Mini Reviews Volume #7
What: Six Earlier Days (Every Day #0.5) by David Levithan
Who: Text Publishing
When: February 4th 2013
How: Purchased.
Rating: ★ ★ ★
I often feel like little novellas don’t really add much to a series, and even though I did have that general feeling when I read Six Earlier Days, I still liked it. I liked getting to know A without A’s love for Rhiannon getting in the way of it. I have to say I was a little confused by A’s age in this novella, because we saw A as a child, which I was not expecting. A is still a character I feel a lot for because every day is a different life, and A never actually gets to have friends of family of A’s own. It was quite emotional to read about A having a sister or a friend for a day, knowing that they wouldn’t be there the next.
trigger warning: unfortunately, i did not take note of the trigger warnings in this book because i was not intending to review it at the time i read it. i apologise
What: Kings Rising (Captive Prince #3) by C.S. Pacat
Who: Viking Australia
When: February 2nd 2016
How: Purchased.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I don’t even really know what to say about Kings Rising, except that it was, in a word, perfect. Every single thing that I wanted to happen from the moment I read Captive Prince happened. And not in any kind of cliche way. Everything was paced and plotted to perfection.
The romance in Kings Rising was a lot more prominent than in the first two books. Which, of course, I was happy about. But that’s not to say that Damen and Laurent were all lovey dovey. There were a lot of tense moments, and moments when I thought something terrible would happen to one of them, or the both of them. Heart stopping moments because THE BABIES NEED HAPPILY EVER AFTERS.
I teared up at the ending because it was incredibly beautiful, and like I said: perfect.
trigger warning: reference to past child molestation/incest, and murder in this novel. please note, however, that these are not complete trigger warnings as i did not take note of the trigger warnings in this book because i was not intending to review it at the time i read it. i apologise
What: Wandering Son (#2) by Takako Shimura
Who: Fantagraphics
When: January 2nd 2012
How: Purchased.
Rating: ★ ★ ★
It took a lot to finally get this book. Both volumes two and three are now out of print, and by luck they were on eBay just when I wanted to read them. But then there was postage stress and drama and I thought I wouldn’t get it. BUT I DID – I TRIUMPHED.
I didn’t like volume #2 quite as much as I liked volume #1. I think because it created a new relationship with two adult characters, and I’m not entirely sure how I feel about them. I know that I love the two main characters, and I hate the fact that Shuichi gets bullied, and I want to hiss at those kids and scare them away.
I do love the friendships in this series, and I’m super excited to see them grow as the kids start to get a bit older. And I ship it. They’re like 12, and I ship it.
trigger warning: bullying, and sexual assault in this novel. please note, however, that these are not complete trigger warnings as i did not take note of the trigger warnings in this book because i was not intending to review it at the time i read it. i apologise
What: Phantom Eyes (Witch Eyes #3) by Scott Tracey
Who: Flux
When: October 8th 2013
How: Purchased.
Rating: ★ ★ ★
I didn’t like Phantom Eyes as much as I liked the second book in the series, Demon Eyes. I felt like Braden was a bit annoying at times, especially how convinced he was that he had to hide things from everyone, and keep so many things to himself.
There were some great moments, though. There were some huge twists that I hadn’t been expecting, and that added a nice touch of surprise to the book. Even though Braden struggled a lot with his relationship with Trey, there were some lovely moments between the two. And talk about sex and sexual experience, which I was so happy for. These conversations need to happen, in queer books and allocishet books, as well. So all the plus points to Tracey for including that.
I still kind of shipped Braden and Drew. There was a shit load of sexual tension between those two, and I wanted it to happen. Even a little bit. Or maybe just have that tension moved into Trey and Braden’s relationship. Because this tension was on point, I tell you. ON POINT.
There were so many more things that I wanted to know after the book ended. So many questions that were still unanswered. I have to say that the ending didn’t really satisfy me much at all, sadly.
trigger warning: unfortunately, i did not take note of the trigger warnings in this book because i was not intending to review it at the time i read it. i apologise
© 2016, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity. All rights reserved.
I feel like this books were all meh books for you haha. Expect Kings Rising – I I think I need to get onto this series.
Not ‘meh’, just averagely good, I suppose? I mean, I enjoyed them but didn’t LOVE them, is all! Ah, yes. Kings Rising was definitely my favourite :D I hope you like the series if you do end up reading it, Angel!
Thanks for sharing! I haven’t read any of these, but I DO really want to read David Leviathan’s series. It’s such an interesting premise, you know? I’m glad you liked the novella overall. I do find that most novellas for a series don’t add a ton. I don’t always read them or even know they exist! haha
-Lauren
No problem! The Every Day series is really good. I especially liked the first book because there is SO MUCH diversity – it’s amazing :D Yeah, I am not the biggest fan of novellas, and will only really read them if the series is one that I LOVE and need more of. I’m the same! I’ve found novellas for series years after I finished them XD
Lovely mini reviews hun! I’m not a big fan of novellas as well because I find they don’t add much to the story. Glad to hear that King’s Rising had a perfect ending, I wouldn’t have expected any less from the author!
Thank you, Jeannie <3 Yeah, I have to say that they don't always give me what I want, and they always seem too short to actually do anything D; Ah, it was so perfect! I hadn't really expected it to be anything less, either, but there's always that fear when you finish a series!
I totally agree with you about Six Days Earlier. It hardly added anything to Every Day. Perhaps if Six Days Earlier had been published in the lead-up of Every Day, it would’ve made sense. But yeah, it was a nice little extra to immerse in A’s world a little more.
I think it would have added more if it had been a kind of promotional thing for Every Day, as well! Because as it was, I was kinda like: yay for A without Rhiannon, but what was the point of the whole thing?
I’m always anxious when I purchase a novella because I’m afraid that it won’t be worth the money I spend. At least you liked it! :) Great reviews… I need to get to the Captive Prince series!
Six Earlier Days was only about a dollar, so I thought it wouldn’t matter TOO much if it turned out to be not so great, haha. But when I see semi-expensive novellas, I’m not really sure.
Thanks, lovely! And yes, that series is one of my faves <3