˚⊱ Avi ⊰˚ > Recent Status Updates

Just finished chapter 4 and I'm really disappointed with the story so far..

All the characters act very juvenile despite being 23 and up. The writing and characters feel very middle grade level & everything is told to the reader instead of letting us experience the world. I am really trying to drag myself through the story to get to something interesting to see if the character interactions will hold up the story..

There's so much Fire Nation imagery in chapter 3 that I just can't ignore. I really hope the parallels to Avatar simmer down soon, as it just feels very much like a fanfiction rather than it's own story so far. I'm hopeful, but not holding my breath for too long.. Also the telling with very little showing is killing me!

Just finished chapter 2 and left with a few thoughts...

1. The reasoning for Koraine being chosen doesn't feel strong enough. Like, we don't even know what specifically her father did that would make her equal in value as a bride as the princess would be. It's giving Mulan 2 vibes, but without saving China..

2. Everything as far as social class doesn't feel very well defined. Koraine doesn't act like a noble at all

"My palms were wet with sweat, and I fiddled with one of the rings on my finger."

Finally!! Some showing rather than telling!!!

Had to pause this for a bit, but I'm back at it!

Still no attendants in chapter 2.. Shouldn't they be going in a carriage? Or at least with a small entourage? I'm really confused as is doesn't really feel like they are nobles. Based on how our main characters act, it's more like Koraine's father is war hero. They just don't seem like nobles to me...

I'm not a huge Harry Potter fan (I liked the movies growing up, but never went much further than that & never had a harry potter crush as a kid), however Tom tells his story in a very relaxed, humble, and humorous way that makes it easy to follow along. I'm really enjoying hearing his perspective so far. It's like a podcast where he was asked "What's your family like?" and "How did you get into acting?", etc & etc

Just finished chapter 1 and there seems to be a lot of telling rather than showing. I'm also wondering where the attendants for the noblemen are. Aren't noblemen supposed to have at least a few attendants?

So excited about the premise and even more excited that I got selected to ARC read it! I'm going to try to be good in updating my reactions in real time, but we'll see lol

Rereading while trying to find my next read and man, I forgot how stuck up Emi is in the beginning of this lol

FINALLY got done with my 2023 backlog! Now to update my "2023 on Goodreads" and then I can focus on this year of reading! ^_^

I won't be doing any further updates or a full review for this novel until after SMP address the boycott

Phew! Almost done with my 2023 backlog!! I can't believe I actually read over 100 books in a year! 😮

"But there are many fools out there in the world who, allowing their emotions to rule them, blunder through life."

I know someone like this, those people are never pleasant to be around..

Okay, okay, I might've been won over by the end. Definitely have a lot of thoughts to get out on this one!

"...don't be a slave to who you wished you once had been. Those memories aren't alive. You are."

Chapter 44

Well damn... that's a brilliant new way to say don't live in the past

HEY!! I did NOT need an existential crisis or to see my nose today!

This feels like a weird mix of fantasy and scifi... Not normally a scifi person, but I guess I'm here now

Forrest I get, but Sarah?? Nooooooo....

Ross is killing me with these chapter titles

This man is "kicking debris" as he runs and all I can think of is him yeeting giant pieces of cement lol

Omg, did Ross just... Omg she did!! I'm so excited!!

Dammit! No no no no no!!

Omg Enva!! I had a feeling! So many things make sense now!

Things are going too well, something has to be amiss, I just know it and I'm dreading it..

I'm dumb, I completely put the wrong author name in my last update, I meant Ross. Oops.. lol

Another day on the grind to update GR with my 2023 read backlog, wish me luck! >.<

I've been so excited for this release! Finally got my turn with the audiobook while I'm waiting for my Owl Crate special edition to come out. Immediately became my first priority and I am loving it so far! Just got to a really good spot and I can't wait to see how the the story will end! Hopefully happily like Dreams Lie Beneath! If it's anything like that I can solidify Saft as a favorite author of mine!

Finally trying a Sanderson book and though I've heard a lot of good things, this is a struggle for me. A lot of this feels like a summary and moves quickly from one point to another. The narrator is entertaining enough, but I'm not sure if I can make it through this one. On the chopping block of being my first dnf of 2024.

Since this is a SMP book, should I even be marking this on GR right now? Should I wait until the boycott is over?