In this story nothing is as it seems. Events unfold, but it's unclear what intentions each of the character's have. It'll keep you guessing-- Who exactly is the hero of this book?
First of all this book was giving me MAJOR Cover Lust. It's pretty much the whole reason I wanted to read the book. I actually just want them to print this design on a dress or a pair of shoes so I can wear it. While this is the perfect cover for the story, the cover was definitely the best part of this book for me.
I'm not sure I actually "get" books like this. It's kind of just about 3 teens who run around in the woods/courtryside and in 2016, I find it a little hard to relate to. Don't get me wrong, I know there are all different kinds of people out there, but I kind of want/expect YA's to act like YA's a little bit. When I was in my prime teen years cell phones were just coming in, the internet was dial-up, and there was no social media-- but we did NOT run around in the woods. We begged our parents for their cars and drove around. We went to underage dance clubs, tried to find someone who would buy us beer, and tried to figure out where all the boys were hanging out. We sat in our bedrooms and watched MTV and called each other to talk about the newest music videos. Obviously times have changed a little bit from that, but still....
The thing about this book is it's all about atmosphere, not about plot. And it's a pretty cool atmosphere to immerse yourself in if you can let yourself go in it. I don't think I'm one of those people though. I need order and sense and explanations in my stories. I don't think I'm SUPER rigid, but I'm not as go-with-the-flow as this book needed me to be. The writing was great-- it gave the book just the right feel that it needed, but I need more than cool writing and beautiful prose to get involved in a story.
It's hard to talk about anything that happens in the book because you kind of need to NOT know in order to fully enjoy it. Because the people start out one way and by the end they supposedly change into something else?? At least that's what I got out of it. It's basically a "modern day" fairy tale where you can't trust who the good guys and bad guys are. But in the end I just ended up kind of confused, so if someone who read this wants to explain it to me, I'd be down to talk.
One thing for sure is-- I HATED Poppy. Not matter what happened and where she ended up, I still hate her and I really don't think there is anything the author could do to make me feel otherwise. Everything Leif says about her, I was nodding my head like crazy.
OVERALL: I liked reading something different, but I just don't "get" books like this. It's fairy tale-like and full of atmosphere, but I wanted more. I think a lot of people would be into this type of book because it's so different, but I need more order and sense in my books. The Raven Boys is a series that has these elements, but has a lot more story. I would more recommend that if you are looking for this type of book.
This Book Contains:
- A rural area near mountains
- Friends called Yellows
- Bullying
- A large family of siblings
- Fortune-telling
- Palm reading
- Sex
- Storytelling
- A "haunted" house called the Roman Luck House
- A séance
My Rating: 3/5
Date Published: 3/22/2016
How I got this book: Library
Publisher: Dial Books- Penguin
Character: Wink
Book: Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer
- I'm going to go ahead and rec an UPDATED fairy tale retelling in hopes that someone in this book comes into the 21st Century.
Hmmm. I like that this is atmospheric and to be honest I'm intrigued by the idea of teenagers running around the woods but I think the lack of a plot would annoy me. I'm a very plot-driven reader. I need there to be an ultimate goal and a reason why things are happening to reach that. Something like this may also annoy me. Great review!
ReplyDeleteCassi @ My Thoughts Literally
LOL you would like to read about teenagers running around in the woods!! I can totally see that. I like reading about characters... but I also need plot too. Especially when it's supposed to be mystery of sorts w/ a creepy feel. I need plot there.
DeleteYeah I have heard this one is kind of weird and a lot on the atmosphere. I am not sure if it is for me. I love that cover too!! If you figure out to get it on clothes I will happily buy some too!!
ReplyDeleteYAY, we can get matching dresses :)
DeleteI have been undecided on reading this one. The cover makes me swoon, but I have seen an equal number of amazing and meh reviews. I doubt I'll add it to my TBR now, but if I run across a copy in the future may pick it up.
ReplyDeleteI think it's worth a try, but it definitely needs the right kind of reader for it to click IMO.
DeleteGreat review. I like atmospheric books, but I also need a story. I would like to try this one and see what I think that's for sure!
ReplyDeletePeople keep giving this book 3 stars or less. I cannot be bothered.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't something I've wanted to read since the blurb just doesn't sound like my thing, and your review has only solidified my decision. I don't like when books have no clear plot goal like what you described. I want to know where the book is heading so I know if we're getting closer or what. As much as I love beautiful prose, that alone is also not enough for me. And I don't like when books make me feel confused, so that would bother me too. Sorry this one didn't work out very well for you, but I agree it has a gorgeous cover!
ReplyDeleteOmg you didn't like Poppy?? haha. I loved that nutcase. Yessss, cover lust! But really, I never got the trope of going into the woods to find something mystical. (?) Like, WHY? Nothing good will ever come out of approaching the woods/abandoned cabin/swamp. Horror movie logic. Awesome review!
ReplyDelete