nataliestorozhenko's reviews
169 reviews

Я очікувала що це буде більш серйозна робота про теорії змов. Замість того ми отримали достатньо поверхневий матеріал і насмішку над відверто сміховинними конспіралогічними теоріями. Сам стиль достатньо хаотичний і мені не вистачало трохи більше структури, щоб не було важко читати, а щоб була можливість зосередитись на думці автора.

Дуже багато очікувала від цієї книги, бо задумка звучить дуже чудово: Австро-Угорська імперія початку ХХ століття, гарні локації, міфічні істоти, команда відчайдушних людей з сумними передісторіями, трошки алхімії та битва за соціальну та політичну рівність. В теорії має бути захопливо, особливо як для сучасного українського фентезі. Але на жаль теорії недостатньо. Вирішила що позначу усі (які пригадаю) pros та cons пунктами:

- Основна біль це стиль написання. Після прочитання десь 200 сторінок, я зрозуміла що мені важко концентруватися на написаному, і що мене не затягує, хоча якийсь екшн та розгадки вже почалися. Діалоги якісь не дуже природні, і перенасичені дуже пафосними виразами про сенс життя, соціальну нерівність, політику, та відносини. Ці діалоги важко сприймати як справжні. Я зовсім нічого не підкреслювала, а це багато про що каже

I read this book a long time ago and always felt very attached to the story. But now that I reread it, I’m quite confused about how much I have romanticized and praised the book for no obvious reason. I guess the blame is on the beautiful movie and the gorgeous opera. With their image, I forgot how dry the book is.

The story itself is much appreciated and loved as a beautiful and tragic gothic romance. But the author’s writing is just meh… could it be the translator’s problem? Or the choice of the narrator? I don’t know for sure, but I literally forced myself to finish it this time.

I think that this book would’ve made a much better impression if it had more descriptions of gothic scenery, maybe Christina’s POV, and better-written characters. I couldn’t root for Raoul because he’s a miserable stalker, and Eric is a creep. I love morally grey characters, but I couldn’t empathize with this depiction of Opera Ghost.

I would rarely recommend a movie over a book, but this is definitely the case. Just don’t waste your time.

I loved this book. So beautiful and intriguing. I read the first part of the book looking for clues in statues, descriptions of the halls, the numbers of the halls, tides, and stuff like that. I noticed some cool references from the statues which were entertaining. I just love how this magnificent design of the House plays with your mind. And the writing is immaculate:

"Is it disrespectful to the House to love some Statues more than others? I sometimes ask Myself this question. It is my belief that the House itself loves and blesses equally everything that it has created. Should I try to do the same? Yet, at the same time, I can see that it is in the nature of men to prefer one thing to another, to find one thing more meaningful than another."

I quite didn't expect the turn the book took further on. The feeling I got while reading toward the end was very similar to the feeling I got from the House of Leaves but in a good way. I guess haunting is a good word for it. I really admired the kind personality of the main character and appreciated his respect towards people, life, and the House, no matter the grim circumstances he faced. Which made the ending so beautiful and hopeful.

Definitely worth reading!

I already knew the ending of this book but it still had me weeping. One of the worst but the best cliffhangers

Now that I digested it a little bit, I feel pretty mad at this book. Sadly I watched the movies first, so I'm not surprised about the plot, but still, some things make me disappointed.

Yes, we do not expect much battle action from some teens with tragic experiences. But at the same time, they have SOME experience. I mean, downgrading Katniss to walk far from the battle or command center to bid her time with the camera crew... was a weird decision and quite dull too.
We see that she's quite distressed about not saving Peeta, but instead of being a pawn in Plutarch and Coin's game, she could be there with them plotting to outsmart Snow, as she always did in the arena with the berries, force field, etc. But what we got is "101 on filming propaganda props".

And the most painful point that leads me to conclude is that the Mockingjay movies are better plot-wise. The freaking love triangle. I was fine with the first two books displaying her confusing thoughts and trying to figure out things and choose between someone safe, familiar, almost like a family, and someone that is she forced to pretend to love for survival, but starting to feel real and consuming nonetheless. Somehow the movies portrayed that she's totally in love with Peeta by the end of the Catching Fire. Then the Mockingjay movies display how she's depressed and basically can't live or act without Peeta. She catches glimpses of him tortured and weak on TV and we are fed some stupid remarks from Gale about this... and this way we can see in which direction we're going.
But maaan, book Katniss was playing on my nerves, and I was ready to throw hands at the end. She's back and forth with her love for them to the very freaking end. There was no "Goodbye Gale" or anything. She wasn't that actually mad that he participated in creating bombs. She doesn't hug Peeta when he comes back and plants primroses - SHE JUST NODS TO HIM. And don't get me started on how she treated him when he was hijacked...

At this point, I'm just angry to be played like a fool and wish that author didn't waste our time with this love triangle and it was sorted out at the beginning of the book - so that Katniss got all girl-boss and realized she's well off on her own. "At the moment, the choice would be simple. I can survive just fine without either of them."

Nonetheless, even though it's half a page, we finally hear her realizing who she needs. But the fact that she was on and off the whole time kind of spoils that beautiful passage. You get a feeling that she chose Peeta only because he was there. That makes me mad and sad. And again the movie made it more believable.

"What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again. And only Peeta can give me that.
So after, when he whispers, "You love me. Real or not real?"
I tell him, "Real."

The deaths of Finnick and Prim were absolutely unnecessary for the plot. It's a tragedy for the sake of tragedy. Finnick was killed off so fast, so lame, and barely acknowledged... We don't even have time to grieve about him. He's gone and we just move on. It was not to make him a tragic hero, it was not to display some grand sacrifice. Just gone. As to Prim's death - it defeats the whole purpose of the trilogy. Katniss first enters the Hunger Games and becomes a Mockingjay - all to save her sister. Suffering so much time, and not being sure about "her" men, at least she could have this happy end, but it was unnecessarily taken.

The book has a lot of other issues, but I don't really want to list all of them. Here are the moments that I like: basically any exchange with Finnick and Johanna, Finnick and Annie's relationship, Katniss thinking what would've Peeta thought about some conflicting strategies of 13, Peeta saying nice things and encouraging people on a mission while struggling himself, the whole real or not real game, Haymitch reading Katniss's mind and voting the same as her.

All things being said, I still love the whole trilogy and I will always be Team Peeta. But I'll pretend that the canon is somewhere in between this book and its movie adaptations.

The writing was quite good. Although I just can’t stand Snow and the plot was not that interesting to me, I quite enjoyed how Suzanne Collins slowly built up his character to be the evil version we know from the original trilogy. It was interesting to notice and highlight his intrusive thoughts that grew over time, his war trauma aftermath, his messed up upbringing in the Capitol, and his perception of people’s nature.
I don’t think I will ever come back to this book, but it’s nice to be reminded that no matter the new adaptation with a very handsome Snow cast, we, the book adepts, are immune to his evil charm.

This book was a simple and heartwarming read. While there were some naive parts, it was full of kindness and love. This rating is based on my personal experience, and I must say that I had a good time reading it with a smile on my face.

“We should always make time for the things we like. If we don't, we might forget how to be happy.”

Later on, I found out that the book was inspired by the Sixties Scoop, a traumatic and terrible government initiative in Canada that affected Indigenous children. However, before reading, I had no idea about this and simply enjoyed the story of orphans with magical abilities. Even after learning about its inspiration, my perception of the book has not changed much. I expected the book to touch lightly upon minority issues, but it was not intended to be a serious discussion of such topics.

“Hate is loud, but I think you'll learn it's because it's only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as you remember you're not alone, you will overcome.”

While the book could have gone deeper into the different species presented and their issues with representation, or the problematic government initiative that had a "big brother is watching you" vibe, it was not written to discuss genocide. Its message is about enjoying ourselves and being kind to everyone, regardless of race, nationality, or gender. It emphasizes that by being virtuous ourselves, we can make small but important impacts.

“Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. Like-minded people building it up to a roar.”

“How are you feeling? Zachary asks. “Like I’m losing my mind but in a slow, achingly beautiful sort of way.”

This book certainly makes me feel this way. I truly enjoyed the enchanting world of Starless Sea, despite its complex and convoluted nature. I have a fondness for books that are more about vibes than plot, yet this one was a bit challenging to finish. Walking alongside Zachary through all those weird paths toward the end that lacked purpose but had aesthetic value was quite tiring. I wish some of that wandering through the halls was replaced with more character and relationship development so that I could believe in Zachary's connection with Dorian more.

“There are so many pieces to a person. So many small stories and so few opportunities to read them. 'I would like to look at you' seems like such an awkward request.”

I particularly savored the first portion of the book before it became complicated. All the small yet connected stories about the Moon and the Innkeeper, the Pirate and the Girl, and Fate and Time were executed beautifully. I loved the hidden meanings, beautiful quotes, and references. I have no doubt about Erin Morgenstern's talent; she is an amazing visionary. I did enjoy reading this story and delving into this stunning world. However, I do wish that there was more development in terms of plot and character. Nonetheless, I would still recommend reading this book for its old and magical library vibe, as well as its unique execution of multiple stories-within-stories plot.

“It is a sanctuary for storytellers and storykeepers and storylovers. They eat and sleep and dream surrounded by chronicles and histories and myths.”