Welcome to Litsy!

1/5⭐ This book reads more like an early draft. Stilted writing, tense changes, misspellings/wrong word endings, and a ton of repetition (see example in image). The concept is interesting, but the execution needs an editor. #blackathon #projectTBR #projectnew

.5/5⭐ No plot is intriguing enough to deal with patronizing misogyny in every other paragraph. Seriously, constantly questioning the capability of a woman WITH THE SAME MILITARY RANK AS YOU just because she's a woman? Referring to her as “girl“ and “the woman“? Immediately judging only her based on her looks when introducing all the characters (the others male) in the room? Disgusting. Couldn't even get past chapter 2. #projectTBR #projectSAMS

1/5⭐ Sad I didn't enjoy b/c the hardbacks are so pretty. Many 1D POVs w/ no apparent purpose. Info overload w/o knowing what matters. Many long-winded passages. E.g.:
Alais: *dramatically insists on speaking w/ her father*
Father: What's wrong?
A: *silence*
F: Are you hurt?
A: ...
F: Do you need help?
A: ...
F: I can't help if you don't talk.
A: ...
If a scene drags at 1.8 audio speed, something's wrong w/ the pacing. #projectTBR #projectnew

4/5⭐ You know what? I enjoyed this book. It's not the greatest thing, and Mlle. Julie's actions often didn't make sense to me. However, the writing was lovely, and Olivia's coming-of-age struggles and thoughts seemed so real and genuine. I think the author drawing from some of her own teenage experiences helped this book come to life. It was a short, quick read that I will probably come back to again. #projectnew #projectTBR #atozreadathon

4/5⭐ I can't say I particularly liked the main characters or plot. The pacing skipped around timeline-wise sometimes, especially at the end, when things happened but as a sidenote that made them feel so much more distanced than I would have liked. But the writing was so well researched, so detailed in the world building, so compelling that I couldn't help but be drawn in & actively want to continue reading. #atozreadathon #projectSAMS #projectTBR

Thinking about myself as a crazy, independent old woman made me feel almost happy.

#atozreadathon #projectSAMS #projectTBR

But I had never caused my parents "a minute's worry." Didn't they know that worry proves you care? Didn't they realize that I needed their worry to assure myself that I was worth something?

#atozreadathon #projectSAMS #projectTBR

2/5⭐ A handful of stories were good or had potential. So often I feel like I‘m missing the “so what?” of short stories. I realize this is a horror anthology, but several stories contained gruesome elements that seemed to exist more for the shock or “edgy” factor than any storytelling purpose. The collection really needed a proofreader. Individual story reviews at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2579587670 #screamathon #projectnew #projectTBR

1.5/5⭐ I'm glad this book, for some reason, lit a new fire in me to read historical nonfiction. However, the book itself didn't capture me. The main character's generalizations of other cultures, the plodding & dry progression, the complete lack of horror elements like I expected, & the almost non-existent Beowulf retelling made it really difficult for me to focus as I was reading. Completely forgettable. #projectSAMS #projectTBR #screamathon

2.5/5⭐ It had some of the quirky charm I expect of Carriger, & I enjoyed seeing some of the Parasol Protectorate characters younger. But Sophronia was annoyingly perfect: almost always came up with the ideas, made the connections, saved the day. It would have made much more sense, been more rewarding for others to share the spotlight, for Sophronia to fail & learn along the way. Race issues handled poorly. #projectsams #projecttbr #mateathon