zillanovikov's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a story about two kinds of loneliness. John has no place in his village, can't conform to their ideas of gender, can't admit what he sees, friendless and alone. Jack is welcomed across the mean streets of London, easily befriends strangers, but trusts no one and knows no one should trust him. Jack knows how to walk away and bury the pain, except that he can't walk away from John.
Jack and John are both survivors. Jack knows that the way to survive is to do whatever it takes to be ready for the winter, and to bury the dead quickly in your mind. John has magic, the kind of magic misfits and rejects conjure so their minds can escape the pain that their bodies and souls endure. Only in this story, the faeries he sees are real, or real enough. The village is spitefully cruel and the streets of London are anonymously cruel, but he has a way to survive which lets him still be kind, and he is determined to share it with Jack.
I fell in love with both of them.
Jack and John are both survivors. Jack knows that the way to survive is to do whatever it takes to be ready for the winter, and to bury the dead quickly in your mind. John has magic, the kind of magic misfits and rejects conjure so their minds can escape the pain that their bodies and souls endure. Only in this story, the faeries he sees are real, or real enough. The village is spitefully cruel and the streets of London are anonymously cruel, but he has a way to survive which lets him still be kind, and he is determined to share it with Jack.
I fell in love with both of them.
feanorian's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I think Airy Nothing is a quite good read mainly due to John, who's very ambiguous. Wether we interpret him as a trans woman, trans man or non binary it doesn't really matter and I really like this aspect.
Aside from John, the characters are quite lovely despite de context of the world they live in and what goes on around them. I got quickly attached to Jack and John and really liked the dynamic they had.
Another bit I like a lot is the Author's Note, explaining why certain lines from Shakespeare were used in each chapters. It gives a bit of a look in the writing process and it's also pretty nice to understand, with contexts, why the lines were chosen.
However what made me not give Airy Nothing 4 stars or more is majorly the pace of it. It's, in my opinion, too fast paced.
Everything is very quick and while I chose to interpret it as the way John views the world around him and all the new, overwhelming sensations, it did make it difficult sometimes to concentrate.
Sometimes the switch between what's the real world and John's view could also be confusing and mixing this with the fast pace of scenes it ended up being a lot to process and concentrate on.
Aside from John, the characters are quite lovely despite de context of the world they live in and what goes on around them. I got quickly attached to Jack and John and really liked the dynamic they had.
Another bit I like a lot is the Author's Note, explaining why certain lines from Shakespeare were used in each chapters. It gives a bit of a look in the writing process and it's also pretty nice to understand, with contexts, why the lines were chosen.
However what made me not give Airy Nothing 4 stars or more is majorly the pace of it. It's, in my opinion, too fast paced.
Everything is very quick and while I chose to interpret it as the way John views the world around him and all the new, overwhelming sensations, it did make it difficult sometimes to concentrate.
Sometimes the switch between what's the real world and John's view could also be confusing and mixing this with the fast pace of scenes it ended up being a lot to process and concentrate on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, and Violence
_amberviegas_'s review
5.0
<< I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. >>
Ahhhh! I am extremely happy with Airy Nothing. Shakespearean style romance? Sold! Clarissa's writing captured the essence of YA so nicely. Also fantasy is one of my fav genres so I kept high hopes throughout. :D
Ahhhh! I am extremely happy with Airy Nothing. Shakespearean style romance? Sold! Clarissa's writing captured the essence of YA so nicely. Also fantasy is one of my fav genres so I kept high hopes throughout. :D
amandafw's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sofiadanielle's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I got this book on a whim, enjoying the cover and the book synopsis seemed promising. I will say, I enjoyed the book, but there are some hitches, hence my rating.
The language used seemed a bit confusing at first, trying to figure out what John is “seeing” versus what’s actually real life, but once you get a hang of this, you can navigate the story a bit easier.
Another qualm I have is that the plot “peak” seemed rushed and maybe too quick. Though I suppose many scenes in the novel are written in similar fashion with how fast they go.
I also wish the ending was longer, but the final chapter was a quick and sweet ending. I loved both Black Jack and John, and the magical elements (whether only in John’s head or not) were a nice touch to the storyline. Excited to read more of Pattern’s work in the future :)
The language used seemed a bit confusing at first, trying to figure out what John is “seeing” versus what’s actually real life, but once you get a hang of this, you can navigate the story a bit easier.
Another qualm I have is that the plot “peak”
Spoiler
The Butcher’s death scene, and surrounding scenesI also wish the ending was longer, but the final chapter was a quick and sweet ending. I loved both Black Jack and John, and the magical elements (whether only in John’s head or not) were a nice touch to the storyline. Excited to read more of Pattern’s work in the future :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Homophobia
Moderate: Vomit and Violence
faesissa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
I received this book in The Storygraph giveaway.
It's written beautifully, very descriptive language and I like the inclusion of the faeries and their imagery. Especially with how it links to the the Shakespearen elements.
It's written beautifully, very descriptive language and I like the inclusion of the faeries and their imagery. Especially with how it links to the the Shakespearen elements.
Spoiler
I'm a little sad that you're sold early on in the novel that the story is about John getting to London, finding the Faerie Queen, and getting her to help him transform. Instead it's more of a coming of age story for an lgbt runaway. Which isn't bad, just not what I thought I was getting into so I don't think I read this at the right moment for myself. I also kind of wish we saw more of the post-Jack years as little flashes, maybe finish off the thought about transformation and the faerie queen (unless the Faerie with Shakespeare is intended to be she). And the ending, although sappy was also sweet so I liked that.xpressionless's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vanitzas's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
lemonsandligaments's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I’ve read a lot of books this year that have decent plots but main characters that I don’t care for. This book reminds me that main characters CAN be likeable.
Some of the themes in this book are tough, especially in today’s world. They’re deftly handled through the eyes of young boys, while being informative at the same time.
John’s your typical character that is shy and thrown into a whole new world. His mien makes it easy to care for his wellbeing as he is nice to most.
The relationship that develops between them both if of course lovely.
By the end, any major plot points like Jack possibly heading to the gallows and their reunification were major emotional moments and benefitted from the strong building of their relationship beforehand.
And the whole bit about John seeing Jack pick a gift for him and settling on BUYiNG the ring was so JJSKSOAO.
The dynamic between them and the other characters like Bess and Molls are fun!
Having a sole antagonist, the Butcher, that just dies is alright I guess. I’m not clamouring for him to be more fleshed out and have more time, I enjoy how Jack and John were the focus of the book.
This book was adorable and a great read. The author clearly knows Shakespeare and the scattered references made me apprehensive at first as I am no Shakespearephile. When snippets of his plays were used for major plot points, it makes it worthwhile.
Some of the themes in this book are tough, especially in today’s world. They’re deftly handled through the eyes of young boys, while being informative at the same time.
Spoiler
Black Jack. Holy shit, that dude is literally flawless (minus the wanting to keep John for himself, which is like a GOOD flaw. Black Jack being the closest thing to an angel might be the only reason this is not 5 stars as it kinda plays into the “mc meets miracle man” trope.John’s your typical character that is shy and thrown into a whole new world. His mien makes it easy to care for his wellbeing as he is nice to most.
The relationship that develops between them both if of course lovely.
By the end, any major plot points like Jack possibly heading to the gallows and their reunification were major emotional moments and benefitted from the strong building of their relationship beforehand.
And the whole bit about John seeing Jack pick a gift for him and settling on BUYiNG the ring was so JJSKSOAO.
The dynamic between them and the other characters like Bess and Molls are fun!
Having a sole antagonist, the Butcher, that just dies is alright I guess. I’m not clamouring for him to be more fleshed out and have more time, I enjoy how Jack and John were the focus of the book.
This book was adorable and a great read. The author clearly knows Shakespeare and the scattered references made me apprehensive at first as I am no Shakespearephile. When snippets of his plays were used for major plot points, it makes it worthwhile.
It’s not because I’m good or kind. It’s just that being with you makes me so.
geno's review
After starting this book two times, I decided to shelve it.
It sounds promising but the way it's written it's not working for me.
It sounds promising but the way it's written it's not working for me.