4.5 ( )

DNF

Seriously those footnotes. ( )

While not YA, definitely has YA themes. But overall a great dark tale. Looking forward to continuing the series. ( )

:sigh:

I know a lot of you can't see my face right as I write this, so I'll try to paint the picture: The girl stares forlornly at her laptop screen, desperate to put to words the dread in her chest and the pain in her soul. She knows her opinion will be treated like the flea bitten mongrel in a pen of fluffy purebred yorkies. The rotten apple that has tainted the entire tree. She can't not say what's plaguing her however, just as the sun can't refuse to shine.

Okay so that's a bit dramatic right?

Not really. Not when you are talking about this book.

Look. The author is a really nice guy--I quite enjoy his interviews, his twitter feed, his general enthusiasm for not only his writing, but for the books themselves. I however had issues with his "Stormdancer" books, ILLUMINAE is a great concept, but I couldn't get into the actual story because I was too busy staring at all the mixed media presented (I did like it enough to want to read GEMINA however, so there's that). So at this, the third (fifth if you count series book separately) book I've read with him as an author...I can safely say I don't believe that he as a solo writer is for me.

I can see what he was trying to do--he was creating an atmosphere, an aesthetic not unlike directors who have a certain grandiose style to their movies. I'd liken him to Christopher Nolan actually; like Nolan Kristoff uses subtle clues, metaphors and innuendo to get across character traits and a feel of the world. Also like Nolan, Kristoff overuses it to a detrimental effect.

I wouldn't go so far to say Mia prevaricates...but she definitely pontificates. Mia doesn't just punch someone - she uses flowery language to describe her kneeing him. She doesn't just feel - she feels.

This is popular, which I understand. If you get past the purple prose its a solid story with a revenge minded girl not afraid to stab, kick and punch her way to victory. Who can't behind that? #TeamAssassin all the way. I just...did not enjoy the execution (ha!) of the plot. ( )

Why do we like books that glorify murder so much? Is it that any plot written well will appeal, or is it the human condition to enjoy catharsis through vicarious violence?

I mean, those aren't the only two options, but it is weird to me how much I enjoyed this book about a religion of murderers.

Perhaps because I like revenge stories and school stories, and Nevernight fulfilled on both those fronts.

All in all, good book.