the_pale_woman's reviews
481 reviews

Reading this series was an interesting experience. I've always been a fan of the movies. Occasionally, I like watching what I would consider to be schlock. It's a guilty pleasure that thrives on its ridiculousness. Predictably, this reading experience felt as ridiculous as the movies. But I couldn't help myself. As a whole, I enjoyed reading it. It just felt like another way of watching the movies.

Now, I'll admit that some aspects of this story become more disturbing with more detail. I don't think there's any need to elaborate on that front. I'm sure we all think imprinting is gross. 

However, what really stood out the most in this final book was the decision to switch to Jacob's perspective in the middle third. Bella makes the decision to keep the baby despite the risk to her life and against her loved ones' wishes. And then you take that autonomy away from her by showing the events through a male character's perspective. Why have the whole series from Bella's perspective only to rip it from her when she is actually doing something of consequence? I understand that it gave us time spent not sitting around and with the wolves, but it also felt like the character was cheated out of a moment.

I'd only recommend this to people who like the movies. Despite its popularity, I dont think most readers would enjoy this fresh. 

I picked this up because I heard it had a similar vibe to Douglas Adams, which it does. It feels just as chaotic as Adams's but more grounded in history and literary references. I was thinking this might involve Jane Eyre by the title, but I was amused with what he ended up doing with the story. It felt unexpected and quite humorous. I personally love Jane Eyre. However, I don't think you have to read or love Jane Eyre to be able to enjoy this book. I might suggest you look up a basic summary of Jane Eyre if you haven't read it, just to understand what he's doing with the plot here. But beyond all the references and subversions, this was just a fun read. I would recommend this to fans of Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett. If you're also a fan of classic literature, then this is probably perfect for you. 

I knew I wouldn't like this, but I read it anyway. That's on me. 

This well written story did not change my views on our prison system or criminal justice system or the death penalty. But it did make me think about these topics from new and interesting angles. On the surface, this book feels like it's trying to make a statement, but once you get in, the water is murky. It feels full of human complexity and emotion. I would have liked to see more aspects of this story fully explored, but I also find meaning in what has been withheld. Adding yet another layer to think on and dissect. 

This is getting a little silly. 

I was a little surprised by how much I enjoyed reading the first book, Twilight. However, New Moon is more of what I was expecting from this series. The plot is a bit silly, there are a few nonsensical characters, and the level of angst and whining is quite high. Despite its ridiculousness, I do find myself hooked on the story. Excuse me while I keep eating these up. 

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that was so much like the movie—beat for beat, scene for scene, dialogue. It’s all there, for the most part. The book provides a few extra details here and there, but overall, it felt like I was reading the movie. And this may come as a shocker, but I like the movie, so it was actually surprisingly enjoyable. I didn’t cringe as much as I was anticipating. Plus, the writing here is quite good for the genre. It was super easy to read. I flew through it in two days.

I would recommend this read to fans of YA or even if you’re just a fan of the movie.

I’d also like to add that I’m not really interested in reading about healthy, stable relationships. That sounds like a boring book to me. Why does everyone complain about Edward being such a creep in these reviews? That’s part of the intrigue. It’s like you don’t even understand reading.

I don't think I'm alone in the fact that I picked this up only because it is "performed" by the great Meryl Streep. Her "performance" was everything I expected, if not better than I expected. I wish she would "perform" more books. Why listen to a book that is merely narrated? Lol

However, this book, this story, these characters—they're just not for me. I could easily see this being someone else's five-star read. It's well written and has a few interesting moments. For me, it felt insubstantial, boring, cringeworthy, and ultimately disappointing. It's more like a romance, but without all the romance. It's not something I would recommend unless I think you're basic. 

Although this second trilogy did not resonate with me as profoundly as the first, I found it to be satisfactory overall. McClellan's remarkable character development continues, and the introduction of two new POVs in this trilogy was well-executed. Bravis and Stykes were particularly compelling characters who carried the narrative effectively. While their conclusion could have been more substantial, I thoroughly enjoyed their respective journeys.

However, my enjoyment was somewhat diminished by the treatment of certain characters from the first trilogy. Ka-poel, despite her significance to the plot, felt underutilized and lacked agency. In my opinion, she should have been given more focus and prominence as the primary female protagonist instead of Vlora. While Vlora is not an inherently bad character, she pales in comparison to the depth and intrigue of Ka-poel, Olem, Taniel, Bordador, and Nila. These characters, particularly in the first trilogy, exhibited more relatable and nuanced personalities. Unfortunately, Olem received insufficient attention in this installment, and Taniel's trajectory since "Sins of Empire" has been perplexing and disappointing. Bordador's potential was also underutilized.

Despite these minor criticisms, I genuinely enjoyed immersing myself in this flintlock world once again. I wholeheartedly recommend these books to anyone seeking an engaging and well-crafted fantasy series.

I only picked this up because I liked the movie. I was surprised that this book inspired someone to make anything. I know I've seen this author's name floating around, so I wouldn't say I had high hopes, but I did expect more. I didn't jive with any of these characters or the narrative. What I did get through was just boring. It's just not worth my time.