rashellyreads's reviews
43 reviews

I went into this book with high expectations and, I'm being so fucking for real right now, it did not disappoint. This book is everything to me now. It's my new favorite one. There is so much beauty in this story that goes beyond just words. I told my mom and anyone else who would listen that I believe with all my heart that in a hundred years (give or take) this book will be considered a classic. Professors will be curating curriculums based on this book and the themes it consists of. I have no doubt about it.

What I love so dearly about "The Invisible Life of Addie Larue" is its direct love for the fine arts. During my reading, I couldn't help but compare this theme to that of "Little Women." In Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel, fine arts is an important factor in each of the girls' personalities: Jo's writing, Amy's painting, Meg's acting, and Beth's musical playing. And what's so great about this classic is that each main character is shown to have such a passion for their art that they question who they would be without it. For Addie, it's just the same thing. One of the reasons she gives up her soul and suffers through the limits of living forever is to discover new things. Because no matter how long she's lived in New York and no matter how many times she's walked the same streets, there will always be a new story to read, a new movie to watch, a new song to hear, a new painting to look at, and so on. Because what is life without art and beauty? This is a question that she asks herself and Luc throughout the book. In turn, this is a question that readers ask, reminiscing on the importance of the arts.

Another theme in the book that is so obvious a blind man could see it, is the idea of death, souls, and immortality. Luc reminded me somewhat of Dracula, from Bram Stoker's most famous novel, "Dracula." He comes off as intentionally good, as someone who could change for the better, but because of his nature, he will never have the ability to love or be good. He will never have the ability to restrain himself from inflicting pain. But more so, "The Invisible Life of Addie Larue" reminds me of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde. Addie is not a violent person by any means, but the longer she lives the less human she becomes. This is stated not only by the ill-intentioned Luc, but by Addie herself. Arguably, the greatest takeaway or idea from this novel is that with every desperate prayer, there comes a price. And to live forever, it is inevitable to lose your soul...just as Dorian Gray did.

This is a true masterpiece and I cannot wait to see it flourish as it continues to be out in the world. Just as Bea described Addie, this novel is "timeless."

Slight spoilers ahead

"Snow lands on top."

Suzanne Collins is the GOAT for gifting us this emotional rollercoaster of a book. Everything about this story, which is in the era of the 10th Hunger Games, is perfect. I loved the little homage to the original characters by the prequel's characters' last names. And I loved the ongoing theme of humanity, violence, and control. "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" is presented so perfectly in comparison to what we've seen and read in the original books.

One main idea that really caught my eye was capitalism and the surrounding factors of that. Everything has a price, including people. We see this with Strabo Plinth (Sejanus's dad) and Coriolanus Snow, especially at the mention of Strabo buying everything and the scene where Coriolanus expects money for protecting Sejanus. Furthering this theme, every mentor in the program is a nepotism baby, which is why the main original characters are in such higher standings in the 74th and 75th Hunger Games. As I will mention later in this review, this main idea is presented as a criticism of what we know to be America today. And I personally believe this ongoing theme in The Hunger Games was executed perfectly in Suzanne Collins's latest novel.

Another thing that is so obvious, and I hope they continue this theme in the movie, is the dehumanization of the Districts. It's the most significant thing in the first half of the book. In the originals, the tributes are sent in luxurious trains, they are fed, and given a lot of attention. In the originals, they are seen as more players to be taken care of for the benefit of the games being streamed across Panem than anything else. In the prequel, the tributes are rarely ever congratulated or greeted the same way due to the mentor program. The mentors are the players, highlighted especially by the way Coriolanus refers to Lucy Gray as "my girl." After the tributes arrive in the Capitol, they are literally dumped inside a zoo, symbolic of the Capitol's dehumanizing treatment and perspective towards them. After the war, Coriolanus and other Capitol people refer to or compare District-born people to animals or objects to be owned.

The criticism towards modern America is so genius as well, I can't ignore it. I don't remember in the originals being told that Reaping Day was held on the Fourth of July. When I read that I literally had to stop and stare at the wall in disbelief. To outright write that was so bold of Suzanne Collins. And you know what, it fits so perfectly with everything else: the careers in the originals symbolic of what we call patriotism today, the Peacekeepers and their inability to protect their country symbolic of police brutality and militarism, and the prioritization of the rich over the poor. I love Suzanne Collins for not only granting us a fictional story with important themes about children, violence, and the fine line between patriotism and evil. But to continue to write such criticism about the world we live in today is something I highly respect. I want more.

Lastly, I wanted to point out the small cameos and homages to the originals that are in "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes." Not only did I enjoy the comebacks of everyone's surnames, but the direct call-out to katniss. This time, not used as a name but as a plant. I found it so funny that katniss was mentioned more than once in the book, especially towards the end. In the last chapter where everything went to shit, it says a lot that Lucy Gray's last words to Coriolanus were about her "finding katniss". Was she really finding swamp potatoes, or could have Suzanne Collins been nudging at the soon-to-be-titled Mockingjay, Katniss Everdeen? That's another thing too about Coriolanus, he hates the Mockingjays but loves the Jabberjays. This shows his undying love for the Capitol, being that Jabberjays were a Capitol creation. I figured Mockingbirds were a metaphor that could be tied to the generation before the war and the Capitol's rise to power. Similar to that, I tied together the Mockingjay as a symbol of those who rebel and work towards a new and brighter Panem. For Coriolanus to outright despise the Mockingjays is not only a reflection of his love for the Capitol, but his hatred towards the Districts and rebels...and towards his future foe, Katniss Everdeen.

Just everything about this book is so fun to read, especially if you've been a fan of "The Hunger Games" since the beginning of the books and/or movies. I can't wait to watch the adaptation and I hope Suzanne Collins doesn't leave us hanging for another ten years.

It's so bad that I have to keep reading.

I’m not a big fan of “fantasy for the boys”

This book has been sitting on my shelf for years and I finally decided to pick it up.

It did not disappoint.

Violet is such an interesting character. As readers we don’t see much from her because she is a surrogate who is meant to stay quiet and obedient at all times. Because of her lack of experience, she almost seems childish. She loves fast and hard, she cares deeply, and her fears waver. It’s hard to explain but her character development is very subtle but very apparent at the same time. 

The story I found to be unique. I think the author is trying to tell the readers something because we get into very real situations. I think this book has a lot of potential for becoming very important. “The Jewel” essentially tells the story of two slaves. It’s a perfect setup for a story of revolution, which makes me think of historical and current events. I can’t help but tie in feminism and women’s rights into this book.

It’s a fascinating take on pregnancy and royalty. I honestly love it! And don’t even get me STARTED on the huge cliffhanger. That last chapter was brutal!

It’s honestly a little hard to come up with words right now because this book was just amazing! I mean, it was pretty slow in the beginning and it took me forever to get through but HOLY COW! The character development, the new characters that were introduced, the mystery! 

First of all, Manson Blackbeak. She’s a badass and I love her aesthetic. I don’t think that, as a reader, I’m supposed to like her but I see so much potential in her character.

And then Sorscha. She’s so cute, and careful...literally the sweetest! I never would have guessed how awesome and badass of a person she was. She made me smile, and she was a good breath of fresh air when reading Heir of Fire. I feel like she radiates sunlight.

Rowan Whitethorn. That’s it. At first I was like “Ummm, I don’t think I like him” because Instagram keeps on spoiling ToG for me and I knew that he was gonna be this significant character but he was so harsh towards Celaena that it hurt my soul. Eventually, he developed into this amazing, gentle, and emotional character and I fell in love with him. I think Chapter 42 is when I knew that he was the one for me!! It’s always the hot, brooding-type with masks but are actually really kind and loyal for me! 

And Emrys and Luca...literally the best characters ever. When Emrys confronted Rowan about Celaena I almost threw the book across the room. He reminds me of a kind uncle that always has your back. Like he’s that uncle who would find that boy who’s been giving you trouble. But he’d do it in like a nice way, y’know? Haha. 

The ending has me itching for the fourth book! All these cliffhangers in all these point of views is gonna kill me lol

I read this book when I was in seventh grade and never actually finished the series because I couldn’t find the last book anywhere for the life of me! But after I found all three books on Thriftbooks, I knew I had to relive Eve’s world and her character. 

There’s much room for improvement when it comes to Anna Carey’s writing style. If middle-schoolers were her intended audience, then I can totally see why the story is written as simple as it is. But the characters are 18-years-old, or even older, and talk about politics and government. So I have to assume Eve was meant for teenagers who are at least 16-years-old.

Eve, for someone who is about to graduate, is very dumb. There, I said it! She can speak multiple languages, analyze literature, and play the piano but then, for some reason, she can’t even comprehend how messed up her own government is. I mean, the girl is literally valedictorian. I’m barely passing my math class and I know how messed up politics can be! But, I do have to admit that we see a lot of character development in her. I would argue that her character development came on too fast, though.

That’s one of the issues I had with Anna Carey’s writing style. It’s fast-paced, and I can barely even comprehend a character development or plot twist before it ends. And the biggest problem that comes with that is the relationship. I like a book that has a good romance. I prefer enemies-to-lovers, one that’s a slow-burn and passionate. What Caleb and Eve had had potential for all of that, but we still ended up reading about Eve’s romantic thoughts barely 100 pages into the book. I don’t know about anybody else, but it’s kind of a turn off. Yeah, I’ll be frustrated that the characters won’t realize they love each other until the last thirty pages of the book, but give it to me anyways! It’s what we want!!

I do have to admit that I started falling in love with Caleb all the same. We love a man who can sacrifice for the people he loves!! Caleb, he just doesn’t miss. It’s like he’s TOO perfect! 

“In School and out of School, I had believed that love was a liability — something that could be wielded against you. I began to weep, finally knowing the truth: love was death’s only adversary, the only thing powerful enough to combat its clawing, desperate grasp.”

I still think the book needs some improvement, but I still loved it and am excited to start the second book. This is a good book (definitely a one-sitter if you’re not as busy as me), and I assure you that you will not want to stop turning page after page! Character development, pace, and plot need some work but it’s still an exciting story!

When y’all said I was missing out, you weren’t kidding!! You couldn’t tear this book away from me. It’s the only thing I’ve been thinking about for the past nine days. 

Can I just say...GIRL POWER!? Reading about Celaena doing her assassination ‘thang’ gave me the same vibes as watching Criminal Minds and seeing the unsub is a woman. Like, sure, it’s bad...but when a woman does it it’s badASS. Celaena, especially in the second book, has a lot of growth. She experiences happiness, tragedy, love, and friendship, which are things she thought she wasn’t deserving of. I think Sarah J Maas does a WONDERFUL job when it comes to writing about self-healing and grief, and we see a lot of that especially in her newest book in the ACOTAR series, A Court of Silver Flames. It adds so much emotion and truth to this fantasy world we know very little about. 

Dorian and Chaol (kinda like the whole Edward or Jacob thing...but better). I know Dorian’s sweet and beautiful and a goddamn prince, but as soon as Chaol Westfall (c’mon, even his name is hot) entered my mind, he couldn’t get out. I was team Captain of the Royal Guard all the way. Don’t get me wrong, Dorian is charming and gentle and everything I would want in a boyfriend...but he’s also everything I would want in a solely platonic relationship. I love the dynamics between the two, though. Dorian is the kind of guy who will gift you a puppy and cuddle you when you’re sad. Chaol is the kinda guy who will kill for you and do unspeakable things to you. And by unspeakable...well, you know what I mean. 

There’s so many twists and turns that come with Crown of Midnight. So many that you’ll find yourself reading until 3AM. It’s SO worth the read. The fighting, the swords (women with swords are my weakness, btw), the romance, the politics...it’s perfect for you. I don’t even know who you are, anyone could be reading this review, and I already know it’s perfect for you. And to get a better sense of how urgent it is for you to read this book: I just finished it 10 minutes ago...and I already bought the third one. Thank you, Amazon (not really because of Bezos 🤢, but also really because I’m a broke teenager haha).

Beside the fact that this book was basically just faerie porn with a little bit of a plot, I loved it and I’m mad at myself for finishing it as quickly as I did. The character development...IMMACULATE. In the very first book, Nesta was pretty bitchy. And despite her horrible behavior towards Feyre, a part of me knew that she would become one of my favorite characters. Sarah J Maas does an amazing job showing Nesta’s growth....as a faerie, sister, friend, lover, and (my favorite) warrior. Am I upset that ACOSF was mainly a training montage? Absolutely not. It showed so much development from not wanting to train to killing males as if it were nothing. I think that’s so important for a character like Nesta, it’s what made me fall in love with her.

It was also nice to see the Night Court through Nesta’s point of view, and Nesta through Cassian’s. Feyre is so motherly and Rhys was acting like a grump basically the whole time...and I think that’s kind of funny because that’s how Nesta and Cassian view their High Lord and Lady. I also love that Cassian is so loyal to Nesta. He’s by her side, defends her honor, motivates and encourages her...and steps back when he knows he’s not needed. You can tell there’s always been an intimate relationship between the two and I’m beyond excited to watch it flourish in the next book.

There’s no possible way I could hate this book. If I could give it more than five stars, I would. The girl-power, the steamy scenes, the redemption arc, the healing, the politics! I’m here for the drama...and mostly chapter 37 🥵

SJM really did a number on me with this one! Every time I had to put the book down to do stupid things like eat, sleep, and school I couldn’t help but long for Celaena’s world. The characters are so lovable and the world is so intricate. Endovier, Eyllwe, Adarlan, and a literal castle made of glass!! Not to mention this deep love I have for Nehemia; she’s beautiful, strong, intelligent. Princess Nehemia is the type of princess that I would want to be. Elena; yeah, she’s the type of queen I’d want to be. And since we’re still on the topic of badass women...CELAENA FREAKING SARDOTHIEN!! The very fact that men (and when I say men I mean a Captain of the Guard, Crown Prince, and King!!) fear her makes me want to BE her. That’s a high that I wanna get off on. And how many times can my heart take this “falling in love with two gorgeous and lovable men” thing??!! I feel like I’m watching TVD all over again. Is it Damon or Stefan? Is it Chaol or Dorian? Although I could easily choose Stefan over Damon (sorry Damon girls haha 😅), I find it so difficult to choose between the charming prince and kind Captain of the Guard. 

I’m so excited to learn more about this world, and I’m hoping soon because I endanger myself with spoilers every time I go on Pinterest and Instagram. I guess my phone knows how in love I am with the worlds that Sarah has created!