I really liked this trilogy. The 1st book is adrenaline, the 2nd is cerebral and the 3rd is ramifications. All are enjoyable and I really appreciate the nuances that Ness adds in. The stakes ratchet up, the tension increases, the death toll climbs (even though the saddest death is in book1 -I am still upset by it-) and the tone gets darker as the series continues. It is a lot like growing up.
Author Archives: kayliametcalfe
Book Review: Once Upon A River
It is a slow burn. It takes quite a bit for things to get going and the only real action happens in the last 20% of the book. Thankfully the mystery has been so fully entrenched early on that there is enough tension to carry us through. The payoff is worth the wait.
Book Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
It is extremely well written and well plotted… and that means that the pace is perfect. It moves along quickly and you never feel like reading it is a burden. There is something here for most readers: romance, counter-culture, glamour, self-empowerment, tragedy, life lessons, and an ending that is bittersweet but perfect.
Checking In: Good with Words, Bad with Bread
Self check-in half way through the year.
Book Review: The 7.5 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
We sort of know what we are getting ourselves into… but then the carpet is thoroughly pulled out from under us at chapter 9 and everything changes. This is very very cool if you, like me, hadn’t been spoiled by the back of the book.
Book Review: The Girl In Red
I love Red! She has a prosthetic leg and therefore gets to be a strong (in body and mind) character who is differently-abled. She is also Black. And queer! HOORAY!
Book Review: If I Had Your Face
It is so different and engaging and even though Cha doesn’t go into a lot of depth about her subjects, she does raise interesting subjects that warrant reflection and consideration. This is the sort of book that makes you want to do research and find a nonfiction book about the same subject matter.
Book Review: Two Boys Kissing
The schtick of the chorus works better at the end than the beginning and while I appreciate wheat Levithan is doing, and I think he does it well, it is still a lot and it makes the book sadder and more fraught than his other works.
Book Review: They Both Die At The End
The book manages to evoke crushing despair while still being a beautiful love story… because it is… it is a beautiful love story, not just between the two boys, but a love story about life and how we need to suck the joy from our lives with every damn breath we are privileged to get to take.
Book Review: Song of Achilles
This book has stuff for everyone… it is not just a “gay” book even though, yes, it is hella gay. I would highly recommend it for the story, the writing, and the universal truths. And again… That ending… /chef’s kiss.