AnnMarie > Recent Status Updates

I only put this book on my TBR because of a friend’s recommendation. It’s pretty far outside of what I’d normally choose to read myself. I never would have kept reading it past the third page if she hadn’t liked it so much and I didn’t trust her. That being said, it took about a quarter of the book before I could get into it for myself, but I’m enjoying it more now.

This is a book I'm reading entirely because my nibling loves it and asked me to read it. It feels...clunky. I have a hard time suspending my disbelief.

I’m reading this for a class. Finished the first two parts. Lots of food for thought, but it’s also kind of discouraging, so I’m taking a break for a bit.

I've started this book something like three times since it came out, but never got more than 40 or so pages in. Now I'm finally in the headspace to actually read it, and it doesn't disappoint! It's probably been too long since I read the other books in the series, though, since I'm having a spot of trouble tracking the politics and remembering some of the bad guys. But still, as always, an excellent read!

SO good, and SO intense. I like how the book is organized around similar groups of emotions and experiences -- it helps me better understand the nuances between related but different emotions.

I do think the author is fairly successful in what he sets out to do - demystify stats and make them more relatable. I like that he doesn't shy away from explaining how stats can be (and is) used to manipulate people's perceptions of information and situations. He gives engaging real-world examples to illustrate his points, which helps the reader see how stats are part of our daily lives. Still jargon-y, though. IMO.

The world building is 👌! Since it's not based on European folklore and culture, it's a steep learning curve for me, but worth it. The author's prose style is very poetic and lush, but I think I'm missing some character beats...? The changes in place and mood seem sudden to me.

Is this quality literature? No. Is it crack? Yes. Did I stay up until almost 3am on a school night reading this? Also yes.

My students are reading this in one of my classes this semester, so of course so am I. I don’t normally do sad stories, and this one promises to be sad, but it’s also very beautiful and powerful in its mundaneness.

I loved this line, uttered by the titular monster: Stories are wild creatures. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?

I'm enjoying it because hot fae and all that, obviously. And the world building is really interesting. But I'm getting really tired of Feyre getting bailed out by aforementioned hot fae and not actually prospering through any merit of her own. I get it, she's a weak human, but throw the lady a bone!

Faizal creates a vivid world. It's taking me a little longer to catch on to some of the world building since it's not based on the Western European Judeo-Christian cultural foundation, but that just makes the world that much more fascinating to explore.

I was hooked from the very first sentence: “I could have become a mass murderer after I hacked my governor module, but then I realized I could access the combined feed of entertainment channels carried on the company satellites.” I mean, HOW PERFECT is that opening line?? Well does a fabulous job developing her narrator’s character, and I can’t wait to read more about its adventures!

Not great when I want to give up before I'm even halfway through Chapter 1 because the main characters seem so starched and self-righteously pompous. Buuuuuut, maybe I'm just grumpy, so I'll keep going a little longer.

Reading this with my intermediate intensive English students this semester.

On a second read, the ending is SO OBVIOUS — but that’s my favorite kind of foreshadowing, the kind you don’t even notice the first time around but is so clear when you read it again.

My class and I are all really enjoying this book! It's prompted some good conversation and reflection from my students individually and in class.

We're reading this in one of my classes. In contrast to the regular version of the book, this is definitely a stripped-down, more narrative version. Definitely easier reading for young readers, but still with lots of important details and context, and with plenty of content to prompt discussion.

Seriously, it is NOT fair that this book came out right in the middle of ALL THE THINGS. Stopping myself at reasonable hours is so hard - I just want to devour it all in one long gulp.

WHY IS IT THE END OF THE SEMESTER WHHHHHHHY

Finally picked this back up after stalling on it a few months back. Not because it's not good (this series is one of Sanderson's funniest and most entertaining, in terms of characters and their interactions), but because I've been weirdly uninterested in reading lately.

Even knowing how the story goes, this book still makes me laugh. This was my pick for my book club, and from the reports I've gotten so far it seems like everyone's enjoying it!

I'm really enjoying this series. It has a different feel, narratively and plot-beat-wise, than modern English fantasy, which makes sense, as it's pretty early Polish fantasy. I like the characters, especially because they feel well-developed and fleshed out, with strengths and weaknesses (and libidos 😂).

Am I reading my way through this series of pulpy, wish-fulfillment mystery novels as an escape from reality?

Yes. Yes, I am.

Second time through, this week. Still 👌🏾👌🏾. MWT is such a master at character development, which is what makes reading her books again and again so rewarding.

A little more than a third of the way done, but it's almost 2am now, I'm at a good stopping point, and the responsible, adult thing to do is to go to sleep. But I want to keep reading!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH, IT'S HERE!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿😊😊😊

Is it almost midnight on a school day? Yes. Do I have to get up in 6 hours for work? Yes. Am I going to stay up reading this anyway??

Duh.

Bardugo is so good at plot twists -- everything goes wrong for our crew, but in a way that feels organic to the story and the characters that populate it. So good. Just the kind of story I love reading!

Uuuuugh, sleep! I need it, but I want to keep reading! I think I like this book even more than the first.

I must be getting old, because I'm actually putting the book down to go to bed. But I'm at a natural break in the narrative, and if I read "just one more chapter", I know I won't stop until I've finished the book.

So far the story continues to flesh out each character's backstory, giving us more glimpses into their motivation for undertaking what's probably a suicide mission.

When Karina says she stayed up way too late reading something, that immediately moves it to the top of my to-read list. So far, it hasn't disappointed! In some ways it reminds me of Mistborn - the snappy dialog, the carefully-planned heist - but the characters are all their own, and so far, I like each one for different reasons.