read the riot

maybe i read books for the aesthetic. maybe i read them to escape.

[readtheriot]

y'all...

HEARTSTOPPER (the series)

*faints*

[readtheriot]

the more tea i drink, the more anxious i become.

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enjoy this tech racoon.

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today is a good day to not.

[readtheriot]

french indie pop <3

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nothing screams "chaotic academia" quite like catching up on an assignment worth 20% of your grade whilst listening to the "thong song" by sisqo.

[readtheriot]

starting the infamous "S" by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst... i'll keep y'all posted

[readtheriot]

dance of thieves - a review

Me: *sees one TikTok about an enemies-to-lovers and knife-to-the-throat book by Mary E. Pearson* Yep, that’s it *purchases the book*.

At first, I was concerned that since Dance of Thieves had done an amazing job on booktok, that it would be slightly worse than what readers were saying. But boy oh boy was I wrong! It lived up to all of my expectations, and more! Pearson certainly belongs on my Top Authors of 2021 list. Pearson did an impressive job of grabbing the reader (yours truly) in the first sentences of Kazi’s first chapter. Was I blown away by Kazi’s chapters? Absolutely.

I felt as if I was watching a movie. Especially when Kazi and Jase go after each other's throats— often with a blade of sorts. The constant change of “I love you” to “No I don’t” will keep the reader on their toes until the very end. If you are a lover of the enemies-to-lovers trope, or even better; the dagger-to-the-jugular trope, Dance of Thieves is for you! The descriptions of both violence and love show that there are more ways of showing your admiration for someone. Like giving their family sleeping powder! How romantic!

Art by @grishakenna

If I had to choose between Kazi, Jase, and Kazi’s band of thieves… I simply couldn’t! The writing for all of the characters was incredible! Even minor characters, or even Jase’s ancestors, had detailed explanations as to who they were, where they came from, and what they wanted. Pearson surely captured my heart with these incredible characters I could not love more.

Dance of Thieves falls in the New Adult (NA) and Fantasy (or High Fantasy) genre categories. Although this book is fascinating, I would caution buyers with children under the age of 13. There are some violent scenes, but none that you wouldn’t see in PG13+ films and television shows. The romance and non-abusive sensuality certainly makes this my favourite romantic fantasy. Again, there is nothing too intense in this book, and could easily be ranked as PG13+ by any movie-goer.

This book is a love letter to all of the sad fanfic readers, and suckers for daggers. I can’t wait to read the second book Vow of Thieves in 2022!

rating: 🗡🗡🗡🗡🗡/5 ziethes

art by the amazing @grishakenna!!

[readtheriot]

currently working on my review of Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson!! send the good vibes, spotify playlists, and iced chai lattés my way!!

fill out this form is you want to share your playlists or ideas: https://tinyurl.com/rtrspotpl

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i procrastinated this assignment WAY too far...

[readtheriot]

the essex serpent - a review

**SLIGHT ROMANTIC SPOILERS FOR "THE ESSEX SERPENT" BY SARAH PERRY**

Are you a sucker for slow-burn romances? How about hot priests (my Fleabag and Midnight Mass people know what I’m talking about!)? Do you have a passion for strong heroines? Then I’m pleased to announce that The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry is right for you!

Fueled by mystery, yearning, priests, and a twisted plot, The Essex Serpent showed me the truth of what a slow burn REALLY is. Although it was a great book, it was hard for me to stay on track during the story, and the romance was there, but hard to see. In the end, the romance hit me like a train going 8,000,000 kilometres per hour.

The way Sarah Perry wrote Cora (the heroine) was one of the best ways I’ve seen a leading lady portrayed in writing since... well, I can’t remember! I’d love to see more protagonists written with the same fire and drive as Cora. She was holding that story together.

The relationship between Cora and Will grows with tension as tight as my hamstrings. It kept me waiting for when they would stop mucking around and finally confess to each other! I was (silently) screaming in my morning class when the HUGE moment happened. All I can say is, "DANG"! Did I expect it? Maybe. Was I in complete shock? 1000% I could not believe my eyes!!

As a lover of mysterious light academia (hence my review of The Secret History), I’d recommend this to anyone longing for a fantasy-meets-academia-meets-romance-meets-mystery with, of course, hot priests! Now, that isn’t the only reason: The Essex Serpent does an amazing job of exploring the true meaning of a heroine without ruining her independence.

Give it a try! You’ll never know what sneaky discovery you might make next...

Rating: 🐍🐍🐍 and 1/2 Serpents

Photo Credit: marvelstonio on Twitter

P.S. I can't wait for the show!!

[readtheriot]

would y'all be interested in a discord server?

what it might include:

- a great place to meet other readers and get updates on what i'm currently reading

- a book club

- an e-arc exchange

- a spotify playlist zone

- small biz and blog boosts

- movie nights (via stream)

...and more!!

dm me on my insta (s.readtheriot), or reply to this post if you're interested!

[readtheriot]

just a reminder to those who are struggling to decide whether or not they should read THE ESSEX SERPENT:

that's what Will Ransome looks like.

good day.

[sothinky]

Yes, yes, but also Perry’s novel is one of the best things I’ve read in YEARS. I love it to bits. 

[readtheriot]

Absolutely! TES has been one of the most riveting books I've read all year!

[readtheriot]

tonight's priorities for @readtheriot:

1. finish laundry

2. write the ESSEX SERPENT review

3. post the review

4. anticipate RED

[readtheriot]

just a reminder to those who are struggling to decide whether or not they should read THE ESSEX SERPENT:

that's what Will Ransome looks like.

good day.

[readtheriot]

I am now on STORYGRAPH!

https://tinyurl.com/rtrstorygraph

[readtheriot]

BIG NEWS Y'ALL

I am pleased to announce that I have indeed finished THE ESSEX SERPENT by Sarah Perry!

A review can be expected by sometime next week!