Shell

ShellYall. When I tell you this book was phenomenal. The characters draw you in immediately and the magic system is incredibly unique. Elspeth is a little melancholy, smart, and passionate. You’ll find yourself rooting for her even when you shouldn’t. At first I thought the whole plague concept would be overused and boring, but the way it ties in with the story is just so cool and different from other ways that this idea has been used in storytelling. The romance isn’t insta love and the banter is so good. I loved the concept of the Providence cards supplying different abilities. Though I found the spirit of the wood elusive and confusing, at the same time it was interesting and I hope we get more info in the second book. Definitely give this book a shot if you haven’t already!

ShellI’m a fan of Ruth Wares books after having read quite a few and I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this novel in particular. It’s a great read for a rainy night inside, and the suspense is well done. It’s not exactly thrilling, there aren’t super strong plot twists, but the story is pretty fast paced and keeps you entertained. Similar to the structure of her other novels, this one is an oldie but a goodie, with cinematic writing and a MC you might not love, but will root for as they search for the truth. Great for anyone who wants a palate cleanser, a quick and simple read!

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ShellThis was a long but rich story, filled with lots of memorable moments and places to expand upon in the next book. It reads like a cozy fantasy, which while enjoyable, doesn’t really fit the length of the book. I found the MC Jian to be really flat and ordinary, which serves to prove the authors point regarding the power of a prophetic image. Though Jian himself is quite boring, his presence serves as a catalyst to bring out the best in the much more heroic and interesting people around him. While I enjoyed the plethora of other characters and their abilities, Jian really is just so uninteresting to me that I dont want to continue reading with him as the MC however great his potential may be. Nonetheless I enjoyed this book as a standalone, the writing was poetic without being too fluffy, and it was easy to get through. I really loved that there were so many highlighted female fighters at odds with one another. The battle scenes were very well done and cinematic.

ShellThis was a decent and entertaining thriller. I liked the idea of the MC seeing ghosts and being a forensic photographer, but for the most part this book felt like a lot of fluff and not much that actually contributed to the established plot line. The other characters were better fleshed out than the MC I felt. Overall was a quick and effective read but it lacked a gripping and cohesive narrative for me. Would still recommend to others for a nice spooky read!

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ShellThis was very much a realistic slice of life, with darker undertones that represent the tragedy and struggles this family undergoes both collectively and individually. The way this author describes what it’s like to love your family and at the same time learn to love yourself, especially while dealing with mental illness, is so raw and at the same time refreshing. I don’t read a lot about sibling dynamics so it was really cool to see that play out. It’s a very quick read, but pretty dark, so I wouldn’t say it’s a casual “for everyone” book. There were no crazy twists or unbelievable moments, it was all incredibly mundane in a way. Yet very telling and provocative somehow, I found the ending a gentle end note to a very sad piano ballad.

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ShellThough I am continuing to enjoy the character development and overall atmosphere of this series, the second book was not as cohesive and striking as the first for me. I felt that Darrow’s perspective and the overall writing lacked a liveliness and emotionally-intense feeling that kept me going in the first book. There were some great plot twists and battles, yet where the first book was filled with a youthful lust for more, the second was more subdued and slowly paced. It seemed as though Darrow’s psyche had taken a darker, even removed tone. So I can see that everything about this book is necessary for the direction of the story, yet in doing so it sacrifices some of the entertainment that carries over from the first book. Would still recommend to others!

Ella AndersonLove this book recomendation!

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Laura GarciaOh this is one of my favorites! 🧡

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