theelliad's reviews
236 reviews

I like the narration but why is the plot various people just complaining with a sprinkle of racism? 

Before my 19th birthday I wrote down all the things I had learned about life, and I think if i hadn’t been such a teary mess at the time, the outcome would have mirrored this (but likely written way less eloquently). If you need a reminder that you are so surrounded by love, and that there is so much to be grateful for through life’s shits and stones read this one :))

Freud, giving sex ed: his opinions are moronic but his vibes are iconic 

Im usually not a fan of romances, but Olivie Blake’s writing is so beautiful I couldn’t put this down. The love story is very Orpheus and Eurydice coded (am I biased because of seeing hadestown yes but their personalities are so perfect) (also side not saying that isn’t a spoiler as it’s not orpheus and eurydice in plot but characters) and such a beautiful depiction of love and mental health and choosing to be together. love love love 

Wow. Where do I begin. This one is dancing around the 4.5/5* mark for me but I will not give in and use the .75 button so while I process my thoughts it can stay as this. This book is such an elegant and powerful exploration of colonialism, industry, education, discrimination, friendship, betrayal, war and politics- huge themes that are addressed in such a though provoking way. The lines between what is right and what is wrong, and who is the villain vs the hero are become so blurred you find yourself rooting for everyone and no one simultaneously. Of course there is a right group to support, yet this revolution is handled so eloquently, and the characters made so real that their own moral corruption drives them mad, that supporting all their choices becomes impossible. Similarly, those in power are made so perfectly manipulative that at points you too are convinced of the British empires morality?! Kuang somehow simultaneously portrays one of the most incredible forms of world building, while also situating this book so far into the tangiable; a magic system so fascinating and yet so plausible. I want words from this book imprinted upon my heart, and to write essays on its meaning and impact. The only thing that makes giving this 5* hesitant, is how long this took me to read (entirely my own fault) and thus details went amiss and the experience was partially ruined. 

no words she is beautiful I cried I feel so lucky to study this 🕺

This story low-key slayed, it reads like a fanfic about a man who 'doesn't talk to other girls' and a horny woman who gets what she wants and proves him wrong - let down by the pregnancy trope. 

To be a little more critical it is obviously a product of its time *cough cough the initial rape part* but was easy to read and enjoyable and I think Haywood is so interesting love love love 

This is actually lowkey a slay????

Finally caught up on required reading….for last year :/ Despite only reading this when I no longer had to, this book would be incredible to analyse (almost like the uni have read it and know their shit sometimes). While there were some passages that which were quite uncomfy- I know that’s the point of the book but i’m not talking about instances of racism here, it overall is a good starting point for a lot of conversations and debates that need to be had! Smiths writing style is a perfect blend of captivating and hilarious and the characters feel so human in their flaws and concerns making the story terrifyingly timesless! However going back to my discomfort some moments felt not only pointless but ultimately meaningless and I fear Smith tried too hard to produce a social commentary on every area rather than focusing on what carried relevance…

A Good Girls Guide to Murder involves 18 year old pip working to solve a seemingly already solved murder for her EPQ, remaining far from impartial and getting much too involved in the case. 

While this was an enjoyable story, it fell a little flat for me in characters and plot. I felt the twists were pretty predictable and often cycled round too much making any red herrings a little too dismissable, and I can’t help but question how this book was able to feel so fanciful and yet so set within reality simultaneously. The pop culture references felt almost as wildly uncomfortable as the relationships and involvements between Pip and the surrounding characters for some reason? and I honestly just expected a little more. Complaints aside, this was easy to follow and I do want to finish the series (though i’m not entirely sure where the story goes from here) and I do think this will make an excellent tv show. Conceptually it’s very interesting it’s just logistically not the best: Jackson’s writing style is engaging and fun with sarcastic commentary that i thoroughly enjoyed. This novel doesn’t take itself too seriously which is always a bonus.