The perfect woman? A poetic analysis

Who Is Mary Sue? by Sophie Collins looks at the archetype of the perfect female often portrayed in media and how unrealistic this woman is within the real world. Another interpretation of a Mary Sue is when a woman writes out a character whom certain readers believe to be them simply trying to reinvent themselves within this fictional world. I picked this book up from my local British Heart Foundation charity shop as they’ve finally started selling poetry books!!

I liked the concept of this collection, however, I didn’t really connect with any of the individual poetry pieces which was a real shame. The poems all seemed very impersonal and non-connective with no real links making me feel like I can feel the authors emotions.

However, it is a very quick read and for this reason I suggest picking it up if the concept calls to you. Poetry is such a subjective art and can be interpreted so differently by the most similar of people, so I always feel that if the subject matter is of interest the poetry should be experienced first hand.

Let me know if you’ve read this collection or if you feel the same way about poetry being so personal and subjective!

I FINALLY READ ACOTAR?!?!

I only bought this book in the first place because I spotted it for £1 in a charity shop and the hype is so huge on Booktube! Since I bought this book, I’ve read Throne of Glass so I also know that I enjoy Sarah J Maas’ writing style, and I needed to read a retelling for my O.W.L.’s so I eventually picked it up! (Yes these reviews are hella backdated, it was an accident, leave me alone!)

I was expecting to go into this and absolutely hate it, I was ready to think it was stupid and that the romance was on a Twilight level (which I loved as a tween but lbr it’s an unhealthy relationship). If you couldn’t tell from how I wrote the previous sentences, that didn’t happen! I loved it! I honestly don’t know why really but I was completely in love with the romance, I thought that the plot development was really good. I would’ve preferred more time in the dungeons but that’s probably because I quite like dark books.

I’ll definitely be looking out for the next books in the series and carrying on reading about this world. I’ve heard both that it gets better and also that it gets worse so I’m going to find out for myself now that I know I really liked the first one! It’s not my favourite book ever, but considering how much I assumed I was going to dislike it I’m pleasantly surprised!

The End of Mr Y, a review

You might not have heard of this book, it’s not exactly well known. The only reason I picked it up was that it had a very unique design when I saw it in the charity shop. It was taller and wider than most paperbacks, had black sprayed edges and looked interesting. Once I’d read the blurb I knew I had to get it.

We follow our protagonist Ariel, as she discovers a rare book in a secondhand bookshop. It’s said to be cursed, and it’s also supposed to be impossible to find. As she reads the book she becomes more invested in what it has to say, following recipes and directions and ending up traveling in time and risking her own death. This is not a normal novel, it’s wacky, insane and definitely not for kids. There are a variety of mature themes explored and developed within this book, so if that’s not something you feel comfortable with I recommend giving this novel a miss.

It took so many turns and directions that I was not expecting, the time travel was a shock to my system and the mysterious black dot has me suspicious of any dots I see around me! Definitely one to make your brain work and encourage you to think more about your surroundings, as well as more about what is actually going on inside the crazy world of this book.

I liked the way the fantasy was handled in a realistic manner so that you can imagine it happening in the real world very easily. I felt that the ending of the book was rather sharp, however, I think that is by the authors’ design and it did mean it stayed in my head for quite a long time.

If you’re wanting something weird and odd and you’re fine with death, sex and violence, definitely pick this one up! I’m glad I spotted it one day… in a secondhand bookshop 😉