I’m trying to overcome my Britishisms of constantly apologising for not being online… buuut I am really sorry that I can’t keep up with blogging as much as I’d like to! (can’t help myself apparently 😉 ) Anyhoo, I’ve been in need of some serious relaxation recently and so I have mostly been reading pretty light things. As usual, these aren’t all my reviews for last month, they’re just the ones I had less to say about.
Ransom My Heart– the first thing I want to make clear about this book is that this is very clearly not designed for younger readers. Even though the intro states that this is the work of Meg Cabot’s fictional Princess Mia (and I love how that’s done) it’s a massive departure from some of her more teen friendly work, so bear that in mind. I did initially like the idea of actually writing the Princess’ book, but unfortunately didn’t like the actual story or the way it was done. When it came to it the structure was all over the place and the story felt finished at 200 pages in. All I was looking for was a fun romp, however, because of this plotting issue, I lost interest two thirds of the way in. I also really didn’t like the writing style, where the occasional archaic word like “ken” or “mayhap” was thrown in, yet was otherwise extremely modern. I wasn’t into the characters or the romance either, so this book only gets credit for being “readable”.
Rating: 2/5 bananas
Dawn Study– I’ve made it clear before that I was kinda done with this series, meaning I really shouldn’t have picked this up. Maybe read this review with a pinch of salt- if you’re still enjoying the Study series I’m sure you’ll like this. Anyway, the plot for this one was a bit better than the last two and it transpires I still love Valek (after all this time? Always– sorry, I reread HP recently, you can expecto patronum plenty more awful puns and references 😉 ). The downside of this book was primarily that the story ended at book 3 and this is book 6- so much of the story felt like it was put in for *tension* and resolved for the sake of convenience. I also really didn’t care about tons of the characters- including Leif (who I’ve never liked), Janco (his comic relief schtick got old a while back) and Onora (new and annoying). That said, there were some entertaining parts and it was distracting. I’m kinda glad that I finished the series, but I’m mostly just glad that the series is finished.
Rating: 2½/5 bananas
PS I Like You– this took a little while to get into and I feel like parts of it relied a bit too heavily on miscommunication, BUT I did get *exactly* what I wanted from this book. In fact, I had a big, stupid smile on my face the whole time I was reading it. I absolutely loved the romance and characters. In short, this was a super fun YA contemporary. PS I really liked this book (yes I went there)
Rating:4/5 bananas
Castle in the Air– I normally really like Wynne Jones books and am rarely left discontented with her stories, unfortunately, this didn’t really land for me the way I wanted it to. Sure, it had a lot of the fun, quirky, magical elements her books usually possess and I very much enjoyed the change of scene, but sadly the main sticking point for me was that I didn’t like the protagonist. At all. I just really don’t like flattering sycophants and that was basically his entire character. Sure, I’m up for a silver-tongued character, but when all that amounts to is how sickeningly over complimentary they can be, I get put off really quickly. Also he had a tendency to flatter both the good guys and the bad guys in equal measure- I especially didn’t like how easily some of my favourite characters succumbed to it. It also didn’t help that this was the follow up for Howl’s Moving Castle which I really loved.
Rating: 2½/5 bananas
The Fill-in Boyfriend– I had *a lot* of mixed feelings for this one. Again, the story was mostly fine, I wasn’t keen on the main character. I didn’t totally hate her and became grudgingly tolerant of her, but that isn’t the same as liking her. Basically, she’s a Queen Bee, trying to change a little from being a totally oblivious, self-obsessed narcissist, but in teeny tiny steps. Her idea of trying to relate to people is to go upto strangers and ask “what’s your story?” (protip: this does not work- a lot of people don’t like invasive, stupid questions). The only positive to her character was that I did find myself laughing at her sometimes, which shows I was at least entertained 😉 . Plus she wasn’t the worst character in the book- her brother is a total piece of shit and what bothered me most of all was the lack of resolution for his story arc. Minor spoilers: the brother uses the sister for a video project about addiction to social media and publicly humiliates her. As a subplot this did a decent job of discussing themes of validation (and it was this depth that saved the book from a lower rating), nonetheless, it didn’t make sense to me from an emotional standpoint that there were no real consequences for his casual cruelty.
Rating: 3/5 bananas
The Promise– this was a very moving and multi-faceted read- I can’t put my finger on just one plotline or idea it contains. There’s a lot to it. As the sequel to the Chosen, it deals with a lot of questions of identity, especially in the shadow of the Holocaust, whilst also exploring themes of learning. This very much looks at a shift in the rigidity of thought, which I appreciated. More than that, as I often experience with Potok books, there’s something very real and truthful in his depiction of his world. I will admit, I didn’t have the same feeling of enlightenment in comparison to its predecessor, however I still loved the characters. Michael’s story in particular had a great deal of heart and showed the tremendous kindness of Reuven’s character. I also loved how the main antagonist was humanised by the end of the story.
Rating: 4/5 bananas
Hunted– first of all, I *loved* the fact this was set in Russia- it gave a wonderful dimension to the world building and magic. Additionally, it was an enjoyably quick read, which is always appreciated. However, the one major issue I had with this was that there were absolutely no surprises– even though it made some changes to the fairy tales it was based on, it was very easy to pick up the thread of the familiar narrative. Because of that, it felt incredibly obvious, predictable and somewhat lacking. This was all compounded by a rather abrupt ending that left me feeling not quite sated. While I suggest not going into this expecting an earth shatteringly good tale, I do recommend this for anyone that fancies a well-executed beauty and the beast retelling.
Rating: 3½/5 bananas
So have you read any of these? Do you plan to? Let me know in the comments!
P.S I like you sounds really cute! I’ll have to check that one out.
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Definitely recommend it 🙂
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I am here for all of the punny humor 😉 haha
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hehehe glad you liked it 😉
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I’ve got Hunted on my tbr but not picked it up yet, and think I’ll check out PS I like you now
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Awesome! 😀
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Relaxation is good too! I’ve never continued with Diana Wynne Jones’ books because I love Howl’s too much and I’m worried if I don’t like them, it’ll taint my image of her writing!
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Thanks 😉 Ah totally fair enough- I agree about Howl- it wasn’t really worth continuing the series tbh- I should’ve left that one at book 1 tbh.
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Not a bad list… only one you really didn’t like. Lol. Hope there are more 5 star reads in your future.
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Thank you!! 😀
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Omg I need to find a way to work Expecto Patronum into my vernacular, stat.
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hehehehe!
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Great mini reviews for these books. I agree with you when you say you’re kind of done with the Study series, that’s how I feel about it. I loved the first three books and still do, but I’ve been really meh about the latest three, haven’t read Dawn Study and don’t really plan to anytime soon.
I am glad you enjoyed P.S. I Like You though, that’s the first book by Kasie West and to date still my favourite by her! 😀
Again great reviews, and happy reading. 🙂 ❤
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Thank you! Yeah I really didn’t enjoy the last three, which was a shame. It just happened to turn up in the library and I have bad self control lol!
Thank you! I really did enjoy that one 😀
Thanks very much!! 🙂 ❤
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Nah I get what you mean, part of me things I should read the last book just so I know how it ends but I don’t have the motivation to pick it up.
That’s all right. 🙂 ❤️
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Totally get that! 🙂 ❤
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Taking time to relax is legit, DON’T APOLOGIZE!!!! Take a little nap for me, will you? :p
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hehehe aww thank you- you’re so sweet- I wish I was a napper/had time to nap, but reading helps 😉 (such a bookworm thing to say lol)
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The Fill-In Boyfriend character sounds interesting. If some stranger came up and asked me what my story was I’d probably think they were screwing with me and walk away. Kasie West is so hit or miss with me though. I did enjoy Hunted though. So many Beauty and the Beasts retellings! I gave it bonus points because I really liked the cover! 🙂
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hehe yeah- a lot of the characters in that were interesting 😉 Ah yes I totally get that- and I do love the cover 🙂
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I have read both the Kasie West books. Fill in Boyfriend meant a lot to me.
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I’m glad 😀
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:))))))
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I stopped reading the “Study” books after the first three. Nothing I’ve heard about any of the others has convinced me it’s necessary to continue past there.
I read The Chosen years ago, and I had no idea there was a sequel! I’d love to check it out, but I should probably reread The Chosen first.
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Yep- definitely a wise decision to stop there- if it hadn’t been in the library I wouldn’t have bothered.
So did I! I didn’t know until really recently and just had to get it! 😀 Hope you enjoy!!
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Thanks!
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Hmm, it’s a shame that Castle in the Sky didn’t live up to Howls’ Moving Castle for you. I have to yet to read either, but I get that if a protagonist doesn’t jive with you, then the book doesn’t either. And oh yay, you read The Promise! I really love this book for the same reasons you state here, although yeah, I do think most people would be inclined to enjoy The Chosen more (it’s more streamlined and cohesive I think). 😉 Excellent reviews!
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Yeah it really was a shame, cos I love most of Wynne Jones’ other books. And yeah that’s a real shame. I definitely get what you mean about Chosen being more cohesive- but I totally get why you loved the Promise- there’s something really beautiful about it. Thank you! 🙂
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Those HP puns are sheer Luna-cy (best I could come up with – even that took 15 minutes!) I’m disappointed about you not enjoying Castle in the Sky as much as its predecessor – I liked but didn’t love Howls Moving Castle so I’ll probably give it a miss. I’ve not read any Chain Potok but I’m intrigued – I had a quick look on Goodreads and his work sounds really interesting ☺.
Anyway, hope you’re ok and that life outside of blogging isn’t too stressful/busy, otherwise you’ll never get through your usual 50 books per month (I swear you’re the reason the few remaining British libraries can justify their funding).
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lolololol!!! 😂 Love it!! I was really disappointed too tbh- my friend actually warned me not to bother, so I should have taken her advice. it’s not bad, it’s just not as good. Potok is brilliant- I really do recommend his work! 😀
Thank you- I won’t lie, it’s been a bit busy/stressful, but that’s what reading to excess is for right?! 😉 😂😂 hehehehehe I should hope so! 😂😂😂
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That’s right – sleep is for losers! 😂
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hahahhaa! Yes! 😉 😂
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I haven’t hear good things about Castle in the Air and that’s why I have been putting of reading it. (I haven’t even bought it yet) I do want to read it some time in the future, after all Howl’s Moving Castle is one of my all time favourite books and I want to finish that series. On a happier note, I have heard that the third book is amazing! 😀 Great reviews!
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Yeah it didn’t really live upto Howl’s moving castle for me unfortunately- I hope you like it more! Great thanks 😀 Thank you!!
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PS I liked your mini reviews 😍😍😍
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hehehe aww thank you!! 😊😊
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I’m glad you enjoyed both Kasie West novels! I’ve been wanting to read PS I Like You for a little while! Great reviews! ❤️
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Thank you so much!! 😊 ❤
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I haven’t read any of these yet. Currently carrying on with my non fiction obsession phase despite my slow progress. 😊
Glad you had some good reading month. And happy reading in May. 📚
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Ah fair enough! That’s a good obsession to have 😊
Thank you!! You too 😊
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Great book reviews!! P.s I like you sounds good I might check it out 😄 xx
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Thank you!! It is 😊 xx
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Its okay xx
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Bit of a mixed bag for you then! I really couldn’t get into the Study series, I read the first one and sort of wandered off. Hunted sounds alright, but I know what you mean about fairy tale retellings – done well, it’s a fantastic device, but they can slip into the predictable (sometimes good, for a comfort low maintenance read…)
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hehe just a bit 😉 And yes absolutely agree!
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I really like this format of mini-reviews! What a pity you didn’t like Dawn Study – I haven’t read it yet, but I love the series.
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Thank you very much! well I liked it more than the last few, so that was a definite plus 😉 If you’re still invested in the series, you’re bound to like it even more!
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Great mini reviews! I loved Fill In Boyfriend, and The Hunted! I haven’t read P.S. I like you yet but I really want to.
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Thank you!! I’m glad!! I really hope you like it!
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Chaim Potok! I agree that The Promise isn’t quite at the same level as The Chosen. But, still, it’s Chaim Potok! It’s so awesome you review his books. I don’t recall seeing any other bloggers do so.
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Yes I really agree with you there 😀 And thank you- I really enjoy his books 🙂
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A little Kasie West binge! I can get behind that. Her books are purely fun.
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Absolutely!! I definitely had fun 😀
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Lovely mini reviews as always! I saw a book on Netgalley the other day that immediately made me think of you…. The Life of a Banana by PP Wong, maybe it should be a future mini. 🙂
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Thank you so much!! hahahaha!!
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You’re welcome! And I couldn’t help but think of you with that one since I”m still trying to hide my own bananas. LOL
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I am so glad you liked P.S. I Like You! I think I had it in an Owlcrate box last year and I was pleasantly surprised by it. It was my first Kasie West book, so that was a good intro to her writing.
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Yeah I really enjoyed, it’s possibly my favourite of her books so far 🙂
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Well, now… believe it or not but I have been meaning to read PS! I Like You for quite some time now. Sometimes a light read is exactly what’s needed and if it leaves a silly smile to your face afterwards- even better.
Monkey! i totally read The Hating Game and it was THE best 😀
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Yay!! it’s exactly that kind of book! AND I AM SO GLAD!!! 😀
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I think I have a copy of PS I Like You (no idea why as I never read the genre). Maybe I will give it a go!
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hopefully you’ll like it!
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Oh no! I want to read Castle in the Air, but I also loved Howl so I’m afraid I might have the same opinion on Castle as you did. I’ll still read it and see for myself (who knows? I might be guessing wrong) but my hopes aren’t as high now. (Then again, maybe that’s a good thing.)
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Ah hopefully you’ll like it- and yeah it always helps to have lower expectations!
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