tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post8131968894271891108..comments2024-03-28T02:25:35.338-04:00Comments on Small Review: DNF Explanation: Cinders & Sapphires by Leila RasheedSmall Reviewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-35701714423815206362013-03-30T09:07:03.954-04:002013-03-30T09:07:03.954-04:00Actually, the Luxe series is one of my favs, so I ...Actually, the Luxe series is one of my favs, so I still may give this a try. I just won't be hoping for Downton Abbey when I go in...Annette Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13850197520930988077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-9978173539817269192013-03-26T22:12:36.015-04:002013-03-26T22:12:36.015-04:00The thing is, it's a long read, but it's a...The thing is, it's a long read, but it's a very, very quick read. The chapters are short, the font is large, the margins are wide, and the writing style is very readable. I could be wrong, but I don't see you loving this one very much. Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-90887214889372623722013-03-26T22:10:57.995-04:002013-03-26T22:10:57.995-04:00I don't mind historical-lite either, just so l...I don't mind historical-lite either, just so long as I can love the characters (which didn't happen here at all). But, yeah, anachronisms are near impossible to overcome. <br /><br />I'm sad too :( I would say give it a try because if you like the characters then you might not mind the rest as much. For me, the characters were the deal breaker.<br /><br />(and I watched the last season of GG, too! :D)Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-64553006534098605312013-03-26T22:09:13.895-04:002013-03-26T22:09:13.895-04:00The writing style was definitely easy. I kept want...The writing style was definitely easy. I kept wanting to read the book because it was just so <i>easy</i> and that was appealing. I was so disappointed that I didn't like it, especially after hearing how much you enjoyed it. I'm glad you liked i though! I'll be looking forward to reading your review of the next book. Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-49261930691218628002013-03-26T22:08:00.769-04:002013-03-26T22:08:00.769-04:00Because she isn't in my library! *sob* I'm...Because she isn't in my library! *sob* I'm dying for a good historical fiction book! I want more Stephanie Dray—dynamic characters AND historical depth and accuracy! Why is that so hard to find??Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-37785654270449734112013-03-26T22:06:45.087-04:002013-03-26T22:06:45.087-04:00I agree! I could give it a pass if I really loved ...I agree! I could give it a pass if I really loved the characters, but they were just as bad for me. :(Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-88724830763105125142013-03-26T22:06:08.708-04:002013-03-26T22:06:08.708-04:00Yes on both counts. If you're into historical ...Yes on both counts. If you're into historical fiction with a heavy emphasis on the historical, then this definitely isn't for you. I don't know if you'd like the characters, but I definitely did not. Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-86141558849580194332013-03-26T22:05:06.453-04:002013-03-26T22:05:06.453-04:00I love the historical aspects of Downton Abbey too...I love the historical aspects of Downton Abbey too! The setting is like a character in its own right that grows and develops across the series. <br /><br />Not so with C&S, unfortunately. It's just window dressing. <br /><br />Your teens may like it, especially if they like the Luxe series. I think it will appeal to the same type of readers. It's a book that definitely has its place (that place just isn't with me). Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-91062421017791085032013-03-26T22:03:23.557-04:002013-03-26T22:03:23.557-04:00Thank you! I appreciate that :) Thank you! I appreciate that :) Small Reviewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16072352095510905410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-50543823979296097332013-03-26T17:03:11.966-04:002013-03-26T17:03:11.966-04:00I completely agree with all your points! There we...I completely agree with all your points! There were so many modern ideas running rampant in this one. I finished it, simply because it was so darn easy to get through. However, I was mostly annoyed by what you said about it being pretty much point by point a rehash of Downton. I haven't read/watched Gossip Girls, but I can easily imagine it being fan fiction of that too. Just disappointing, I thought.melissa @ 1lbrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292714636311546457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-74382318849521606142013-03-26T09:26:42.134-04:002013-03-26T09:26:42.134-04:00:( I'm so sorry you didn't enjoy this one!...:( I'm so sorry you didn't enjoy this one! I doubt I'll be reading it, though it did seem like it could be fun.<br /><br />Sadly, it seems that character/setting inaccuracies are running rampant in the historical genre these days. Putting your MC in a big, poofy dress & <i>saying</i> she's at a royal ball in Victorian England does not make it so. There are times when I can roll with it and enjoy a book, but when it's so blatantly obvious the author did little to NO research, that's when I really struggle.<br /><br />& oh, the comparisons. SO. MANY. TIMES. I've fallen for something hailed as the next HP only to see absolutely NO similarities apart from maybe a ~chosen one~ aspect or a goblin or two. I still get a little excited when I come across one, but these days I hold off buying it until I see a review or hear something from a friend.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-86205641442655986932013-03-26T01:55:27.398-04:002013-03-26T01:55:27.398-04:00Just saw this one in the library and thought "...Just saw this one in the library and thought "sounds like it might bridge the gap while I wait for the next DA season." Maybe I'll just reread some Ibbotsen instead. Kim Aippersbachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02556947405633680410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-48957581786302635652013-03-25T22:21:21.815-04:002013-03-25T22:21:21.815-04:00Great explanation, very fair on why this didn'...Great explanation, very fair on why this didn't work for you. I almost requested it from NG, but because its advertised as historical fiction, I didn't. Now I'm glad. It was a long read and I don't have the time for long reads that I'm not enjoying. Thanks for the honest DNF "review". I always learn a lot from them.Gina @ My Precioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01895568426820464572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-47661974020917909462013-03-25T18:47:09.702-04:002013-03-25T18:47:09.702-04:00I'm sorry, I'm with you on the old-timey t...I'm sorry, I'm with you on the old-timey thing, I don't mind historical-lite (hell, I love writing it) but if you're a historical fiction fan it's not going to cut it, and even so, anachronisms put me off, even if the story is meant to be fluffy and sweet and I'm not supposed to think much about the setting, I'm a historical romance reader, I WILL NOTICE if you're totes anachronistic. <br /><br />Anyway, I'm sad you didn't like it, I was hoping it was good, but as a huge DA fan and GG fan (yes, I even watched the last season) I don't think I'll enjoy it as much. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-38251044545698394332013-03-25T00:09:42.122-04:002013-03-25T00:09:42.122-04:00Sorry this didn't work for you! I found it abs...Sorry this didn't work for you! I found it absolutely delightful and enjoyed flying through its easy writing style.The Insouciant Sophisticatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03934853089105345052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-9053579704623391822013-03-24T22:16:14.657-04:002013-03-24T22:16:14.657-04:00You've already told me what you thought of thi...You've already told me what you thought of this one, but I'm still devastated to read your review. Will we never find a teen historical that will live up to our expectations? When will publishers realize that setting does not a Dowton Abbey read-alike make? And why on Earth haven't you read Eva Ibbotson yet?Rubitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14929614007516530129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-53390021067881107652013-03-24T18:36:24.252-04:002013-03-24T18:36:24.252-04:00What a shame....having that historical accuracy sh...What a shame....having that historical accuracy should be an important goal and part of the research involved in any book with a historical setting...otherwise why choose that setting?? Melissas Eclectic Bookshelfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12954443867000135343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-70581696665826481542013-03-24T14:01:09.348-04:002013-03-24T14:01:09.348-04:00I had heard interesting things about this one, but...I had heard interesting things about this one, but I'm really picky with historical fiction so I was unsure whether or not to read it. Your review has decided for me. The plot sounds tired and the characters seem less than spectacular. Thank you for the thoughtful review!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-81762736722989328052013-03-24T10:55:28.668-04:002013-03-24T10:55:28.668-04:00Too bad. My favorite thing about Downton Abbey IS ...Too bad. My favorite thing about Downton Abbey IS the historical accuracy. The "gossip girl" aspect of this one is not something I would enjoy. I think I'll have some of my teens read it and see what they think...Annette Millshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13850197520930988077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955420282479112508.post-5511301247367320302013-03-24T05:21:39.701-04:002013-03-24T05:21:39.701-04:00Well thought out post. Your reasons for not finish...Well thought out post. Your reasons for not finishing and being slightly annoyed with such contradictions are very understandable and you expressed your opinion very respectfully. I know it's hard and I hate doing it ughhh. But give yourself a little pat on the back for this one because I've seen some nasty reviews out there! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00102414352794370204noreply@blogger.com