Sabetha Danes Follow

I really wanted to love this book, the premise sounds so fantastic, it just wasn't executed as well as I'd hoped.

The book starts off slow, introducing you to the world, how it works mechanics wise, and the main character. As we get deeper into the story, we are led to feel for the guy, and his humble life as an upper class person. As the cracks in their well oiled society begin to show the book starts to pick up in pace.

But around the 60% mark, when the big plot twist happens, the author leans on telling to catch the reader up, disguised as catching the main character up and it really pulled me out of the story. I had a hard time getting back into it for the rest of the book, beside the fact that that type of plot twist is rarely done satisfactory. The ending was only so so for me, but mostly because the jig was up, so there was no point in what was happening to the characters for me. The characters that did matter, didn't get the page time they deserved.

If you want the spoiler version, find me on Goodreads.

Overall, if you really enjoyed the show LOST or the movie Inception, you'll probably enjoy this book. I'm not saying I disliked it. It was an interesting take on society, and had some thought provoking points about the human race.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this copy for me to read.

Claudia Gray has captured the essences of Pride and Prejudice to a masterful level.

If you're looking for a book that reads much like the works of Jane Austen, look no further. The Murder of Mr. Wickham will drop you years into the future from the events of Pride and Prejudice and lull you into a the world with new characters joining old favorites. She plot drops events from that book, so if you haven't read it, don't worry. It is unneeded to enjoy this story. Every character with Jane's beloved tale is also mentioned by name so you are aware of how they faired over the past decades.

However, if you are in search of something that has the essences but with a modern writing style you will be a tad bored with this read. It took me well over a month to finish the story mostly because the writing was more telling than showing and very dull. Instead of people visiting houses, it's people visiting rooms.

While I adore Jane Austen, her writing style is representative of her time period. This book would have been much more enjoyable if the author brought the world to life with the modern way to tell a story. By showing the characters move through the plot, instead of telling us how it happened to them through so much introspectiveness and point blank telling.

That aside, we find Mr. Wickham up to his same old devious games, and dead within the half of the book. (Yes, it takes far too long to get to the body, which adds to the boredom of it all.) The mystery was well laid out and I loved the way Johnathan Darcy and Miss Tinley played into the story. It was a clean mystery that had you discovering dirty secrets through connecting with members of the party throughout the unraveling of the culprit. I was surprised by the twist at the end, and glad with how everything turned out.

I could see this turning into a mystery series, with the two amateur sleuths at the helm.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I thought the first book in this series was mind-blowingly epic, but this one takes the cake.

I can tell you that this book is written in 1st, 2nd and 3rd perspectives but that's not going to matter. Experiencing the elegance in the authors masterful writing abilities is going to be like nothing you've read before.

Harrow wasn't one of my favorite characters from the first book, but this book changed my perspective on her as a person. As we discover what it really means to be apart of the Emperor's team, we also get a deep dive into her childhood, and the events that shaped her.

Once we hit the 75% part I about fell out of my chair. Exactly what I was hoping for happened, and it was epic, amazing, all the keywords. But the ending left me in wtf land. Now with the announcement of a 4th book in this series, I'm just reeling at all the possibilities for where this story is going to go.

Tamsyn's necromancers are A+, one of the best renditions I've ever come across. The darkness in the world building, the multi-dimension aspects, the political intrigue, all of it, so fantastic. This book lacked no where.

You're going to love this book if you like different from the norm scifi, sarcastic characters, double crossing, and the strange and unusual.

What a journey this series is. Not going to lie, this installment made me cry multiple times.

If you've read all the books you're going to fall right into place with Alice's writing style, and the journey thus far of the Owen's Family. I adore how well everything tied together so well, from strands she left loose in each of the three previous books.

If you're coming from the movie Practical Magic, Alice does a really good job of summarizing the two prequals, and the events that took place in PM that did not happen in the movie.

There are multiple things happening within this story, a series is ending, characters are growing, and changing their roles in the family. It's an amazing journey. So many times I found myself yelling NOOOO don't do that, which is funny because as a teen I always Identified with Gillian more, and now I am more of Sally. All the family bounds, and sisterly love is felt deep throughout the book.

Talking too much about the plot will give a lot away, so instead I'm going to tell you that she continues her practice of writing in such a manner that makes you want to google her witchy remedies, and feel like you are part of the family of witches.

This book has the happiest of endings, I couldn't have dreamed a better series ending than Alice wrote, it's perfect. Seriously perfect.

If you aren't used to Alice's writing, she does a lot of storytelling through telling instead of showing, but it is never off putting like most unfavorable telling books are.

If you love any part of the Owen's, the books or the movie, you will adore this book. Even if you've never read or seen a bit of it, you will find this book welcoming you home into a long standing witch family with secrets, love, and an everlasting bond.

Thank you to net galley for a copy of this book.

Such a fantastic ending to an emotionally charged duology about growth.

I loved how well the YA characters were written, they weren't overly mature, but they also weren't that weird over the top, super whine, making rash choices garbage that some adult authors write young adults as.

Hannah isn't alone in needing to grow, while her growth is in admitting that she needs mental health help, all of the adults around her are having to face the fact that thick prejudices are what is making them weak. The story is over flowing with inspiring acts of selfless-ness, and putting deep seeded assumptions aside to make a better future for all involved.

The turmoil between clans, mixed with the turmoil between hunters and clans made for an exciting ride of where do everyone's allegiances lie. A few of the twists caught me off guard, and many of the outcomes brought me to tears.

A great read if you're looking for a light hearted yet intense story about people putting differences aside and coming together for the greater good of all.

Notes: LGBT+
TW: HP mentions.

This book was a dream! I can't believe I let it sit on my tbr list for so long.

The cast of children were well developed and raw characters. They all carried their experiences in a way that shaped their personalities. So well done, and believable. These kids are the outcasts that we know, the people that spend their life searching for the place they belong. The lgbtqia reps were flawless, they flowed into the story seemlessly.

I was not expecting the murder mystery at all, and did not pick the correct culprit either. The final twists were well laid out, and crumbs were dropped now that I look back at the story, I just didn't catch them.

And finally, all the social commentary was spot on. It really shined light on our twisted view of raising children, and more.

If you love The Ten Thousand Doors of January or The Starless Sea you're going to LOVE this book. Has the same whimsical fantasy air about it. I can't wait to read the next in series.

This story gave so much insight to the events in book one. It is Jack and Jill beginnings, and amplifies the terror in the events of Every Heart a Doorway.

It's a magically tragic tale of twin sisters told so poetically, I felt every heart beat of the characters. The story is woven together with all the elements that made me fall in love with the first book, and I'm excited at the prospect of the books to come.

While the worlds were only described in Every Heart, this book gives a deep look into the world they discover, telling us the innerworkings of the places/people, and law of the lands. Reading the childhood of Jack and Jill, followed by their teen years gave me chills to what became of them. It also gives so much depth to the idea of identical twins, and the done like world some people live in. My heart broke for Jack all over again.

Like with the first, this installment layers in more social commentary, and I'm here for it.

I also just realized the author is the narrator and wow. That made it more magical. I was going to rave about the narration, but it makes so much sense, all the emotion behind the words. A must listen, if you're able.

If you love The Ten Thousand Doors of January or The Starless Sea you're going to LOVE this book. Has the same whimsical fantasy air about it.

Note: LGBT

Love, Love, Love this series!!

Each book is more magical/enthralling/heart warming than the last. Two more worlds explored, and I loved every second of it. We learn more about the overall door system, and how the worlds work while solving a mystery.

Damaged kids unite here, with this series. If you've ever felt abandoned by your biological family, this series will welcome you in with a warm hug. It reminds you that no matter what, there are people out there that will accept you for who you are.

The cast is an array of characters with vast representation. All emotionally written, and relatable.

This book was a continuation of the story in book 1, whereas book 2 was back story for the events in book 1. So i'm excited to see where book 4 takes me. I love that even the series ordering fits the theme of the books. Poetic Fantasy at it's finest.

Notes: LGBT+ characters

Each of these book is more impossible to put down than the last.

So many doors and choices, how can one be sure? It's too perfect to be true, and you know you're more sure than you could ever be but still that one drop of you wants to have more time to decide. With each book that leads us through a door we get to the see the world that meshes so well with the child, it becomes more apparent how hard this choice is to make. Even when you know you're sure.

I absolutely adore the way this series is laid out. As with book 2, we are following Lundy through her door, to make impossible choices over the course of 10 short years. Her story is heart wrenching and raw. Similar to the children we've met before her, but unique enough to be truly hers.

The cast of characters in her door world, plus her original world are well crafted and bring so much to the story. Each of them are making their own choices, and all have unique traits, that would have changed the events had they not been there.

You will adore these books if you love poetic fantasy, that speaks in truths, yet riddles. Books that make you question your own self, and if you are making the best choices for you. As with the previous installments, there is commentary on the modern family, and family values in general.

I can't wait to read the next one!

I don't have words for this installment. It's soooo good!

It went by so quick, yet so much plot was covered, and I am questioning if this is the last we'll hear from these characters.

The character arcs for Jack & Jill are shocking yet not. I mean we knew all along who the real monsters of the moor were right? I loved the development of all of the other children waiting for doors. We get more insight into their personal struggles, and the worlds they are waiting for.

Seanan Mcguire reads this audiobook and it has mean wondering if Jack and Jill are her favorite characters. The emotion she gives the words is fantastic. If you are able, it's worth hunting down the audiobooks.

Can't wait to read the next installment, excited to find out where it takes us next. Another door? The school? A new character? The way this series is laid out, makes it all the more magical.

Notes: LGBT characters

I figured it out! I know exactly what these books are missing. . . more pages.
*sobs at how fast I read this book*

Regan's story takes us through another door, to an unknown world, teaching us that we never needed a savor in the first place. We just needed take a deep breath, analyses the situation and save our own damn selves.

It was magical, and excited. Full of character growth, and self actualization. In short, another fantastic installment of the wayward children.

I love how Seanan can take the most neglected children and give them the tool they need to become a well developed person. When each of these books are done, these kids that would have been bullies, abused, or neglected are shining brighter than they ever would have living in our modern day society.

The series is a testament to how every person has value, and a place in this world. We just need to be kind.

Note: Intersex Character. Trigger Warnings: bullying.

Usually I put trigger warnings at the end of reviews, but I want to start this one out with a blatant one. This book is about Suicide. It starts, discusses, and ends with talks of Suicide. There are more than one Suicides happening in this book. If you are at all sensitive to this topic, please read through reviews before starting this book because it's an intensely emotional read.

That being said. If you are deep into suicidal thoughts, depression and such I truly think that you will appreciate this read. You're going to need tissues, but it's worth it. By the time we meet Nora, her regrets and depressive thoughts have eaten away at her. She is leading a very dull life, that she doesn't want to be apart of anymore. The first chapters made me so sad for her, and where she was at in life.

She walks us through her deepest regrets, and her reasons for choosing the path she does so elegantly, it's hard not to put myself in her shoes. She knows depression like an old friend, and battles it to keep her head above water. But even with all that despair this book takes you through a journey of self actualization that ends with a beautiful message. Which I don't think is 'just change your attitude, and your depression will be gone' but more along the lines of 'self acceptance, and letting go of regrets'. There is no instant cure for depression, but life is about choices, and we make them with every breath we take.

“The paradox of volcanoes was that they were symbols of destruction but also life. Once the lava slows and cools, it solidifies and then breaks down over time to become soil - rich, fertile soil.
She wasn't a black hole, she decided. She was a volcano. And like a volcano she couldn't run away from herself. She'd have to stay there and tend to that wasteland.
She could plant a forest inside herself.”
― Matt Haig, The Midnight Library

TL;DR - I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK. In all my years of struggling with depression and feeling like the worst possible person, never have I come across a more beautifully written walk through of why to not choose suicide. Normally I am not one of parallel universe theories, but this makes so much sense to me.

I love the use of the 'library' and 'librarian', the fact that she meets others struggling as she is, and how works through all her regrets. Ugh. It is so beautifully done.

The side characters as all well crafted, well meaning friends and family. They are relatable, and I feel like I've met them all in my own life. This book is a must read.