April Media Review!

[nrgburst]

Shadow and Bone! Eeep! It was just so pretty. (Especially Ben Barnes and those keftas!) I loved the Six of Crows character plotlines a lot more than the Alina/Mal/Darkling stuff, TBH, since most of that was fresh, new stuff (and I just like all those characters better, period) but it was all pretty good despite the Typical Chosen One and Best Friend vs Abusive Hottie Love Triangle narrative driving the main plot. 

Also finished The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and I am going to miss having a new Marvel show to watch every Friday with my kiddo. :( Loved Bucky's whole arc in particular although I am super disappointed we didn't get more of the Dora Milaje. I was totally shipping Bucky/Ayo because of that obvious trust and connection there - like the way he just KNEW it was her when she left him her own Kimoyo beads as a signal?! All the way until the Utterly Shocked and Disarmed look on his face and her CURSING him for betraying them. I wanted the backstory implied there and was so sad we didn't get more! (ToT) 

Sam's arc felt really solid too -- I love that the show actually went there and addressed the racism head on. Now sure if there will be a S2 or just a new Cap movie?

Also watched Space Sweepers and Raya and the Last Dragon last month and both of those were awesome too. <3 

Only read 4 books though:

 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

This was basically President Snow's backstory/Corruption Arc tale and I didn't love it? The other Hunger Games books were a lot more compelling and exciting -- some of the stakes just felt non-existent because we already know Snow survives to a ripe old age. Also it was loooong and kind of tedious. But it planted the seeds of Snow's Particular Grudges against mockingjays, a certain song and District 12, I guess? I just don't really understand why this book? I never felt the need to Understand President Snow's Deepest Motivations and I actually don't think we got to a believable Final Mental State for him to end up who he is either. :(  

 The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

Also not a big fan of this one. :( I love fairy tale tropes, and I've had this on my to-read list forever (although I don't even remember where I got the rec from) but I was intrigued by the premise: there's basically a series of Grimm's Fairy Tales the POV character's narrative is wrapped around. So you know these are not lovely, happy things; they're basically Horror with a Moral. But not only do you never get all the tales (Seriously?) the characters were all pretty unlikeable or unrealistically motivated to boot. The book geek who was actually willing to risk his life to enter the horrible fairytale world was the only one I found relatable! XD 

 Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik

So after two disappointments in a row, I decided on a Novik book as a pretty much surefire hit and whew! :D I just love Temeraire! His protectiveness over Laurence is on full display while they go on a trip to China. Love the worldbuilding in this and Temeraire and Laurence discussing moral/ethical dilemmas. Already have the next book in the series ready to go too! :D 

 Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

So I delayed reading this because I didn't want to get my heart broken with Major Character Death For Realistic Consequences reasons like a certain other Bardugo book. *glares*And well. At least she did it in the middle of the book this time so I had time to get over it because of other awesome story arc happenings despite the Utter Betrayal and heartbreak. XD Also I looooved seeing Kaz, Jesper, Wylan and Inej again in this one! I didn't expect that, or getting another Heist arc! :DDD So much fun and fitting and cathartic endings; FINE I FORGIVE YOU ALTHOUGH I STILL CURSE YOU TOO. Written with such verve, vibrant characters/dialogue and thrilling pacing too. *happy sigh*

Next up: Fugitive Telemetry (the newest Murderbot). 

Comments

[wheatear]

but it was all pretty good despite the Typical Chosen One and Best Friend vs Abusive Hottie Love Triangle narrative driving the main plot.

lmao, fair. It seems like the Six of Crows books are generally better received?

[nrgburst]

They are SO much better in every way! :D HIGHLY recommend. <3

[josilverdragon]

OHHHHHHH good to know about the Collins book. I am not particularly interested in knowing more about Snow, so it sounds like this is a good pass.

I really need to catch up on new Temeraire books so thank you for the reminder!

I am working through Exit Strategy right now but I already bought Fugitive Telemetry because I love Murderbot so much. I hope it's as good as the previous parts have been.

[nrgburst]

I actually had no idea Snow would be the POV character! I thought it was just a prequel about an earlier iteration of the Hunger Games and I mean. It's a good look at a clever and manipulative character's POV? But the whole time I was like... is this an attempt at retconning deeper motivations to make him less of a two dimensional villain? Uh, not working, this guy is still objectively terrible? LOL

Black Powder War is actually my next book! :D I can't believe how many Temeraire books there are though OMG. :O

I just finished Fugitive Telemetry today and it was soooo good! :DDD LOVE Murderbot! I honestly just wish it were longer and I'm a little confused about when it happens? I thought it would be the adventures of Murderbot and ART and instead it's set on Preservation Station.

[enemytosleep]

I also was in LOVE with the Crows from Shadow and Bone! I look forward to seeing more of them in season two. :D The main plotline is not very original, but I didn't hate it either. The costuming and effects were just all around gorgeous.

[nrgburst]

Oooh agreed with all your points! I hope we get S2 news soon, but I think it's pretty much guaranteed. :DDD Actually makes me want to re-read the books again, too!

[rhoda_rants]

It is SOOO pretty!! I came for Ben Barnes, I stayed for the Crows. It's weird, because I had the same, "Meh, I've seen this before," reaction to several of the plotlines, but I love all the characters SO MUCH. I've only read two of the books so far (the first one and The Language of Thorns, of all things), but I'm anxious to finish the series now.

That's disappointing about The Hazel Wood. The cover art is so beautiful and it sounds like it'd be right up my alley. Oh well.

[nrgburst]

That man is FIIIINE but the Crows have my heart, for sure! <3 I loooooved The Language of Thorns but that is only barely a Grishaverse book! LOL It's actually the book that kicked off my love for twisted fairytales, though! <3 OOoh, I can't wait until you read more - Six of Crows is such a fave that I bought it in hardcover and I'm probably not going to be able to resist rereading it this month.

I know, I was really disappointed. It was more Stumbling & Teenage Whining than Wits & Murder Ballad though. :(

[rhoda_rants]

LOL I know! It's basically like starting with The Tales of Beedle the Bard, and I couldn't even tell you why I did that. I did pick up Six of Crows from the library, but I think I got intimidated by the length and sent it back unread. Meeting them in the show first will give me a toehold to get back into it though. Everyone who's into the Grishaverse tells me it's the best one!

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