Marina > Recent Status Updates

Angsty and melodramatic. Typical war-time love trope but still quite engaging.

I am finally up to part 3. I am struggling.

I can't connect with Rin. She is a caricature so that Kuang can make some kind of point about the consequences of war. These characters are thesis delivery systems rather than people I want to care about. Kuang is cryptic for no reason and she does waaay too much telling and not enough showing. I haven't gotten to the war part yet, maybe I'll change my mind.

Is consciousness inside our brains or somewhere else? The plot flies. There's science, history, philosophy...all the usual Dan Brown shenanigans. Loving it so far.

Much better than the first books.

Sooooooo much stage direction!!! The jaws clench, tense, tick. The fingers curl, flex, graze. She picked up the goblet, drank, lowered it, put it down on the table. Fantastic. Like we can't figure that out from, "she drank the wine." Every tiny movement, emotion and breath is cataloged like archeology notes. It's tedious. We need a different editor. Still... On the plus side, the story is good.

I am enjoying the plot but the writing keeps tossing me out of the story with tonal whiplash. Author is trying desperately for pseudo-midieval fairy tale but keeps leaking modern colloquialisms. Also, yes, Ravyn is the Captain of the Destriers and he has gray eyes. Yes, I get it! Stop telling me. Also this, "my smile did not touch my eyes." Ick. That's just lazy writing. Do better, Rachel.

Soooo exciting.

Its battles are bloody, the twists are not as twisty as in Golden Son but the intrigue and politics keep me turning pages. Really cool revelations about Obsidian mythology and the "breeds" that are the colors. It is definitely a fun ride so far. Darrow is no longer the shining hero but the story still slaps (sorry kids, I couldnt think of a less cringe, more "mom appropriate" word).

This is a slog. Written from the POV of 4 different characters...including Darrow. He is no longer the "star". You get to see what's going on outside of Darrow's inner circle. I love it and hate it at the same time. I keep putting it down because it doesnt have that same breakneck momentum of the previous novels. Not as many plot twists and "oh shit" moments as in Golden Son and Morning Star.

This one is a slog. It's not entirely from Darrow's POV and it is sad and slow. Darrow isnt the relatable hero anymore. Both he and the readers are questioning his choices. I am still here though...but it's no longer 'Hail Reaper'.

Audiobook. Troy Duran as Irish mafia boss Decklan. The banter is hilarious. So far...fun.

Not as exciting as Golden Son. The storm is coming...I'm braced and ready. Its still really good.

I got a quarter of the way through and now I am back rereading Red Rising and Golden Son because I forgot all the cool connections, foreshadowing and character development.

I don't know why its taking me so long to finish this. I really like it.

Not as filthy as I thought it was going to be. Just a young man who is a priest for the wrong reason. He can solve all his problems by just becoming a Protestant. LOL but then there wouldnt be all this unnecessary angst, I guess.

The Matrix…I think.

Obsessed!

I already know this is a 5 star book for me. It has an awesome story, likable characters. Really good smut ... and the best part...this writer knows how to write it. I am enjoying the audio book. Dont READ this book, people. LISTEN TO IT. With headphones on. NOT while you're driving and definitely don't make eye contact with your mom if you're listening to chapter 17 or chapter 27. You've been warned.

Things are just starting to get going. So far it has been an endless trail of breadcrumbs. I dont know if all of them will matter but I hope they all do because the author is starting to repeat himself. Also hating that a male author is writing a woman. It is not quite right. Not sure how.

This is soooo good!! Like Hunger Games but better characters, better action, better story, better world building, better emotion, better WRITING!!! I am told the next book in the series is even better. I can't wait!!

Like The Hunger Games meets dark academia. Interesting world building. I am hooked.

Nothing is happening. Its kinda fun to read but I really need a faster pace. Losing hope I'll ever finish. Ive had enough character building.

The incessant referencing is superfluous, annoying and messes with the narrative flow. Marisha, gurl..you doin' too much. Its a good story. Let it play out, stop adding paint to the canvas, it just makes the painting look muddy.

Slooooooow. Having trouble picking up after I put it down.