Ruby > Recent Status Updates

This one is definitely taking me a while to read. Not because its particularly challenging, or boring, but its quite heavy which is expected. I often find that I can read a few pages, and need to put down the book to actually think about the recollections from these women about their experiences in WW2.
A very interesting and important read though, and would definitely recommend.

Im really enjoying the story telling aspect. Its as though you're reading a story written for someone else, and you're getting to see everything like a play from above. Its very immersive, and you get these little foreshadowing moments from the story teller like a greater tragedy is coming.

I'm enjoying the way the author doesn't info dump with regards to the world, politics, or magic, but rather threads it through nicely through the characters internal dialogue, in a way that is relevant to their own backstory

Im already fascinated by the introduction alone of all the changes and revisions that were made for both the magazine publication and the novelisation, and how little control or even awareness Wilde had over the changes, many of which he wouldn't have been aware of until publication. It's very interesting to read about the level of control and editorial power American publication companies had over authors' texts

The vibes are ✨️ immaculate ✨️

The Writing is also so incredibly repetitive that nothing Kai and Paedyn say about each other makes me feel anything and their endless pining is just annoying

They really said that the trials aren't needed to prove her worthy yet they do them anyway just to appease racists who don't like ordinaries
Part of me wonders if Kit is doing the trials not to appease his people, but to kill Paedyn indirectly to save face to other kingdoms, pretending that he was genuinely wanting her as a wife

Can someone tell me where the plot is in this book because I can't find it
Wdym you're throwing her back into the trials, which was the entire plot of book 1, why are we doing this, as a way for her to prove herself worthy of being Kitts bride? Kitt is the king why tf does he bend to his subjects like this
And the plot twists are just being thrown in for shock factor
I really hope this all goes somewhere

Im enjoying the side characters a lot more than our main character. She just had no critical thinking skills at all. How does she go from this intelligent girl who's abkw to plan a heist to break into a library to set a dragon free to asking the most basic questions about things that, given her knowledge and background, you'd think she'd know. Anyway I don't lovr her but I'm loving the side characters and the world

- immediately intriguied by the mixed media aspect - such a creative way to offer readers different ways to absorb information
- the footnotes in particular are very creative, how the author would've had to plan out where she would include them and what information to link them to, as well as type them realistically
- really makes it clear the author is going the extra mile to create an immersive world to get lost in

- didn't love the very obvious info dump we just got on the history of Ilya, like why is Paedyn just reciting knowledge to Kai because he "wants to know she knows what she's talking about" like this didn't make sense and was very obviously info dumping
- would've also been good to know this back in book 1
- side characters development is suffering, we know nothing about them, they only exist for the resistance plot

- how are you both so attached to one another after two weeks you barely know each other
- this writing and characterisation is so under developed it just relies on tropes and dialogue which doesn't make sense

- I dont know how to feel about this yet
- so many similarities to Red Queen and Hunger games, idk how to feel about it because some of it just feels like copy and paste
- not loving it but it is intriguing enough for me to keep going
- some cringe from Kai like we get it they're enemies his emitting this energy but idk, it's a bit too much for so early on in the book like chill a bit

- the political intrigue aspects are the most appealing parts of the book
- plot twists and family dynamics are adding a lot to what's happening and why certain situations are happening and I wish we got more of this throughout the book
- the romance elements have been the least interesting plot points

- I've reached the point where they've come together but it's not making sense
- they've spent the whole book hating each other and have had one brief moment on a balcony where they barely spoke and another when they did have a meaningful interaction
- but where is the build up showing they've grown closer over time
- it's very sudden and isn't clicking for me and doesn't feel believable
- maybe if we had a Kit POV

Initial thoughts
- stunning writing
- again world buildings and descriptions
- characters immediately drew me in
- reminds me of Stephanie Garbers writing style which I absolutely love
- Gothic vibes
- listening to Sociopath Detuned by Lucas King which is the perfect piece of piano music to read this to