deafchipmunk's reviews
234 reviews

wowowowowowow such a perfect read if you want to lose yourself in a spectacular world that holds such beauty but mystery. The concept of trains going through portals that traverse you through different planets in different galaxies is absolutely fascinating and executed brilliantly. I don't think I've read a more amazing premise for a book than this one. Just wow, I find it shocking how easy I was able to escape into this book from real life. The cast of characters to accompany this beautiful plot are implemented really well and just feel so right for this book. Though I do wish we got to see the characters inner thoughts more, especially Zen, Nova & even Threnody, as we didn't much insight on what they were thinking. I'm hoping we get a look into their minds more in the next book which I'll no doubt pick up. I also found myself not being completely invested in what was happening 24/7, mainly in the middle, which caused me to put the book off for a bit. I'm actually not quite sure why I felt this way, but I'm betting it was because of the sometimes weird pacing that made some parts of the story feel a bit slow compared to the rest of it which was medium-paced. But anyhow those few things don't make much of a dent in my rating and I can't bring myself to give this wonderful book less than 4 stars, primarily because of how incredible and immersive the premise is.

As I mentioned before, I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series and hoping it will be just as good, if not better <3

I feel so very conflicted on this book, and yet I'm so eager to get Daisy Haites. What have I gotten myself into. 

The Magnolia Parks universe is essentially just Gossip Girl but in the UK. And there's not really a very structured plot, it just follows these rich people's lives and the very complicated relationship between Magnolia and BJ.

First off, MxB was so toxic. I found this much more of an issue in the first 200 pages, and I reckon I just got used to their toxic relationship somewhere after that and didn't find it as irritating, although still as toxic. I'm not gonna lie, I really don't want Magnolia and BJ to be endgame. I personally would prefer if one of the other male characters that fancy Magnolia were to maybe end up with her

Obviously I was rooting for Tom but that isn't going to happen anymore is it

. But I think it's pretty clear MxB will be endgame, and at this current moment I feel very iffy about it. There's no signs of potential character development that sticks for more than 2 chapters. I'm overall very curious as to how Jessa Hastings will bring Magnolia and BJ into a relationship that is toxic-free (or maybe she won't and they'll forever have a toxic relationship, I highly doubt that though aha).

Also relating to the main couple of this book, it got so damn repetitive. Like it rarely felt like I was reading a unique plot that didn't just repeat itself over and over. But at the same time I was addicted? Once I got more comfortable with the world and characters, I couldn't take my eyes of the page. Jessa Hasting's writing was definitely the reason why I felt this way. Her is just so good and I can't explain it better than that. Although I did really dislike how she just threw real-world celebrities into the story and made the fictional characters relate to them in some way (for example: Magnolia's godfather is Elton John? Just no-). But that's really my only complaint with her writing. I loved the inclusion of Magnolia's high intelligence on fashion and the outfit droppings we got. I found myself searching up a lot of the pieces the characters were wearing and imagining them wear them, it was so fun.

I would really like to put my rating higher for this book but I can't overlook Magnolia and BJ's relationship which is the focus of the story. I'm crossing my fingers that whatever they have going on becomes healthier, even if they are 'meant to be together' as we got informed by many supporting characters. The ending got my jaw dropping and I'm so intrigued as to what will happen next in this world and to the cast of characters. 

Also the OG covers are absolutely gorgeous and I adore the easter eggs in it!! 🐝 
(I still like the new covers though, they just don't hit the same)

This was... something







I didn't cry???

Bro these characters are the reason I’m still alive
I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS SERIES 💙💙💙

Cute. Good to read if you're in the middle of another book that is extremely depressing (the situation I'm in now). Pretty forgettable, but was enjoyable to read at the time.

I didn't care about everything and everyone. Everything and everyone was so boring and I could feel myself going into a reading slump. I can recognise that this book isn't inherently bad, it just isn't for me.

"Death is a thief—it slips into our lives and steals what we care about most. It breaks us, and even when we piece ourselves together again, the pain remains."

Can't describe this book as any more or less than mediocre.

I came into this having already read This Is Where It Ends, and 60-ish pages in I was convinced everything that made up this book was better than the latter. Before I Let Go did have a strong start—I was intrigued as to what would happen next with and to find out the mystery behind the death of Kyra and the weird town of Lost Creek. Unfortunately, as the story continued to progress, everything just fell flat. I became less interested with what the book had to offer and nothing was captivating me enough to actually care. Though a strong trait I think Before I Let Go did offer was Kyra's journey from when Corey left Lost to the end in which she tragically dies. I felt quite uneasy and even a bit disturbed reading the events that led up to her death. And the town itself was just eerie, and creepy. Yes the characters were very bland and definitely did not stand out but I think those inexistent characteristics fit the atmosphere really well and I assume that's what Nijkamp was trying to go for. But besides that bit of praise, I couldn't find myself liking anything else that was presented in this book and I know for sure I won't find myself remembering this story, besides perhaps the uncanny presence the setting had.

I'm up to debate as to if I should continue reading more of Marieke Nijkamp's books. Part of me does want to pick up her future books to see if she improves her average writing and story-telling, but another part of me can't be bothered. I guess it all lies down to if future me is up for it or not lol. But to sum things up I didn't quite enjoy this to the point I would recommend it, but I still had a quick and somewhat pleasant reading experience that really didn't require much energy or brain power. Didn't love it but didn't hate it 🤗

An interesting story following an unusually interesting woman which I would've never picked up if I didn't hear so many good things about it. My experience with this book was as if I was spying on our main character, Keiko Furukuta's pretty depressing life. I mean, from anyone else's point of view it's depressing, but she quite enjoys it. That's an aspect of this book I find so peculiar but unique. We as the reader find Keiko's life horrible, a life destined to be thrown in the bin and forgotten about, but Keiko feels opposed to what the average read would think. And I love it.

I don't think I'll ever come across another book quite like this one. Glad I had the chance to read it!

(only reason it's not a 5 star read is because I didn't connect to the story all too much, but it's only a personal thing since I can't relate to any of the themes or situations present in the book)

Ignite me more like Ignite Adam On Fire because he is the most irritating fictional human to ever live I actually can't believe I used to like him

While I didn't fall in love with this series, I completely understand the hype surrounding it. I can't deny and say the characters weren't absolutely scrumptious (except for yk who), as well as the compelling plot. The only issues I encountered were the absurd amount of shock factors that got so non shocking I literally just expected them to happen, and Adam. Just him existing was a problem.

I'm going to take a break from this series for a bit and then pick up Restore Me. That might clear up the issues I had hopefully. Only time will tell 🤷‍♀️

This series was cute and so fun to read, but that's as far as it gets for me. The main reason why I liked this is because of the great development Shoya has throughout the series. I was so happy to see him at the end, completely owned up to all the wrong he's done in the past. 

I really don't have much more to say. This is a good series if you want to pick something up that doesn't take a lot of brain power, and low-stakes, while still having an interesting plot and witty characters. Nothing life changing, but delightful.