Alina > Recent Status Updates

Got back to reading it. Have to say I'm confused by everything and don't really know what's going but I support Jeff & his writing. Also I love the duck

Trying to enjoy this one because once again, the premise sounds really good to me. Somehow, I'm bored by this story though. I think we're progressing too slowly and I'm not invested in any of the characters. I also do not love the author's descriptions of women in this one either.

At first I found the premise quite interesting and I was steadily getting through the book. Then I realised how the plot's going to go and my interest pretty much vanished. Very predictable, disappointingly simple.

At least something has happened at this point. Wouldn't mind the slow pace if the rest was interesting but it's filled with long-winded and irrelevant descriptions of how certain weapons work which is just... boring, regardless of who you are. This book has a strong "this is for men" vibe and it's... rather embarrassing. Naive writing style, too much repetition. Good premise spoiled by lack of experience/talent.

I have some issues with the characterisation and progression of the story. The female characters in this book are not well-rounded human beings but shallow depictions of what (some) men think women are like. It all screams "I AM A MAN WRITING ABOUT WOMEN AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING". There are also long scenes purely about the details of different types of guns or whatnot and these get boring really fast.

Not making any progress currently because had to leave book behind when travelling home.

Not making any progress currently because had to leave book behind when travelling home.

Not making any progress currently because had to leave book behind when travelling home.

Not making any progress currently because had to leave book behind when travelling home.

Not making any progress currently because had to leave book behind when travelling home.

DNF.

DNF. Got sick of the timeline being a mess and the characters having no depth or personality.

Oh god. It is bad. Worse than I expected. "A sports bra keeps her chest as flat as possible, the cost of the discomfort weighing off against the reduction in attention." Yikes. "The trousers are good, they hide the shape of her curves..." No. "Shaped and hued like an Egyptian goddess." STOP. "Dusky skin tone." How about no?

The author is a) very ignorant b) unaware of how women work c) sexist & racist.

Have been meaning to read this for ages now. The premise excites me immensely but for some reason I just haven't made the effort. Based on what little I've read so far, I'm expecting good things.

I wanted to give this series another chance...... not sure it was worth it. I've been really trying to enjoy this one but the author's made it very hard. None of the characters are enjoyable to follow and after every few pages I just feel bored and unmotivated to continue. Not sure I'll finish this one.

Very interesting! So far I've been surprised and entertained so I'm feeling good about this one. I like the way the author switches between styles depending on whose POV we're getting, and I appreciate the detail that has gone into this explaining the process of the test and the score system. Very curious to see what happens next.

So far I'm unsure about this. Don't think I like Ben Ryder too much, and the author's descriptions of women are not great. I chose this for the premise which sounds amazing but I'll have to see if it can save the story.

Exactly what I expected from VanderMeer and simultaneously something completely new. I cannot get over how beautiful the design of this book is, and every little detail makes me love it more. As usual, I only understand some of what's actually going on but I don't mind when the language is so breathtaking. I don't even know how one writes like this. Everything is so simple but perplexing at the same time!