marie

~ a place for writers and readers alike ~

[everything-between-covers]

Mexican Gothic - Spoilers Ahead

Author : Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Rating : 4.5/5

11/22/2021 - 11/24/2021

Let me start this review by saying I have never loved a character like I love Noemí Taboada. She is the most self respectful female character I have ever read. I mean, the girls a walking "fuck you" to all those against her.

Having said that, this story was incredibly well thought out. I will admit I dragged for the first 80-90 pages, but damn, once that story picks up there is no dropping this book! From the creepy, gothic aura that hangs around High Place to the questionable story that lies in the Doyle family's history...truly, wow.

When I first began reading I had a vague idea of what I was getting myself into. Supernatural, gothic Mexico, and an amazing lead character who does not change for anyone. I'd expected vampires, or something close to it, after hearing character descriptions and getting some backstory on the Doyle's. Never in my life would I have thought of fungi connecting a family together and allowing a man to basically live forever. The incredible twist of Noemí becoming wrapped in this incestual, immortal, and disastrous family right before she finally leaves is devastating, but leaves room for the anger that Noemí eventually harnesses to destroy High Place (for what I hope is) once and for all.

My Take

Just...wow. Maybe it dragged a bit, but it picked up and suddenly I was lost in the pages. What a lovely and creepy and devastating story. What incredible characters and wonderful descriptions. I felt like High Place was sitting right in front of me, like a play or movie. There is nothing more I can say than anyone with any interest in reading should read this immediately!

As always, judge everything between the covers!

[everything-between-covers]

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue - Spoilers Ahead

Author : V.E. Schwab

Rating : 5/5

11/20/2021 - 11/22/2021

Where to begin? Addie's story is one of anger, passion, and love. At least, to a blind eye. Addie Larue, a girl from 1700's France makes a deal with darkness, quite literally, and changes her life forever. She is immortal, ageless, and unable to be harmed. But she walks life as a ghost, forgotten the second she is out of view for more than a second. However, the moment she asks to leave, her soul is handed over to the entity she made the deal with, known as Luc to her. God, the twists this story takes from the continues betrayal of Luc, the love she finds with Henry, and even the power she finds in herself.

Addie goes through so much in her story, the lovers she loses after nights and the loves she even hopes to cling to. That's something I was amazed to see, Addie's hope. It never leaves and it stains the page in every story she shares. She hopes for someone to remember her, she hopes for the right one to remember her, she hopes and hopes and hopes. Her hope is what makes this story, the fact she hoped enough to keep going. Her deal starts rocky, fair enough she's just become what is essentially a ghost, but she never gives up. She loves so much.

So much that she finds it in her to love Henry, a man who is stuck in a deal quite opposite. He is impossible to forget, to not love...but only for a year. He strikes a deal with the same being as Addie, getting a year of love, and only that. The two find each other, against all odds and fall in love, if only for around 5 months. The two find a balance in each other: Addie needs someone to remember her and Henry needs someone to see him. It is a story comparable to Romeo and Juliet - yet no one dies in this one.

I had expected the death of both characters, I admit. The loss of Henry would be the breaking point of Addie and she chooses to give her soul up. Instead, it's a battle of wills and Addie proves herself to be a new person from who she was those many decades ago. In exchange for Henry's deal to be let go, his life spared, Addie will live her eternity with Luc. But she has plans, plans that may leave way for a sequel? Who knows, but honestly this story has enough to sate any sane person for years.

My Take:

This story practically begs itself to be read. Addie's long suffering way of telling a story but hopeful view is such a new take on what could have been a tried and true plot. I an in awe of this entire story snd have never read something so deeply intimate, yet soul-wrenchingly creative. If you have a copy, if you've never read it, if you've never even heard of it, I implore you:

Read This Book!

It will make you feel centuries old, with the modern times afforded to Addie through her deal. The flashbacks, the relationships, the breaking points. All of it comes together in what might be the most extraordinary story I've ever had the pleasure of reading! Read it, and you'll see what I mean.

As always, judge everything between the covers <3

[everything-between-covers]

hello hello hello, everyone!

i absolutely can not wait to begin talking about some of the books i've read! my dream has always been to create a blog about book reviews and such, and it's a dream come true to finally start :)

anyway, a review will be up and i hope that i can create a safe space for any readers and writers here!