brittishliterature's reviews
212 reviews

Refreshing and inspiring. I am loving listening to Rob’s audiobooks right now, and I really liked this one!

I loved reading Donna's story - she embraces doubt and her struggle with faith, love and loss, suffering and hope in such a beautiful and meaningful way. All the stars, all the recommendations - we need stories like hers and I'm so glad I took the time to read it.

I had high expectations going into this one after reading and loving What Is the Bible? and while the book's first half seemed to run on a bit, the last half redeemed it for me.

I haven't known what to do with the idea of heaven and hell as my faith has grown, so I've mostly just set it aside. I mean maybe we just die and that's it, ya know? But I think after reading this book, I can see it in a new light and, in turn, see God in a new light - as a God who is loving and restoring all things.

And maybe it has just as much to do with the here and now as it does the there and then. I don't think I'll ever truly know what comes after this life - can any of us? - but I do think that the way I used to think about heaven and hell doesn't line up with what is found in the Bible and Jesus' teachings. 

I'll be pondering these things for a good while! Might even need to reread this one with a physical copy to annotate and sit with it some more.

I think it's a lovely book and concept. The couple of stories I did read were delightful for winding down my mind at bedtime. This is more the type of book I'd like to own and keep at my bedside, but this was a library copy so I'm moving on for now haha.

All the warm, cozy feels - perfect for winter (especially on a snowy day - which did happen a time or two and was so magical!) since it revolves around Winter Solstice! I enjoyed just getting to spend some time with our Night Court family, love them so much. I'm also glad we have this one to follow ACOWAR. And now, on to ACOSF! (...eventually, at some point haha)

I think this will have some good thoughts, just focused on other things right now.

I love this world and these characters <3 

Not my favorite in the series because it seemed to drag a bit and I lost interest at some points, but still a solid read. I'm glad I finally finished this one - between reading slumps, getting married, life changes, etc. it took me a year and three months to start and finish it! Now I can finally move forward haha. I'll probably read ACOFAS next and it's worked out to be the perfect time of year for it :) 

While at times it did feel like a story created to fit what already existed (since it was a prequel put out years later), I did find it to be an interesting look into Snow's character and a book I’ve yet to stop thinking about. 

I was skeptical at first, because we all know how President Snow turns out, how could I ever root for him? But while I didn’t end up loving him like I was scared would happen, I did see glimpses into his humanity and how he becomes who he is, and I was very intrigued by his character. 

I appreciated the bits of nostalgia and connection to the rest of the series , even if they felt slightly contrived. 

I enjoyed getting to be in this world again and reading a book that kept me interested, because Collins really does know how to hold my attention and that’s very welcome when I’ve been in such a reading slump era. 

I read along with the audiobook as well, and the narrator’s voice was perfect for Snow, but I didn’t enjoy his narration of other characters’ voices and that he simply read song lyrics with a monotone recitation haha. His voicing of Lucy Gray made her feel too much like a child which is not the way her character felt, so I found that a bit off-putting. 

Watching the movie afterward really rounded out the whole experience out for me, and I thought it was very well done, one I will definitely be watching again and again. 

Overall, this wasn’t quite what I was expecting and I’ve not been able to stop thinking about it. Especially Part III. The whole ending really got me. The longer I sit with it the more I really loved it. 

Had been listening to the audio to catch up to where I’d left off before settling into the physical book again

Started listening to the audiobook because I'd caught snippets of it while my husband had it playing on the way back from our honeymoon. It sounded interesting, and then I needed to know what happened haha. 

I think listening to it on audio had its pros and cons. The narrators were good, but I also think it kept me from being fully absorbed in the spooky/creepy/thriller aspect of it all, which isn't all bad because I was able to listen and find out what happened but also not feel too scared.

I enjoyed the switching POV between Maggie and excerpts from her dad's book. It kept me guessing at what was real or not. I thought the ending was very interesting, I thought I had suspected it but then it still had some twists. I didn't feel that all the loose ends were tied up as nicely as I'd hoped, but I still thought it was good.