Du Livre: Les Petites Revues [#9]

Well. This book just made me angrier and angrier until I settled on 2 stars. I was excited to read an urban fantasy, especially because it had been compared to ACOMAF, but while I had the same plot points (aloof fae king taking an interest in a powerful human girl), it lacked the characterization and flow. Rhapsodic was told in the present day as well as 8 years in the past, when Callie met Des and decided to make a deal with the devil. When the two first met, Callie was only 16 years old and while she kept telling Des that she was legal according to Supernatural laws, it was weird. Fast forward to the present day and their relationship never really developed any depth. There was a clear sexual attraction, but nothing on the emotional side. Plot wise, the story really rushed through the villain's plot without giving any explanation or clear understanding behind his intent. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the world. It was divided between an Urban Fantasy earth with a veil that protected the humans from the mischievous fae kingdoms. And lastly, a mini rant.

Callie was a private investigator along with her childhood best friend Temper. I gathered that Temper was black because she made mention of her black ass and black baby Jesus. Her personality was a direct contrast from Callie and Des with her loads of sass and slang. I can't even say that it was AAVE because her speech patterns didn't reflect any of the rules behind AAVE. Mostly she just said things like ain't, -thou (like thousand), and mothafucka. At Temper's first introduction, I hoped that this was all just a mistake and that Temper wasn't just there to fulfill the sassy black friend role (who has a lot to say about sex as well), but nope, it just got worse and worse as it went on. Temper had nothing to solidify her as a character outside of being Callie's best friend. She had no interests, no hobbies, and even though she was Callie's childhood best friend, she didn't make a single appearance in the flashbacks. It really seemed like the author wanted to add some diversity in her book (but not too much of course, this is about the white people), and so she just rewrote a character she saw on a movie one time. HARD PASS.

If you've read the series and have enjoyed it, Decoy Date may be for you. This was my first dive into this series and I found it to be missing a lot of necessary character development and explanation as to why these people hang out. There was no explanation as to who Brody and Gwen were which made the first on-screen interaction very confusing. I'm also assuming that their relationship built over the course over the other three books because I never felt a true spark between Gwen and Brody, and the inclusion of another possible love interest just made this drawn out and directionless. If I have the time and energy, I may start from the beginning, but I wasn't impressed with my introduction to the characters.

Wow. If you ever need a book that will completely captivate you and make you uncomfortable, look no further. The only way to devour this book is as an audiobook as well. The production rivals the Starbound series (which is one of my favorite audiobooks) and the format keeps you rapt with attention. Sadie was incredibly character driven and one of my favorite aspects of this book was that you met characters along Sadie's journey, then gleaned a new side to them when the podcast was conducting interviews months after Sadie's trek. This is a must read for everyone who can read it. The subject matter is tough, but shines a light on the monsters who hide in plain sight and the unlucky hand some are handed.