Tahereh Mafi really knows how to write yearning. I felt so captivated by the dynamics of the primary relationship that I did not even mind the relative little movement in the plot. Mafi also really knows how to drag things out. I hope that book five ends the series but with Mafi, one never knows.
At first I really liked how Egbe wove in the running content, especially when it came to the main character’s change in school and participation on the track team. As a runner and a public school teacher, this inclusion felt realistic. As the story progressed, however, the running aspect became more of a plot progression device pushed more and more to the background as the family drama and potential romantic relationship moved to the
front. While not necessarily a bad thing, the execution of this shift made running seem like something the main character always succeeded at with ease. Basically, the portrayal lost its nuance. Apart from that, I think that Egbe did an excellent job exploring the other issues that the main character faced.
I have loved so many books from Ross but then Ruthless Vows felt like such a letdown. I hoped that the same vibe would not carry over to this one. In some ways it didn’t. Ross’ writing is absolutely gorgeous. In other ways it did. I really wanted to root for the relationship but Ross didn’t show any reason why it should exist. Unfortunately, I will not add this to my home library.
This book had so many good things but, for me, the execution fell flat. The main character is middle school age yet a lot of the writing and characterization reads YA. Some of the technical aspects also read as a little confusing which made this book an ultimately disappointing but not terrible read.
On all reviews that I write for ARCs, I attempt to be as detailed as possible. For this one, I have little depth to contribute because the book lacked any semblance of depth. The author introduces a group of five girls at the beginning with textbook style bios and a lack of world-building leading to a lot of questions about how the school works. Then the author adds a fantastical element in the climax to a book that had no prior hints of the fantastical. I will not continue if this turns into a series.
Even though I enjoyed this book the least of Boulley’s three works, Boulley remains one of my all time favorite authors and I still highly enjoyed this book. Boulley has created characters that the reader feels intimately involved in their lives. She also has the most gut-wrenching endings. I cannot wait to read what she writes next.
