Elisa > Recent Status Updates

I’ve really enjoyed this series so far, but this one is boring and honestly feels like filler. Nearly 130 pages in, it’s all talk and absolutely nothing has happened. they are journeying and talking, sort of strategizing, talking some more.
I don’t want to DNF because I have enjoyed these characters, but there is zero progression in anything so far. Hopefully that changes.

This book needs some trigger warnings.

Maybe it’s not fair of me to say I hate a book when I’ve only gotten 22% in, but… well I kind of hate this book. There are so many good elements but I really, really dislike how the author is dealing with all of them. I admit that I struggle with books where the whole cast is unlikeable, but it could be ok if they were at least interesting. And they should be, on paper, but alas… not really.

I like the premise of the book, but I am very surprised at how flat the writing is, and how lacking in vivid imagery. There is so much potential but this just falls so limp and blah. I don’t think there is enough to keep me reading, unfortunately, especially because it sounds as if the first half is the best part.

Sooo… I’ve been waiting for this to reel me in and now I’m almost 1/3 through the book can I can say that unfortunately I absolutely, 100% DO NOT CARE what happens in the plot or to anyone in this book.
Sooo… I think it’s time to call it — DNF, sorry book. I have zero plans to pick this back up.

Unfortunate I’ve hit on something that’s a triggering topic for me so I’m going to set this down.

I mean, this was always going to happen, but surely it could have been done with a but more nuance?
This way it just seems like a way to sweep a character off the board when the author no longer has use for them.

16 pages in, and I’ve already lost count of how many times I’ve rolled my eyes.

I generally try to give a book at least 10% before DNFing but I don’t think I can take a single minute more of this obnoxious MC, especially not when the book is in first person.

The pettiness and banter are next level and I am absolutely LIVING for it 😁

What?? Rushed much?
This makes zero sense, they just fucking met FFS

I’m enjoying the book so far, but I really cannot take these country names seriously

I think this is as far as I go.
This book relies far too much on telling rather than showing, and I think that’s the reason why despite a decent cast and an interesting premise, it ends up being boring rather than engaging, and probably also why it’s so hard to form an attachment to the characters, as we never get the chance to get to know them for ourselves, as we are constantly being TOLD about them.

I’m struggling a little to keep everybody and they backgrounds straight, but I’m enjoying it so far. I like the characters’ voices, even if the dynamics are a bit a puzzle still, while I understand how they all fit together.

Putting a pin in this because it’s just not capturing my interest TBH and I have so many books I’m more excited to read! Might return to it later

So far, this is my favorite book in the trilogy. I love both characters and it’s SO funny

I get what the author is trying to do, but developing a sort of alter ego isn’t the right way to handle this IMO.

Of course she’d pull a Clary Fairchild

Oh noooo so gross I could have done without this

I love Ed, he’s a really fun character

Hmmmm… no.
Too much drama, zero predicted fun, kind of flat dialogue. Not bad per se, just not my cup of tea — particularly when I’m on the eye of a slump.

This is SO boring.
Im tempted to skim and that is NOT a good sign.

This visual is completely unnecessary.

NGL the made-up Italian-sounding words are kind of bugging me.

BTW the main country is called Salato, which means “salty” or “savory”

All that’s standing between me and the rest of my life is a man in very ugly shoes.

What an excellent opening 👏🏼👏🏼

Jeez, the mixed signals in this joint

Oh look, Ivy is taking shit out on the wrong person, what else is new

Every single person in this books bugs me – the MC most of all. I have only just climbed out of a slump so I definitely cannot master the patience needed to see where this goes, especially as I’m not sure at all it would be worth the effort.
So goodbye book, it was not meant to be.

It’s so funny, I keep picturing Bram as having dark hair