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I thin Katherine Arden just may not be for me. I want to care about this but something about her writing always feels detached to me.

I like that it is constantly flipping between the romantic nature of the city and the gritty aspects (something every major city has), but I don't love the surprise pregnancy after what sounds like the first time she owned her sexuality...feels a little like a moral punishment.

Ethel is a fantastic character but pacing has been a little tough.

I am betting that kid comes to the ball in Ethel's wedding dress

I'm digging the falcon thing, it's a vibe. I also love the idea of Cinderella being totally oblivious to all the work going on around her and spouting annoying quotes. But Ethel's father-in-law trying to marry off an 8 and 9 year old? That doesn't really track with the time period.

The author does a good job of making it believable that Carrie would fall head over heels for Johan, they have an easy chemistry and charm together. But it also doesn't feel sustainable, like Carrie needs to get her shit together, if you can't deal with being away from him for a few days, it's pretty co-dependent.

I feel like this is a good idea that was poorly executed.

A love triangle? Oh hell no.

The demons are not interesting and none of the characters feel like real people. It's too bad because the main character's workplace stuff is actually the interesting part and I wish the author knew what to do with that.

I'm too far in now. I have to make myself finish this boring ass book. Lancelot is writing his cousins letters like he is as sleep away camp. There is zero romantic tension and no urgency behind his quest for the grail.

It's crazy how fast these dudes were invited to an orgy. Somehow the story is still boring? I am considering putting this one on a soft pause.

The sister angle is a little distracting. I think it would be interesting if it was the central concept, but I am not sure what I am supposed to be focusing on. Maybe that's the point? To make it harder? My money is on Virgil.

Pacing is a little up and down so far but the character work is really good. I especially love the focus on female friendships. I liked the fight between Hannah and Emmy because Emmy is the POV character but Hannah is actually in the right.

I am bored

Still love the writing and Mabel/Elsie as a characters. But there is no way that Daphne isn't imaginary, I mean she was probably real before her family moved away but has been imaginary since she showed up at the hospital. At least, I will be shocked if that's not the case. And this was introduced as a love story about their friendship so I really hope I am wrong.

Living up to the hype so far! I love a platonic friendship love story and I love hilarious old ladies.

This feels like a loose Beauty and the Beast retelling. Woman has to go live with shitty dude to save a family member. Dude is still shitty but she comes around because he is likely cursed in some way.

Hmmmm, still feeling like a pretty standard coming of age fantasy novel. I feel like I need something more out of this.

Hmmm, kind of cookie cutter so far.

I haaaaaate it when the fmc acts like a fumbling child and the mmc's whole deal is just taking care of her. Isn't this woman supposed to be some sort of math genius? Literally what value does she contribute to their friendship?

Let me get this straight, this character thinks she has commitment issues because she cycled through a lot of boyfriends before her 7 year relationship that she started at 19?! You were a teenager, that doesn't count. Like at 26 she should still be dating around. Is she like Mormon or something? Also, there is no way her first kiss wasn't the friend...I think this author may just not be for me.

It's a monster mash! I think Morjune and Betheli are my faves. The problem is, the villain is boring and that makes the story less interesting. Also, fuck these townspeople.

The vignette style structure is making things a bit slow. I'd like more character time

I think this could have used a few adjustments but if this turned into a series I would definitely read it.

I like the tone, it feels a little bit Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrel but also a little bit Frankenstein.

I have to wonder if, at some point, a jarbrain is not going to be who they are. If Martim could still be alive. I live Isa and Kob both trying to save each other and hope we get more of that dynamic.

I love everything about this except for the size of the experience gap between the characters. Not a problem for the story as a whole, I just personally don't find it romantic when one character is taking on the mentor role, it feels parental in a way that is not hot. I think it would help if Sadie had some other advantage to kind of balance them out.

Rich or no, Mal's money management is concerning. Otherwise, love her. Sadie's whole deal could get annoying soon but isn't yet. All the side characters are really well written. Also, Sadie's sister is an asshole.

The worldbuilding is excellent so far and I like the character. I don't feel emotionally invested at this point but Fonda Lee is good at building that up slowly so I have some faith.

This isn't connecting at all. The writing is good, beautiful even, but nothing feels real or memorable. I am thinking I should probably drop it before it puts me in a reading slump but I actually paid for this one so I keep trying to make it work.