B. Calahan > Recent Status Updates

Ok so I’m actually going to stop reading and will pick this back up later. I’m just not in the mood for a horror novel at the moment, and I wanna give my full attention to this.

I’m FLYING through this, I really like how Brom writes all the characters and is actually good at writing women.

Well into this now, I really have no notes. My previous thought that the Puritans were 1 dimensional has been corrected- we now see the tension between the Sutton and Hartford reverends/magistrates and also Sara/the Goodwife and her quiet friendship with Abi.

There’s really no “im bored, bring back __’s perspective”, it’s all masterful and very engaging

Still some outrageously bad lines and writing, but funnily enough, this is like, progressive. Like MMC isn’t stated as being Demi but basically says he is, plus he has soft skills like drawing that you wouldn’t see as typically characterized in a rough tough cowboy. FMC is a little unbearable tho, girl doesn’t live in the real world.

So cringe it’s funny. Also the dads a little shit stirrer and I love it

Vibes. Love it. Love a freaky little book. Like Abitha is relatable and has the touch of rage and wrath that I love in my female characters, and the sprinkling of her matriarchal magic is beautiful. Puritans r a little flat character wise, but not surprised. Also Father is lowkey kinda sassy and whiny, which honestly same if b too.

My first Emily Henry, it’s cute. Audiobook read, but I like it. I like the characters and their development. I like the writing. It’s nothing groundbreaking that’ll change my outlook on life, but it knows that and it’s purely an enjoyable read with a dash of insightful messages aptly written.

Just about at the end… I feel like the story lines are messy. Such potential that got lost in the sauce. The story/character arcs diverted instead of converging. Lowkey kinda disappointing. Like where did the shafit oppression and rebellion go? What about Ali’s discontent w/ the system? Palace magic & Nahri’s presence? The ifrit? Felt like the book was trying to juggle too much in the last 3/4 of the book.

Political shenanigans = ensued. Nahri getting caught up in all the machinations of everybody? Like I need girlboss to snap out of it and pick back up her ally-cat ways. Like she craves freedom, but as she said, is caught up in the dream of being a Nahid. Also, where tf did the oppressed shafit storyline go? Bring it BACK. I need Nahri exposed to the oppression and stereotypes- we’re getting crumbs but i need more

Ok so clearly in the last 10 pages we got a lot of lore that’s starting to connect. I LOVE a good plot/hidden history slow burn that’s revealed to the reader throughout the various characters POVs. It’s the best for hidden foreshadowments, which I’m a sucker for. Nahri/Dara just got through the city gates and entered the Grand Bazaar. Excited to see how the city literally reacts to Nahri’s presence.

OOH ID B SO PISSED if I was dara

so many thoughts, this book could go so many really cool ways with the hidden politics and history. Ali was just shown the Nahid crypt… r the Qahtanis in league with the ifshin, have they both been killing the Nahids? Clearly the history of the Qahtani is not as rosy as seen through Ali’s perspective. I hope the truth reveal isn’t a flop. Love a good “rulers write the history” trope

Ok I’ve got my predictions: is the city of brass a prison? Bc it sure feels like it with the tall walls made of BRASS which can contain lead, plus the deadly lake around it and clear militarized government???? Seems suspicious to me. It’s a least a prison for the shafit, which will be interesting to see how Nahri reacts to the clear oppression present. Also Ali is an adorable idiot like babes PLZ use ur brain

Liking this so far, and I’m liking both the story lines of Ali and Nahir, but I definitely wish the Nahir chapters just ~more~. Like I get they’re traveling (which I LOVE travel tropes) but I want more depth. Maybe it’s because I just finished Earthsea which is like the end-all of travel plots. Anyways, I want Ali to b a baby gay but doubt that’ll happen.

On the last book, Tehanu. This is both so thought provoking and striking a chord in me as a women, but also sad because of the nature of life as a women and seeing it written out. Also, GED & TENAR????? YESSSS I called it when he thought to show her herself when she asked for something beautiful in the Tombs. 25 years and counting… I love them.

Ok I’m in the last book now, but my thoughts on the Farthest Shore- PHENOMENAL it made me cry. The messages within it and morals? Beautiful.

I’m in The Farthest Shore right now, haven’t been updating my thoughts in Goodreads as I’m actually tabbing the book. These stories and Le Guin’s writing is so universal and timeless, an easier and more entertaining read than LotRs I might say. The stories are definitely quicker, since they’re less length, but each has their own unique message and immersion. The wood of Earthsea is spectacular and so real.

A crime against humanity— they killed otak. I have no words, only tears. I will never get over this.

Ok I’m done! The climax was a little meh, idk if it was too much exposition or too many elements going on (there was the tower battle then the wood battle then the wood mindscape battle then the final real world climax conclusion) and it was all just too close and fast, but the ending chapter & message? LOVE and had me very satisfied

Ok we’re back, LOVE to see our girl and pissy Howl back together again, and loved how she was missing him earlier on. Forget to mention I was kicking my feet in excitement when they kissed the first time, didn’t realize this had romance. I also love how Kasia is standing on BUSINESS to protect her people. I don’t want it to end:(

Ok it’s slowed down a little now that our main girl (sorry can remember how to spell her name) is in the capitol, but I’m glad to see the wider world. Like this girl is way over her head, and is kindof bumbling around and almost letting people walk over her, but it entirely realistic for a small town girl and she takes action when it’s really needed.

The Dragon is ridiculous and it’s great. He’s like a PMSing Howl. That’s how I see him in my minds eye, loves pretty things and is petty when things don’t go his way. Whiny little magpie. But I do really like how I recognize elements from different fables and tropes in this, it’s familiar but fresh.

Loving this. I love how our FMC has no idea what’s going on, though to us readers we can kinda guess. But also because she doesn’t know the larger workings at play, we don’t, leaving us still guessing. And the Dragon is very tight lipped, and snarky, so that’s adds to the fun unreliable narrator bit.

Ok I’m done. More thoughts will come in my review, but the ending was so boring. Like the reveal of Umber being imprisoned and the Beast being Martin was interesting, and Alice’s death was sad (she was the only character I liked). But after that? A let down. There still was never any plot and Quentin is still a bitch.

Ok I have like 80 more pages and this book cant be done SOON ENOUGH like ugh. They’re in Filloty now, and again, pacing is so pointless and slow there’s no plot. It’s just rambling and Quentin and the other characters continuing to be a waste of space

Haven’t updated progress or my thoughts so far as I’ve read this, but to summarize

1- Quentin is horrible. Accountability? Never heard of it.
2- a BOATLOAD of misogyny.
3- overall depressive mentality. As I said, Quentin is a horrible human being. Never once have I rooted for his character in this book. #justiceforalice

Close to being done- the parallels between all the younger generations relations and Heathcliff/Cathy’s reality/character arcs/“what could have been”??? Devastating. Catherine Earnshaw, THE original haunting the narrative character (literally).

Finished Volume 1! Thoughts so far: this read is easier than I thought; went in a little daunted but once you get into the story, you’re immersed by the prose and Nelly/Brontë’s writing. I definitely was flipping back to the family tree (thank GOD for that inclusion) every couple paragraphs the first few chapters. I really enjoy the “telling the story to a person that we’re experience it through” tactic

It’s really so nostalgic and heartwarming, the love and care put into describing the living and growth. Dickon would make an excellent hobbit.

She bought her a present😭