Melinda > Recent Status Updates

It’s fine

It’s decent. It’s good even. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it’s nice so far.

This started out soooo strongly, but I find myself needing to back up and re-read sections due to its verbosity. It’s not necessarily bad, but there are entire sections of info-dumping that are awkwardly placed. The story itself is excellent and the author is not a debut author no matter what is claimed. I wonder if this is actually Taylor Jenkins Reid?

I’m not sure if I should continue this one. It’s fine, but a bit too much of a YA feel.

You know how I know I love this book? I’m savoring it. I don’t want to get to the end too quickly. I’m obsessed with Connor. Keep your shadow daddies. Give me Connor.

Make plagiarism shameful again.

I’m searching for a plot….

I HATE the FMC. She’s awful and insufferable. I also think this has some of the cringiest dialogue I’ve ever read in my life. Jayyyyysus

This is DELIGHTFUL so far!

Cooper is adorable

I’m enjoying this. Don’t know why the rating isn’t higher?

I’ve skimmed through so much of this book. I don’t skim. But it’s not great. However I finally get it. It’s angsty bad girl Buffy the Vampire Slayer for adults.

This is very dark fairytale coded. If you remember the 80’s movie Labyrinth, there’s something similar happening here. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not cheesy or camp, it’s got that dark whimsy though. There are creatures of all sorts and they are a mix of disturbing, terrifying, and beautiful in equal measure. I’m intrigued. Our heroine is not a ‘chosen one’. She’s not special, and it’s refreshing!

Nobody writes love like Carley Fortune. Her descriptive language is a talent I envy. She’s so good at making you feel like you’re in the location she’s describing.

She will make you grin and kick your feet with anticipation. She’s so good.

I’ll say again: This series is so clearly written by Rebecca Yarros.

This series is actively making me stupider. What do you mean they let her go see her boyfriend for a hookup when a) they don’t trust her yet and b) he’s the son of their mortal enemy and a high ranking officer in the opposition army? JFC, and I thought Silver Elite was a plot hole ridden mess.

Connor is perfect and honestly, it’s annoying. I love a golden retriever book boyfriend, but the annoying part is how he’s perfect and has the depth of a raindrop in a thimble. *sigh* On a good note, Duffy is far less snarky and more endearing the past few pages, so that’s progress. I am just not connecting with this love story in a meaningful way. Still, I will press on.

Connor just recommended they sing either *exile* or *coney island* by Taylor Swift at karaoke. I’m anTS fan and I barely know Exile and couldn’t even tell you what song Coney Island is, so this guy knowing and recommending them for karaoke (NOT THE VIBE) are wayyyyyyyy out of left field. Gonna say that’s a bad call from Lynn. It’s like her publisher forced her to add a TS reference or something. 🚩

I usually inhale Lynn’s books and so far, this is no different. However, there is one caveat. I don’t like the FMC. Eek! I know I know! But I’m going to push through. I just think her snark verges too far into the category of rude (as a real live snarky person, I’m allowed to say this!). It’s less charming and more mean. Hoping the edge wears off.

The first two chapters were a good hook. Our FMC is the bad guy, but I find everything else about this book to be incredibly simplistic and unrealistic. A bounty hunter would never have a local, illegal dive bar as a hang out. She wouldn’t be trusted ANYWHERE, especially with knowledge of who is in an organized rebellion faction. Everything is too convenient. Also, NO to the “romance” with her oppressor.

Oh no. It’s all going too well at the moment. I have to stop here and pretend this is how it ends.

I won’t stop. But I’m definitely taking a break to pretend!

Holy shit. This book really is devastating. Uggghhhhhhhhhh. I dread finishing it, because I’m already wrecked from its overwhelming heartbreak.

It’s beautiful.

It’s a triumph.

Well, shit. This book is going to wreck me.

While not flawless, this is really fun so far. It’s the closest thing to Zodiac Academy fun I’ve read in a while. I’m really enjoying it.

The first 20% I wondered what the hype was. It wasn’t poorly written, it was just slightly too much of a romantasy and less of a fantasy. It leaned into attraction rather than heft of plot. The next 5% was better, but not anything to celebrate- yet.

This latest 4% it’s getting good. No, it’s really good. If the story continues at this level, it’ll be ✨great✨

THE EYE ROLLLLLLLSSSSSS I’VE HAD

SPOILER:

So you’re telling me we could’ve skipped 95% of this book by her summoning Zander and getting all her vows and skipping to the end THE ENTIRE TIME????

JHC, you people need to read books with actual plots before rating this BS.

Y’all are full of shit with these good star ratings. The fuck is this?

Girl. You just dry humped armor and kissed a helmet. The fuck?