cosmicrusalka's reviews
614 reviews

It fell flat for me. I feel like it started off with so much potential but ended boring and dull. The whole "magic" side of the story seem to just be a background side note, felt entirely pointless. 
It also contains a romantic interest that was not tagged at all, so that was upsetting. 

Just as enjoyable as the first 2. I absolutely adore the characters and the story itself is so cozy to me, not to deep or complex, but with enough interest and uniqueness to make it riveting in its own way and a very delightful and easy read.

Honestly just not for me. I would have liked it a thousand times more without the romance side plot. It just didn't feel genuine or organic and felt forced and kind of out of place for me. 

Amazing. Thrilling. Exciting. Beautiful. Absolutely wonderful. 

Mulan meets Raya. For me, that made this a very cozy easy read for being familiar, bit different enough that I needed to know how it ended. 

Writing: ★★★★☆ - solid
Narration: ★★★★☆ - good
Characters: ★★★★☆ - familiar and relatable
Story: ★★★★☆ - nothing super unique, but cozy and enjoyable 

Absolutely tragic and sad in the most beautiful way. I cried so much, my heart broke for literally every single character. In my opinion, there are no villains in this story, just a bunch of people who are trying to deal with their own broken hearts. I absolutely devoured this book and cannot wait for thr next. 

Definitely my least favorite of the Narnia books thus far, and as usual, the movie was better. 

-----Begin

Start Date : 02-13-2024
Title : Prince Caspian 
Series : Narnia 
Author : VS Lewis 
Recommended by : none
Reading with : none
First Impression : again, wondering how it'll compare to the movie
Format : audiobook - library

-----End

Finish Date : 02-20-2024
Overall : ★★★☆☆
Writing : ★★★☆☆
Narration : ★★★☆☆ - interesting that they changed the narrator 
Pacing : ★★★★☆
Plot : ★★★☆☆
World/Setting : ★★★★☆
Time Period : Narnia time (feels medieval?) 
Location : Narnia
Focus : story 
Imagery : ★★★☆☆
Favorite Character(s) : Badger - Trufflehunter
Most memorable moment : 
Last Impression : I gotta be honest, this book did not capture me in any way. It wasn't bad, just not interesting enough for me. 

-----Begin

Start Date : 2-5-2024
Title : The Horse and His Boy
Series : Narnia
Author : CS Lewis
Recommended by : none
Reading with : none
First Impression : 🤷🏻‍♀️
Format : audio - library 

-----End

Finish Date : 2-7-24

Overall : ★★★★☆
Writing : ★★★★☆
Narration : ★★★★☆

Pacing :  ★★★☆☆ - I'm noticing the battles in Narnia books are very quick and in the last few minutes of the book. It's not necessarily bad, but I don't care for it, I'd like a bit more detail. 

Plot : ★★★★☆ - a runaway story of a slave/lost prince from desert into greener countries. 

World/Setting : ★★★★☆ - the change from the desert into greener places is very fun and hits close to home for me. 

Time Period : Narnia time, feels medieval to Renaissance

Location : World of Narnia and southern counties

Focus :  story 

Imagery : ★★★☆☆ - fair enough for a simple, short children's book. 

Characters : Shasta/Cor... Definitely a character I could really relate too. Raised in a desert, a harsh hard place to grow up with evil all around you, a 'father' who doesn't want you. Leaving your homeland behind to discover what trees are and to feel grass beneath your feet. 
Aravis... Why does it seem like the majority of female characters in Narnia are all so snotty?? Also pretty fucked up of Aslan to "teach her a lesson" by slashing her back like that... 
Bree... His rolling though 😭💜 do not let anyone take your rolling away from you!! 
Hwin... Reminded me of Fluttershy. 
Very cool seeing Susan and Edwin as grown ups! 

Relationships : I suspected Shasta/Cor would marry Aravis. 

Feelings Felt : interest, happiness

Favorite Character(s) : Shasta for sure. His backstory and journey is something I could really relate with. 

Most memorable moment : Shasta seeing all sorts of trees for the first time. I know the feeling very well. 

Last Impression : Based off of the title, I was the least excited about this book of the series, but I'd have to say it's probably my favorite so far. 

 ---Before you read
Title : Narnia - The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Author : C. S. Lewis
Recommended by : Nobody
First Impression : Wary (because I'm not sure how religious it's going to be)
Format : Audio


Finish Date : February 2, 2024

Overall : ★★★☆☆ - the movie was better

Writing : ★★★☆☆

Narration : ★★★★☆

Pacing : ★★★★☆

Plot : ★★★☆☆

World/Setting : ★★★★★

Focus : story 

Imagery : ★★★★☆ 

Characters : I think what the movies did to give the children each a unique personality and traits was a good move.  In the book I feel like they kind of all blend together, except for Edmund, who is bewitched most of the time. Mr. Tumnus was annoying as hell in the book and the Witch being so terrified of Aslan with no cool was annoying, the Beavers were more annoying, honestly, everyone was just annoying. 

Feelings Felt : Irritation because a lot of the characters and scenes are more obnoxious in the book.

Favorite Character(s) : probably Mrs. Beaver because she was at least amusing

Most memorable moment : Mrs. Beaver giving the children alcohol 

Last Impression : the movie was better 😂