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The City Between #8
Between Decisions
Life is complicated.
I mean, life has always been complicated, but there’s a difference between monsters-are-trying-to-kill-you complications and monsters-are-in-love-with-you complications. I’m still not sure which is more dangerous.
G’day. I’m Pet. Two-thirds of a pet, anyway: the vampire isn’t claiming ownership these days, but he’s definitely encroaching. On the list of other encroaching complications is the threat of heirling trials, a certain fae lord, and a mysterious librarian—not to mention the thing that’s killing people on Hobart’s waterfront…
One day, I’ll have a normal life. Today is not that day.
I mean, life has always been complicated, but there’s a difference between monsters-are-trying-to-kill-you complications and monsters-are-in-love-with-you complications. I’m still not sure which is more dangerous.
G’day. I’m Pet. Two-thirds of a pet, anyway: the vampire isn’t claiming ownership these days, but he’s definitely encroaching. On the list of other encroaching complications is the threat of heirling trials, a certain fae lord, and a mysterious librarian—not to mention the thing that’s killing people on Hobart’s waterfront…
One day, I’ll have a normal life. Today is not that day.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2021
55 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
W.R. Gingell
46 books1,080 followersW.R. Gingell is a Tasmanian author of urban fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, and madcap science fiction who doesn’t seem to be able to write a book without a body suddenly turning up. She solemnly swears that all such bodies are strictly fictional in nature.
W.R. spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
W.R. spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
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March 23, 2021book 8 is coming at you! i'm starting to feel nostalgic now that we're so near to the end of the series, and i haven't even finished it yet...
in this book we have: a skittish pet, a half-human fae lord who is becoming increasingly worried, a love-sick vampire who is WARM, and a slightly-past-middle-aged fae who is apparently beginning to appreciate the fragility of life.
enjoy! you only have to wait until may 16th!
in this book we have: a skittish pet, a half-human fae lord who is becoming increasingly worried, a love-sick vampire who is WARM, and a slightly-past-middle-aged fae who is apparently beginning to appreciate the fragility of life.
enjoy! you only have to wait until may 16th!
June 29, 2021
This seemed like a good, solid 4 star book--a low key almost-murder mystery to solve, lots of figuring things out about the wider arc--and then the last, I dunno, quarter of the book hit (it was an hour on my e-reader), and I AM SCREAMING. PEOPLE. THE REVEALS. THE HEARTBREAK. THE TWISTS. THE TWISTS UPON TWISTS. THE OASDUXNA:LSXHWOCIJWD
*deep breath*
I mean, some part of me knew there was a but ASDILUA:LIJQCWO:IQUEWQ:WKJ.
Just go read the book, and then we can commiserate. *wanders off to scream into the closet*
*deep breath*
I mean, some part of me knew there was a but ASDILUA:LIJQCWO:IQUEWQ:WKJ.
Just go read the book, and then we can commiserate. *wanders off to scream into the closet*
January 8, 2022
Post-finale reread: Even better the second time around. This time, I'm particularly entranced by the way that this book, the third from the end, mirrors book 3, BETWEEN FLOORS, in an elegant chiasm. As in book 3, Pet finds herself pitted against Athelas, the quietest and deadliest of her otherworldly housemates. But this time around she's stronger, surer of herself, better able to defend herself...
...or is she?
--
I don't know what to say, except that this book broke my heart in the best possible way and I'm still recovering.
For seven books the CITY BETWEEN series has made big - well-nigh impossible - promises. In Book 8, those promises come due...and Gingell fulfils all of them and then some. The whole book builds gloriously before hitting you with a final quarter that left me making audible sounds of distress. The tension, the revelations, the dread ratchets up and up and UP. I loved every minute of it.
The thing that blows my mind is that there's still somehow two more books left in the series!
Read it, obviously.
...or is she?
--
I don't know what to say, except that this book broke my heart in the best possible way and I'm still recovering.
For seven books the CITY BETWEEN series has made big - well-nigh impossible - promises. In Book 8, those promises come due...and Gingell fulfils all of them and then some. The whole book builds gloriously before hitting you with a final quarter that left me making audible sounds of distress. The tension, the revelations, the dread ratchets up and up and UP. I loved every minute of it.
The thing that blows my mind is that there's still somehow two more books left in the series!
Read it, obviously.
November 1, 2023
Re-read review: WELP. That still hurt. FYI, don't listen to this book at night right before bed. I might have puttered around the house until the book finished because there was no way I was going to bed with THAT scene still ringing in my ears.
Original Review:
HELP. I HAVE EXPERIENCED EMOTIONAL TRAUMA FROM A BOOK. I AM NOT OKAY.
Seriously. It has been a week since I read this book, and I'm still reeling and not ready to write this review. I am going to try to be vague in this review, but I might still give away something considered a spoiler, so you have been warned.
After waiting 7 books for answers, this 8th book in the series hits the reader with them hard and breathtaking and painful. Even though I suspected a few of the answers, I was still not ready to have my heart shredded in the last few chapters of this book (yes, I am totally using shredded on purpose. If you've read the book, you know why).
Funny thing, this book starts out so TAME compared to some of the previous books. It seems all cute and adorable with a certain vampire being extra nice and fae uncle bonding moments and a mystery that was actually straightforward and understandable compared to some of the twisty ones that have happened in previous books.
But don't be fooled. The book is just luring you into a false sense of security before it pounces. Keep your guard up.
And, yes, I'm still in a book hangover thanks to this book. I'm still reeling. Yet, I can't wait for the next book. The way this author keeps me hoping for redemption for a literal serial killer who tears victims apart is so twisty and kind of scary. Major writing props.
This whole series is AMAZING, though it is on the gory side if you are sensitive to that.
Original Review:
HELP. I HAVE EXPERIENCED EMOTIONAL TRAUMA FROM A BOOK. I AM NOT OKAY.
Seriously. It has been a week since I read this book, and I'm still reeling and not ready to write this review. I am going to try to be vague in this review, but I might still give away something considered a spoiler, so you have been warned.
After waiting 7 books for answers, this 8th book in the series hits the reader with them hard and breathtaking and painful. Even though I suspected a few of the answers, I was still not ready to have my heart shredded in the last few chapters of this book (yes, I am totally using shredded on purpose. If you've read the book, you know why).
Funny thing, this book starts out so TAME compared to some of the previous books. It seems all cute and adorable with a certain vampire being extra nice and fae uncle bonding moments and a mystery that was actually straightforward and understandable compared to some of the twisty ones that have happened in previous books.
But don't be fooled. The book is just luring you into a false sense of security before it pounces. Keep your guard up.
And, yes, I'm still in a book hangover thanks to this book. I'm still reeling. Yet, I can't wait for the next book. The way this author keeps me hoping for redemption for a literal serial killer who tears victims apart is so twisty and kind of scary. Major writing props.
This whole series is AMAZING, though it is on the gory side if you are sensitive to that.
September 23, 2025
I finished this book almost four months ago, and I still find myself thinking about it very regularly.
Mark of a good book, that.
A few random thoughts:
• Zero’s introduction to lip-synching was glorious, as well as Athelas’s reference to the “Click-Clock” app.
• The whole scene with Athelas and then Zero charging in and hugging Pet and being so angry that someone would hurt her…
• This is the first book I’ve read where I’m actually comfortable with the author’s explanation for vampires’ existence: they’re not actually dead, just infected with a virus that savagely rewrites their DNA.
This book also completely destroyed me. Athelas completely shredded my heart (pun very much intended), and the rest of this review is going to be devoted to the sneaky tea drinker.
So. Often when there’s a betrayal or a death in a book, I don’t understand the characters’ grief and thus the story doesn’t make me grieve as well. Usually this is because the book doesn’t allow the reader enough time to really connect with the betrayer and simply uses a betrayal as a convenient plot device. But, like that old adage, betrayal doesn’t come from your enemies. Here, the characters’ grief is my own. I came to love Athelas as much as they did over the course of eight books, and so Pet and Zero’s grief is believable and tangible. I feel their pain because it’s my own pain too. I was right there with Pet, “gutted to find that there was a warring thread of love within the aching betrayal: a thread that I couldn’t unravel from the other.” (87%) The author allowed the clues to fall into place naturally, and this betrayal isn’t simply a cheap plot device. No, it’s woven into the story’s very fabric, a part of every character arc and every bit of thematic material.
This is the best betrayal I have ever read, and I simultaneously love and hate the genius of it.
I don’t know if I’ve ever felt this much grief from a story. It’s so horribly brilliant. How did I come to love a quietly deadly fae butler so much? I don’t know, but I haven’t felt this much pain over a character since reading The Warden and the Wolf King.
I don’t know whether W.R. will pen a redemption arc or not. I don’t want her to cheapen the emotional blow and depravity that happens when someone does something as horrible as Athelas did. But if redemption is coming (and oh, how I hope it’s coming!), I know it’s going to be messy and gut-wrenching but at the same time achingly beautiful.
This writing is brilliant. I love it. I want to write like this someday.
Content: violence and lots of gore (including alleged suicide attempts), emotional trauma, a possible indication that two characters are living together. A couple people become the Behindkind version of drunk.
INITIAL REVIEW (read August 2021, five stars):
I am not okay.
This book killed me. I actually did come very, very close to literally crying.
That is all the coherency I can manage right now. Longer review to come eventually (probably with a spoiler marker).
Mark of a good book, that.
A few random thoughts:
• Zero’s introduction to lip-synching was glorious, as well as Athelas’s reference to the “Click-Clock” app.
• The whole scene with Athelas and then Zero charging in and hugging Pet and being so angry that someone would hurt her…
• This is the first book I’ve read where I’m actually comfortable with the author’s explanation for vampires’ existence: they’re not actually dead, just infected with a virus that savagely rewrites their DNA.
This book also completely destroyed me. Athelas completely shredded my heart (pun very much intended), and the rest of this review is going to be devoted to the sneaky tea drinker.
So. Often when there’s a betrayal or a death in a book, I don’t understand the characters’ grief and thus the story doesn’t make me grieve as well. Usually this is because the book doesn’t allow the reader enough time to really connect with the betrayer and simply uses a betrayal as a convenient plot device. But, like that old adage, betrayal doesn’t come from your enemies. Here, the characters’ grief is my own. I came to love Athelas as much as they did over the course of eight books, and so Pet and Zero’s grief is believable and tangible. I feel their pain because it’s my own pain too. I was right there with Pet, “gutted to find that there was a warring thread of love within the aching betrayal: a thread that I couldn’t unravel from the other.” (87%) The author allowed the clues to fall into place naturally, and this betrayal isn’t simply a cheap plot device. No, it’s woven into the story’s very fabric, a part of every character arc and every bit of thematic material.
This is the best betrayal I have ever read, and I simultaneously love and hate the genius of it.
I don’t know if I’ve ever felt this much grief from a story. It’s so horribly brilliant. How did I come to love a quietly deadly fae butler so much? I don’t know, but I haven’t felt this much pain over a character since reading The Warden and the Wolf King.
I don’t know whether W.R. will pen a redemption arc or not. I don’t want her to cheapen the emotional blow and depravity that happens when someone does something as horrible as Athelas did. But if redemption is coming (and oh, how I hope it’s coming!), I know it’s going to be messy and gut-wrenching but at the same time achingly beautiful.
This writing is brilliant. I love it. I want to write like this someday.
Content: violence and lots of gore (including alleged suicide attempts), emotional trauma, a possible indication that two characters are living together. A couple people become the Behindkind version of drunk.
INITIAL REVIEW (read August 2021, five stars):
I am not okay.
This book killed me. I actually did come very, very close to literally crying.
That is all the coherency I can manage right now. Longer review to come eventually (probably with a spoiler marker).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
May 16, 2021This whole series deserves a long, fangirly, Kermitflaily review but I can’t brain right now, so just let me say that this book RUINED me in the best/worst way and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
June 6, 2021
Ah, yes...time to start screaming. Loudly.
To be fair, everything was built up accordingly, from the relationships and friendships and the breakage of the reader's emotions... I guessed most of the plot elements, and those that I didn't guess did that thing where you're like "I knew it!" without actually having known it just because it's both shocking but built up well.
I can't get into any more detail without spoilers, so that's how vague I'll leave it. As the ending arc is coming to a close, this book ends at a sort of cliffhanger AND starts hyping up the tension.
All in all, a scream worthy read with beautifully written moments that both tempt you to throw your reading device out of the window hoping gravity will push it to Australia and make you :,)...
Content: Slightly graphic violence, emotional turmoil in many different ways/mostly trauma (I think)
To be fair, everything was built up accordingly, from the relationships and friendships and the breakage of the reader's emotions... I guessed most of the plot elements, and those that I didn't guess did that thing where you're like "I knew it!" without actually having known it just because it's both shocking but built up well.
I can't get into any more detail without spoilers, so that's how vague I'll leave it. As the ending arc is coming to a close, this book ends at a sort of cliffhanger AND starts hyping up the tension.
All in all, a scream worthy read with beautifully written moments that both tempt you to throw your reading device out of the window hoping gravity will push it to Australia and make you :,)...
Content: Slightly graphic violence, emotional turmoil in many different ways/mostly trauma (I think)
June 11, 2021
4.5
Ahhhh I was not prepared!!!
I know I said in my review of the last book that I needed to know the answers to my burning questions about some major plot points...but oh man, I feel like I'm eating my words. So good, but you ain't gotta crush my heart like this!
RTC later when I gather my thoughts.
Ahhhh I was not prepared!!!
I know I said in my review of the last book that I needed to know the answers to my burning questions about some major plot points...but oh man, I feel like I'm eating my words. So good, but you ain't gotta crush my heart like this!
RTC later when I gather my thoughts.
May 17, 2021
I’ll admit, I did not think Gingell was going to weave back in all those loose ends from the first 7 books but I was Wrong. Urban fantasy is not usually my bag, but I do love these characters and the quirky/cute/creepy Hobart setting. I am now Very Pumped for the epic conclusion of this 10 book series.
February 9, 2025
'Sorry, not fine,' says the reader side of my brain, which is a thing. 'But also,' continues the other, more writerly side of my brain, 'one must tip her teacup in salute at the author who managed all *that* and then, and then, managed to surprise this reader into a wild gasp with the final three words.'
Well played.
Well played.
July 30, 2023
I don't... I don't know how to talk about this because what. WHAT WAS THAT.
The first part of this book is so much fun, with the fae learning about the "Click-Clock" app, the vampire flirting incessantly (and adorably), a fascinating mix of magic and technology that I just loved. There's an utterly unique take on sirens, more discussion of how vampires work in this particular story world, and Pet running into (and away from) what seems to be her higher calling.
And then... THEN the last few chapters of this book just whammy you right in the feels. There are questions answered that we've had since the first book, but in the most painful way possible. It was exactly what I feared would happen, and for that, I give Gingell full marks in not pulling punches. (obviously, yes, i want to see a redemption arc, but also, i respect the choice too much to demand it)
I loved (and hated) every moment of this book, and for that, it earns my first five star rating of the series so far. Wow.
((content warning for gruesome murder scenes, a few spookier moments, and some kissing))
The first part of this book is so much fun, with the fae learning about the "Click-Clock" app, the vampire flirting incessantly (and adorably), a fascinating mix of magic and technology that I just loved. There's an utterly unique take on sirens, more discussion of how vampires work in this particular story world, and Pet running into (and away from) what seems to be her higher calling.
And then... THEN the last few chapters of this book just whammy you right in the feels. There are questions answered that we've had since the first book, but in the most painful way possible. It was exactly what I feared would happen, and for that, I give Gingell full marks in not pulling punches. (obviously, yes, i want to see a redemption arc, but also, i respect the choice too much to demand it)
I loved (and hated) every moment of this book, and for that, it earns my first five star rating of the series so far. Wow.
((content warning for gruesome murder scenes, a few spookier moments, and some kissing))
March 5, 2023
Second read. Even tho I’ve read this entire series before, this time just broke my heart all over again. It’s horrific and I cannot accept it.
Also, I love how JinYeong sits with Pet in her grief.
“Heck, you’re supposed to be cheering me up.”
“You should not be cheerful just now,” he said. “Now, it is enough to be sad.”
The type of wisdom that encourages someone to grieve and be sad and will sit with her in that sadness.
This series is sooooooo good! And I cannot wait to finish it again and start reading the spin-off.
——-
First read. Oh. Goodness! This was amazing. Pet is the most emotionally healthy and brave character. I love how self-aware she is. Also, I adore her friendships and love for her three psychos and willingness to love them even as it’s messy and hard. She is phenomenal. And JinYeong is so loving and sweet. Also, such a weirdo! “I’m too beautiful to fall for sirens”... 🤣
I love them all. I love this story/world/characters.
Also, I love how JinYeong sits with Pet in her grief.
“Heck, you’re supposed to be cheering me up.”
“You should not be cheerful just now,” he said. “Now, it is enough to be sad.”
The type of wisdom that encourages someone to grieve and be sad and will sit with her in that sadness.
This series is sooooooo good! And I cannot wait to finish it again and start reading the spin-off.
——-
First read. Oh. Goodness! This was amazing. Pet is the most emotionally healthy and brave character. I love how self-aware she is. Also, I adore her friendships and love for her three psychos and willingness to love them even as it’s messy and hard. She is phenomenal. And JinYeong is so loving and sweet. Also, such a weirdo! “I’m too beautiful to fall for sirens”... 🤣
I love them all. I love this story/world/characters.
July 20, 2021
To use an analogy from Between Frames, this book reminds me of a , because it feels like my heart just got ripped out.
I read this in roughly three hours (11 pm to 2 am), and the first two hours or so were great. A solid mystery involving ships from Antarctica and a certain app that Athelas refers to as “Click Clock”, JinYeong flirting!, and just generally wonderful moments.
But then the last thirty minutes… take my advice and just stop before the last few chapters. That way you don’t have to stare at the screen, mouth open, tears burning behind your eyes, because all of the little hints and pieces we’ve seen scattered throughout literally the past seven books merge into one logical, horrifying picture. That way you don’t have to see characters die and characters burn bridges and revelations you suspected deep down but didn’t want to admit. That way everything you thought you knew won’t be shattered, and previous books won’t have a completely different perspective.
Between Decisions is a fantastic book. It’s satisfying because we find answers, but because of those same answers, it’s also very painful.
Looking forward to August 31st.
Content: emotional trauma (of both characters and the reader), possibly the most violence thus far in the series
(original review)
........
Review to come. Maybe. At least until after I've finished crying, which will probably be about a week.
5 stars / read July 2021
I read this in roughly three hours (11 pm to 2 am), and the first two hours or so were great. A solid mystery involving ships from Antarctica and a certain app that Athelas refers to as “Click Clock”, JinYeong flirting!, and just generally wonderful moments.
But then the last thirty minutes… take my advice and just stop before the last few chapters. That way you don’t have to stare at the screen, mouth open, tears burning behind your eyes, because all of the little hints and pieces we’ve seen scattered throughout literally the past seven books merge into one logical, horrifying picture. That way you don’t have to see characters die and characters burn bridges and revelations you suspected deep down but didn’t want to admit. That way everything you thought you knew won’t be shattered, and previous books won’t have a completely different perspective.
Between Decisions is a fantastic book. It’s satisfying because we find answers, but because of those same answers, it’s also very painful.
Looking forward to August 31st.
Content: emotional trauma (of both characters and the reader), possibly the most violence thus far in the series
(original review)
........
Review to come. Maybe. At least until after I've finished crying, which will probably be about a week.
5 stars / read July 2021
Read
May 16, 2021...this book killed me.
August 31, 2021
well... okay, then.
July 4, 2024
Stars: 5 out of 5.
Well, things are coming to an end. Pet finally got her memories back about the night her parents were killed, as well as the identity of said killer... with earthshattering consequences. I must admit that I didn't see that coming, so the betrayal hurt me as much as it hurt Pet. Also, poor Abbigail and Co.
I would say that the Heirling Trials have started now, so it will be interesting to see who is left standing in the end. It's sad to see their dysfunctional family unit shattered like that.
Also, the King of Behind is not what I expected.
Well, things are coming to an end. Pet finally got her memories back about the night her parents were killed, as well as the identity of said killer... with earthshattering consequences. I must admit that I didn't see that coming, so the betrayal hurt me as much as it hurt Pet. Also, poor Abbigail and Co.
I would say that the Heirling Trials have started now, so it will be interesting to see who is left standing in the end. It's sad to see their dysfunctional family unit shattered like that.
Also, the King of Behind is not what I expected.
August 24, 2025
Bravo. Well done. What a glorious book.
May 18, 2021
“Ah, a semi-stressful weekend. What better way than to relax with a book I’ve been looking forward to…” — me, 12 hours ago.
The best description that I’ve seen of how I’m feeling right now is, from another reader of this book, “my soul has been put in a blender”. Ms Gingell absolutely pulls no punches, which is necessary for the types of things that are being revealed for Pet. Things are also getting increasingly dangerous for Pet, and the people around her, evidenced by the shocking last two chapters, combined with two almost-but-too-flipping-close deaths for Pet.
We are definitely heading into the climax of the series, which I am both terrified and incredibly excited for. There are elements that I am still processing, and revelations about certain beloved characters that I am hoping and praying for, and I will be breathlessly waiting for the next in the series. Well done, Ms Gingell. 5/5 stars.
The best description that I’ve seen of how I’m feeling right now is, from another reader of this book, “my soul has been put in a blender”. Ms Gingell absolutely pulls no punches, which is necessary for the types of things that are being revealed for Pet. Things are also getting increasingly dangerous for Pet, and the people around her, evidenced by the shocking last two chapters, combined with two almost-but-too-flipping-close deaths for Pet.
We are definitely heading into the climax of the series, which I am both terrified and incredibly excited for. There are elements that I am still processing, and revelations about certain beloved characters that I am hoping and praying for, and I will be breathlessly waiting for the next in the series. Well done, Ms Gingell. 5/5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2022
One time, a friend sent me this quote. I think she found it off Pinterest or something, just a random quote worked up all pretty on a background picture: “Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.”
She said it had made her think. (She made me read Ender’s Game for the same reason. She was always thinking and then dragging me in to think too.)
It made me think, that’s for sure. “You are the result of the love of thousands” comes into my head sometimes, along with this dim, half-visual idea of my ancestors standing in shadowy lines, back and back into oblivion: with me, here, a bright improbable drop of shining, animated dust at the point of the sword, the unlikely result of so many choices and so much love. All of which was never up to me. (Then I usually fade away into musings on Chesterton’s “democracy of the dead,” but that’s irrelevant here.)
This book brought that vividly to mind.
What makes Pet special? It’s her parents. It’s their choices that gave her—not everything she has, but the ability to have it at all. She’s different not because of herself, but because of what her parents did and gave for her.
There’s nothing to do with a gift like that, except be grateful for it and make flamin’ sure you don’t waste it.
I had very mixed feelings on this book the first time around. I loved that part, and I both loved and hated the way W. R. Gingell made good on previous books’ promises. I should have known she would; I’ve read enough of her books by now to know she is, above all, honest with her characters. The reveal in this book is honest: no band-aids over gaping wounds, no pretending people aren’t exactly what they are. But I would have been okay with a little pretense. I would have been okay if we’d taken book 7’s explanation and left it there. I respect so much that she didn’t, but also there are still more explanations needed, and the last two books had better provide them.
Also, the first time through, I didn’t like the sirens plotline, was annoyed by Athelas’s “ClickClock” joke and even Zero’s distaste for lip-synching, and definitely didn’t appreciate JinYeong being all proof against the sirens’ wiles simply because he’s so stubborn about the fact that he’s more beautiful than them and he won’t let them be more beautiful than him. I mean it is funny, yes. And kind of…touchingly childlike? JinYeong is touchingly childlike in many ways. It just annoyed me, though. Maybe it still did this time around, a little.
I don’t know why I didn’t like the sirens plotline, though. It’s good. The climax at the nest is gorgeously atmospheric and sharp with danger. Pet actually gets hurt; you feel the first touch of things heating up out of control, even out of the control of Zero. I know Abigail and her group are the least interesting group of characters in the series for me (though I’m fond of Ezri and her cricket bat; it’s perfect that she’s the one besides JinYeong who calls Athelas “old man”), and that that’s part of why books 6-8 aren’t my favorites. The other part is that I don’t always enjoy the melding of magic with technology, even though it’s clever, and that’s what books 6-8 are all about: 8 most of all, with the sirens being a central plotline.
Mostly, though, this book is possibly one of the best-crafted of the series, though it can’t be my favorite. It…honestly just hurts too much for that.
(Who am I and when did books start giving me emotions. I hate it. Make it stop.)
W. R. Gingell’s writing is deceptively simple. Emphasis on deceptive. And that’s one of the highest compliments I can give.
She said it had made her think. (She made me read Ender’s Game for the same reason. She was always thinking and then dragging me in to think too.)
It made me think, that’s for sure. “You are the result of the love of thousands” comes into my head sometimes, along with this dim, half-visual idea of my ancestors standing in shadowy lines, back and back into oblivion: with me, here, a bright improbable drop of shining, animated dust at the point of the sword, the unlikely result of so many choices and so much love. All of which was never up to me. (Then I usually fade away into musings on Chesterton’s “democracy of the dead,” but that’s irrelevant here.)
This book brought that vividly to mind.
What makes Pet special? It’s her parents. It’s their choices that gave her—not everything she has, but the ability to have it at all. She’s different not because of herself, but because of what her parents did and gave for her.
There’s nothing to do with a gift like that, except be grateful for it and make flamin’ sure you don’t waste it.
I had very mixed feelings on this book the first time around. I loved that part, and I both loved and hated the way W. R. Gingell made good on previous books’ promises. I should have known she would; I’ve read enough of her books by now to know she is, above all, honest with her characters. The reveal in this book is honest: no band-aids over gaping wounds, no pretending people aren’t exactly what they are. But I would have been okay with a little pretense. I would have been okay if we’d taken book 7’s explanation and left it there. I respect so much that she didn’t, but also there are still more explanations needed, and the last two books had better provide them.
Also, the first time through, I didn’t like the sirens plotline, was annoyed by Athelas’s “ClickClock” joke and even Zero’s distaste for lip-synching, and definitely didn’t appreciate JinYeong being all proof against the sirens’ wiles simply because he’s so stubborn about the fact that he’s more beautiful than them and he won’t let them be more beautiful than him. I mean it is funny, yes. And kind of…touchingly childlike? JinYeong is touchingly childlike in many ways. It just annoyed me, though. Maybe it still did this time around, a little.
I don’t know why I didn’t like the sirens plotline, though. It’s good. The climax at the nest is gorgeously atmospheric and sharp with danger. Pet actually gets hurt; you feel the first touch of things heating up out of control, even out of the control of Zero. I know Abigail and her group are the least interesting group of characters in the series for me (though I’m fond of Ezri and her cricket bat; it’s perfect that she’s the one besides JinYeong who calls Athelas “old man”), and that that’s part of why books 6-8 aren’t my favorites. The other part is that I don’t always enjoy the melding of magic with technology, even though it’s clever, and that’s what books 6-8 are all about: 8 most of all, with the sirens being a central plotline.
Mostly, though, this book is possibly one of the best-crafted of the series, though it can’t be my favorite. It…honestly just hurts too much for that.
(Who am I and when did books start giving me emotions. I hate it. Make it stop.)
W. R. Gingell’s writing is deceptively simple. Emphasis on deceptive. And that’s one of the highest compliments I can give.
July 29, 2024
(Note: I've only actually read this once)
WHAT THE HECK? That was... something else. I called the major plot twist (although maybe I wouldn't have if I hadn't seen so many reviews talking about it. *shrugs*), but it was still... a lot.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this whole book, with the whole murder mystery type thing going on, and the TikTok sirens (that's what I'm calling them, alright?), but those last few chapters? DANG.
Also, that ending? Seriously, that was actually a cliffhanger.
In short, I'm really enjoying this series, and I need to know what happens next.
WHAT THE HECK? That was... something else. I called the major plot twist (although maybe I wouldn't have if I hadn't seen so many reviews talking about it. *shrugs*), but it was still... a lot.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this whole book, with the whole murder mystery type thing going on, and the TikTok sirens (that's what I'm calling them, alright?), but those last few chapters? DANG.
Also, that ending? Seriously, that was actually a cliffhanger.
In short, I'm really enjoying this series, and I need to know what happens next.
September 3, 2021
Cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool
February 1, 2023
In which nearly every character comes face to face with the consequences of their choices…and it Hurts. The grief in this is hard and real, but I know it’s setting up for Hope that hits just as hard and True, and I look forward to it. 🧡
May 12, 2022
WAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOO!
*sobs uncontrollably*
I may never get over this.
*sobs uncontrollably*
I may never get over this.
May 30, 2023
reread 2023: I knew what was coming yet was still left staring numbly into the middle distance. truly a masterpiece of a reveal.
Original review 2021:
...well that just happened.
I have never been so thankful that a sequel is only two weeks away because i need it like JinYeong needs his kimchi
Original review 2021:
...well that just happened.
I have never been so thankful that a sequel is only two weeks away because i need it like JinYeong needs his kimchi
December 10, 2021
Akkkkk!
It can't be over! How am I supposed to wait for the next book!? *sighs dramatically *
I have no words! It is simply AMAZING and you must read it IMMEDIATELY!
-That is all.
It can't be over! How am I supposed to wait for the next book!? *sighs dramatically *
I have no words! It is simply AMAZING and you must read it IMMEDIATELY!
-That is all.
November 9, 2023
AHHHH WHAT WHYYYY
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2024
Oh my gosh so much unraveled in this book! The stakes are getting higher for pet and I'm so excited to dive into the next book. My review is short due to the fact I do not want to spoil a thing in this series. I'm committed to these characters, the storyline everything is so exciting.
February 2, 2023
Good heavens, I’m reeling. This was heartbreaking yet wonderful. I don’t even know what I want to happen next! Also, the last page was GENIUS.
November 16, 2023
It's not even funny how upset I am right now
May 24, 2021
Oh goodness, I need so much emotional comfort after this one.
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