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A review by toggle_fow
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 5 by Beth Brower
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Both the enjoyable and the irritating parts of this series remain a strong presence.
In this, now even JACK gets a sad, complex backstory while Emma's female friends remain sidelined and largely one-dimensional. Emma's Kindred Spirits Club with her collection of 30-year-old men continues to feature very, very (very) strongly.
HOWEVER... there are some hints of hope.
First, Emma is getting quite close to the finish line when it comes to her coming of age. A final reckoning with her overbearing aunt must certainly be on the horizon.
Second, the working through Emma's grief in this book and the previous one was well done. The weighty moments worked strongly against the more lighthearted, vivacious tone of the series.
Third, Emma's tete-a-tete with Hawke at the end hints at the plot perhaps eventually moving forward. It does get a little weird for Emma to soundly reject the idea of romance while being overtly attracted to Islington, Pierce, and Roland all at the same time. (She remarks on Hawke's good looks as well, but seems to hold him at more of a remove. Perhaps this is reverse psychology on the part of the author, though?) It's even weirder that she seems to have a whole harem to choose from, when the time comes, of men who are hovering in adoration.
It would be nice to have some of this dispelled, though I doubt the series will actually take that step until many books later down the road. However, I am going to take a bit of a break before going on with the next installment. I think my body has nearly reached dangerous Emma Lion toxicity levels.
In this, now even JACK gets a sad, complex backstory while Emma's female friends remain sidelined and largely one-dimensional. Emma's Kindred Spirits Club with her collection of 30-year-old men continues to feature very, very (very) strongly.
HOWEVER... there are some hints of hope.
First, Emma is getting quite close to the finish line when it comes to her coming of age. A final reckoning with her overbearing aunt must certainly be on the horizon.
Second, the working through Emma's grief in this book and the previous one was well done. The weighty moments worked strongly against the more lighthearted, vivacious tone of the series.
Third, Emma's tete-a-tete with Hawke at the end hints at the plot perhaps eventually moving forward. It does get a little weird for Emma to soundly reject the idea of romance while being overtly attracted to Islington, Pierce, and Roland all at the same time. (She remarks on Hawke's good looks as well, but seems to hold him at more of a remove. Perhaps this is reverse psychology on the part of the author, though?) It's even weirder that she seems to have a whole harem to choose from, when the time comes, of men who are hovering in adoration.
It would be nice to have some of this dispelled, though I doubt the series will actually take that step until many books later down the road. However, I am going to take a bit of a break before going on with the next installment. I think my body has nearly reached dangerous Emma Lion toxicity levels.