so-soI don‘t get the hype; almost end at 40%. Political intrigue did strike good around 65%. This is a story of betrayal and survival in a world where a human is seen as beneath dirt. Jude is tough with her sass and desire to do something to make her powerful enough to not be bullied. I do not like Carden. Just because a bully is justified in their why, doesn‘t mean he‘s forgiven. He seems too far into manipulation- like Jude became in her own rite.
pickWhat a thrilling page turner! Iloved the gothic horror vibes, the pride and prejudice banter, the foreboding, the clues everywhere- nothing the author writes is a coincidence! The writing was beautiful, I was making so many quotes. Wished for a bit more length in the showdown though it was cleverly delivered. Well deserved HEA with strong women. The last line made me gasp and kept me second-guessing.
pickShort story collections are a mixed bag. I liked most of these, but some fell short. The stories are set in the same magical world as Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell, but only one (the title story — my favorite) features characters from that novel.
so-soThis atmospheric story about scholars, Fairies, and a bunch of villagers isolated in a snowy land, pulls the reader in to another realm. Unfortunately, the ending fizzled.
This evening‘s reading. I love this explanation of why one character is generally disliked: “ … never smiled unless there was some thing to smile at.” Makes sense to me! I‘ve spent most of my life being told I should smile more. Now that I‘m older, it doesn‘t happen that much — thank goodness.
THE WAY BALEKIN FRICKING SAID “kiss me as if I were Cardan“ HAD ME CACKLING LIKE- JUDE STOP DENYING IT STOP DENYING YOUR LOVE EVEN CARDAN'S EVIL OLDER BROTHER KNOWS 😂😂 😂
pickInteresting Sleeping Beauty retelling.
Toadling was the victim of a changeling swap. Born the daughter of a king, snatched from her cradle when she was hours old, and raised in the Fae realm, she was sent back to stop the creature left in her place, but she failed. So, she concealed the castle where the creature slept behind a hedge, until they are forgotten. But the story survived.
