Scan barcode
declaired's review
5.0
well, this is one of the meaner things I've done to myself recently.
this book is perfect. at least 80% of that statement is because of how well-written the book is, how real the characters are, and how well it bounced off of the first book in terms of telling a prequel story while still being its own journey.
and 30% is how much I cried and overly related to Cass, who has a lot of feelings I am perfectly in tune with, and it means a lot for me to see that. I want to make everyone read this book because I want to talk about it, and at the same time I want no one to read this book because some of it feels like you could be reading my diary (only much better written)
this was not, perhaps, my greatest move on a "cheer up and take a mental health alone-time evening, ellen" but goddamn it was good.
--
2018 reread
I've tried to reread this book a couple of times since 2015, because it's perfect, but I'm usually stopped a bit because there is only so much self-examination that is healthy in the wake of two girls running away to California to find themselves/each other/other terrible things. I love Cass and Maia so much; I love how unashamedly complicated they are in what they mean to each other. I love the writing, the focus of the novel, which just echoes so true.
"I thought running away would fix it," Maia whispers.
"Running away doesn't fix anything," Cass says. "But it makes you harder to find."
and
"It's a release, but it's not the solution to any riddle. If she knew what she wanted, if she could put a name to it, would that set her free?"
this book is perfect. at least 80% of that statement is because of how well-written the book is, how real the characters are, and how well it bounced off of the first book in terms of telling a prequel story while still being its own journey.
and 30% is how much I cried and overly related to Cass, who has a lot of feelings I am perfectly in tune with, and it means a lot for me to see that. I want to make everyone read this book because I want to talk about it, and at the same time I want no one to read this book because some of it feels like you could be reading my diary (only much better written)
this was not, perhaps, my greatest move on a "cheer up and take a mental health alone-time evening, ellen" but goddamn it was good.
--
2018 reread
I've tried to reread this book a couple of times since 2015, because it's perfect, but I'm usually stopped a bit because there is only so much self-examination that is healthy in the wake of two girls running away to California to find themselves/each other/other terrible things. I love Cass and Maia so much; I love how unashamedly complicated they are in what they mean to each other. I love the writing, the focus of the novel, which just echoes so true.
"I thought running away would fix it," Maia whispers.
"Running away doesn't fix anything," Cass says. "But it makes you harder to find."
and
"It's a release, but it's not the solution to any riddle. If she knew what she wanted, if she could put a name to it, would that set her free?"
onesmartcupcake's review
5.0
GORGEOUS. Beautiful lyrical language, well drawn characters, and incredibly thoughtful & thought-provoking explorations of sexuality, gender, art, and human relationships. Others have written much more eloquently about the excellence of Sarah McCarry's books (including The Book Smugglers in a fairly recent edition of their Kirkus column) so I'll just say that this genre-bending novel is one of my favorites of 2014. I would recommend it to fans of both fantasy and contemporary realistic fiction--and especially to readers with an interest in stories that explore the experiences of teenage girls with complexity and authenticity.
justacatandabook's review against another edition
3.0
The second book in Sarah McCarry's Metamorphoses' trilogy, this novel actually goes back in time to introduce us to Cass and Maia - the mothers of the heroines from McCarry's first book, "All Our Pretty Songs." Maia is a lovely, but sheltered, teen - a piano prodigy living with her rigid, overprotective adoptive parents. Cass, meanwhile, is a tough kid living on the streets - she's used to taking care of herself and no one else. But when she meets Maia, everything changes.
I'll confess that I am somewhat continuing to read this trilogy as it checks off a requirement in a book challenge that I'm doing. But, McCarry's books are always very well-written and interesting, if not a bit strange. I actually enjoyed this one a bit more than the first. The story was a little more clear. Much like book one, I still maintain that I would enjoy these books more without the odd mystical influence hovering in the corners of the pages. In this novel, Maia and Cass eventually meet Jason, with whom Maia falls in love with, and with whom it seems that Minos (the shadowy man from the other world) is trying to lure away... or, as Cass fears, does he just want Maia?
It's all a bit confusing and such a strange side plot to a story of troubled teenagers falling in love and rebelling against the world - which would work just fine on its own. Oh well. I'm still hooked and will read the last book. McCarry has a beautiful voice and this book is very poetical, much like the first. The story flips between present and past in this one, which can be a bit confusing, but also makes the book fly by. It's a compelling read, if not one that will leave you a bit frustrated and wanting more.
I'll confess that I am somewhat continuing to read this trilogy as it checks off a requirement in a book challenge that I'm doing. But, McCarry's books are always very well-written and interesting, if not a bit strange. I actually enjoyed this one a bit more than the first. The story was a little more clear. Much like book one, I still maintain that I would enjoy these books more without the odd mystical influence hovering in the corners of the pages. In this novel, Maia and Cass eventually meet Jason, with whom Maia falls in love with, and with whom it seems that Minos (the shadowy man from the other world) is trying to lure away... or, as Cass fears, does he just want Maia?
It's all a bit confusing and such a strange side plot to a story of troubled teenagers falling in love and rebelling against the world - which would work just fine on its own. Oh well. I'm still hooked and will read the last book. McCarry has a beautiful voice and this book is very poetical, much like the first. The story flips between present and past in this one, which can be a bit confusing, but also makes the book fly by. It's a compelling read, if not one that will leave you a bit frustrated and wanting more.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
2.0
*I received a free ARC of Dirty Wings from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
Dirty Wings is one of the strangest books I have ever read. No real plot, not that much of a story, but there is a wonderful friendship between Cass and Maia.
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
Dirty Wings is one of the strangest books I have ever read. No real plot, not that much of a story, but there is a wonderful friendship between Cass and Maia.
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
More...