. While none of this book's context actually triggered me in any way, I know it would for many people. This book dives deep into heavy topics, more so than I have read in any other book before. As much as I recommend this book, I would also highly suggest not reading it if you are not in a good mental state. This book does NOT sugar coat any of the mental illnesses that it depicts.

Now onto the book itself. I originally bought this book because it was a signed copy, and I have a thing for collecting signed books or other objects. Since this was book two, I obviously had to go and buy the first one and read that. (Of which I also reviewed). I do not regret buying either of these books.

Truth of the Divine by Lindsay Ellis

Even though Cora is the MC, we are now introduced to another MC with his own perspective, Kaveh. I loved him. He was so charismatic and loveable that I could see why Cora attracted him so fast. It did feel a little odd at first, having so many chapters in Kaveh's perspective, especially considering it was all from Cora's POV in the first book, but I warmed up the idea very quickly. I think his POV was actually necessary, especially when Cora was extremely depressed. We wouldn't have gotten much out of her perspective during her bad mental health. (Which I totally understand. She had gone through so much trauma).

As someone who suffers from extreme anxiety, I can concur that it was depicted very well in this book. Also, as someone who doesn't understand what it's like to be depressed or suicidal, I feel like I have a better idea of the mindset of people who do have this mental state after reading. Mental health is critical, and I hope to learn more to help release the stigma and be a better person to anyone suffering.

That all said, the story was much better in this book, and I love the new alien, Enola/Nickola. Although I see the intention behind it, I did find it a bit weird that Ellis kept switching between different names (even in the same chapter) for the same characters. The alien characters, not the humans.

All in all, though this review was kinda all over the place, the book was a great read. I can't wait for the next one. (That ending cliffhanger! And poor Kaveh! And the last publication at the end, ERG! Love the ending). I recommend this if you liked the first one, but only if you have the capacity to do so. It really is a triggering novel

Book Review: Axiom's End by Lindsay Ellis

Axiom's End

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Axiom's End 〰️

I loved watching Lindsay Ellis on YouTube for years. It's sad to see she won't continue her YouTube journey but I totally understand why she left. With that said, I do hope she continues to share with us her writing.

If I'm being honest, I only bought this book because I saw her second book was coming out and if you pre-ordered it you could get a signed copy. I have a thing for signed things and I have quite a collection of signed items, mostly books and CDs at this point. My point is, I had no idea what either of these books was about, only that I wanted the signed book from one of my favourite YouTubers and since it was book two, I would obviously need to buy the first book to have the full set.

I'm so glad I bought them.

Axiom’s End by Lindsay Ellis

Normally a book about alien invasions wouldn't be something I pick up. Not that it doesn't interest me, it's just not something on my list of priority reads. But as mentioned, I wanted that signed book so I bought this one and was super pleased to see that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now I'm glad I have the second book ready to go.

Lindsay's writing style is a wonder to read. Although I admit there were a lot of "big words" that made some of the prose a little hard to understand. It's clear, however, that Lindsay knows her way around the written word.

As for the characters, I absolutely LOVE the relationship between Cora and Ampersand. It sorta follows the enemies-to-lovers trope, but instead of lovers, it's friendship. Watching them bond over time made my heart squeal every time Ampersand would slowly open up to Cora. They had such a cute friendship bond and I love how the use of consent was included. Even with the twist at the end, it still didn’t make me dislike Ampersand any less.

I will admit, some of Cora's actions were a bit questionable, but to be fair, I've never been in her situation and I may act the same way she did. No one really knows how they would react in order to survive and try and save their family when aliens come to town.

All in all, this was a very enjoyable read. Now, onto the sequel!

PS: I still don’t get the title of the book though.

Book review: Wilder Girls by Rory Power

"Something". The unique first word/sentence of this novel certainly sums up the book. It certainly was "something". A great something at that.

I congratulate Power on her first novel being so, well, powerful. Love all the girl power, strong friendships, and especially the LGBT+ representation. I also enjoyed the uniqueness of the Tox and world in which we are thrown immediately into. Right from the start, the Tox had already been around for a while and we see the girls living the only life they now know how. Just people trying to survive.

I love how brutal this whole book can be, and I'm not just talking about the Tox. The girls of Raxter held together so well, but when all hell breaks loose, humanity's dark side rears its ugly head and shows us how we really are in the wake of a situation such as this. (Such as murders and secrets and the likes).

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

I also applaud Power for her writing style, especially during Byatt's POV. The way it was written, like a person in and out of consciousness and out of their mind, really made me feel like I was in Byatt's head. And I love how Hetty's POV is also written just like someone's thoughts. Short sentences, repeated words. It just all worked so well.

These characters have been through so much before the book even started. And then to have everything happen in a week or so is insane. I just wish we knew the true fate of Hetty, Byatt, and Reese. I'm sure Power's left it open for interpretation on purpose but I'm someone who just wants all the answers. I just hope they are okay and are able to survive. They all had incredibly hard choices to get to where the book ended and I just hope it all worked out for them. A bittersweet ending indeed.

All in all, I could barely put this book down. The Tox is such an interesting thing to read about and I loved seeing how the characters reacted to it. Had me on the edge of my seat (couch) the whole time. I highly recommend it.

Book Review: Red Wolf by Rachel Vincent

Rachel Vincent has done it again with another captivating read.

I will admit, this is the first of Vincent's books where I wasn't pleased with the ending. There was so much I wanted to know more about, though it's possible Vincent left it open for a sequel. While the book did have an ending worthy of Vincent's usual storytelling, I just personally wanted to keep going. So I guess that's why I wasn't as pleased with how it ended. By no means does this mean that the book didn't end well. I just felt it ended abruptly and wanted more.

Red Wold by Rachel Vincent

The book itself has no real "villain" and I find that interesting. I love how the story is about learning to accept who you are (and possibly your fate) and Adele's journey to find out if she can really do right by everyone. All Adele wanted was to have the life of her dreams with the man she loves. But finding out she is a guardian really puts a stopper on that perfect life. And when she finds out what she has to do as a guardian and all its hard choices, her life will never be the same.

Red Wolf was a compelling read from the very first page. As always, Vincent leaves you wanting to know more about her characters and the world that surrounds them. It was interesting to see how Vincent changed her writing style slightly to fit the story setting. (I assume it takes place in medieval-ish France in an obvious fantasy world).

If this is your first Rachel Vincent read, I think you will be pleased. Although I would personally recommend her other works before this one as I do think they are more captivating. (The Menagerie Series and the Soul Screamer series are my fav). But you won't be disappointed with this read. As always, in my opinion, anything Vincent writes is literally gold and so I highly recommend picking up a copy today. Not to mention the cover is absolutely stuff and worth owning this book for that alone.