Krista > Recent Status Updates

and in the latest saga of this book I still hate Circe. She's a weird combo of smart and naive and I'm tired of her thinking she's above it all.

For as much previous books have established Circe as an incredible mastermind I'm finding her to be a let down. Yes, she's smart... but the sort of otherwordly 6 steps ahead genius is lacking here. Maybe because she's actually a character vs. being a boogy man like in previous books?

Not gonna lie. I don't know how the character Circe is going to be ... I was going to say redeemed but maybe that's not the word because not every character is on a redemption arc. But I don't know how I'm supposed to root for her when it feels like in the process of dismantling a system she's perpetuating it?

Ok this surprise Hansel/Gretel story line is actually kinda cool

This book has some gross bits that are done really well. Spider in the mouth? Shudder

Really enjoying this one so far, but also equally annoyed (yet still enjoying) Rakia (the sister/side character). I think I struggle with characters that might live to be hundreds of years old being immature... but I guess maybe maturity wouldn't come as soon for them?

So if you have the indie version of this (I do) do not try to tandem read because the way I had to scour for what chapter I was in was a thing of comedy. I feel like a lot of changes were made from indie to trad, but maybe it's just in chapter cut off etc. Once I stopped trying to tandem the reading experience became a bit smoother.

Reading the interview at the end and the question is what makes a compelling love interest.

"... a love interest must have their own belief system, their own values, their own inner world - entirely separate from the love story - because a compelling love interest is simply a compelling character."

Research for work but it is crazy the way I can see the research of Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid in this book.

I'm honestly loving this one. The only complaint is its on my e-reader and I'm having to basically walk hot coals to read on my e-reader/phone.

Still enjoying this for sure! I am having a weird experience though in that the mmc feels like he was aged down? At the start of the book he felt older and I don't know if that was because of the burden of death god guy or that now we've entered more romance of the romantasy that it is natural for characters to feel younger?

still enjoying this for sure! I am having a weird experience though in that the mmc feels like he was aged down? At the start of the book he felt older and I don't know if that was because of the burden of death god guy or that now we've entered more romance of the romantasy that it is natural for characters to feel younger?

Enjoying it so far, but the chapters are very short. Sometimes I like this… But sometimes it feels very jarring. Almost like the chapters need a little bit more to them to feel complete.

This is out tomorrow and I love it so much. Everyone will need to read it.

Loving the way the fmc is coming into her own.
Not loving the cycle of drama. It kinda feels like because this book is 18 hours it introduces drama to make it longer? Vague posting so no spoilers, but right now we're talking about breach of contract and while I think that's an interesting approach re: fae etc. I kinda feel like that's reaching too. Like perhaps the contract had already been broken before all this.

Went into this not knowing much of anything and was fully enjoying myself. I will say though I think this could be two books. It feels like the court drama is meandering or constantly being added to vs. having one specific plot we're pursuing. Still loving this sort of historical romance with fae situation that's happening though!

I like that the fmc is a new take or a different take. She's been married (not a good one granted), but it is different!

brb. Off to the bookstore for book two.

It's an interesting premise so far, but is definitely a slow burn situation of a plot. I'm not sure what the plot is besides yearning and bad government and (hopefully) an uprising of some sort.

You kind of just get tossed into the world and follow these characters in their daily lives. It doesn't feel like there's a big plot point yet.

This is alright so far. I'm thinking this might be a book I'd enjoy more physically. Not sure how I'm feeling about the magicians or more aptly not sure how I'm feeling about the neurodivergence coded aspect. I usually love neurodivergence representation in books, but this feels more stereotype based.

"once the garden has a taste, it wants the rest."

Racing against time trying to finish the audio before it goes back on libby. Crying at 8AM over this book wasn't on my bingo card but what a way to start a Thursday I guess.

Rereading this as an adult feels similar to rewatching Twilight in the sense where you have a moment of "Wait... hello Charlie" but it's about H'enri

I read the first half physically and requested it on audio for the second half. Really enjoyed it so far but I lost momentum because life came to kick me in the face.

I forgot I was listening to this one... I think it would be better if I was reading it physically (for me personally) because there is a language component that I think would be helpful to see.

This moves from kinda creepy to huge eyes, pulse pounding, what the heckery in a single moment.

”I feel more like a person than ever because I’m starting to hate myself” ooof.

I'm realizing that part of the problem I'm having in connecting to these characters is actually in the narration. The mmc sounds more like a narrator of a movie (in the sense that they aren't a character but more narrating the events or saying asides) or the voice over guy from movies of the 90s-00s. I think the narration makes sense, but there is also such a split between narration of mmc vs. fmc that it's jarring.

Starting this on audio but probably will switch to physical. I forgot my earbuds at home so had to use the desktop libby and all my current checkouts were with another library. The horror of going through a day without some kind of audio was too much for me.

This is getting more intriguing as I keep going. It builds or is building to a crescendo as I read more.