Alynn > Recent Status Updates

So...only a day has gone by...how???

"So novel was it that Signa almost laughed."

The author likes to write like this on occasion, and it's jarring every single time. Both unnecessarily wordy and passive. Even if she switched it to "It was so novel that Signa almost laughed," it would still be passive, but at least it would flow better. "Signa almost laughed at the novelty" would've been best.

Rereading this so I can finally finish the series...why is this better than all of the adult fantasy I've attempted to read this year?

The writing baffles me to no end.

"I was in the middle of wondering if I should drag her over the windowsill" Nobody thinks like this. Nobody talks like this. This is first person, you don't have to spell everything out.

This is supposed to be the author's adult debut, so why does this read like a weak YA? I've read her other YA novels, and the writing was far superior to whatever is going on in this.

"What is the point of suffering if we have nothing to gain?"

Why are we explaining to readers that her grandfather's wife is her grandmother? Why are you referring to your grandmother as your grandfather's wife?

This takes place in London, but the MC mentions pennies...

I wonder how many people are going to mispronounce Agnes Aubert's name. Since she's French, it's AHN-yes O-bear.

DNF at 57%.

I can see why those who liked Daisy Jones and the Six might enjoy this, but for me, this just didn't work.

This would be so much better if we didn't have first person, dual POV that switches every chapter between past and present. This could've been a duology, or the author could've just kept it in a linear timeline.

Was that not how you loved someone? By hammering your body into whatever shape they liked best, handing yourself to them like a hilt?

If it looks like a blackbird and sings like a blackbird, it might nevertheless grow sudden fangs and try to eat your face off.

This book is ridiculous in the best way. I love it.

In order to have a future worth fighting for, you must have a past worth remembering

I don't understand how there are 100 pages left. This should've ended 100 pages ago.

"Whoever heard of destroying a masterpiece in favour of a first draft?"

Such a good line.

DNF at chapter 20

Losing brain cells. There's way too many plotlines that have been borrowed from other fantasy novels, which is just turning this book into a mess. Just trying to get into Arcana Academy is absurd, and the magic system with tarot cards is a mess.

"Don't ask questions, and don't try to find out. When I want you to know, you won't be able to help knowing, so savour your ignorance while you can."

Why are we talking like this?

About to cross the 200 page mark, and there are way too many plot points. Even the author can't keep track.

Clara has a sister who is supposed to be at Arcana Academy, but she is missing. Nothing has been done to find her. It's like the author forgot her MC even had a sister.

The author is just pulling plot lines from other popular fantasy novels and just throwing it into this book to see what sticks.

Also, not a fan of being spoon-fed everything. I can think for myself, thank you. You don't have to explain why characters are whispering. I can figure it out.

One of my pet peeves is when characters describe something as "electric" or "electrifying" in a medieval world where electricity doesn't exist.

I don't understand why a character is whispering when they're on top of a snowy mountain in the middle of a trial...why are you whispering? Are they concerned about an avalanche? No one else is whispering. Everyone else is having a normal conversation.