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lilyrooke's reviews
465 reviews
The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic
2.0
(Re-read. Same feelings as the first time, just now I recognise a lot more of the hints and foreshadowing. Ahhh Andreil, I saw your potential even through all the stuff I hated first time around xD)
Hmm I have thoughts about this book.
I really didn't like the non-consensual acts that take place, forced drugging, physical intimacy etc. Bad things can happen, they happen all the time in life. My specific issue with this though is that there didn't seem to be much narrative condemnation of it? If any at all? Isn't Nicky supposed to be one of the characters you root for? For me there are red lines that dictate where the character is on the 'good' or 'bad' spectrum, and so many of those were crossed that I end up feeling like maybe it just didn't click for me. Even if Neil isn't able to recognise how troubled he is by it happening, there are other ways for an author to show they find these acts unacceptable rather than titilating.
The whole situation with Andrew's medicated state for me was too implausible. I just felt really bad for him to be in that state. There are adults around who supposedly are professional and care for these boys but never seem to step in to actually help them? My favourite part was the Riko/Kevin confrontation, I think I'm going to read the next book because I want to know more about Kevin's backstory and I'm invested in Neil too.
So, there are definitely areas of potential. I'm interested to see if Andrew turns out to be a much better guy than he seems right now. I feel like he probably will, and I would love that. But there's also a lot of stuff that makes me side-eye the narrative intention such that I can't say I 'liked' this book.
Hmm I have thoughts about this book.
I really didn't like the non-consensual acts that take place, forced drugging, physical intimacy etc. Bad things can happen, they happen all the time in life. My specific issue with this though is that there didn't seem to be much narrative condemnation of it? If any at all? Isn't Nicky supposed to be one of the characters you root for? For me there are red lines that dictate where the character is on the 'good' or 'bad' spectrum, and so many of those were crossed that I end up feeling like maybe it just didn't click for me. Even if Neil isn't able to recognise how troubled he is by it happening, there are other ways for an author to show they find these acts unacceptable rather than titilating.
The whole situation with Andrew's medicated state for me was too implausible. I just felt really bad for him to be in that state. There are adults around who supposedly are professional and care for these boys but never seem to step in to actually help them? My favourite part was the Riko/Kevin confrontation, I think I'm going to read the next book because I want to know more about Kevin's backstory and I'm invested in Neil too.
So, there are definitely areas of potential. I'm interested to see if Andrew turns out to be a much better guy than he seems right now. I feel like he probably will, and I would love that. But there's also a lot of stuff that makes me side-eye the narrative intention such that I can't say I 'liked' this book.
The Raven King by Nora Sakavic
4.0
"Maybe it comes as a surprise to you, Neil, but I am not a very trusting person. If I tell a man the sky is blue and he tells me I am wrong, I am not inclined to give him a second chance."
(Re-read.) Last time all I could manage was 'This book killed me and I don't know what else I'm supposed to say.' I still don't, to be honest. Between everything that happens to Andrew and everything that happens to Neil, the second half of this book is just an emotional minefield. Again, I felt like I could sense a lot more of the Andreil slow burn build - by the time that Neil is handing himself over to Riko to protect Andrew, there's nothing stopping it. I also really loved how Neil very, very, very slowly is opening his heart to the other Foxes and just, just, just beginning to consider alternatives to how he has lived so far. The revelation that maybe he isn't fine, maybe he's never been fine, is so huge and impactful.
(Re-read.) Last time all I could manage was 'This book killed me and I don't know what else I'm supposed to say.' I still don't, to be honest. Between everything that happens to Andrew and everything that happens to Neil, the second half of this book is just an emotional minefield. Again, I felt like I could sense a lot more of the Andreil slow burn build - by the time that Neil is handing himself over to Riko to protect Andrew, there's nothing stopping it. I also really loved how Neil very, very, very slowly is opening his heart to the other Foxes and just, just, just beginning to consider alternatives to how he has lived so far. The revelation that maybe he isn't fine, maybe he's never been fine, is so huge and impactful.
The King's Men by Nora Sakavic
5.0
"Look me in the eye and tell me if you think I care who you used to be. I care about who you are right now and who you can be going forward. I'm not asking you to forget you past, but I am telling you to overcome it."
(Re-read.) Last time all I said was 'I am officially Andreil trash'. This is still 100% true. I can't really elaborate much except to say that TKM is such a brilliant ending to the trilogy and this series is such a comfort read of mine. The characters - especially Andrew, Neil, and Kevin - have such a special place in my heart, and I always feel a bit sad to be leaving them behind.
(Re-read.) Last time all I said was 'I am officially Andreil trash'. This is still 100% true. I can't really elaborate much except to say that TKM is such a brilliant ending to the trilogy and this series is such a comfort read of mine. The characters - especially Andrew, Neil, and Kevin - have such a special place in my heart, and I always feel a bit sad to be leaving them behind.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
5.0
"Love was always something heavy for me. Something I had to carry." // "How could I ever have been ashamed of loving Dante Quintana?"
(Re-read in anticipation of the sequel.) I last read this book as a young teen, and I think I was too young for it then. I remember Ari as being very angry. Now all I see is his sadness and loneliness. I always related so much to him, but I think it's the different parts of him that I see now. The first time I read it, I remember Dante irritating me, as if no one should be allowed to be so comfortable in their own skin. This time, I see his intense vulnerability too, for being honest and sitting with those feelings when the person you care about most isn't ready to be honest with themselves or with you.
I love books where characters can be openly themselves, and accept themselves with little to no angst. But that wasn't the experience I had, and I see my experience in Ari, just transplanted a decade or so earlier in time. With the recent stuff coming up about the author, it upsets me to think some readers miss the internalised homophobia/queerphobia Ari and Dante are dealing with. The 80s/90s/00s weren't a fun time for a lot of people. Speaking for myself, it's hard now to come to terms with that, and to see how decades of your life could have been different, if the world had been different, if only, if only. But novels like 'Aristotle and Dante' encourage me that you can find yourself, that there will be people waiting to accept you unconditionally, that it's never too late to make yourself whole.
(Re-read in anticipation of the sequel.) I last read this book as a young teen, and I think I was too young for it then. I remember Ari as being very angry. Now all I see is his sadness and loneliness. I always related so much to him, but I think it's the different parts of him that I see now. The first time I read it, I remember Dante irritating me, as if no one should be allowed to be so comfortable in their own skin. This time, I see his intense vulnerability too, for being honest and sitting with those feelings when the person you care about most isn't ready to be honest with themselves or with you.
I love books where characters can be openly themselves, and accept themselves with little to no angst. But that wasn't the experience I had, and I see my experience in Ari, just transplanted a decade or so earlier in time. With the recent stuff coming up about the author, it upsets me to think some readers miss the internalised homophobia/queerphobia Ari and Dante are dealing with. The 80s/90s/00s weren't a fun time for a lot of people. Speaking for myself, it's hard now to come to terms with that, and to see how decades of your life could have been different, if the world had been different, if only, if only. But novels like 'Aristotle and Dante' encourage me that you can find yourself, that there will be people waiting to accept you unconditionally, that it's never too late to make yourself whole.
Prince of Blades by Kay Thatcher
3.0
I tried Prince of Blades out on a total whim and I'm so glad I did! It got better and better as it went on. I'm so looking forward to the sequel, I think there's so much potential in the story!
Intuitive Editing: A Creative and Practical Guide to Revising Your Writing by Tiffany Yates Martin
4.0
Very interesting read with lots of helpful advice and plenty to think about and return to. Sometimes I felt as though the advice was tailored to particular genres (or, I should say, ignoring particular genres), but I think if one was to dip in and out and take the advice that they felt they needed, this is an excellent resource overall.
The Wedding Planners by Erin Thomson
5.0
I flew through The Wedding Planners and loved it from beginning to end. Jemma's catering business is at risk of tanking thanks to a poor review, so her friends take her out for the night to cheer her up. There, she meets Nash, who. Yes. Oh, Nash. I have many feelings. Suffice it to say, things between them heat up very quickly. But that's OK, since it was just a one night thing. No names. No feelings. Right?
From the moment Jemma and Nash first hook up, I needed to know how their story ends. The dialogue sparkles and the chemistry between them is wonderful. While Jemma and Nash are the stars of the show, they are surrounded by a tight group of friends and family who also shine in their own rights. Jemma in particular has been through some difficult experiences, which lend an emotional complexity to the final part of the story. I would highly recommend The Wedding Planners to any romance fans, especially those who enjoy steam, strangers to lovers, or forced to work together elements!
ARC kindly provided by the author. These opinions are my own.
From the moment Jemma and Nash first hook up, I needed to know how their story ends. The dialogue sparkles and the chemistry between them is wonderful. While Jemma and Nash are the stars of the show, they are surrounded by a tight group of friends and family who also shine in their own rights. Jemma in particular has been through some difficult experiences, which lend an emotional complexity to the final part of the story. I would highly recommend The Wedding Planners to any romance fans, especially those who enjoy steam, strangers to lovers, or forced to work together elements!
ARC kindly provided by the author. These opinions are my own.
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
4.0
(Re-read. Same reaction as before. SEVRO!)
Darrow, Darrow, Darrow. Exactly my favourite type of protagonist <3
The ache of injustice was done so effectively through the early sections, as well as Darrow's rage and grief. Structurally I was very satisfied with how he ends the novel, and whose care he falls into. My favourite parts were the early sections set in the mines, and what Darrow goes through to become a Gold. After that I thought it became a little too similar plotwise to The Hunger Games, although I thought Red Rising was a better written story than that series. Very curious to see what comes next!
Darrow, Darrow, Darrow. Exactly my favourite type of protagonist <3
The ache of injustice was done so effectively through the early sections, as well as Darrow's rage and grief. Structurally I was very satisfied with how he ends the novel, and whose care he falls into. My favourite parts were the early sections set in the mines, and what Darrow goes through to become a Gold. After that I thought it became a little too similar plotwise to The Hunger Games, although I thought Red Rising was a better written story than that series. Very curious to see what comes next!
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
4.0
I knew very early on in Ace of Spades that this book would be an 'important' read, and I'm so glad it was *excellent* as well as important. Chiamaka and Devon are the only two Black students at Niveus, both seniors - one wealthy, shooting to be Senior Prefect, the other living in poverty in the wrong part of town, just trying to keep his head down and get through to graduation. When a mysterious texter starts sharing their secrets with the whole school (which was heartbreaking to read, by the way), they plummet into a genuinely thrilling and frightening spiral to unmask 'Aces'.
From backstabbing friends to institutional racism, Ace of Spades is dripping in gaslighting and a 'knives out' mindset hidden beneath shiny smiles. There's such a psychological separation between school and home that's so tense and jarring, and really captures the terror and isolation of a victim of bullying. These kids' parents just don't have the first clue what's going on, and neither would think to share it with them, and I thought that was very realistic. Moments like when Chiamaka is accused of stealing, or when Devon is questioned by the cops, were truly frightening. Neither of these characters gets much of a break, and Devon gets the short straw, so it can be a difficult read at times too. But I maintain that it's a must-read because it doesn't shy away from reality and gives a voice to those who need it.
There are a few choices I took issue with. I wasn't in love with the ending, which seemed very off-kilter for the genre and just came out of nowhere. A lot of the climax seemed fairly convenient, to the point of stretching believability. Devon's mother went from being homophobic to completely accepting at 100 miles per hour, which I can't really explain and left me feeling like I missed something. What happened to Andre?! How could you just leave him there? Although, I do understand that as a thematic decision. The revelation about Devon's father was given little to no significance, which seemed like a missed opportunity for something so traumatic, although again, with what we know about Devon, it also made sense. The things I was unsatisfied with usually 'made sense' for the story, as in, they can be explained away if I work hard, but they did leave me feeling something was lacking.
With that said, Ace of Spades remains an absolute must-read. Even with the criticisms I had of it, it's probably the best trad book I've read so far this year. I'm going to keep raving about this book until everyone I know has read it. And it was written by an eighteen-year-old?! I am shooketh.
From backstabbing friends to institutional racism, Ace of Spades is dripping in gaslighting and a 'knives out' mindset hidden beneath shiny smiles. There's such a psychological separation between school and home that's so tense and jarring, and really captures the terror and isolation of a victim of bullying. These kids' parents just don't have the first clue what's going on, and neither would think to share it with them, and I thought that was very realistic. Moments like when Chiamaka is accused of stealing, or when Devon is questioned by the cops, were truly frightening. Neither of these characters gets much of a break, and Devon gets the short straw, so it can be a difficult read at times too. But I maintain that it's a must-read because it doesn't shy away from reality and gives a voice to those who need it.
There are a few choices I took issue with. I wasn't in love with the ending, which seemed very off-kilter for the genre and just came out of nowhere. A lot of the climax seemed fairly convenient, to the point of stretching believability. Devon's mother went from being homophobic to completely accepting at 100 miles per hour, which I can't really explain and left me feeling like I missed something. What happened to Andre?! How could you just leave him there? Although, I do understand that as a thematic decision. The revelation about Devon's father was given little to no significance, which seemed like a missed opportunity for something so traumatic, although again, with what we know about Devon, it also made sense. The things I was unsatisfied with usually 'made sense' for the story, as in, they can be explained away if I work hard, but they did leave me feeling something was lacking.
With that said, Ace of Spades remains an absolute must-read. Even with the criticisms I had of it, it's probably the best trad book I've read so far this year. I'm going to keep raving about this book until everyone I know has read it. And it was written by an eighteen-year-old?! I am shooketh.
What Big Teeth by Rose Szabo
1.0
I fell in love with the cover and the premise, and the prologue immediately caught my interest. But beyond that, this book and I did not get along. The story had so much potential, and I'm baffled by the direction it went in. The characters all felt flat and under-developed, and the plot crawled along while I kept thinking surely something has to happen soon. I hate DNF-ing books because I want to hope that they'll get better, but unfortunately that means I have to end up 1*-ing if I get to the end and they just don't.