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A review by piperclover
Saddle Up by A.M. Arthur
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I'm head over heels with this universe, this series and the spin off.
I don't even mind that the ending is wrapped up so perfectly with a pretty little bow or that it feels sort of rushed because I feel like it's deserved. This hit me upside the head so many times it was unbelievable. I could not possibly have predicted where this story was going to go or how emotional intense it was going to be or how dark and graphic it was going to get. I was entirely blindsided by Reyes's history and the things he did as a teenager.
The narrator was great at playing the different characters and making each person feel distinct As well as making the inner monologues or The side comments made in a character's head feel different than the external dialogue which was different still from the setting descriptions or general narration of the story. I find that often times I'm confused or irritated by the way a narrator does monologues because I can't tell the difference between the inner monologue thought and the spoken dialogue but I never had that issue here.
I also really appreciated having POVS from Mac. I am such a sucker for outside POVS of a main couple so having his perspective on not just the main couple's relationship but also on all of the narrative was Interesting and refreshing.
There aren't too many playful scenes between Reye and Miles But all of them were just so sweet and wholesome that it made me me so excited to keep listening. I would have listened to another hour of this book if it had just been more of those sweet playful flirty scenes.
The biggest and possibly the only issue I have with the entire book is that I dislike the trope of some outsider showing up and forcing the main character to tell their secrets which then creates the third act drama and then never seeing that outside character again. I feel like it was pretty abrupt here and done a little tactilessly so it was very obvious what was happening as soon as this outside character showed up. II would have rather Reyes fess up because it feels more in line with his character and it would have made it more interesting with more character building.
Latino mc
I don't even mind that the ending is wrapped up so perfectly with a pretty little bow or that it feels sort of rushed because I feel like it's deserved. This hit me upside the head so many times it was unbelievable. I could not possibly have predicted where this story was going to go or how emotional intense it was going to be or how dark and graphic it was going to get. I was entirely blindsided by Reyes's history and the things he did as a teenager.
The narrator was great at playing the different characters and making each person feel distinct As well as making the inner monologues or The side comments made in a character's head feel different than the external dialogue which was different still from the setting descriptions or general narration of the story. I find that often times I'm confused or irritated by the way a narrator does monologues because I can't tell the difference between the inner monologue thought and the spoken dialogue but I never had that issue here.
I also really appreciated having POVS from Mac. I am such a sucker for outside POVS of a main couple so having his perspective on not just the main couple's relationship but also on all of the narrative was Interesting and refreshing.
There aren't too many playful scenes between Reye and Miles But all of them were just so sweet and wholesome that it made me me so excited to keep listening. I would have listened to another hour of this book if it had just been more of those sweet playful flirty scenes.
The biggest and possibly the only issue I have with the entire book is that I dislike the trope of some outsider showing up and forcing the main character to tell their secrets which then creates the third act drama and then never seeing that outside character again. I feel like it was pretty abrupt here and done a little tactilessly so it was very obvious what was happening as soon as this outside character showed up. II would have rather Reyes fess up because it feels more in line with his character and it would have made it more interesting with more character building.
Latino mc
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Gun violence, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury