Welcome to Litsy!

Thanks to the publisher and Libro.fm for the ALC of this book! There is so much to love about this: BIPOC characters, realness of characters, the dreamy quality to the first chunk of book- I was really into it. However, I am VERY susceptible to second hand embarrassment and fear. I‘ve read the myths. I know what happens. I‘m sick to my stomach for Medusa and I can‘t go on with this right now. This is a me problem and not an I, Medusa problem.

This is my second Mary Roach book, and I just don't think she's for me. I almost felt like her writing is overly familiar; like I'm expected to understand her personality and drive and humor right out the gate. Therefore, I never really get to know her, and it is hard to connect to her voice in the book. There also didn't seem to be a purpose to her choices of topics other than her whims or whomever would talk with her, unless that's just the ARC.

That was a flora and fauna snooze fest, but I got another bingo 😁

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

#ReadingMyTBR #Read2025 @DieAReader

#hailthebail

I could tell very early on the writing was simply not for me. It was so repetitive in telling about rot and decay to create a spooky atmosphere, but it was too much and just didn‘t work for me.

“Hazelthorn has barely dragged its decayed corpse into the 21st century…”

“Beyond it, the inky dark of the hallway stretches like a diseased throat…”

“The dark stares back, mouth wet.”🤔

“His stomach is full of curdled cream and rotted violet stems…”

I may come back to this, but it is not keeping my attention. I also find the romance very lacking.
#hailthebail

I‘ve picked this up and put it down three times. I‘ve made it about 30% and I just am not feeling it. The writing is just not keeping my interest. Too bad because it has a cool premise! #hailthebail

Setting aside for now. I may go back to it as I did purchase the ebook. However, age gap romance is not my favorite and the hero is not all that likable. I made it 46%. Is it worth me returning to?

I read 4 chapters in 30 days because I had to force myself to read this. The discomfort isn't worth the effort. This is just not for me. Since I tried this for #withthebanned, I will say that just because it doesn't work for me doesn't mean it doesn't have value for others. Book bans are stupid.

@jadams89

After multiple attempts, I have to add it to the DNF pile. I need someone or something to care about. It feels harsh, but I do not care about these characters.

I bailed on this one. I have read a lot of her books, and this is the first one I have bailed on. I couldn't get into it.