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cinderellasbookshelf's reviews
312 reviews
We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
What the hey was that?! Creepy AF
Believe: The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso, the Show That Kicked Its Way into Our Hearts by Jeremy Egner
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Even as children, they were so intense. That was their greatest strength, and their greatest weakness. But they loved each other, and they loved skating. I think that’s what people will remember most: their love.”
Happy Pub Day to my new Roman Empire!
It’s been over a week and I’m still thinking about THE FAVORITES, let alone Taylor Swift and Gary Lightbody’s “The Last Time” playing on repeat. I’ve seen this book floating around bookstagram and I agree with the hype. This novel about two ice dancers striving for Olympic gold is epic, dramatic, and unputdownable, while also showing the drive and competition in what it means to be the best and the sacrifices made to achieve it, including love.
Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha were once the most renowned ice dancers in the world. Despite the scandals and conflicts that surrounded them from their early years to their eventual success, it was an incident following the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics that became their downfall. Now, a decade later, a documentary series that is supposed to reveal the truth about the duo is released, but Kat Shaw has her own version of events she wants people to know that is far from what the headlines made her out to be.
I never realized how intense ice dancing could be until this book, let alone the passion that can be fueled from such close partnership. While it may be over-dramatized in Kat and Heath’s story, there is still a drama to the sport that is reflected both on and off the ice and Layne Fargo captures all those nuances and emotions put into it. By telling the story through oral commentary from various characters and via Kat’s first person narrative, we get a full picture of the events that unfold, making for big reveals and surprising turns of events within the short chapters. The main characters, based on their names, also made me think of Wuthering Heights. Though I haven’t read it, I think there are elements of it that can be found in THE FAVORITES.
What I connected to the most, that made this a compelling read, is Kat. She is fiercely driven to be the best like her idol, Sheila Lin, who plays a crucial role in her and Heath’s lives. It’s this ambition however that puts her in conflict with Heath’s undying love for her. Their relationship is complicated and messy, ignited by passion and ruined by betrayal. There is a part in the later half with Heath that infuriated me maybe more than it affected Kat. And yet, there will always be an unwavering kind of love between them that even I couldn’t let go. Kat is unconventional, but she becomes a champion in her own way that I found myself rooting for her until the bitter end.
I honestly haven’t read any other book since finishing THE FAVORITES because it still continues to take over my thoughts. I’m not sure if I will ever be over it any time soon, especially since I read it again the other night. I also heard the audiobook is just as good. This is definitely a book that can be devoured in a day despite its 400+ page length, making for a good winter read and if ever, an addictive series adaptation.
Thank you so much Random House and Netgalley for the eARC!
Happy Pub Day to my new Roman Empire!
It’s been over a week and I’m still thinking about THE FAVORITES, let alone Taylor Swift and Gary Lightbody’s “The Last Time” playing on repeat. I’ve seen this book floating around bookstagram and I agree with the hype. This novel about two ice dancers striving for Olympic gold is epic, dramatic, and unputdownable, while also showing the drive and competition in what it means to be the best and the sacrifices made to achieve it, including love.
Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha were once the most renowned ice dancers in the world. Despite the scandals and conflicts that surrounded them from their early years to their eventual success, it was an incident following the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics that became their downfall. Now, a decade later, a documentary series that is supposed to reveal the truth about the duo is released, but Kat Shaw has her own version of events she wants people to know that is far from what the headlines made her out to be.
I never realized how intense ice dancing could be until this book, let alone the passion that can be fueled from such close partnership. While it may be over-dramatized in Kat and Heath’s story, there is still a drama to the sport that is reflected both on and off the ice and Layne Fargo captures all those nuances and emotions put into it. By telling the story through oral commentary from various characters and via Kat’s first person narrative, we get a full picture of the events that unfold, making for big reveals and surprising turns of events within the short chapters. The main characters, based on their names, also made me think of Wuthering Heights. Though I haven’t read it, I think there are elements of it that can be found in THE FAVORITES.
What I connected to the most, that made this a compelling read, is Kat. She is fiercely driven to be the best like her idol, Sheila Lin, who plays a crucial role in her and Heath’s lives. It’s this ambition however that puts her in conflict with Heath’s undying love for her. Their relationship is complicated and messy, ignited by passion and ruined by betrayal. There is a part in the later half with Heath that infuriated me maybe more than it affected Kat. And yet, there will always be an unwavering kind of love between them that even I couldn’t let go. Kat is unconventional, but she becomes a champion in her own way that I found myself rooting for her until the bitter end.
I honestly haven’t read any other book since finishing THE FAVORITES because it still continues to take over my thoughts. I’m not sure if I will ever be over it any time soon, especially since I read it again the other night. I also heard the audiobook is just as good. This is definitely a book that can be devoured in a day despite its 400+ page length, making for a good winter read and if ever, an addictive series adaptation.
Thank you so much Random House and Netgalley for the eARC!
Summer Frost by Blake Crouch
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Scary and tense when looking into the idea of artificial intelligence while examining humanity, consciousness, and existence. It’s brilliant in how it’s able to jam pack everything into one short story without it feeling rushed.
Always, in December by Emily Stone
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Medical content
Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Death