Fatima > Recent Status Updates

I like how the police are competent in this story. Also, I’ve changed my mind. The culprit is someone else.

I think I know who it is. Starts with an M. Rides a bicycle. Has been described to resemble an animal more than a person (though I think that might’ve been said with affection).

“Imitate the vegetable kingdom as far as possible” says the doctor. That’s some good advice. That’s what I’ve been doing. Anyway I really like this so far. Quite modern in its content. I like Jerry as an MC. It also reminds me of Wicked Little Letters with Olivia Coleman. I wonder if it was inspiration for the film.

I really love how everything is playing out. But it’s almost too good to be true. Also there’s about 35 more hours of book left…

Tress giving Rapunzel/Tangled vibes

Aw Dantès is my age now. That’s nice. He’s been through too much. And now he’s discovered lying??? Love it.

It’s amazing how, one moment, you’re just reading and enjoying a fun book and then, in the next moment, you are desperate for everything to turn out well because you care so deeply for these characters 😭

17 parts down, 100 to go! Lol @ the Abbey and his genius. How did he end up in prison, I wonder.

I like how the scale of this book - the world is not being changed by the events but the characters very much are. It’s great.

Ok Hoid’s addition makes sense now. I’m really getting into this. For a moment, I was annoyed that it was taking away from the main mission of Charlie but I like it now.

I’m not loving the narrator being a character in the story. He’s a bit annoying. Maybe they’ll be a reason for it later. We’ll see. I do like Huck, even though he is a rat ew. Tress is growing on me too.

I really like Tress’ parents. And Charlie. He’s sweet. Tress is fun too. The style feels like an old fairytale.

This is me listening to Dantes’ misery: ☹️

Had to take a break to listen to the Anastasia soundtrack non-stop but now we’re back! Just read that Dumas was a Bonapartist. Makes the royalist commentary interesting.

“We both said horrible things to each other,” thinks Gemma but I fail to remember what was so horrible about what she said?? Also, this whole “Harry is one of the good ones” and it’s all the women he chooses that are the problem apparently… ew.

Spencer is still a loser.

The storyline is picking up. Gemma’s home life is still suffocating. I understand post-concussion syndrome and how it can alter your personality but Spencer has literally become a new person. If this doesn’t end with her leaving Spencer at this point, I’m going to be annoyed. I wonder if I’ll change my mind.

Gemma’s life is actually suffocating me. Ew. Also, this whole book is kind of boring. Give me war in a fantasy land please ?

Three things:
1. This was supposed to be a palate cleanser between fantasy books but I didn’t realise how long it is.
2. Also, someone almost falling to his death is not much more relaxing than war.
3. I really love when a place is described as a mess and then someone cleans it up.

Anyway, I’ll keep at it.

I had to do some historical context research. I really don’t know much about Napoleon except that he surrendered at Waterloo (thanks ABBA). But now I know a bit and it’s placing me better in the story.

After finishing a book all about war, and starting another book about a poor kid being targeted by haters, maybe something rooted in reality and with simpler problems is a good idea.

I think I only grasped a little of that last chapter. Listening to this with a headache isn’t great. Although it did make the image of Dante swirling a stool around his head seem pretty funny.

It’s the final countdown! Denenene…

Also I read a spoiler for this - actually I don’t even know if it’s for this book or the next book or the one after that. I’m upset.

I’m quite sad I’m within the final 60 pages of this :( I don’t really want it to finish.

I like how this got right into it. Although it really can’t have since there’s over 1000 pages left. Still, it’s interesting. The drunk French guy was funny. But I really love Dantes.

Was going to read this through the serial app but it was going to take 8 months so I find a 50 hour audiobook instead. I am really in awe at how Dumas has made me care for Dante in such a short time. Characterisation masterclass.

There are some seriously graphic descriptions in this book. It’s very distressing because it is so real. There are actual armies out there doing these horrific things without any interference.

I am so glad Rin fought back because I wanted to. I could feel her anger, like the fire was under my skin. Gosh, Altan is so infuriating. Chagran is too, but he’s also kind of cool. He is new though so he might become infuriating. Also, I randomly decided to continue watching Avatar and the magic systems are very similar.

I am really enjoying how there is very little romance in this book. It is so refreshing, I could almost cry. You mean it’s possible for people to talk without there being any romantic tension??? Imagine that. There is almost too much war. Like, there really is nothing else.