Ashley > Recent Status Updates

TBB is making a pretty SE of this and I gotta know if I like the book before I potentially succumb to temptation
So far: it’s very much a Kingfisher book

Contemplating whether to get Immortal Rose, but I’ve never read an Alexandra Bracken book. So I gotta see if I actually like her work first.

I’ve now crossed the “one more chapter before bed” threshold. That’s the good shit, yo💖💕

It has taken me ~8 years to finally crack this open. Better late than never. Ofc I’m wholly engrossed lol

Ok, so we’ve established the dynamic between FMC, MMC, and who I assume to be the main antagonist. This is an ETL, and the FMC has more of an ETL draw toward the main antagonist than she does with the MMC. But the MMC is supposed to be the ETL LI just because he’s a Big Grumpy ~Shadow User~ and that automatically makes him better than the organic connection with the actual villain? What are we doing here?

Just met the MMC and I’ve already clocked him as the broodingly aggressive grump. After the decent opening chapters, I hope this isn’t the point where the book’s charm wears off.

If my insta algorithm wants to shove this in my face, then so be it. Admittedly, not a badly written intro.

Best way to beat a reading slump? A book by one of my faves! It’s been awhile since I read a Nova book and she’s already got me in an intrigued vice grip. 🥹 I’ve missed this~

When you know it’s good, writing and characterization wise, but struggle to just commit and lock in. A me problem…

Only a couple chapters in and while the writing is pretty, it’s already getting weighed down by its abundance of figurative language. And the exposition establishment teeters toward the dumpy side. The general consensus from others is pretty much honk shoo mimi inducing and we’ll see if that holds true for me

You mean to tell me the Hitler Jr she’s been sexually attracted to since chapter 1 (or ch2, can’t remember) is also her mysterious telepathic childhood friend who has always been (mentally) with her?! WHAAAAA?!?! NO WAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!!

I'm able to pick this POS up again and it's just as stupid as I remember. Nazi-fucker's still banging Hitler Jr. The fascistic normalization of everything has fully made the setting a backdrop to the Nazi romance.

Also, sentencing your (black) bestie to slavery at a labor camp is not the mercy Nazi-fucker thinks it is. BUT DON'T WORRY, IT'S ACTUALLY A NICE CONCENTRATION CAMP!!!

*SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGH*

I’ve been full on skimming and I’ve yet to miss a thing; the writing is THAT superfluous. There’s no goddamn way I’ll be able to endure the rest of this series.

“🥺👉👈 uwu, Basten-senpai, will you tell me how you’d deflower me so I’ll know what to expect from Rian-sama???”
On its own, it’s not a bad scene. But it’s at the 40% mark in book 1. I don’t give a flippity floppity fuck about these cardboard cutout dunderheads with the interiority of a potato chip.

Like any other subpar, derivative work, we already have some of the greatest romance tropey hits!
- MC’s instalust
- WHO DID THIS TO YOU?!
- “There’s more to FE/MC than meets the eye~”
- repetitive lore, exposition, & internal struggle against sudden feeling dumps
- forbidden romance
- touch her & I’ll kill you
- teach FEMC to fight —> straddling —> Kiss
Surprised there’s no Only One Bed yet…

…..*SIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHHHHHHH*
This better get fucking nuts, Lauren.

it's been a loooong time since I have been devouring a book with zero compliants. pleeeeeease let this stick its land

Oh my god an actual good book. It’s been so long 🥲

Aaaand now we're channeling "Iron Widow" as Lila has now gone Wu Zetian levels of criiiiiinge

The politics is so much more engaging than the action. Still into it tho.

I am fucking crashing out now lmao this shit is great

This book certainly something, lol. A repetitive spiral of ME, ME, MEEEE. The Devil calls to her and instead of getting fucked, she chooses her assigned milquetoast cardboard cutout. Booooo