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ritsukas's reviews
337 reviews
Finale by Stephanie Garber
2.0
rating:2 stars
and i say this with my whole heart: this was a whole ass mess. the amount of times we went in circles over the love triangles, repeating the same plot point over and over again... i was losing more brain cells than i had to begin with. tella’s was the worst because lord... i wanted to smack someone. preferably scarlett.
*spoilers for caraval and legendary below*
okay so. caraval was decent. i was actually invested in the relationship and the plot kept me wanting more. i really did love the whole scavenger hunt for clues and the introduction of the world. legendary was incredible. all the little critiques were taken to the next level. the relationships were well fleshed out, the tension and chemistry was fully there. but wow does finale fall flat.
i think all the relationships were successfully ruined in this book/series.
for scarlett and julian, their relationship began to fall apart when it was revealed he was an actor in caraval. from then on it felt like they moved backwards in their "development" and for a majority of legendary, scarlett doesn't even want to acknowledge him. and then? in the third book that isn't even fully solved.
for tella and legend (and jacks i guess), it was a mess. tella kept changing her mind, switching back and forth between her two suitors, struggling with the decision and saying yes, saying no, saying i don't know. like please just fucking pick one. and legend? he kept doing the same thing. this whole book was like the characters had amnesia every 50 pages and repeated the same plot-line over and over. in all honestly, jacks was the only semi consistent character and probably the one who kept me going to read this book, despite how morally gray he is.bullshit love? really? just a big poof and bang he's gone? it's lazy writing
and don't get me started on the love triangles. because there were three (if you count paloma) of them. THREE (3). what a nightmare.
as for the plot? it bored me to death. with no thrill of a caraval this book, i was yawning throughout. if the romances weren't keeping me hooked, then the plot did nothing to help. suddenly scarlett was elevated to a "strong empowering female!" character (despite her having no personality the last two books) and tella was downgraded to a "oh no which boy do i pick?" character.
and the big bad of this book? the main goal to reach at the end? was it pulled out of thin air because this was never talked about before. the second book mentioned the context but this certain plot was never talked about. ever. not even with paloma (who was a damn mess by the way).
honestly i think i'm done. i need to go watch some netflix because this was a rant that took too much out of me. this was a mess. that's all. never again.
and i say this with my whole heart: this was a whole ass mess. the amount of times we went in circles over the love triangles, repeating the same plot point over and over again... i was losing more brain cells than i had to begin with. tella’s was the worst because lord... i wanted to smack someone. preferably scarlett.
*spoilers for caraval and legendary below*
okay so. caraval was decent. i was actually invested in the relationship and the plot kept me wanting more. i really did love the whole scavenger hunt for clues and the introduction of the world. legendary was incredible. all the little critiques were taken to the next level. the relationships were well fleshed out, the tension and chemistry was fully there. but wow does finale fall flat.
i think all the relationships were successfully ruined in this book/series.
for scarlett and julian, their relationship began to fall apart when it was revealed he was an actor in caraval. from then on it felt like they moved backwards in their "development" and for a majority of legendary, scarlett doesn't even want to acknowledge him. and then? in the third book that isn't even fully solved.
Spoiler
she just goes running back to julian, making out with him and saying she's in love. but there was never a chance for them to resolve anything so what the fuck?for tella and legend (and jacks i guess), it was a mess. tella kept changing her mind, switching back and forth between her two suitors, struggling with the decision and saying yes, saying no, saying i don't know. like please just fucking pick one. and legend? he kept doing the same thing. this whole book was like the characters had amnesia every 50 pages and repeated the same plot-line over and over. in all honestly, jacks was the only semi consistent character and probably the one who kept me going to read this book, despite how morally gray he is.
Spoiler
even then though his ending was horrible. he suddenly "disappears" after legend confesses hisand don't get me started on the love triangles. because there were three (if you count paloma) of them. THREE (3). what a nightmare.
as for the plot? it bored me to death. with no thrill of a caraval this book, i was yawning throughout. if the romances weren't keeping me hooked, then the plot did nothing to help. suddenly scarlett was elevated to a "strong empowering female!" character (despite her having no personality the last two books) and tella was downgraded to a "oh no which boy do i pick?" character.
and the big bad of this book? the main goal to reach at the end? was it pulled out of thin air because this was never talked about before. the second book mentioned the context but this certain plot was never talked about. ever. not even with paloma (who was a damn mess by the way).
honestly i think i'm done. i need to go watch some netflix because this was a rant that took too much out of me. this was a mess. that's all. never again.
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
5.0
rating:5 stars (as if that was even a doubt)
there has yet, and probably never will be, a victoria schwab book that doesn't get a five star rating from me. shit this was incredible. i loved victoria's writing to begin with but the characters, the plot, the world itself... it was so good.
victor vale. what a man. i loved him so much. the depth and complexity of his character was incredible. all the hidden layers made him so interesting; he wasn't some two dimensional character with one goal and one mindset. he had a million thoughts running through his head constantly and you could see him struggle between his morals and goals as you urged him to choose the one you thought was right. but is there ever?
he was definitely my favourite character next to sydney, who was the cutest ball of sunshine. her backstory was so well done and she also added yet another layer of depth to the plot since her sister was intertwined with everything. honestly, all i can say is: protect sydney clarke at all costs. then again, she can probably protect herself. she's the one bailing victor out constantly after all.
as for eli ever. wow. a complex villain who is the biggest hypocrite i've ever seen? love that. but no seriously, eli is fucking insane. his motive isn't stupid like some big bads i've seen and the fact that he used to be best friends with victor... the complexity is through the roof.
overall, the book was great, but i didn't have any doubts about it. victoria is a wonderful writer and i will honestly read anything she puts out and buy it in a second without thinking because i know it's going to be amazing.
there has yet, and probably never will be, a victoria schwab book that doesn't get a five star rating from me. shit this was incredible. i loved victoria's writing to begin with but the characters, the plot, the world itself... it was so good.
victor vale. what a man. i loved him so much. the depth and complexity of his character was incredible. all the hidden layers made him so interesting; he wasn't some two dimensional character with one goal and one mindset. he had a million thoughts running through his head constantly and you could see him struggle between his morals and goals as you urged him to choose the one you thought was right. but is there ever?
he was definitely my favourite character next to sydney, who was the cutest ball of sunshine. her backstory was so well done and she also added yet another layer of depth to the plot since her sister was intertwined with everything. honestly, all i can say is: protect sydney clarke at all costs. then again, she can probably protect herself. she's the one bailing victor out constantly after all.
as for eli ever. wow. a complex villain who is the biggest hypocrite i've ever seen? love that. but no seriously, eli is fucking insane. his motive isn't stupid like some big bads i've seen and the fact that he used to be best friends with victor... the complexity is through the roof.
overall, the book was great, but i didn't have any doubts about it. victoria is a wonderful writer and i will honestly read anything she puts out and buy it in a second without thinking because i know it's going to be amazing.
The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson
4.0
rating:4 stars
what just happened. it's been almost three weeks since I finished this book and i'm still screaming. sure, this book wasn't as fast paced and exciting as the first book but it was still incredible. the last hundred pages were fucking insane. i couldn't put the book down and sat there until the whole thing was done, staring at my wall in disbelief when i had finished.
but similar to the first book, the only place where this book fell short was the characters. this trilogy is definitely a plot driven one. none of the characters really have much development and have little personality other than what they came to ellingham for.
take nate for example. he's been the exact same person for both books: all he does is complain about having no ideas for his fantasy book and is constantly shown as someone who is extra careful without an inch of rebellion in him. as for Stevie, her only character trait is wanting to solve the mystery. i can't say anything else because that's literally it.
another thing that i really didn't like: the romance. none of the characters really have any chemistry with each other and i wanted to scream every time
but in general, if you're looking for a book that will keep you on your toes, this is it. it has its flaws yes, but i still love it. maybe too much.
what just happened. it's been almost three weeks since I finished this book and i'm still screaming. sure, this book wasn't as fast paced and exciting as the first book but it was still incredible. the last hundred pages were fucking insane. i couldn't put the book down and sat there until the whole thing was done, staring at my wall in disbelief when i had finished.
but similar to the first book, the only place where this book fell short was the characters. this trilogy is definitely a plot driven one. none of the characters really have much development and have little personality other than what they came to ellingham for.
take nate for example. he's been the exact same person for both books: all he does is complain about having no ideas for his fantasy book and is constantly shown as someone who is extra careful without an inch of rebellion in him. as for Stevie, her only character trait is wanting to solve the mystery. i can't say anything else because that's literally it.
another thing that i really didn't like: the romance. none of the characters really have any chemistry with each other and i wanted to scream every time
Spoiler
stevie and david kissed. they went in a constant loop of ignoring each other, kissing each other wildly, and then ignoring each other again until they got back together. like please, pick one.but in general, if you're looking for a book that will keep you on your toes, this is it. it has its flaws yes, but i still love it. maybe too much.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
3.0
rating:3.25 stars
this really reads like just another average early 2010s ya book but everyone seems to love it so maybe i'll give it another shot. though... i heard there was a gay couple and if so... i'll definitely be continuing.
this really reads like just another average early 2010s ya book but everyone seems to love it so maybe i'll give it another shot. though... i heard there was a gay couple and if so... i'll definitely be continuing.
The Diviners by Libba Bray
4.0
rating:4.25 stars
usually historical fiction isn't my thing but... this was a hell of a lot of fun.
usually historical fiction isn't my thing but... this was a hell of a lot of fun.
9 from the Nine Worlds by Rick Riordan
4.0
rating:4 stars
listen, i'm not a fan of rick's companion books usually but this was adorable
listen, i'm not a fan of rick's companion books usually but this was adorable
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
5.0
rating:5 stars
i actually cried. me. i cried reading this, and the title is literally "they both die at the end." i'm-
i actually cried. me. i cried reading this, and the title is literally "they both die at the end." i'm-