Stephanie > Recent Status Updates

Interesting but not sure who the demographic is for this book. It seems like it's written for academics in tone but the letter-style format is for the hobbyist readers? The voice also comes across as a little condescending at times, but perhaps her constant literary allusions provide evidence to her statement on page 56 concerning background knowledge and moving outside of ones boundaries of that one already knows

DNF

Where is the guide to finding my inner voice? This is a reflective piece of the author during covid. It’s memoir-esque. I’m disappointed in the title of this book so far, as there has been no help in finding my writing voice. i wish this title was more “I’M Writing on Empty- Finding MY inner voice.”

The amount of plot devices so far astounds me. I feel like I’m watching someone play skyrim and they’re taking every side quest thinking it’s a part of the main quest.

this book is Beauty and the Beast and Howl’s Moving Castle and dark nordic fairytales all wrapped in a red ribbon. The present tense is interesting, and there’s even a version of “Feyre, darling” with “not so clever fox.”

Why is this book so cute and dark and funny? Kingfisher, why do your fantasy books always hit the right serotonin spot in my brain?

A young wizard whose magic revolves around dough and her familiar is a sourdough starter??? Yes please!!!

I’m really liking the setup so far, and for someone who’s only vaguely familiar with the original stories, it’s explained just enough to refresh the memory! Plus, I’m a hoe for character-driven stories, and I’m really enjoying the establishment of the main characters so far!

Bro, this has a pronunciation guide! *cries happy reader tears*

I'm on page 162 digitally, and though I love the aesthetic, the plot itself is lackluster. The protagonist is denying the plot. We've had the catalyst 100 pages back, and yet Diana is still in denial and completely naive. I find it incredibly frustrating, and yet I am hopeful this book will turn around. At least I can vicariously live through Diana and be surrounded by old and mysterious books.

We have switching POV's from third to first. Interesting. Assumingly, both will have a mysterious yet tragic past that makes them feel damaged and dangerous, and this is what will precisely draw them together, plus the obvious sex appeal, I'm sure.

Oh noooooooo the bad guy was who I thought it waaaaaas.

I'm really starting to think that Hesina is incompetent. Hopefully the story will advance quicker given this new reveal, but dang, girl, why are you so naive??

Well, the book has finally gotten interesting. I'm glad the chase scenes are finally over.

Oh, well, things are happening quicker than I expected. We're getting a few info dumps with the world building, but I like the main characters so far. I am already assuming Esha is the lost princess who never actually died and that nephew dude is the last of the bloodline that can make the bond. So Esha and Dude are going to play cat and mouse, fall in love, face a bigger threat together, and make the bond. the end.

I am struggling to get through this book. I don't think I was adequately prepared to read such a hefty narrative. I can't keep up with all the character names, and the switching of POV's are confusing at times. Though I am certainly interested in this new daeva scheme.

It's definitely intended for church goers, and hits some great points. I don't think the extra examples are needed (relating to stories about Mozart, Vietnam, etc.). I do wish he'd trade the random story parallels for more scripture. Still learning a lot though, and it's opening my eyes more to my own "elder brother" characteristics.

I like this Touchstone guy. He seems to have some life experience, which is good for Sabriel. Also tragic backstory: check. I like these dynamics.

Give me an ancient magical cat any day!!!

They think they're going to die? But...what they're launching....it would be impossible for them to die. Right? I hope this isn't supposed to be a plot twist.

Needing a magnifying glass and spending 2 pages looking for one? Couldn't they use their holophone and tablets to scan those pages and enlarge it? They're wasting so much time. Our phones today are magnifying glasses.

Well, it's finally getting very interesting. I just don't understand why the headquarters didn't interrogate Mason, Warren ,and Emery if they're housing them? Like wouldn't they want to know about Dormance and Theo and everything? Wouldn't they want to know how they returned to reality? Then they could have removed the microchips. Why would they still want that in them?

And where the heck is Naia??

if the antagonist can break into a high security building and basically kill somebody and take over another person's mind with a chip, why can't he just steal Emery for a quick second and put the new microchip in her? especially since she is less important in the society than the man he is currently controlling. Also, why has nobody mentioned a body found in a utility closet? Wouldn't there be a smell?