Rhiannon Frater > Recent Status Updates

Very slow reading since I'm working on my own writing.

Still a compelling story with a heroic young girl risking her own mind to save her friend.

An abrupt but satisfying end that opens up the sequel!

Lot's of vivid descriptions has heightened the tension in the book. Overall very imaginative and compelling. This is a solid YA game-lit book with a post-apocalyptic slant.

Things are ramping up in a big way. Also, these Moth Men are creepy AF.

Things are ramping up in a big way. Also, these Moth Men are creepy AF.

I'm impressed by the deft world-building. With very little exposition, I understand the complexities of the immediate world around our main character, Sophie. I understand what is at stake for her & her family. I'm also emotionally invested in what happens next.

Again, Kody is my friend, but I haven't read much of his work since we wrote The Midnight Spell together. I can see his evolution as a YA writer.

This is my first game-lit novel. Though Kody is my friend, I haven't read many of his books since we wrote The Midnight Spell together. I love seeing how he has grown as a writer. The 1st chapter has me hooked and I'm already invested in whether Sophia can save her mother or not. I also enjoyed his descriptions of the VR game world.

Since he's my friend, I won't write a final review, but I will update my progress.

It's so eerie to read about Ted from the viewpoint of someone who sincerely cared about him and didn't want him to be guilty. It's very unnerving to think of the amount of love and loyalty he garnered. He was so good at his facade.

Every horror writer has their "serial killer." Bundy is mine. As a teenager, I was completely obsessed with the case. I was fascinated by how the police finally found him and secured a conviction. At the same time, he really, really scared me. I put off reading this book for a long time because I didn't want to see him as human. Frankly, his "normal" face makes him even more monstrous.

Reading the English version.

This is not my usual cuppa tea, but I needed some lighter fare in light of all the awfulness of 2016. This is a nice distraction from the gloom and doom.

Levi has all the red flags of an abuser from jealous rages, explosive behavior, ignoring Molly's protests, striking walls near her in anger, etc. Worse yet, he's killed innocents out of jealousy. Yet, I fear we're supposed to see him as the romantic lead. Though I'm enjoying the book in other regards, this relationship has me very unsettled. If Levi ends up the villain, fine. Otherwise, I'm out.

There are a lot of aspects of this book that I enjoy, including the heroine. But I admit I'm tired of the "growling" everyone does. And, I dislike the male love interest...a lot. It's not sexy when someone wants to kill the lead, for whatever reason, then have sex with them later. Also, I hate it when women instantly hate each other. *sigh* But my enjoyment outweighs these annoyances. Close to the end now.

I'm enjoying this more than the first book, which is a pleasant surprise. No sophomore slump in this series!

It feels so good to be back in Perry's head and experiencing her world from her viewpoint. I missed her so much.

As always, Karina Halle kills it on all levels.

Of course, our perspective is locked with the primary character who many not actually understand the disorder, or grasp the severity of mania. She is a teenager. Unreliable narrators are...uh...unreliable.

The portrayal of the treatment of bi-polar disorder is giving me pause. It can take up to six weeks for medication to start having an impact, not a few days. Also, medication helps control mania. Mania is not being creative, it's being out of control. Medication allows creative people with bi-polar disorder to slow down enough to create.

Honestly, reading this book, I keep thinking, "Get yourself to a doctor, hon."

My only complaint is that the appearance of the characters aren't described until later in the book, or not at all (so far). There is obviously either a genderfluid or agender character (they, them pronouns are used to describe them), but I have zero idea how this character looks. A lost opportunity, I think, to enlighten the audience.

I have to admit I don't like the name of this book at all. It saddens me that the concept of "triggers" one I live with every day due to PTSD, has become mainstream for something that makes people uncomfortable. Neil's introduction made me even more uncomfortable. Oh, well. The stories are lovely so far.

I'm reading an ebook, so I don't have page #'s. I'm actually at 24%. This is definitely not my usual reading material, but it's really sweet and engaging. I'm really enjoying it so far.

The story is definitely holding my attention, but there are several writing devices that are starting to wear thin.

So creepily good.

The story continues to improve and I'm engrossed in it now. At this point I wish the first chapter didn't exist or was rewritten. In other words, don't let the first chapter turn you off of this story!

I had to push through the first chapter, which surprised me. JL Bryan is one of my fav authors, but the first chapter didn't even read like his usual writing brilliance. I even checked to make sure he was the author. Things improved in the 2nd chapter and all is good now.

I was speeding through this book until Morpheus took center stage. Now I'm forcing myself to read. This character comes across like a fan fiction take on an anime character. I really, really don't like him. At all.