carahamelie's reviews
303 reviews

Read this when I was a kid, and again recently with my 7 year old. She LOVED it and said she wanted me to read more of his books to her. It was crazy how many of these poems I remembered from when I was a kid.

Amazing Concept.... mediocre execution. Found aspects of this book repetitive and a little plotless. There was really nothing the characters were working for... causing me to feel a little underwhelmed. With that said though... I loved the creativity of the world and what it entailed. In that aspect, I have to give her some credit. I REALLY liked the idea of this book. This is also why I will be reading the next books, there is something very whimsical about these worlds.

I loved this book. Such a unique idea. I felt like I was reading a children’s book with a dark, haunting, and gory twist. I’m really excited to read the rest of the series.

Had such a hard time rating this because I so badly wanted to rate it 5 stars... With that said, it was still AMAZING. Taylor Jenkins Reid proved herself to me again with her insanely multifaceted characters that are so unlikable and lovable at the same time.

The reason I took 1 star off was only because I had a hard time getting into this book in the beginning. maybe the first 35% was slow going for me. Once I got past that point though, I was all in and finished it within a day or so. To be fair.. I think it's her writing style. I know she goes for strong character growth, and because of that she really focuses on that from the get go and not so much plot/action... Which in the end I appreciate because her characters are why I love her books so much. I also felt like it ended a little bit TOO open ended for my taste. I was waiting for one more big punch at the very end...

I have to say, while reading this book... you go full 70's mode. I couldn't stop listening to 1970's music, researching fashion... and some of the darker aspects of the time like drug use.

Like Evelyn Hugo... I found myself really chewing on the characters and plot long after I was finished. I find myself questioning my emotions and feelings towards her characters so much because they are so complex. Her books always make me think long after I close them.

A book dedicated to my sweet, darling little Kenji. He deserves every good thing that happens to him 🥰

I have never needed 1/2 stars more

Okay. So I enjoyed this book... I thought it was entertaining for the most part and I plan to read the second one.... but at the same time this book was lacking in a few areas. I’m torn here.

This is a pile of tropes. I mean.... I JUST read a fantasy about a misunderstood prince and a hot childhood friend story. But I still I didn’t hate it. It’s a very political story... not super action packed. Lots of dialogue and planning. I tend to like more action in my fantasy books but If there is some sort of side plot to push the story along I don’t mind it as much, and this has a very subtle love-triangle type romance....(that still needs to play out a bit)... so that helped move it along. Also, There were some holes and problems I found through out the story. The characters ideas/plans/actions seemed nonsensical.... as if the author was trying to get us to believe what they were doing made sense... when it actually didn’t really make sense. I thought some of the main plot points hard to believe.... and through out the hole story I kept asking... “why are they doing this???” Also... Theodosia was sooooo flippy floppy about everything. She was a very weak minded person (understandably)... But at times I was like 🙄.

I don’t know guys... I liked it enough to read the next one.... so 🤷🏻‍♀️.



—Spoilers—

Okay, one of my biggest issues with this book was that horribly half-assed plan that we were supposed to believe was a good plan. I just DID NOT buy it. You’re telling me you are about to kill your best friend and “love interest” for that shoddy ass plan!?!? And on top of that.... why not just kill the Theyn and the Kaiser straight away. I mean... you have a friend that can go invisible... and another friend that can make themselves look like anyone and poison... It wouldn’t be that hard to do... and it seems much more logical than going about it in the way they chose. I hate when authors don’t use powers realistically... and this is one reason I hate invisibility in books. That is literally the best power ever because you can do so much with it... but because of that, authors write around it and it makes no sense.

2.5-3
I got this at the Public Library and because I read the first page and thought it was amusing I decided to check it out. I thought it was kinda funny... nothing mind blowing or anything. I wouldn't recommend buying this book... but if you see it at your library you might find it fun to flip through.

I haven't read the original Hans Christian Anderson version of this story, so I'm not sure how closely it relates... but it is much different than the movie. I enjoyed this gothic retelling of the little mermaid. It has darker slightly somber tone which made the story very atmospheric. It’s a book about sacrifice and the lusting of love. I liked that it subtly explored the lesson of falling in love with the IDEA of someone vs falling in love WITH someone. I think there is an aspect of the little mermaid we all cringe at.... you know, her giving up EVERYTHING for a man she literally met once. And I feel like this story touched on that just a LITTLE BIT without overtly coming out and saying it, while also staying on the original storyline. I'm not a huge fan of love triangles.. but it worked for this story because of the relationship between the mermaid and the princess.... But I have to add, If you are looking for a good romance that gives you all the feels.. this isn't the one. There is romance, but I found it to be less about the "romance" and more about the women's personal journeys and their yearning for their idea of the perfect love. This was an interesting, whimsical tale and I am glad I read it.

I have nothing but respect and admiration for Elizabeth and her parents. The advice her Mother gave her was the absolute best thing she could have said, and I plan to keep it in my back pocket. Her story is incomprehensible, inconceivable, and just so heartbreaking. Even with the lack luster writing, this story is impossible not to be intrigued by. What a strong person she is. However, I didn't love the religious adgenda being pushed throughout the story... but at the same time, I understand why it was there... it's a huge part of her life. But there were times I had to roll my eyes. I also wished she would have discussed her recovery process a little more. It seemed so easy and overly simplified which took away from the horrible nature of her story.

Amazingly entertaining read. Really reminds you that first impressions and snap judgements mean absolutely nothing.