Followers by Megan Angelo Review

This review contains spoilers for Followers.

The concept of this book really stood out to me, and I was looking forward to see some type of futuristic, dystopian-esque Black Mirror novel play out before me. As a disclaimer, the version of the book that I was reading was the 2018 ARC that was given out at Book Expo -- I am not aware if there were any changes between the advanced copy and the final printed version. 

At times the story felt a little scattered -- when the author would jump between 2015/2016 and 2051, most of the time it was a cohesive jump, but at some points I felt as though I was thrown into an entirely different story. Going from 2051 Marlow and her attempt at leaving Constellation back to 2015/16 with the author talking about characters we had only heard of once was throwing me off -- I kept wondering how their stories connected and they never fully were able to establish relationships that made sense.

A majority of the plot devices has a lot of potential, but it felt as though scenes were either being rushed or they were being filled with overzealous details that did not pertain to the characters and their development. Switching between 2015/2016 and 2051, the author takes us on a journey into a world where the internet we use today stopped working in 2015 to a world where the internet has the largest presence in everyone's lives in 2051.

2015 Orla and Floss have this symbiotic relationship with one another where Orla provides Floss the fame, and Floss provides Orla the internet presence as a journalist wanting to become a novelist. At least, that was the plan, until Orla suddenly finds herself with as much fame as Floss when her and her boyfriend's documentary-style tv show airs. Floss continuously does reckless things in order to get the attention on her at every chance she gets, and unfortunately it takes her basically pushing a girl down stairs to launch her into stardom.

2051 Marlow and Floss are participating in what basically appears to be a 24/7 reality world where they cannot make any decisions for themselves. Marlow, Floss's daughter, has always lived in this network-ran world, where her every move is watched by her millions of followers and a device talks to her in her head as if they are one being. 

After being on medication for nearly twenty years, Marlow is taken off of this miracle drug when the network reveals to her that she and her husband, Ellis, will be having a baby. This basically triggers Marlow's descent into realizing that nothing everything is as it appears -- she becomes more aware of her surroundings and the hold that the network has on everyone in Constellation. She is looking for privacy, a concept that no one really entertains, with everyone's lives in Constellation being broadcasted for their millions of followers.

In the 2015/16 chapters we learn a lot more about how Floss and Marlow ended up in Constellation and how Marlow even came to be. Her relation to Orla is something that surprised Marlow, especially as she was just under the impression that Aston was not her biological father. But to find out that Floss was not her biological mother was a shock to her, and really pushed forward her turn to privacy. So many people in Marlow's life are just there to use her for followers, fame, and money -- they have no concern for her wellbeing and basically view her as a product instead of a person.

The ending of the book personally left me with more questions than answers. I felt a little underwhelmed and that the writing was not fulfilling what the plot needed to push it forward. I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I found myself wondering how much longer it would be until it was over. The idea was definitely there, but some plot points felt as though they fell through the cracks and were never picked back up.

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Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer, #1) by Laini Taylor Review

 

This is a spoiler-free review! A list of trigger warnings can be found here.

Lazlo Strange is a twenty-year-old librarian whose dreams show him what others cannot remember, and his passion for magic proves to be useful as he embarks on a journey he never thought that he would join. It is definitely a lot of information to take in at first, but if you have experience reading more high fantasy novels, it is a quick adjustment and you become oriented in the world very quickly.

Sarai, Ruby, Feral, Sparrow, and Minya are remaining survivors of Weep, living in the citadel while being bearers of magical gifts. With each having a unique ability, they can be viewed as a tool or a curse. Sarai, called the Muse of Nightmares, is able to enter into the dreams of others and scream moths into existence for her purpose.

Thyon Nero is such a massive pain throughout the book, especially due to the way that he speaks to and treats Lazlo. As for a number of other characters, I cannot say that this behavior surprised me, but Lazlo continues to be kind and understanding to everyone around him, despite the way they treat him. A decent amount of the characters that Lazlo is traveling with do not speak kindly of the godspawn and the general concept of Weep, which results in Lazlo constantly defending their existence.

The relationship and connection between Lazlo and Sarai is so interesting -- he the dreamer, she the nightmare. A beautiful symmetry between their abilities that draws them to one another. The way that Sarai longs for a nightmare-less sleep and Lazlo longs for dreams filled with Sarai shows how their stories begin to intertwine as they learn more about one another and as Lazlo discovers the mysteries and horrors of what happened in Weep.

The world building is done in a way where Taylor is sure to explain what the terms mean, instead of just throwing in italicized jargon and hoping that they reader will understand what and who she is referring to. I enjoyed the way that we are given multiple perspectives -- not just from Lazlo and Sarai, but from other characters as well, even if it is for only a few pages at a time, it provides a great insight into the story.

Taylor's writing carries such heaviness and expression -- the way she is able to bring life to these characters, making you feel everything that they experience is fantastic. Lazlo and Sarai's inner thoughts alone bring with them such awe and admiration for what they do not yet know about one another, as well as what they discover about themselves. It was captivating and grew as the story progressed, and had me turning the pages as fast as I could while holding onto her words.

I definitely recommend this to those looking to get into high fantasy -- it is not as complex (or long) as The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, but builds a world and group of characters that possess individuality and growth. I will definitely be completing the series, especially after that ending. Be sure to read Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy as well!

You can add Strange the Dreamer and the rest of the series on Goodreads now, and follow the author to stay up to date on releases and publications.

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The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air, #3) by Holly Black Review

 

This is a spoiler-free review! You can read my reviews of The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King on my blog -- just click the links!

I seriously cannot believe I waited so long to read this series after having them on my shelf for years, but I am so glad that I got to read them so close to one another rather than waiting years for it to be over. However, that means it was over so much quicker than I wanted it to be. 

Jude is such a great character -- we too often see a female main character that does not fight for herself or is constantly trampled by the men that surround her in the story. Here, Jude is the one that is doing the trampling, and defending herself every chance she gets. She is clever and headstrong, and though she is young, she is able to command so many and control her fate, no matter the cost.

Cardan continues to impress me and I love the complexity of his character, and the development he went through as the series progressed. In The Cruel Prince he was truly one of the most unhinged male main characters I had come across, and his characterization was always being tested. He has been through so much and had to look within himself, with the help of Jude, to see what he was capable of and who he could be as a person.

Not even 100 pages into this book, I was once again giggling and kicking my feet in the air. I absolutely adore Cardan and Jude's hate-you-so-much-I-need-you relationship, and this book does not disappoint. We see this tension from both sides, and a subtle yearning that is just enough to show truth in their connection. Yes, there is not a ton of romance in this book, in the entire series in fact, but that is what makes it so special and raw to see when it does happen.

Before I read this series, I used to think that no sisters in a fantasy novel could be as annoying as Feyre's in A Court of Thorns and Roses, and yet here Taryn is, one of the most insufferable characters I have come across. Yes, she is a teenager, but so are Vivi and Jude, and they do not act like fools and take things for granted as Taryn does. She has betrayed her sister more times than I can count, and expects forgiveness every single time, as if she has done nothing wrong. Taryn asks so much from Jude, and unfortunately, Jude does give in sometimes, much to my detest.

Taryn does get some resemblance of what we can consider redemption, but I still do not forgive her for what she did to Jude in the first two books, and I do not think I ever will. She was foolish on so many occasions, and you cannot blame it on her age, since she and Jude are the same age. Lots of character development was being passed around to some characters that were acting horribly throughout the series, including Nicasia -- I never thought I would see the day that I was glad she was anywhere else but the Undersea.

Lots of characters got what the deserved in the end, and watching Cardan be so proud of Jude when she handles so many of them made my heart so happy. You can tell that they have a long way to go, but to see the encouragement from both sides is promising in hopes that they continue to grow together.

I loved the plot devices used in this book and the riddles that weaved their way into battles and curses as Jude and Cardan began their rule so early on. I found myself basically yelling at the pages to Jude for her to understand the answers, much like I found myself as I read A Court of Thorns and Roses. She may take some time to understand what lies beneath of this tricks, but she will always find the answer and stay true to what she needs to due.

I genuinely had such a fun time reading this series, and really enjoyed the playfulness and political agenda that was the backbone of the story. Romance was on the back-burner and I was happy to see it not completely overshadow the plot and character development. These are quick reads that leave the reader wanting more but ultimately satisfied with how the story played out in the end. I definitely recommend this series to those looking to get into fantasy on a lower-stakes level.

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A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers Review

This review contains very mild spoilers for A Certain Hunger. A list of trigger warnings can be found here.

Welcome to the NBC's Hannibal to girlboss cannibalism pipeline, so glad you could join us for dinner. We are taken into the mind of Dorothy, a woman jailed for her actions as a food critic turned cannibal, through her first-person memoir as she recounts her journey that led her to where she is. Dorothy is quick, frank, and gets straight to the point as she details her killings -- and recipes -- to the greatest extent. 

With each chapter focusing on a particular dish, accompanied often by a particular kill or experience, we gain insight on Dorothy's inner workings and her view on life, food, and the complications of feelings. She recounts her initial love for food and the day that she was thrown into a career as a food critic, her college days and friendship with Emma, and the countless entanglements she has with men who become meals.

Dorothy's meticulous planning of both her meals and her killings are done in such a way where both feel as though she is reading through a recipe book and adjusting the measurements to her own preference. She is sharp and calculated with nearly everything she does in her life, even after she is jailed -- we see it in the group therapy sessions, her refusal to allow Emma to visit her, and her acknowledgement of her never-empty commissary account.

She is at times reckless, and some could argue that the feelings she claims she does not experience make an appearance when she is at her most vulnerable. However, her recklessness is still coated in careful planning and has passion behind it, even if it ends in carnage. At times her killings are spontaneous, even taking her by surprise in the moment, and others have been brewing inside her for some time before executing them, much like her take down of a certain food critic magazine founder.

Some of the men that Dorothy killed were actually good people -- and even she admits that, literally during some of her plots she admits that some did not deserve the meal that they became, if only they had been more careful with their actions. Loyal to Dorothy, but not loyal to their wives. Unable to be persuaded to eat anchovies, but able to focus on it until his last breath. The men that Dorothy surrounds herself with all have flaws that may initially turn other people away from them, but draw Dorothy in -- perhaps the intrigue overshadows the indiscretions, perhaps the sex really was that good -- and that leads Dorothy down a road she expected she would eventually go down.

Summers stays true to the satire of early foodieism in the book summary as we see the exaggeration of Dorothy's superiority when it comes to cooking and ingredients, reviewing restaurants, and the transition from glossy printed magazines to the online buzzword food articles. From the preference of white truffle versus black truffle -- personally, I agree with Dorothy on the favoritism of the white truffle -- to the graphic depictions of Dorothy's crimes and acknowledgement of her elitism, Summers is able to create such a complex character that pulls traits from the likes of Amy Dunne of Gone Girl and Patrick Bateman of American Psycho.

The writing is extraordinary and I cannot believe this is the author's first novel -- it truly is one of the most compelling reads that I have come across as a reader. The complexity of Dorothy's character and relationships she forms with her lovers/meals, along with the friendship she has with Emma bring her character such depth that you feel as though you know everything you could about her in under three hundred pages. Dorothy is clearly not the perfect person, and a single slip-up being her downfall shows that even the most strategic killer can be brought down by a simple mistake.

A page-turning read that has you on the edge of your seat as Dorothy recounts every step she took that led her to where she is now, from Corpse Reviver #2 to barely edible prison food and cup noodle, we are taken on her journey fueled by rage, intrigue, and superiority. A must-read for readers looking to expand their literary genres and explore unhinged main characters that lead you to root for their success, even as they commit truly heinous acts.

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The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air, #2) by Holly Black Review

This is a spoiler-free review! You can read my review of The Cruel Prince on my blog, here.

The ending of The Cruel Prince had me grinning so hard I thought my face was going to freeze, so I was very excited to dive back into this world and see what Cardan and Jude had in store for us. 

We pick up five months after the ending of the first book, and tensions are high as a new ruler reigns over Faerie. Jude and Cardan's dynamic is full of the same banter as in The Cruel Prince, but we can see this very subtle attraction between the two of them grow, even if they are actively going against each other at any chance they get. A vulnerability from Cardan that we had yet to see from him emerges throughout the book, and the effects of being High King and working with Jude continue to affect him in ways he did not anticipate.

There are so many incredible lines in this book that begin to unravel Jude and Cardan's feelings not only for each other, but for their positions in Faerie as they come to learn what they truly want. To see both of their character development in this sequel was subtle in every way that mattered.

Locke continues to be a thorn in everyone's side, and it is astonishing how Taryn is able to see anything redeemable in him, especially with what he put her -- and Jude -- through in the first book, and what he continues to do throughout this book as well. He is so annoying and seems to get away with everything, and even when admitting to it, Taryn looks the other way.

Taryn is an entirely different story. She continuously tells Jude that she does not want her to be angry with her anymore, and attempts to reconcile what she has done to her twin sister, but there is more to Taryn than meets the eye. I was not a fan of her character in the first book, and this book certainly cemented my negative feelings toward her.

To no surprise to anyone, Madoc is still the most shady person running around Court and causing problems to fulfill his own agenda trying to get Oak the crown and basically be the ruler of Faerie in place of his son. At some points, you can almost see that Madoc may have a care for Jude, but it is almost always immediately ripped away as he continues his schemes to benefit himself.

I really enjoyed the involvement of the Undersea in this book, it was nice to see another aspect of Elfhame and more political development as Cardan's rule continues to raise questions by some high-ranking folk of Faerie. The contrast of the Undersea compared to being on land goes further than dirt and sea, with their abilities of scheming and powers being on a completely different playing field. The way that Black is able to create an alluring contrast between the two allows the reader to transport themselves in an entirely new world.

We see betrayal from a number of people that Jude thought were on her side, and the consequences of these betrayal cause a domino effect on the fate of Cardan's rule as High King, and Jude's place beside him as his advisor. The politics in The Wicked King grow more serious compared to The Cruel Prince, and for that we see the push and pull between Jude and Cardan's partnership ruling over Faerie. I really enjoyed the political climate of this installment, and the constant power dynamic being played out by Jude and Cardan as their one year and a day comes closer and closer to an end.

A sequel that leaves the reader more shocked than the first, The Wicked King is a great installment that leaves the fate of Jude and Cardan uncertain to the very end. I will definitely be continuing with the series and cannot wait to read The Queen of Nothing to see their conclusion.

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See Jane Snap by Bethany Crandell Review

This review contains spoilers for See Jane Snap. Please read with caution if you have not completed the novel.

To the watching eye, Jane Osborne is living the perfect life with the perfect husband -- under the surface, she has discovered that her surgeon husband of eighteen years has been cheating on her the entire time, and with a man. Jane is trying to hold it together through self-help mantras and audios in the car, but everything must come to an end as she meets her breaking point in a most unexpected place: the grocery store parking lot. 

Under the impression that she has taken one of her friend's Zoloft pills, she becomes increasingly agitated by a woman who has too many items in the 15-or-less line and leaves her grocery cart in the middle of the parking lot. Jane, who simply cannot take anything else, snaps and starts to hurl oranges at this woman's car and causes quite the disturbance, especially when it is revealed that she did not take Zoloft, but ecstasy. Resulting in her arrest but no charges, Jane agrees to take a first time offender class to make sure this event stays from away from her permanent record.

You can't help but feel for Jane -- she has discovered the life that she has been living for nearly two decades is nothing but a charade for her husband, Dan. She does everything she can so that Dan's cardiology department stays afloat at the hospital, and appeases the donors he desperately needs to impress for a $25 million naming rights donation. 

Dan is probably one of the worst fictional husbands I have ever read about, nearly up there with Nick Dunne from Gone Girl. He is constantly angry at Jane for anything she does that is out of place -- she follows his car and finds him with another man and also misses a conference call regarding the fundraiser where his potential donors will be. Dan is basically absent from Jane and their daughter, Avery, lives and acts shocked when there could be a possibly of Jane spilling his secret. He continues to be an absolute jerk throughout the entire book until the very end, where he somewhat redeems himself at the fundraiser gala.

The group of women that Jane meets and forms friendships with at her required course are the first people that she is able to open up to, and it leads to her journey of healing and no longer settling for a life that is not what she expected. She quickly forms close bonds with them, despite initially wanting to only go to and from the course in order to get it over with, and avoid talking to any of the women outside of the course.

Jane's "snap" was short-lived, and in my opinion, not very "public" as the synopsis described. I was expecting a lot more feminine rage coming from her, but the plot felt as though it was mostly Jane jumping from one moment in time to the next, leaving a lot of unanswered questions in her journey. Her inner monologue definitely gives some good insight on her emotions and thought processes as she comes to terms with what she did in that parking lot and what she knows about her husband. Jane's relationship with her younger sister Julie does have some hardships, but they try to make the best of it as they work together to care for their ailing mother.

I was so incredibly glad when Jane yelled at Dan towards the end of the book -- she has been living, for the past two months, with a constant loop of what she knows and has seen Dan cheating on her, and for him to call her out with Officer Chavez and say that he was "never caught" with the men he was seeing but she cannot see Chavez is an insane double standard. She was in the right with asking him to move to that other portion of the house and have him talk to their daughter, especially because Avery knew he was cheating on Jane, she just did not know who he was doing it with.

I'm glad that in the end Jane is doing well for herself and on the road to healing, I just wish we were able to see more of her snap or even see it go in a different direction, rather than it just be her and that woman in the parking lot. This premise had a lot of potential and it personally felt as though it fell a little flat -- you can tell the author wanted to be funny in some parts and more serious in others, but the comedy fell short in the long run. It is fast-paced and an easy read, and I am happy to finally have read it, since it has been on my shelf for so long.

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