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I remember as a kid loving the riddles in this one.

Why did I look at the reviews?!

Despite knowing the heartbreak is cruising Natasha's way the book actually has a nice balance so its not as demoralizing as I thought it would be.

I am genuinely concerned that this is going to be 400 pages of painful revelations and 40 pages of potential happiness.

"Even the strongest and bravest must sometimes weep. It shows they have a great heart, one that can feel commission for others."

Pre-Reading: I would like to say that I do not agree with Rowling's views. I am very conflicted every time I re-read one of her books caught between my nostalgia and my own values.
Also I want to note that its been years since I have read this and in past readings I have desperately wanted to slap Harry. I'm curious to find out if I still feel that way.

Luke and Martin both spend part of their stories as slaves and both start/lead an insurrection. I wonder if this was done purposely to create a link between the two character or if Jacques forgot'happened to re-use the same plot.

BJ seems to enjoy writing saucy, bold children that the characters find endearing.
If a mole was raised by a hedgehog family would they still speak like a mole? Is it cultural? Or physical?
"Sometimes friends do go from us - it will happen more and more as you grow up. But if you really love your friends, they're never gone. Somewhere they're watching over you and they're always there inside your heart."

I should note that this is a terrible book to read during Asian American and Pacific Islander Month. I am so sorry.

Sweet lord now lets add racism into the mix. The author's introduction of the Chinese servant (I hope its servant, the book is set after slavery was abolished) relies on racist stereotypes right from the get go, which made me squeamish. But Criswell doubled down by having a blatantly racist character. The level of discomfort and nausea I am feeling are very high.

I am less than halfway through and not convinced that I will finish this book.
Cole, the love interest, is domineering. While I don't mind that to a certain degree he has pushed me past my limit of acceptance. Once he thought, "I never hit a woman but this is pushing me close" or something close that I was immediately on my guard. The second violence is hinted it is not acceptable.

Damn it. I remember loving this book so many years ago when I read it. Except Gwenwyfar - she sucked. But even then the depts of my dislike of her impressed me. It takes good writing to really make you disdain someone.

Anyway, I was all ready to read this again when I found out about the accusations leveled at Marion Zimmer Bradley. Now I just can't.

I am one chapter in and I have some misgivings. It's obvious that Jessica has feelings for Daniel. This seems like a bad idea.

I really enjoyed reading the lore and background for many of the monsters. It was interesting to see all the flavour and little known facts about each one. As I read through it was easy to see imagine building campaigns around them. I liked the read but it was a lot of information so most of it is lying dormant in my head somewhere.
On to Volo's!!

I like the pacing of these books, the frustrating plot twists are resolved before they start to fester. I am excited to see how Vhalla will continue to develop, she is such a strong protagonist but I worry about her humanity. I am also terrified to start the next. I dread who will die.

I already bought the last two books. There are so many things that I appreciate about this series but with this book in particular I love how Vhalla's intelligence is showcased. How knowledge is used for power as much as might. I found the planning for war more interesting than the battle and the power struggles intoxicating. On to book 4!!

I found this book frustrating but I am pretty sure I was supposed to, so it accomplished it's goal. The character development in this installment was well done and I am ideating attached to many of the main characters, but cautiously though since the author has so far killed one likable character each book. Despite it's frustrations and predictability I did enjoy this sequel and already have the third one downloaded

I am genuinely glad that I ignored the lower star reviews and read this book.
It is very Last Airbender, but I was okay with that since I loved that series. Vhalla is an endearing character stumbling into adulthood which is complicated by her new powers and her enigma of a teacher (who is an asshat but I have hope for him).
It's an easy read and one I enjoyed.

I think I might be too wholesome for this book. I liked the importance that it put on identity and that there heart of the person counts for a lot. I also found it neat that it points out that too much of anything can have disastrous effects. The base ideas were really interesting and if the story didn't really do much on crudity and drugs I may have really liked it.
As is, it's a book I didn't mind reading but I

LOVE