Sophia Tedaldi > Recent Status Updates

You know how sometimes people complain that in books and media that they don't account for normal human functions, like toilet needs? You can't complain about that in this book...

Well. That's a tough start.

The twists that are turning! The turns that are twisting! 😱

I'm really enjoying this book! Its definitely YA not Romantasy but its super cute and cosy. There's lots of fairies and even Alice In Wonderland! The MC is unusually likeable as well, she's clever and genuinely brave, rather than fearless.

I love how the contrast between Patroclus and Achilles maintains the horror and ordeal of war. Where Achilles is dancing, angel-like, Patroclus is panicked and confused. War is not glamourous or easy Achilles is just heavenly and you are shown every moment.

Good grief. I knew Achilles' golden skin and the curve of his neck, the crooks of his elbows. I knew how pleasure looked on him.
I never read such raw and innocent love. It made me cry. What a book.

This is such a good book! I just wish the author had given a little more with the detail, walked us through the world building a bit more, lingered a little longer on who the Stars are. The concept and storyline is awesome!

The writing is much better so far and Eli is kinda hot!

The premise of this book is great and I already love the world building but so far we've had a petticoat randomly become a gown, then a nightgown and nostrils that sneer. It's not looking good.

Ive nearly finished this book now and I won't be having it. Priya and Malini will both get home safe thank you. They can't die, neither are dying, I don't care that I said it when I first started reading. Its too predictable! They can't die! What an awesome twist it would be if they both lived 👀

I can see this coming together now. There are many gods in the void. It didn't occur to me that the magic might be the source of suffering not just magic misused. Maybe the waters are the way to the void.

But also, is there possibly a religious reference here? A warning about the effects of religious power?

I can see this coming together now. There are many gods in the void. I didn't occur to me that the magic might be the source of suffering not just magic misused. Maybe the waters are ways to the void.

But also, is there possibly a religious reference here? I don't know enough about Hinduism to say for sure but is there possibly the influence of Hinduism vs. Islam? A warning about the effects of religious power?

This story has a sleepy pulse, like a slow jungle river, like a deep dream. I'm constantly trying to piece it together, what are the yaska, why do the women have to burn, who are the faces in the water, but it all slips away.

How romantic. Earth vs fire: both a terrible power wrought from terrible places. Two women, two rulers, in love and pitched against each other. How will it end if not with the end of one of them?

What I think is incredible about Samantha Shannon's books are the way she forms and evolves the religions of the world around the foundations of the world. The physics, time and cultures, all shaping the religions in their different ways and our world is thus reflected.

As I'm reading this book, I understand that it is well written by a respectable author. However, it is described on the front as an epic fantasy and I am yet to find anything epic or fantastical about it. It is neither engaging nor magical, it's not inspiring or empowering, actually, it's very sexist. As far as I can see its a book about politics in a make-belief renaissance Europe.

Super engaging and enchanting! I feel really sad Aubrecht doesn't end up with Marosa. They would have been really good together, he was everything she needed. Sabran was too much of a powerhouse to appreciate his gentle love.

I'm not sure I can finish this... their friends basically giving them a round of applause, individually, for having sex is too much, its so cringy.

The world building is a little bit close to Fourth Wing for comfort, especially where the dragons are concerned. However, it really lacks the chemistry and sparks of Fourth Wing. I'm also not enjoying the MMC training the MFC, there's no chemistry, there's just a big strong man beating the shit out of a woman... its not sexy.

Apart from the deep theme of grief, this is reading so similar to Fourth Wing (only with a less hot MMC) its concerning