CK > Recent Status Updates

Curious to see how this will go, since I felt everything was pretty wrapped up already.

Also seems like Preston will have a larger role (judging from the cover as well). Personally, what I really loved about the first one was its focus on Effy's experiences navigating sexism + the gothic aspects of it. And the romance to me always felt secondary to all that. So hoping Preston doesnt overshadow Effy too much.

Currently listening to the audiobook

I feel like it lost steam by the end. When we got to the fighting back part, a lot of the unique concepts/narratives got pushed back in favor of more military-oriented chapters. For me, a lot of the standout chapters were more of the character focused ones and so I wished there were more of that, especially towards the end.

A strong beginning and middle, but the gimmick overstays its welcome in the end.

3.5/5.0

44: ISS Holo Kai

Yeahh a lot of these army interviews kinda end up sounding the same. The author isnt really able to differentiate their voices enough.

43: Siberia

I really liked that chapter. So far I've discovered that I prefer the chaps that delve more into the social/psychological effects of the zombies, rather than just the army/fighting tactics.

Those were an exciting few chaps, loved the surprise too of seeing some familiar faces

God damn wow what a story. Im amazed at how much its able to pack in such a short amount of time. And how much its able to develop its characters and themes. Amazing yeah loved it.

Hmm I cant say that I'm satisfied with that ending. I definitely wanted a happier and more conclusive one.

I think I'll have to think on that ending some more to decide if it was thematically a good one, cause I can kinda see that argument. Especially with all that talk of hope.

Tentative rating: 3 or 3.5 / 5

These two are cute together. At the start, I was worried that their relationship wouldnt be believable. Falling in love with someone assigned to kill you is a big hurdle to overcome. But all throughout, the romantic development aspect was very well done. That when it started I was like hooked and all in. And now close to the end of it, I can really believe in how strong their relationship has gotten. Kudos to that.

I am very curious to see how this will all be resolved in the remaining 50 pages or so. Really hoping that the author will be able to wrap it up satisfyingly.

Hmm so far I think the concept is running a bit thin. I'm starting to lose interest a little bit.

I think the last few chaps just havent that unique or impressive. That Japan chapter may have been a bit questionable, very stereotype heavy for sure.

Hoping for a really good chap soon, something that switches it up or offers something new.

Wow wow yeah Im definitely hooked now. Things are ramping up for sure.

Ok yeah, now I'm really liking this

Ooh ok that was an exciting chapter

That was good, I really enjoyed that. The best so far of the series I feel. The plot and pacing is so much better, the stakes feel more real. And I absolutely love all of the characters here. Jill and Eustace are great main characters. Puddlegum is such a fun and unique character. And Prince Rillian was just great and funny all in all. While the mystery is not entirely unpredictable, its still great enough to enjoy.

Props to that chapter. That has got to be the most nerve wracking and tension filled moment of the entire series so far.

Enjoying the more mystery angle the plot is taking. Also Jill and Eustace have such a fun character dynamic so far

Well that was a fun little story. I think being composed of these small adventures suits the series better than the grand epic goals of the prev 2 books. The series so far being these shorter books aimed at kids, doesnt really allow them to tackle bigger stories with enough gravita. And so smaller tales introducing us to new locations/creatures best serves in showing off the unique and fun world, and the characters.

That chapter was kinda hard, lot of telling and not showing. But I get that it had a lot to set up, so I'm hoping for no more info dumps like that moving forward.

Also that whole looking at herself in the mirror to describe what she looks like. I feel there are better ways to describe your first person narrator than resorting to that kind of cliche.

I almost laughed out loud at her having blue blood. Amazing.

Excited to read this, having really enjoyed the author's prev work. Interested to see how she'll handle a genre like this, which is pretty different from the more moody/gothic vibe of A Study in Drowning.

So refreshing to have a character like Eustace. Unlike the Pevensies (except for Edmund to an extent), he's able to really have character development due to him starting out as more of an "unlikeable character".

16: Topeka, Kansas, USA

Damn what a standout chapter, that was intense and so so good.

Slightly better than the first, I felt the plot was tighter and the setting more interesting. I liked seeing how the siblings interacted with this Narnia. Also it was a nice introduction to Caspian but then he takes a back seat by the end, where he mostly defers to Peter.

Oddly enough I feel like Aslan is the weakest part of these stories. Once he shows up, all is magically solved which leads to a weaker ending.