DNF&Y [2] - The Official Launch!

DNF&Y is used to explain why I gave up on certain books, and what about them just didn't work for me. What I didn't like about something, might be what you love, so it helps to share your thoughts even when they're negative! If you would like additional information, please click on the DNF&Y tab at the top. If you want to join, you can link up at the bottom!

♡

Replica (Replica #1) by Lauren Oliver
Sarah Drew & Erin Spencer (Narrators)

Synopsis (via Goodreads):
Lyra

From a distance, the Haven Institute, tucked away on a private island off the coast of Florida, looks serene and even beautiful. But up close the locked doors, military guards, and biohazard suits tell a different story. In truth, it is a clandestine research facility where thousands of replicas, or human models, are born, raised, and observed.

But when a surprise attack is launched on Haven, two of its young experimental subjects—Lyra, or 24, and the boy known only as 72—manage to escape. As they make their way through a new and menacing environment, they meet a stranger named Gemma, who has embarked on a perilous quest of her own. And as Lyra tries to understand Haven’s purpose, she uncovers earth-shattering secrets that will change the lives of both girls.

Gemma

Gemma has been in and out of hospitals her whole life. A sickly child, she has grown into a lonely adolescent whose life is circumscribed by home, school, and her best friend, April.

But after she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family’s past and discovers her father’s mysterious connection to the secretive Haven research facility. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two human models, or replicas, 24 and 72—and a completely new set of questions. As Gemma tries to unravel the mysteries of Haven, she learns terrible truths about herself and her family that will threaten to destroy everything she loves.

Two girls, two stories, one novel.

While the stories of Gemma and Lyra mirror each other, each contains revelations critically important to the other story. Their narratives can be read separately or in alternating chapters. 

DNF after the first hour of the audiobook.
*I'm going to quote part of the author's note because I really like what she says!

"The minor variations in the novel reflect the belief that there is no single objective experience of the world. No one sees or hears the same thing in exactly the same way, as anyone who has ever been in an argument with a loved one can attest. In that way we truly are inventors of our own experience. The truth, it turns out, looks a lot like making fiction."

I really enjoyed Lauren Oliver's Delirium; however, I haven't read any of her other books until now. I was looking forward to losing myself in another uniquely beautiful beautiful world, but I never made it outside of walls of Haven. Honestly, I didn't even make it to Gemma's part of the story.

I read reviews about the concept for this book, and I believe it's two books in one, but I still don't know how it works. I borrowed the audiobook from my library, so I didn't have to figure out the logistics of the pages and chapters. (If you've read this book and can explain it to me, please do!)

I didn't get very far into this one because it starts at a snail's pace. I felt bogged down by details that I didn't completely understand. I know with stories like this, you need a lot of background information, but I didn't care for how it was presented to me. I listened to it for about an hour, but never felt a connection with the characters. I'm not entirely sure I knew what was going on, and I image it would have been explained later, but it just wasn't for me.

If you would like to read a different perspective, try Kelly (Diva Booknerd)'s review on Goodreads!

This is the only DNF&Y for me this month (since the original post), and I can't wait to visit everyone that links up!

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1) by Marissa Meyer

Narrated by Rebecca Soler

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Sixteen-year-old Cinder is considered a technological mistake by most of society and a burden by her stepmother. Being cyborg does have its benefits, though: Cinder's brain interference has given her an uncanny ability to fix things (robots, hovers, her own malfunctioning parts), making her the best mechanic in New Beijing. This reputation brings Prince Kai himself to her weekly market booth, needing her to repair a broken android before the annual ball. He jokingly calls it "a matter of national security," but Cinder suspects it's more serious than he's letting on.

Although eager to impress the prince, Cinder's intentions are derailed when her younger stepsister, and only human friend, is infected with the fatal plague that's been devastating Earth for a decade. Blaming Cinder for her daughter's illness, Cinder's stepmother volunteers her body for plague research, an "honor" that no one has survived.

But it doesn't take long for the scientists to discover something unusual about their new guinea pig. Something others would kill for. 

“Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth.”

I want Rebecca Soler to narrate my life. I thought she did an amazing job when I listened to the audiobook for Heartless, so I didn't think twice about requesting the audiobook for Cinder from my library. She has such a wonderful range of voices, and I'm never confused by who is speaking. She. Is. Incredible. The story is fabulous on it's own, but her voice really awakens the characters in my head.

I loved Cinder. I should have read it ages ago when it first came out, but now I get to read the entire series without a wait! I guess silver linings and all that jazz, but... it was a wonderful read regardless of when I read it, and it's sure to be one that I read again. The writing was phenomenal, and Marissa Meyer's twist on Cinderella was breathtaking and beautiful. Cyborgs! There were cyborgs and robots, a futuristic world with new rules, and a plague. Meyer really went above and beyond with the creativity of her world and characters. I never felt like I was somewhere unfamiliar, it was just someplace I hadn't been before, but knew all about.

Cinder made me feel so much. There were times when I was horrified and so very angry, and other moments my heart broke for these characters. My emotions were all over the place with this one, and I felt compelled to give hugs to some and stab others repeatedly.

I seriously will forever read anything this author ever writes. She's an auto-buy for me now! "Oh, my stars!" The story is fabulous, too. (Yes, I know I said this earlier, but it's worth repeating.) I was so invested in the characters and engaged in their struggles and triumphs. I thought something might be something while I was reading it (vague, I know), but the reveal was nicely done. I cannot wait to see where the story goes from here! I have so many questions, but more importantly, I want to immerse myself in this world again.

Should you read this? Yes! Absolutely! Are you free right now? 😁

My Weekly Pull [9] & Stacking the Shelves [5]

My Weekly Pull is something I will be doing every Wednesday to show which comics I had pulled for me that week! If you're into comics, or you're looking to start, please join me! Leave a link in the comments if you decide to do your own post. I would love to stop by and check it out!

I know it's not Wednesday! My son recently turned four, so we've been spending a lot of time together as a family (J took off for an entire week), and my posts have been few and scattered. It's Friday, so technically these are still the comics I got this week, but I wasn't able to get them on Wednesday. 😁

Hit-Girl #1 by Mark Millar, Ricardo Lopez, Kim Jung Gi

Amazing Spider-Man #796 by Dan Slott, Mike Hawthorne, Alex Ross

Astonishing X-Men #8 by Charles Soule, Paulo Siqueira, Mike Deodato

Black Panther Annual #1 by Christopher Priest, Daniel Acua, Brian Stelfreeze

Daredevil #599 by Charles Soule, Ron Garney, Dan Mora

Incredible Hulk #713 by Greg Pak, Greg Land

Infinity Countdown Prime #1 by Gerry Duggan, Mike Deodato, Marcos Martin

Tales of Suspense #102 (of 5) by Matthew Rosenberg, Travel Foreman, Yasmine Putri

Venom #162 by Cullen Bunn, Will Robson

I still don't know how Spider-Man breathes in that mask. You'd think he'd want his nose or mouth exposed instead of re-breathing all of his own air. I doubt he has some sort of air filter in there. Yuck. See Daredevil? He's blind, but at least he can breathe normally! I guess I never noticed, but Black Panther seems to have the same problem as Spider-Man. Is it for anonymity? I don't think it's to protect that area of their face. 

I don't know if I'm going to read Hit-Girl, because that's one Jacob wanted to read. It seems too violent for me. Infinity Countdown Prime is what follows the end of Guardians of the Galaxy. I'm curious where the story will start! Tales of Suspense is getting interesting! I love those three.

Reading any new comics this week?

♡

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. This meme is for sharing all the books you’ve added to your shelves throughout the week.

Library:

Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber

All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater

NetGalley:

Song of Blood & Stone (Earthsinger Chronicles #1) by L. Penelope

Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer

Giveaway:

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory (won a giveaway at GReads!)

Thank you, Ginger! Eek! The Wedding Date! I've heard such wonderful things about this book!

I am so excited to read all of these! I don't know where to start... Have you read one? Which book should I read first? Let me know!

Cinderella and the Geek by Christina Phillips

Synopsis (via Goodreads): I'm not looking for love or a Happily-Ever-After because I know how that ends. I just need to concentrate on my degree and look after myself. But there's something about my boss, Harry, I can't resist. It's crazy since he's so hot and smart it should be illegal.

And then, just like Cinderella, I have my night at
the ball and a midnight kiss, and for a week all my sexy daydreams come true. That fake date changes my life in a way I could never imagine. It turns out, Harry wants me too.

But I’m off to pursue my dreams, and he’s taking his business to the next level. There’s no way this fairytale has a happy ending, but that doesn’t keep me from wishing for it. 

I hold open the door for Alice. As she walks outside, her perfume dives straight to my dick. Don’t even think about rising to the occasion. Too late.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Also, the quote I used may have changed or been altered in some way, but I am quoting from what I received.

This one started off so well, until my eye started twitching (which it is still doing). In all fairness, I don't think the eye-twitching is in any way related to Cinderella and the Geek, but the book was responsible for a ridiculous amount of eye-rolling. Alice was so insecure, and I absolutely hated how many times she called herself "ordinary," because she didn't look like a model or have perfect hair every day. There is nothing wrong with wearing your hair in a ponytail if it's what you want to do. 

"He’s the most gorgeous guy ever, and me, well, I’m so ordinary it’s not funny."

Like I said, it started off well. I enjoyed the information about Blitz and The Plains of Exitium. I love RPGs and wish they had gone into a little more detail. Obviously that wasn't the focus of the book, but it would have been a bonus. Watching Alice and Harry come together (after working closely for nearly a year) was fun at first, but their insecurities and cluelessness really started to grate on my nerves. It felt like they were purposefully misreading things just to be difficult. I really wish they had just spoken their thoughts out loud, and maybe confronted some of their ever-present concerns, but no. Things have to completely fall apart before anything can be done about it.

I did like certain aspects of the book. For example, the first time they're intimate with each other is from Harry's perspective. Normally these things are told from a female's view, and it was nice to see how a guy would react in that situation. Those scenes were brief and scarcely detailed compared to other books I've read, but they were sweet and endearing. 

Alice and Harry were choking on unspoken thoughts and feelings, and I was continuously trying to give them a mental Heimlich maneuver. I finished the entire book, but I lost hope about halfway through. The story was interesting enough to make me want to see how everything played out, but even that was anticlimactic.

(I will be posting My Weekly Pull later this week! My son turned four, so we've been doing family stuff the last few days. I'm really behind on everything, but I don't mind! I love spending time with my kiddos. Also, FOUR. MY BABY! 😭)

The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1) by Holly Black

Narrated by Caitlin Kelly

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself. 

“Because you’re like a story that hasn’t happened yet. Because I want to see what you will do. I want to be part of the unfolding of the tale.”

Oh, wow. The beginning of this book is brutal, and that's just the first unexpected twist to the story. I never knew what was going to happen next! Almost everything Jude decides to do is a surprise, and it wasn't often I was able to guess her next move.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story for The Cruel Prince. It's different, but in a good way. There's a love interest, but there's not. There's a good family dynamic, but there's not. Good friends? Yes and no. You never know what you're going to get from page to page, because the rules of the game are constantly changing.

It was interesting to see how two mortals would survive in Faerie (twins!), even though they were practically raised there from a young age. Humans are the equivalent of toys, and it doesn't matter who your "daddy" is. They have the same problems as other mortals, so they cannot eat faerie food, they're susceptible to compulsion, and their only advantage is that they can lie without consequence.

A little more character development and background information of the secondary characters would have been nice, but it didn't detract from the overall story.

It's so hard to review this book, because I feel like every small detail could clue you in on something big that happens, and I want you to be as surprised as I was! All I can say is: READ THIS NOW (and then we can talk about it 😉).

Unrelated: If you want to participate in the next DNF&Y, it's going to be posted on the last day of the month (February 28th). You'll be able to link up on here!

Mini Reviews [2] Argyle Fox, The Song of Achilles & Binti

Argyle Fox by Marie Letourneau

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Argyle Fox, with his signature style, wants to play outside on a springtime day, but the wind is wreaking havoc with his fun and games. As soon as he builds a card tower, climbs into a giant spider web, or takes up his pirate sword, here comes the wind: Woosh!

Mama Fox tells grumpy Argyle that if he thinks long enough, he will come up with something to do. Following his mother’s suggestion and inspired by her knitting, he works all the pieces of his day together and creates the perfect solution.

The story of Argyle teaches that failure is often a path to success and celebrates perseverance, creative thinking, and an old-fashioned springtime activity. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

I read this with my son and we both really enjoyed it! I love that the story allows Argyle Fox to make mistakes and learn from them. His mother cautions him in the beginning, but (like most children) he's determined to try despite her warning. 

We're always telling our son to think about things. We ask a lot of questions to try and encourage him to find his own solutions. Why did that happen? Where does that come from? It's so fun to watch his little mind come up with answers. Mama Fox doesn't just give her son a solution, but tells him to think of one, which he eventually does.

I did have two minor issues with the book, but only because they didn't really make sense. One of the examples was a soccer ball being blown into a tree by the wind, but I've personally never experienced a spring breeze with such force. The other illustrations were more believable. The second thing was Argyle Fox wrapping his new idea and labeling it "Top Secret." The next page has him running outside with the package, but then it's open and he's using it, so why wrap it at all?

It's an incredibly cute story about a child that needed to fail in order to succeed. 

♡

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller,
Frazer Douglas (Narrator)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): The legend begins...

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the kingdom of Phthia to be raised in the shadow of King Peleus and his golden son, Achilles. “The best of all the Greeks”—strong, beautiful, and the child of a goddess—Achilles is everything the shamed Patroclus is not. Yet despite their differences, the boys become steadfast companions. Their bond deepens as they grow into young men and become skilled in the arts of war and medicine—much to the displeasure and the fury of Achilles’ mother, Thetis, a cruel sea goddess with a hatred of mortals.

When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, the men of Greece, bound by blood and oath, must lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.

Built on the groundwork of the Iliad, Madeline Miller’s page-turning, profoundly moving, and blisteringly paced retelling of the epic Trojan War marks the launch of a dazzling career.

"No man is worth more than another wherever he is from."

When I think of Achilles, I think of Brad Pitt and his exposed buttocks. I know, right? It's literally the only thing I can remember about that movie. 😅🤷 

I love reading books that contain elements of Greek mythology. We've all heard of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and the battle that lasted 10 years. This was better. Madeline Miller has created a beautiful story about hope and understanding. She also shows us how one man's pride can impact thousands, and yet he's able to continue down a selfish path of destruction. 

The Song of Achilles had me raging on the inside. The unnecessary violence, the treatment of girls and women, and how male lovers were ignored and not openly accepted. I wanted to smash people in the face and show them what righteous anger looks like. 

Chiron is usually my favorite character whenever he's included in a story, and this time was no different. The few years that Patroclus and Achilles spent with him was my favorite part of the book. I hated when they had to leave, and wish they could have just stayed with him forever.

It's a long book, but definitely worth it. It's starts off with them as children, we see their friendship begin, and then we get to watch as they discover a deeper love for each other. All of this happens while training and knowing that war is inevitable. It's been Achilles' destiny since birth, and not something he is able to escape. 

♡

Binti (Binti #1) by Nnedi Okorafor
N.K. Jemisin & Robin Miles (Narrators) 

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Her name is Binti, and she is the first of the Himba people ever to be offered a place at Oomza University, the finest institution of higher learning in the galaxy. But to accept the offer will mean giving up her place in her family to travel between the stars among strangers who do not share her ways or respect her customs.

Knowledge comes at a cost, one that Binti is willing to pay, but her journey will not be easy. The world she seeks to enter has long warred with the Meduse, an alien race that has become the stuff of nightmares. Oomza University has wronged the Meduse, and Binti's stellar travel will bring her within their deadly reach.

If Binti hopes to survive the legacy of a war not of her making, she will need both the gifts of her people and the wisdom enshrined within the University, itself - but first she has to make it there, alive.

“My father didn’t believe in war. He said war was evil, but if it came he would revel in it like sand in a storm.”

I'm pretty sure I'm one of the few people that didn't like this book. I actually thought about not finishing it, but the audiobook was only two-ish hours, so I stuck with it. The story wasn't bad, it was just... there. I felt like I was watching someone do laundry (with dangerous aliens, obviously), while it was narrated in my head. I didn't feel anything for Binti and her struggles. What she went through was terrible, so I expected to feel horrified, but there just wasn't an emotional attachment for me.

A lot of the science went way over my head. She was talking about numbers and equations that made zero sense to me. She's a brilliant and talented woman, so understandably some of her language would match that intelligence. Speaking of language, the writing is beautiful (even the parts I didn't fully understand).

My Weekly Pull [8]

My Weekly Pull is something I will be doing every Wednesday to show which comics I had pulled for me that week! If you're into comics, or you're looking to start, please join me! Leave a link in the comments if you decide to do your own post. I would love to stop by and check it out!

Kick-Ass #1 by Mark Millar, John Romita, Olivier Coipel

Amazing Spider-Man Annual #42 by Dan Slott, Cory Smith, Mike Hawthorne

Amazing Spider-Man Review Your Vows #16 by Jody Houser, Nathan Stockman, Ryan Stegman

Despicable Deadpool #294 by Gerry Duggan, Matteo Lolli, Daniel Warren Johnson

Falcon #5 by Rodney Barnes, Joshua Cassara, Jay Anacleto

Marvel Two-In-One #3 by Chip Zdarsky, Valerio Schiti, Jim Cheung

Ms. Marvel #27 by G. Willow Wilson, Nico Leon, Valerio Schiti

Old Man Hawkeye #2 (of 12) by Ethan Sacks, Marco Checchetto

Punisher #221 by Matthew Rosenberg, Guiu Vilanova, Clayton Crain

X-Men Blue #21 by Cullen Bunn, Jacopo Camagni, Arthur Adams

I'm behind on a few of these, but I'm trying to catch up tonight! Kick-Ass and X-Men Blue are new for us, but Jacob really wanted to read the Poison X crossover, and I think he's always been a fan of Kick-Ass. I believe it's going to be a female this time, so that's new! (All of this is speculation based on the cover, and all I know for sure is that it's a new person.)

There are a lot of Hulk variants out there right now, but only a few we've liked. However, I really have loved all of the covers for Amazing Spider-Man Renew Your Vows! There's just something about them!

I don't know if Ms. Marvel will be a comic I continue reading. I was going to read the most recent issue and then the new one before making a final decision. I'm just not as invested in her story right now as I would like to be. J really likes Falcon, but it wasn't one I got super excited about either. It's very, er, political at first, and then it gets weird. I don't know, maybe that's your thing!

Anyone else reading comics this week? Find anything new? Let me know!