renpuspita's reviews
1316 reviews

 Another book I read that already pass its hype time (the book was released in 2016 and I read it like...8 years later, lel) but I'm glad that I give The Hating Game a chance! I'm LOL'ing, smiling, and smirking reading the "hating games, staring games, how you doing games" between Lucy and Joshua, although it's a no-brainer to guess the trope is more than enemy to lover or grumpy x sunshine. It's more like "he fell first and she fell harder". Not that hard to predict, lol.

I know that the narrative and dialogues can be to immature especially because we read this book from Lucy's PoV, so the hatred feeling is more from her and not Josh. This is the case when I wish I know what Josh thinking about Lucy but hearing his confessions is already confirm my guess. Beside his action also mirroring his feeling, like why bother to nurture your nemesis to health if you hate her guts? Love it is. The witty banters is sure the highlight of the book, I keep laughing and snort while reading the back and forth between Lucy and Joshua. The sexual tension is OMG, TOP OF THE CHART 🔥🔥🔥, and followed by steamy sex scene too. Actually, the sexual tensions itself is already enough, lol. 

The first part is hilarious, the middle seems dragging with the tug and pull war between Lucy and Joshua although the sexual tensions are the live saver. The last part is ASTOUNDING. My favorite scene is when Lucy smack talk Josh's father and since his father is a big jerk compared to Josh, he deserve it. I have a "Way to go, Lucy!" moment when she defend Josh and in that time I know that she falling in love so hard to Josh. The first sentence that Thorne write about love and hate is visceral finally come to full circle. Another favorite part I love is the confession part between Lucy and Josh that reveal many things, like how wrong Lucy was about Josh. Heh, both just like kindergarten children who like their opposite gender but decide to go full attack rather than admit it. I know the bantering look immature and childish and I know with the wrong mood or preferences this book might be not for everyone. But I like the way Thorne write it with some humor and cheeky remarks.

However, this book is not without a weakness. Thorne's writing can be too over the top and dramatic. Also hyperbole to the core. Since I'm in a good mood while reading this book, I'm willing to let it slide. Beside, some of the witty banters and Lucy's descriptions are hilarious to read. Like, Lucy is not shy to admit that Josh's body is sexy and I'm now have an urge to browsing man's pictures with macho body, lel. She describe that Josh is so handsome and if I see the actor that portrayed him in the movie, well duh, I agree. Yeah, it was nice to read a female-gaze paragraph that describe how hot the hero was. Is it cringe? Nah, it's depend on your preference. I really have a blast and grinning from ear to ear after finish reading the last page.

The wedding chapter that lead to Lucy and Josh's love confessions now officially become my favorite and I'm afraid I'll reread it for some times. I also praised Thorne to not write about third-act breakup and the angsts are actually pretty tame. For how childish and immature Lucy and Josh act with their "games", I'm surprised and impressed to read how mature they solve their fight toward the end of the book without the need to make it more dramatic or long. While Josh's boss is a lecherous man, I'm glad Lucy's boss, Helene is an example of a good leader. Yeah, reading about Helene support Lucy with her presentation to get the position of COO is like a dream, but it feel nice to read a not toxic boss. Although, the setting is not that clear. I don't know if this book set in America or maybe Australia since Thorne's basically live in Canberra, since the setting of the office, the wedding venue etc is barred of any mention of city. The insight to publishing world is a nice addition, tho. 

I will fondly remember The Hating Game if I want to recommend "(not really) enemy to lover" book and I'm also looking forward to watch the movie version.

Also..with how petite Lucy (5 ft, she's basically me) and how TALL Josh (6,4 ft, WTF? No wonder Lucy feel small compared to Josh's huge and macho body! But his stamina when it's come to bed sport is 🔥), I have a slightest idea maybe it's influence some author that love to write their heroine as petite as possible and the hero is basically a giant 🙃, IYKWIM. 

 Tidak ada detektif, tidak ada kasus pembunuhan yang harus dipecahkan (ada sih, tapi minor banget dan bukan fokus cerita) dan lebih mengarah ke thriller suspense. Infonya sih novel ini terinspirasi sama Cold War, jadi wajar kalau isi ceritanya lebih ke arah espionage ketimbang whodunnit. 

Ceritanya cukup seru diikuti tapi bukan yang terbaik. Gue kasih empat bintang karena sebagai fans berat cerita happy ending, gue suka sama ending yang Dame Agatha Christie berikan untuk tokoh utamanya, Hilary Craven. Dengan semua yang Hilary alami dalam hidupnya, mulai dari suami yang selingkuh dan anaknya meninggal sampai Hillary cari cara buat bunuh diri untuk lari dari kenyataan, terus malah ketemu Jessop buat nyamar jadi istrinya Thomas Betterton. Biar apa? Biar cara bunuh dirinya lain daripada yang lain. Agak unik emang premisnya. Tapi, kemalangan hidup yang Hilary alami ditambah dengan "pengorbanannya" untuk pura - pura jadi istri Thomas Betterton (sampai disekap segala), rasanya memuaskan membaca Hilary akhirnya menemukan kebahagiaan dan semangat untuk melanjutkan hidup lagi. I can't ask for more.

Oh ya, kalau gue baca wiki, nasib Hilary ini ga jauh beda sama nasib Agatha Christie yang diselingkuhin sama suami pertamanya. Bener - bener sangat membekas, sampai sering dipakai di bukunya ya :'). Gue ngerasa di buku ini Dame Christie emang kayak coba - coba bikin novel espionage ala Cold War tapi tetep dengan twist yang berlapis - lapis. Jadi selain happy endingnya Hilary, gue juga suka pas baca twist dimana terungkap alasan kenapa Thomas Betterton menghilang dan apa yang terjadi di tempat tujuan Tom yang baru. Di buku ini juga ada sedikit pandangan dari Dame Christie terkait paham fasisme, komunisme dll. Plus ada juga konsep tentang kehidupan bebas dan gimana kalau manusia mencoba bermain sebagai Tuhan. Jadi ya ceritanya rada filosofis. Plus, terjemahannya unik sih. Banyak tanda seru, kayak semua orang ngomongnya teriak - teriak XD.

Destination Unknown ini stand alone, kayak Death Comes as the End atau And Then There Were None. Seperti yang gue bilang, ceritanya biasa aja kalau mau dibandingkan sama And Then There Were None. Walau ya tetep seru dengan twist dan suspensenya yang bikin kita harap - harap cemas baca nasib Hilary yang lagi nyamar jadi istri orang. 

 Gue selama baca buku ini pas adegan Ceony grudak gruduk konfrontasi musuh SENDIRIAN be like...

CEONY, KAMU ITU....BEGO

Seriusan gue bener - bener ga paham sama bagian pas Ceony ngadepin Grath Cobalts sendirian, kayak Ceony nih jumawa karena di buku pertama di ngalahin Lira?

Eniwei, The Glass Magician adalah lanjutan buku The Paper Magician. Ceritanya mulai 3 bulan dari kejadian di Paper Magician, jadi wajib baca buku pertama ya karena ceritanya semua berkesinambungan. Kalau di buku pertama sihirnya lebih fokus sama pengendalian kertas, di buku ini sesuai dengan judulnya, juga berfokus sama pengendalian kaca. Tapi, pengendalian kaca ini walau hebat juga bikin ngilu. Karena kaca kalau pecah kan bahaya ya, pecahannya itu lho nusuk sana sini. Jadi jangan heran kalau di buku ini Ceony bakal lebih banyak terluka apalagi musuhnya, Grath Cobalts yang juga pengendali kaca itu ga segan - segan buat nyiksa Ceony sama pecahan kaca. 

Di awal gue bilang kalau gue kesel sama tindakan Ceony dan emang Ceony bener - bener ngeselin di buku ini. Di buku pertama gue bisa nerima tindakan Ceony yang langsung ngejar Lira buat nyelametin Emery yang jantungnya diambil Lira. Gue menganggap Ceony saat itu desperate karena ini nyawa gurunya. Di buku ini, Ceony malah bersikap sok pahlawan. Kesel karena ga dilibatkan buat melawan Grath, akhirnya Ceony taking matters in her own hand. Masalahnya, dia juga ngajak temennya yg siswa magang Penyihir Aviosky dan seorang pengendali kaca yaitu Delilah. Gue beneran kasihan sama Delilah karena kecerobohan Ceony dalam menghadapi Grath. Si Emery bahkan sampai bilang kalau Ceony ga mikir panjang soalnya dah ngalahin Lira di buku pertama, padahal Lira kalau dibandingkan Grath dan salah satu penyihir pembelot yaitu Saraj, Lira tuh cuma pemula. Jadi emang ada kayak luck factor pas Ceony ngalahin Lira. Walau disisi lain gue applause sama authornya karena sukses bikin Grath jadi villain yang lebih membahayakan daripada Lira.

Bicara romansa, gue ngerasa si Holmberg mungkin pengen nulis kisah cinta tiba - tiba aka insta-love, cuma cara dia nulisnya di buku pertama itu terkesan maksa. Ga ada chemistrynya! Kalau di buku ini, jadi kelihatan kalau Ceony ya bertepuk sebelah tangan karena Emery ga terang - terangan ngebalas perasaan Ceony. Walau gitu, akhirnya sedikiiit ada perkembangan untuk kisah cinta Ceony dan Emery. Ya gue bilang sih sedikit yang bener - bener hanya sedikit tapi minimal ada kans buat cinta bersemi lah, hahaha. Menurut gue, karena ini novel kedua Holmberg ya mungkin beliau belum mahir nulis adegan romansa yang alami. Yang selama ini ngejek genre romance catet ya, ga SEMUA author bisa nulis adegan romansa yang bisa dirasakan sama pembacanya tanpa terasa terburu - buru :P.

Magic systemnya masih unik dan selain pengendalian kertas dan kaca, kita diperlihatkan pengendalian material karet dan juga besi. Untuk pengendali besi, mau ga mau ya gue inget allomancy yang ada di Mistborn (dan ya, Sanderson kan mentornya Holmberg), bikin gue jadi mikir untuk pengendalian logam apa hanya terbatas besi saja. Mantra - mantra pengendalian kaca dan kertas juga unik. Holmberg sendiri juga menjabarkan gimana cara penyihir material jadi penyihir pembelot tapi ini malah jadi pertanyaan lagi karena gimana caranya Lira yang awalnya asisten perawat itu jadi penyihir pembelot ya? Meski gue kesel sama tingkah laku Ceony yang sok pahlawan, bab-bab terakhir tentang kebenaran di balik penyihir pembelot dan apa yang dilakukan Ceony untuk mengalahkan Grath cukup bagus ditulisnya. Terjemahannya rapi tapi typonya BUANYAK. Banyak banget sampe gue ga yakin buku ini ada pemeriksaan akhir sama proof reader ga sih? :/

Sayangnya, Elex cuma nerbitin Paper Magician dan Glass Magician aja. Padahal masih ada buku 3, The Master Magician dan buku 4, The Plastic Magician yang ceritanya terpisah. Kesel juga kenapa buku 3 ga sekalian diterbitkan padahal buku 3 itu jadi konklusi cerita Ceony. Pun gue mayan penasaran bagian Ceony dan Emery apa bakal jadian. Ya pasti jadian sih, cuma kan gue pengen tahu proses kesananya gimana :'). Gue benernya bisa aja baca dalam bahasa aslinya, tapi ya moga - moga aja Elex nanti beneran nerbitin buku 3 karena nanggung banget cuma buku 1 sama 2!!

Oh ya, gue kira di cover edisi terjemahan Indo itu gambar Ceony sama Emery. Gue jujur agak syok masa Emery kelihatannya kayak Tom Selleck padahal di buku ga dibilang kalau dia kumisan dan benernya Emery itu berantakan. Tapi setelah baca buku ini, gue baru ngeh kalau itu Grath Cobalts karena dia pegang kaca dan Grath kan pengendali kaca XD. 

 Buku ini masuk kategori YA, tapi entahlah gue merasa dari segi usia tokoh2nya saja sudah diatas YA. Okelah tokoh utama, Ceony Twill itu 19 tahun, tapi dengan setting cerita di awal abad 20 umur segitu benernya sudah dianggap dewasa. Belum lagi love interestnya Ceony, Emery Thane, usianya dah 30an lebih. Lebih tua dari Ceony 12 tahun! Kalau dari segi cerita ya memang ini bisa juga masuk YA karena termasuk sederhana juga world building. Walaupun magic systemnya tuh unik! Pengendalian akan material di dunianya Paper Magician itu hanya terbatas pada materi buatan manusia, seperti besi, kaca, karet, plastik, kertas dll. Jadi yg bukan buatan manusia ga bisa? Bukannya ga bisa, tapi pengendalian akan material di luar buatan manusia seperti katakanlah darah, akan membuatmu jadi Penyihir Pembelot atau penjahat deh. Sistem sihir yang unik ini emang mau ga mau ngingetin gue sama salah satu author yg juga bikin magic system dari hal2 sederhana. Siapa lagi kalau bukan Brandon Sanderson? Ternyata waktu gue baca bagian acknowlegdment, Charlie N. Holmberg bilang kalau Sanderson itu salah satu mentornya di kelas menulis. Haha pantesan kok rada - rada familiar penggunaan sistem sihirnya, walau Sanderson jauh lebih detail lagi jelasinnya ketimbang Holmberg.

Walau awal - awal ceritanya agak slow dan kita diperlihatkan sama Ceony yg kesel banget gegara ga bisa jadi Pengendali Besi dan harus jadi Pengendali Kertas, cerita mulai seru saat Emery diserang dan jantungnya diambil. Vibe awalnya emang kayak cerita daddy long legs, apalagi Emery jauh lebih tua dari Ceony. Walau Ceony kesel, toh dia pasrah juga mau jadi Pengendali Kertas dan diajarin sama Emery macem2. Menurut gue kelebihan cerita ini emang di proses Ceony belajar sihir Kertas yang ajaib banget! Gue yakin tiap orang yg abis baca buku ini jadi pengen belajar origami. Nah saat jantung Emery diambil dan Ceony pergi sendirian buat nyelamatin si jantung, alur ceritanya mulai cepat dan cuma hitungan hari karena jantung sementara Emery yg berasal dari kertas ga akan bertahan lama. Di bagian inilah akhirnya Ceony tahu masa lalu Emery yang kompleks termasuk hubungan Emery dengan Lira, dimana Lira ini ada Penyihir Pembelot yang mengambil jantung Emery.

Untuk segi romansanya sih tipis-tipis ya dan kelihatan banget Ceony yang jatuh cinta duluan sama Emery walau alasannya karena pas dia tahu Emery yg kasih beasiswa buat belajar dan juga gegara lihat masa lalu Emery itu agak kurang kuat buat gue. Tapi ya orang mau jatuh cinta itu kadang alasannya macem2, lol. Romansanya sendiri ga terlalu fokus kok dan ceritanya emang lebih ke upaya Ceony buat nyelamatin Emery. Ceony sendiri emang berbakat ya karena dia bisa menguasai sihir kertas dengan cukup bagus walau bagian yang susah seperti membuat anjing dari kertas itu baru Emery yang bisa. Menarik buat tahu gimana Ceony nanti akan berkembang jadi Pengendali Kertas yang sesungguhnya.

Terjemahannya sendiri rapi meski ada beberapa typo. Sayangnya, hurufnya kecil - kecil BANGET dan mayan bikin gue spaneng. Edisi asli buku ini tuh 222 halaman sementara diterjemahkan jadi 236 hal. Hemat kertas banget ga tuh? Ironis mengingat kertas juga jadi fokus utama cerita ini, hehehe. Kekurangannya memang di bagian awal yang agak slow karena setelah Ceony masuk ke jantung Emery itu ceritanya mulai oke dan gue kagum sama cara Holmberg menganalogikan kenangan dan impian manusia itu di jantung. Dalam bahasa Inggris, jantung itu heart, sementara heart di bahasa Indonesia juga berarti hati; tempat kenangan berasal. Menurut gue ini cukup puitis dan lebih bisa diikuti ketimbang pakai bagian otak misalnya 😆.

Untuk sebuah debut dan buku pembuka sebuah series, The Paper Magician ini cukup seru dan cukup bikin penasaran karena ceritanya emang masih berlanjut. Cocok juga buat yg nyari fantasy ringan dengan jumlah halaman yg ga terlalu banyak. 

 The last time I read historical romance that didn't have supernatural/gothic/time travel elements was apparently 8 years ago (!). I admit, I rarely read this subgenre and prefer historical romance with some fantasy aspects but I remembered that back then I like Lord and Lady Spy by Shana Galen. Earls Just Want to Have Fun is the first book Covent Garden Cubs with some interesting premise because the heroine, Marlowe is a thief from Covent Garden gangs. But Marlowe is not a mere thief. She's believed to be Lady Elizabeth Grafton, the lost daughter of Marquess Lyndon that got abducted when she was 5 years old. So, imagine the building headache that our hero, Maxwell Derring, Earl of Dane have because he must teach Marlowe the nobles etiquette while also fight his growing attraction to the hellion.

What make Earls Just Want to Have Fun, although the earl that want to have fun is just one person so forget my limited grammar, interesting is Galen's view about class systemic and hierarchy regarding the nobility, working class and especially the poor. Dane have a classism views. He disdain the poor and want to pass the bill in the Parliament about the treatment of the poor because he believe the poor are lazy. Such a jerk. Galen manage to redeem him through Marlowe, and as corny as the power of love concern, Dane really change for the better because Marlowe change his perspective. In order to help Marlowe to free from her thief gang leader, Dane agree to follow Marlowe's plan and in the process Dane's eyes were open when he go to the rookeries. I think the change are well written and show that even start as a jerk, in the end Dane become a better person.

Another thing that make me love reading this book is Marlowe. While she was a noble but through the story, Marlowe think herself as a thief, the lowest of the class. That where it's so amusing to read when reading her try to adjust with the noble's lifestyle. Some parts can be comic reliefs and I assure you, the genre of this book is not a comedy. But the way Galen write it definitely make me laugh a bit because of Marlowe's antique. Marlowe also the epitome of confidence and naivety, mix in one package. She didn't hesitant to go one on one with men because all her life she just try to survive to life, while she's also naive in the love (and sex) department. Marlowe is truly the gem of this book although I got some difficulty to read her dialogue because Galen try to differentiate Marlowe's dialogue with the rest of Dane's family because of Marlowe's upbringing in the rookeries. As for the sex scenes, it's steamy but also have tender moments as well. The story itself pretty much fast paced and the romance itself can be categorized to insta (because happen in days), but I don't mind it.

If you love a rags to riches tropes and some interesting take regarding the class system in Regency historical romance, I will suggest to read this one. 

Apparently, the key to exorcise demon that roamed in your neighborhood is the female friendship. Better yet, the female friendship between housewives

Nope, not kidding. I know those sentences sounds like shonen anime or manga slogan, but the main theme for Suburban Hell is the friendship between the suburban housewives in Winchester, Illinois. Suburban Hell is Maureen Kilmer's debut horror book and honestly this book have some debut's weakness. But, I'm having fun while reading this although some things can be glaring. More about that later.

Suburban Hell told entirely from Amy's first PoV. Together with her "outcast" housewives neighbor, namely Melissa, Jess and Liz, they create a place just for them to relax without spouses or children distribution. Little they know when they toast above She Shed (the place), Liz got possessed by demonic entity and things going downhill. Balancing housewives duty, social life and paranoia induced by demon-Liz attacks, Amy got her hand full. Luckily, she still have Melissa and Jess, although she need to encourage them to join her cause in order to save Liz.

This book kinda remind me of Southern Book Club Guide's to Slaying Vampire by Grady Hendrix. The premise is the same, outcast housewives club that facing an evil force in order to save their family and neighborhood. But, Suburban Hell's horror vibes are lighter compare to the former. Yeah, there's demonic appearance, but it's slightly spooky and creepy. Not the kind that give me heebies jeebies. The story can be mundane to read since you will read Amy do her housewives responsibility and caring for her children, so some chapter can be too slow to read. However, the chapters also shorts, providing a fast read and the mystery also suspense will make you glued to the page.

I like how Kilmer portrayed the friendship between Amy, Melissa, Jess and Liz; and make them all different in personality. Melissa is strict but come from a religiously fanatic parents and she is the hardest to convinced while it come to saving Liz. Jess is a carefree and also the youngest of the four, often provide comic relief with her snarky remarks. Liz is...kind and we only get a glimpse about her from Amy's PoV because she being possessed for 99% amount of this book. Then, we will delve into Amy, since she is the main character, how she still grieving for her sister's death and her drive to save people she loved is what make her determined to save Liz rather than sold her house and moving away in order to protect her children. 

However, I think the demonic entity's explanation is the weakest link of this book. I don't get why the demon come to possess Liz now rather than years ago and the reason just explained by Amy's deduction. The demon didn't bother to explain themselves and just focus to wreak havoc in the neighborhood. I don't know how the demon become the demon at all, lol. More like a vengeful ghost, but then later they become a demon? The conclusion behind the exorcism feel anticlimatic, although hints for something sinister to come in the future. But, since this book is apparently a standalone, that left to reader to interpreted it. Anyway, I like the way Kilmer write the spouses in this book. I prepare myself to read about cheating spouses especially when Kilmer write Amy's husband often do overtime and business trip. BUT, Mark (Amy's husband) is far from cheating husband! He's so supportive to Amy even he didn't believe 100% when Amy explained there was a demon possessing Liz. Even Melissa's husband and Jess's boyfriend seems cool. It's refreshing to read when there's no cheating husband or wives, lel.

I will recommend Suburban Hell if you want to read a light horror with demonic possession and female friendship among the housewives of suburban. 

 If judging by cover alone, I expect a cute contemporary romance feature Desi characters. Even the blurb said so. What I don't expect after finish reading is rather than a conrom, Partners in Crime more like romantic suspense. With angst, LOT of angst. I had read Alisha Rai's title before and I forget that she can write a delicious angst.

I like both Mira and Naveen, since both in their thirties so they are already mature and no unnecessary or prolonged drama OR third act breakup. Before the story began, Mira matched with Naveen, only to let her insecurities about her shady family and past that make her broke things up with Naveen via text. Ouch. I like the second chance trope that Rai write because not only Mira have a huge emotional baggage, Naveen himself also just recently sober and also failed in the romantic department. I think both Mira and Naveen suit each other, they compliment each other with Mira who is savvy enough to face their enemies while Naveen also support her emotionally and also smooth things over with his communication skills. Truly a partners in crime. In the end Mira manage to face her past and pursue her happiness in the future with Naveen.

The story is fast paced and full of adrenaline. The suspense keep me reading especially regarding the jewels that Mira's late father stole and the identity of the villain named Cobra. Not only Mira and Naveen race through time because Cobra threatened Mira's sister life, they also go to many states and also do heist. The romance itself maybe not much and more like angst, but the amount of romance and angst are well balanced. However, the twist regarding the Cobra identity and another character from Mira's past left me dumbfounded. A true Bollywood moment, lel. Just like your usual Asian centered story, the story will be no complete without meddling parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, etc. 

If you love your romantic suspense with heist element, well balanced angst and romance, family theme and a nonstop chase with a slight mystery, I will recommend Partners in Crime! 

Is the story funny? Sadly, not really.
Is the writing tedious? Sigh, yes.

Terminal Alliance is another case "it's not the book's fault, it's me". I buy the ebook version because it was on sale and I pick up this to read because I expect the story will be humorous like Scalzi's (even I only read Kaiju Preservation Society). The premise of the "janitors in space" is pretty unique as well. However, the funny things is just how the way human rename themselves like the men choose name Marilyn Monroe, Doctor Curie or Anna May Wong, while the women have name like Wolfgang Mozart. Also, the main character, Marion Adamopolous aka Mops love Jane Austen's books. The other humorous part are basically a pun of sewage and excrement from alien, because you know, the main characters are part of cleaning service. I admit, I don't find it funny.

I actually applause Hines's decision to not info dumping in the first chapters, rather than reveal it bit by bit. But, I admit I'm kinda lost and then my interest just keep waning by each chapter. Mops characterization feel bland, just like your usual captain and I can't find myself to warm and feel connected toward her. The others are 0kay and actually I like Wolfgang (aka Wolf), the glacidae, Grom and Mops' AI monocle, Doc. You can tell that I lost interest because I'm not bothering to thinking why it's only Mops and her janitor crews that save from the virus that turn other human crews in Pufferfish ship to be a mindless zombie (or feral) while the said virus is supposed to be airborne. Maybe it's just for..plot. The last part is actually entertaining to read, despite my waning interest in the book.

Do I want to read the next book? No, I don't think so. The problems that Mops and her crews face in this book is concluded nicely while still open other problems left unsolved. But, since it's hard for me to enjoy the first book and I forced myself to finish Terminal Alliance, I guess me and this series is just don't mean to be. 

 

 Honestly, this is pretty..disappointing? Meg Cabot is an author whom books I read when I'm searching for light and feel good books. I love her Heather Wells series and The Boys series. Sadly, Enchanted to Meet You feels like a mismatch of plot. Yeah, sure the cozy feeling is there, but I don't get why make a Chosen One trope then there's Bringer of Light? I'll be like...what? Also the ending of the story feel anticlimatic as well. Like, you banished the demon of the rift that threatened to engulfing West Harbor in a chaos and destruction just by

delivering a speech? Really Meg Cabot? Really????? Even if this one written as YA instead of adult, that seems overkill you know 

 

I don't get the chemistry between Jess and Derrick, seems sudden. Why differentiate the PoV between Jess (1st PoV) and Derrick (3rd PoV), I have no slightly idea because I think the story might be better written from all Jess's PoV but that's just me of course. I feel like Jess is less snark and more like two-goody person. It's not that bad, but I REALLY HOPE, Jess's nemesis, Rosalie get her comeuppance. Like really regret her wrongdoings. Rosalie is a bully to the core and her redemption is just barely there. I don't get why Jess can be so forgiving to Rosalie because Rosalie deserve the worst.

Story is not that memorable and I admit, I'm slugging while reading this. Maybe I like Meg Cabot when she write about con-rom or murder mystery, rather than the supernatural ones 

 EASILY ONE OF MY TOP READS FOR 2024

I can write so many things why I have a blast while reading The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, beside I REALLY LOVE The Daevabad Trilogy. But, one thing that I want to highlight is discussion about faith. It's rare to read a Muslim character in fantasy novel. It's also rarer to read a pirate Muslim woman. While Amina is a Islam practitioner from the moment she was born, she is what I called in my Indonesian slang, Islam KTP, lol. See, in her pirates era, Amina drunk alcohols, kill many people, steals, flirting with men, etc etc. I will not shocked if she eat pork, hahaha. So, when she finally retire, she try to atone for her sins. She doing her sholat, dzikir and much more, although still somehow fall into her past misdeeds. Like, maybe stealing one or two or appreciate men's physique (at last, Amina is a honest woman!). Nah, I will not condemn her so. I find Amina's faith fascinating because...it's resonated with me. I'm right now in my lowest state regarding my Islamic faith, and there's a reason behind that. Nope, I'm not drink wine or alcohol and eating pork, or stealing so my sins maybe not that big like Amina was, but who am I to judge myself since I rarely doing my sholat, rarely pray to Allah and maybe many other sins that maybe will make me go through the far deepest pit of hellfire? I think maybe that's why I love this book because how Chakraborty write about Amina and her faith, how Amina is still a human, prone to sins and to mistake, but still try to atone and searching redemption!

Compared to Daevabad Trilogy, Amina al-Sirafi is lighter in tone. Daevabad is full of political intrigue and secrets regarding the daeva and their mythology. Amina al-Sirafi is about adventure! A swashbuckling story that left me breathless and pouring over the pages, impatiently want to know what will happen with Amina and her merry band of crews of Marawati ships. This book also heavy in found family troupe and all of the characters are in their 40-ish, including Amina. I think this book also have a same premise with the Bone Maker, in which the main character that already in their 40-50-ish become hermit and estranged from their friends. But I can assure that the execution is different. I enjoyed both The Bone Maker and The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi.

If you have read Daevabad, then you know that Chakraborty did a vast and massive research while writing her books. In this book, Chakraborty also provide her source regarding the pirates world especially in 12th century. While the book is fictional, some of the elements can be traced to its origins. I like the myth behind the Moon of the Saba and snickered when knowing the real explanation behind the artifact. Reading this book is never a dull moment! The story told entirely from Amina's first PoV in a form of her telling her story (and pursuits) to a young scribe named Jamal al-Hilli. So, basically some part can be tongue-in-cheek to read. I'm not kidding when said that the book's tone is light although there's some life and death moments, problems just keep coming for Amina and her crews and also Amina try to keep her daughter, Marjana, safe from harm.

The found family trope is well wonder and I like that Amina and her crews reunited and they are also eager for any chance of adventure. Amina's crews also diverse, from Dalila, a Christian woman famed with her poisons and hail from Banu Sasan. Amina's first mate, a gay Hindu man named Tinbu that managed to keep Marawati in a good shape and almost got hanged because of brigand crime but saved by Amina and Dalila. There's Majed, a navigator that already in his third hajji, a big brother figure to Amina and while he already have family, his longing to make a map of world is stronger so he decide to go with Amina in retrieving the kidnapped granddaughter of wealthy woman in Aden who also threatened Amina if Amina can't bring the said granddaughter back. Do I forgot to said that Amina also have four husband?? Not in the same time, mind you, but the fourth husband, Raksh is an actual demon that want to make Amina as a legend, but also cunning. He's also father of Marjana, but Amina still keep that fact to herself so I wondering how long Raksh will keep in the dark regarding Marjana and what is his reaction if he knew he's a father. I also still wondering, what is exactly Raksh. He's not a marid for sure, and also not a peri. If he's an ifrit, since he said he's a being of discord, I remember that ifrit is nastier while Raksh feel like...a himbo, lel. He's also still married to Amina although Amina left him in the chest 10 years prior to the story, and still married in the end of the book. So yeah, curious about them, although I assure there's no romance. The love aspect is more like Amina's mother love for Marjana and I think she has none for Raskh since that demon also responsible for her late crew's death.

I can go on and on about The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi but know this that I really love this book and will recommend it if you searching for a fantasy with adventure, treasure hunting, found family trope, mysterious artifact, treacherous creatures and interesting thought regarding religion and faith.