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thiscubed's reviews
261 reviews
Half Bad by Sally Green
So, I actually found this as more of a 4.5 because I didn't like the use of second person in it (even though most of it is written in first person thank god) and I found it hard to relate to the main character at first. I can't really tell you why it took me a hot second to really care about him but?? It did?? Overall, though, I did end up liking the main character, and I really loved the world building in this book. It's a cool and pretty original idea that I thought was executed well.
Half Wild by Sally Green
This was MUCH better than the first one in my opinion. There was less second person (I only had to suffer at the very end) and there was plenty of my favorite character, Gabriel. I really liked the direction that the story went as well. I mean, by the time that Annalise and Nathan were together I wasn't really feeling their relationship but with that ending I'm glad that time was dedicated to it. I'm very intrigued to see how this series ends.
Half Lost by Sally Green
Here's the thing. I loved most of this book. I was really digging the characters and the story. I was on the fence about Nathan/Gabriel in Half Wild because I felt like Gabriel deserved better, and I certainly felt that in this book too, but by the time they actually did get together I was okay with it. I wanted them to have a nice life by the river together, and in a way, they got that, but not really. Gabriel died. He fucking died, and Nathan became a tree so that his roots could touch Gabriel's body because he didn't want to truly live without him. Gabriel was my favorite character and when he died I literally yelled "WHAT'S THE POINT." He was the reason I continued reading the series after struggling to connect with Nathan. Gabriel's death felt an awful lot like the "bury your gays" trope to me, and for that reason, my true rating is 4.75.
My rating system is flawed but since I enjoyed the majority of this book much more than I enjoyed Half Bad, I have to give it above a 4.5. I can't, however, give it truly 5 stars because of how I feel about Gabriel's death.
Technically, I enjoyed the majority of this book more than Half Wild too, so I guess it's my favorite book in the series?? But that ending...it made me really angry and I can't find a reason other than shock value to kill Gabriel off.
I don't know what I'm really trying to say here. I've waited to write this review to put my thoughts into words and those are pretty much my thoughts. I enjoyed the book until my favorite, and one of only two queer characters, was killed off. I wasn't quite satisfied with the ending. I'm glad that Nathan and Gabriel are together in a way, but they definitely deserved better.
My rating system is flawed but since I enjoyed the majority of this book much more than I enjoyed Half Bad, I have to give it above a 4.5. I can't, however, give it truly 5 stars because of how I feel about Gabriel's death.
Technically, I enjoyed the majority of this book more than Half Wild too, so I guess it's my favorite book in the series?? But that ending...it made me really angry and I can't find a reason other than shock value to kill Gabriel off.
I don't know what I'm really trying to say here. I've waited to write this review to put my thoughts into words and those are pretty much my thoughts. I enjoyed the book until my favorite, and one of only two queer characters, was killed off. I wasn't quite satisfied with the ending. I'm glad that Nathan and Gabriel are together in a way, but they definitely deserved better.
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
5.0
This is an EXCELLENT retelling of the Iliad. Briseis breathes life into characters that aren't even mentioned in the Iliad through her narration and the way Pat Barker captures all of the characters is FUCKING FANTASTIC. I love Achilles and Patroclus to death, but they're rightfully portrayed in this book. Not as monsters, in fact Patroclus' kindness is very important, but Briseis never forgets that both of them had a hand in her brothers' murders, Achilles quite literally. The writing is beautiful, and you can actually get lost in the story, unlike the Iliad (Homer loves pointless tangents).
Another thing you know I was on the look out for was the depiction of Achilles and Patroclus' relationship and this book did not disappoint. All the key moments are there, and I was pretty much over the moon.
But, this book isn't about Achilles and Patroclus, though they play a huge role. It's about Briseis, and the other forgotten women of Troy. It's definitely a book we needed, I think. Honestly, this is one of those books that's going to stick with me, and I wish I could give it more than five stars.
Another thing you know I was on the look out for was the depiction of Achilles and Patroclus' relationship and this book did not disappoint. All the key moments are there, and I was pretty much over the moon.
But, this book isn't about Achilles and Patroclus, though they play a huge role. It's about Briseis, and the other forgotten women of Troy. It's definitely a book we needed, I think. Honestly, this is one of those books that's going to stick with me, and I wish I could give it more than five stars.
Seven Tears at High Tide by C.B. Lee
5.0
This book is absolutely adorable. I loved the twist on the summer romance trope and I loved the way that selkies were invisioned in this. It was so interesting. I fell in love with the two main characters right away, honestly, and the writing in general was pretty great. Where can I get myself a cute selkie boyfriend like Morgan?
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
5.0
This book is such a great concept and such a fun story! Honestly I loved the world building and the plot keep me on the edge of my seat a lot of times. The writing is fantastic and really sucked me into the world of the book. I liked the ending and thought it could've been a great stand alone but I'm excited to see where to story goes in the next two books!!
A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab
5.0
While I did not like one aspect of the book (KELL AND LILA SHOULD REMAIN FRIENDS OKAY) I really enjoyed the new characters it introduced and the two new kingdoms that we got to know through the games. I knew Holland would come back and it was quite interesting to see how he did and what it cost him. Of course, the end left me a bit shook and anxious to read the third book, which luckily I was able to do right away. I don't think this book suffers as some sequels do as it continued the story very well while also adding onto it. I can't wait to finish the series!
A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab
5.0
There was only one thing I didn't like about this book and that the continued Kell/Lila romance. I didn't like it in the last book either, so I was expecting it in this book but I still didn't like it. Otherwise, though, I really enjoyed this book! It was an excellent conclusion with super high stakes that were resolved really well. People died and others were left forever changed and I like that while it was a happy ending, it wasn't a traditional happy ending. I do think Rhy has to be my favorite character of the series and I'm glad that he and Emery are having a grand ole time. They deserve happiness. I'm also glad that Kell finally has his freedom too. Overall, I thought this was an excellent conclusion to an excellent series.
What If It's Us by Adam Silvera, Becky Albertalli
4.0
Honestly, I don't have much to say about this book other than I liked it a lot? I loved the musical theatre references and I did really enjoy Ben and Arthur's relationship. I think I know who wrote which part, and if I'm right, I preferred Adam Silvera's writing, but Becky Albertalli was still good too. Overall, I was a fan. I'm glad these two got together to write this book.
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
5.0
After reading What If It's Us, I was eager to read more of Adam Silvera's writing and damn did he deliver. I enjoyed this book even more, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of his books. One of the reasons I really liked this book was the way it handled the topic of mortality. Like it doesn't sugar coat anything, death is inevitable. However, it also points out how beautiful life can be, and how we shouldn't live our lives in fear and I really appreciated that. Here's to trying live a life worth living.