bethbarron's reviews
473 reviews

I found this incredibly enlightening. I do think liberties are taken to some degree with the journals of the Dr Morell, but the overall experimentation and dependence on drugs among the Nazis was news to me. The author does a great job tying together the experiences of the soldiers and those among Hitler's core group. Just a wild tale.
I understood before this that WWII was a war of experimentation (see the atom bomb, wider use of subs, etc), but did not put together that this was also happening at a time when many pharmaceutical drugs were being developed as well. 

I listened on audio bc Pedro, like most of us. 
And I was confused the majority of the time, but intrigued enough to keep going. The ending left me with a laundry list of questions. 
The way Joaquin kind of dissolves into paranoia and hysteria reminded me of The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon.
The ending was not what I expected (but hard to have expectations when you're constantly confused about what's going on 😂) but...I'm not mad about it? 
I mean, it really held my attention. 

It was very interesting and I realized I know zero things about the Spanish Inquisition beyond Monty Python. The characters surprised me, especially the ones I ended up feeling drawn to at the end, but it felt too mystery-shrouded like not enough was explained. An interesting read, and a big departure from Bardugo's other work, but not my fav. 

Note: don't read the first one 3 years before you read the second one because you jump straight back into the world and there are a lot of important characters.

That being said, I really enjoyed this. I listened to it on audio and Bahni Turpin does an incredible job narrating. I was hooked throughout the plot, fully invested in where these characters were headed. And now, with the wild ending we just had, I can't wait to pick up the third in this series!!

This is tied with Beach Read for my fav EH novel (maybe even... Higher than Beach Read?! *Gasp*)
I swear she read my diary and used some of my thoughts and struggles in this plot 😂
This is the "found family" story I needed.
So cute and fun and also warm and exhilarating. I thoroughly enjoyed this! 

This is my favorite of Harrow's work so far. 

I was cleaved in two by the grief at the beginning of this. One of the most poignant displays of loss and healing and I am still heartbroken about it. 
The jumps back and forth in perspective got a little tiring at the end but only because I *really needed to know what happened.* 
Zoya and Nina carried the plot, imo, but both of their journeys were wonderful. 
I went full WTF at the end. Cannot wait to dive into Rule of Wolves.

I like the Six of Crows duology more than Shadow and Bone.
The whole squad of characters is unique and, though the action in this one was a little slow at times, the interactions and backstory made up for it. 
It broke my heart at the end, though. My soul left my body. But worth it. 

Pacing not as good as #2 but still full of stuff. 
Verrrry interesting 

I really appreciated that there was so much plot in this one. It is a wild ride, especially (per SJM norm) the last 100 pages, but I really felt like the tension built the whole book and there are still things I have questions about (even more now that I've finished).
Let's just say, accept nothing at face value. 
Really enjoyed this. I have been in a reading slump due, probably, to life stress, and this was an enjoyable escape.