wonder_jenn's reviews
689 reviews

I feel bad 
that I didn't enjoy this book. I know it's an important novel but I couldn't help the fact that I was bored the whole time. The characters seemed flat, and the romance was not compelling. The themes are important, though, which is why I gave this 3 stars instead of 2.

Apart from the trans rep and the latix culture, I can't say I was enjoying myself while reading this book. Nothing happened until towards the end and, even then, I was left unsatisfied.

I couldn't care less about the characters or their banter that was not even funny. For someone who knows what it's like to part of the LGBT+ community and being disregarded, Yadriel could be so oblivious and insensitive to other matters that weren't about him. Yadriel's family mostly sucked, and I hated how his father

started to respect him and his identity only when he became aware of the Lady's blessing.

Like, we're supposed to give him a medal for doing a bare minimum that wasn't even the result of a character development but divine intervention? To me, it made things worse because a father's love wasn't enough but religion was.

So the fact that Yadriel spent the whole story trying to prove himself to a family that didn't deserve it was annoying.

I wasn't a fan of the ending either.

I hate the resurrection trope.

DNF 34%

I'm simply not interested in what I'm reading. The magic system is not explained well - if at all - and the story so far is Red Rising 2.0 without the depth and the epicness. The main character is not gripping me. We barely know him and his past, and it's hard to care because of that. I expect him to be some Gary Stu who succeeds in everything, even when the odds are against him. Oh wait, it has already happened.

It was like reading Twilight but with angels instead of vampires. At least, the love interests are not creeps or possessive assholes. There's that.

Overall, I'm not impressed. I feel like the author could have given more glimpses as to the world-building. Black Wings are essentially rapists. It's as if that was all that makes them Black Wings 🤨. I expected a more complex aspect. As for the White Wings, I don't even know why they're solitary. Again, it doesn't make sense.

Also, the idea of purposes is not that explored. It doesn't make sense for Clara's mother to keep secrets, especially as she lets Angela share her discoveries with Clara. It's just contradictory. As an angel, Clara's mom should know how important it is to be aware of certain dangers to act accordingly.

I find the romance with Tucker very sweet. I don't even know why the author felt the need of a love triangle when Christian is an empty shell. Being pretty is not a personality trait.

Not much happens in terms of plot. It's mostly a love story with a bit of mystery and magic. I'm not convinced enough that I want to continue with the series.

DNF 15%

This book has one of the best opening lines I've ever read. However, it didn't continue to deliver despite the solid first pages.

I wasn't a fan of the writing. I think I expected something more modern. Instead, the dialogues felt somehow ridiculous with all the exclamation points. I couldn't stand Romeo. I would have cared more, maybe, if more development had been given to the characters and the situations. Instead, it all felt superficial.

This series is so entertaining and unputdownable, with its morally-grey characters and complex plot. I expect some things to happen (or not happen) and I still end up pleasantly surprised! Plus, the magic coming from the stars is super interesting and unique.

Every character brings something different to the table and to the group. I love every single dynamic between them. They're so good.

When I started this book, I was scared it would be too juvenile considering the triplets' age but the story only got better and better. Honestly, it's 5.30am here and I couldn't stop reading. I needed to know what would happen! I'm tired af but it was worth it lol.

I love the sisters. They each have distinct personalities and talents that make them independent and resourceful. I think I love Daphne and Beatriz the most but I also appreciated Sophriona's sensitivity. Their relationship is interesting as well: even though they love each other, they're not super close because of their upbringing. I wasn't sure if they would end up turning on each other or not. I really like that uncertainty.

As a huge fan of court intrigues and infiltration, this book was heaven for me. The schemes, the secrets, the plot twists, the betrayals, the dangers... The author balanced them so well! Like, you can tell something is off but you have no idea how exactly.

I also liked that we have different kind of romances and friendships.

I wasn't expecting that ending. I'm shocked that the author dared take a path others usually don't in YA.

Give this book an award. I've rarely read such a silly, dull story in which nothing happens until the very end. And, even then, it still sucks.

The starting point of the story makes zero sense: the prince, who didn't even want the mariage in the first place, has this need to track down his runaway bride-to-be because she was brave enough to flee. Mehhhh. I'm supposed to buy this? You're telling me that, instead of being relieved and going on with his life, he's wasting his time on a girl he had no interest in to begin with? Please...

Then you have this wannabe assassin who is as frightening as a domestic frog. I couldn't take him seriously. Just one look into Lia's eyes and he's undone. It's laughable and pathetic.

Not only both love interests have zero personality but also they feel entitled. They stalk and spy on Lia to feed their weird ego. How dare Lia not be an easy kill? How dare Lia show agency first? They're blaming Lia for their uselessness lol.

The author tries to be mysterious by inserting the prince's and the assassin's povs without really naming them, but all it does is making them undistinguishable. Of course you can't tell who is whom. They have no damn personality.

Lia is not better either. She gives this great speech about how it's not right to lie to the people you love but what does she do to Pauline? I guess it's fine as long as it serves her. She's also instantly attracted to Rafe and Kaden. The bar is low.

Let's not talk about that damn love triangle.

I'm sad I didn't like this book. It had everything I should have loved but the writing didn't do it for me. It's not that it's badly written, it's just that the story is told in such an apathetic way that it failed to capture my interest. I didn't feel the passion or the emotions from the main character. I simply didn't care about what I was reading.

Margaret Owen is an author I've been keeping my eyes on since I read Little Thieves a few weeks ago. I was excited and slightly apprehensive about this sequel as second books tend to be disappointing. I'm glad to say it wasn't the case here. The author did a wonderful job with the characters, the story, the family dynamics and the romance.

I know I've said it before but the romance between Vanja and Emeric is adorable and, above all, healthy. With them, you'll find consent, respect, honesty, consideration and support. I appreciated how the author talked about sexuality and virginity in an educational, realistic manner. Vanja and Emeric are always leveling up each other. They're a fantastic couple. They have the tendency to make me swoon!

The story itself was engrossing. I couldn't stop reading, with the lore, the twists and the hardships the characters have to go through to survive. I liked that they outsmart the villains at times but also fail at other tasks. It leaves room for suspense and character development.

We learn more about Vanja's family and her past. I had my ideas about the first but was surprised by the latter. The author balanced both very well. Vanja broke my heart because of what she had to go through.

That's why I kind of hate the ending with Irmgad's return. Jeez, I hate her lol