Melissa Smith > Recent Status Updates

I put this down and haven't picked it back up because of some straight forward science that is just a google away that is wrong in the first part of the book, and its coming from a scientist --- so you would think that they know better than that, That and typos that are making me think of abandoning this, but with it being so short I may just push on.

Kristin Cashore can really make some horrors of people.

Kristin Cashore created one of the most DASTARDLY villains ever to live. The horrors are endless.

I LOVE this series.

I am still working on this, but it's still just kind of average to me. I have been contemplating DNFing it -- I keep hoping it gets better.

I also do not like Leopold's friend Emmet. He speaks to Leopold like he's a moron and it doesn't feel affectionate. That point is neither here nor there. But in the scheme of an abusive father, a late mother, and a low-key mean friend...I feel bad for Leopold. Just the child-like nature of these kids feels weird. I had to double check Leopold's age when he was driving a car. He just feels so soft and naive.

ALSO, These supposedly almost in college, late high school teenagers (17) read like middle schoolers in my opinion. Like 12 year olds. The dialogue, the child-like wonder, don't feel like LA almost adult. I keep picturing them like the kids from stranger things in Hawkins Middle School, because that's the way it feels, only those kids didn't quite feel as fluffy as these kids.

Immediately this reads like a late 80s, early 90s, kids tv show. I immediately think of Power Rangers for some reason. (Its nothing like power rangers but the vibes are vibing).

AND ANOTHER THING. I will be PISSED, livid if you will, if she is a necromancer. Because HOW DARE you spoon feed me that OBVIOUS plot device. “My powers haven’t come in yet but golly gee I would be happy with anything….except necromancer.” It hasn’t happened yet, but I’ll be LIVID.

Excuse me — wtf was with the “ofc I eat a lot, have you seen my massive tits BIG BROTHER.” I will pull quotes from this later for my actual review because that was tacky and so unnecessary.

Also, I’m not into every dude oozing weird machismo? Like I get being told you need to be careful of someone, but every dude is Ali Hazelwood massive and SO READY TO FIGHT. Pass. That in concert with the “UGH” FMC is putting me to my death.

As much as I hate to say it, this may very well be a DNF for me. I can’t with the “UGH I can’t get his stupid dumb jerk idiot /exceedingly handsome 🫦/ face out of my head.” It just already feels immature if a bit ditz. Maybe I’m too old for this. I’ll give it to 25%

Also, she literally puts on a wig and ultra high heels to go to ask for his personal information AT HIS JOB. Like—you’re supposedly looking at like Harvard and Yale and almost a whole adult —and you’re gonna put on a cheap wig and heels and try to pilfer information about someone from their JOB?! Begging your finest pardon. Like in reality she’s weirdo. This is hilarious to re-read.

One of the most funny things about reading this again like almost 20 years later is now much nonsense there is in it. 😂 MC is supposed to be really intelligent—but she rationalizes stealing someone’s personal information from student records because she’s “his bio partner and has a right to know.” —wild mental gymnastics but you do you girlie.

I have enjoyed this so much so far--and I have a sneaking suspicion that its going to break my heart.

One of the most horrifying bad guys I have read about. Absolutely gobsmacked.

I am loving this!

ANYWAY. MC is thin and long legged. Her friend is “Voluptuous” —when this author makes her whole thing “dieting” by eating junk and calling it “fruit” to make it fit in her diet. Then has her sit in a Mexican restaurant and order FOUR CHIMICHANGAS and a side of nachos, and a side of beans. Be so fucking for real rn

So I read this when it first came out in 2009 (I was a sophomore in high school at the time) And I remember reading this book, but remember next to nothing about it. To say that it’s clunky, and cliche is an understatement. It’s VERY 2000s teenage supernatural romance edge lord. I think of Twilight and for whatever reason that movie The Covenant.

Love this series