I fully confess! I am a rabid fan of A.G. Howard’s writing!
The Splintered trilogy absolutely stole my affections and remains one of my top favourite books of ever. (Hello #TeamMorpheus and that shall never change!) So I was I was DESPERATE AND DYING to read her latest book The Architect of Song. The “desperate and dying” was a very apt feeling considering this is about a ghost. (Hahahaha, get it? Dying to read….because it’s about a ghost?? Hush, I’m hilarious.)
This is a little different to the Splintered series because it’s (A) historical fiction, and (B) it’s an adult book. So someone award me for adulting whilst reading this. (GO ME.) I’m so pleased with this book, even if I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction. Because it was beautiful and addictive AND THAT IS GLORIOUS.
- IT IS A GHOST STORY. I have a slightly ginormous addiction to ghost stories, okay?! If I see one, I am 100% all over it. The entire premise of The Architect of Song is: deaf girl + finds dead boy in cemetery + must work out the mystery behind his death + avoid marrying a pompous viscount + oh she makes hats + magical flowers + falling down holes + EVERYONE IS HIDING SOMETHING = happy me thank you very much. (Also fun fact: I wrote a wattpad story about a deaf girl and a dead boy, so clearly the combination is the best.) I just always adore stories where live people fall for dead people. Being dead is apparently attractive. Don’t go to cemeteries, kids, unless you want to meet your OTP.
- IT HAS DELICIOUSLY COMPLEX CHARACTERS. Characters are what makes or breaks a book for me. And these ones made it.
- JULIET: She is, obviously, deaf, and has been since she was a child. She’s a little bit of a damsel, which bothered me at times, but I mostly loved her creativity. She’s an awesome liar. SHH THAT IS A GOOD SKILL WHEN YOU’RE ALWAYS TALKING TO DEAD PEOPLE. And she’s a milliner and makes cool hats!! (And this is probably not the case: but I couldn’t help but think that was a nod to the Mad Hatter for Alice in Wonderland!)
- HAWK: He is our delightful ghost! Although, I mean, he had problems…apart from the fact he was DEAD. He was a bit aggressive with his attraction to Juliet at first, but he mellowed out as the story went along. AND I LIKED HIM A LOT. He’s also half Romanian and has darker skin. He had so many sassy lines, too. The dead ones are always the sassiest.
- LORD THORNTON: He is the rich, slightly mysterious, slightly snide viscount who wants to marry Juliet. Or maybe he wants to marry her land. WHO CAN KNOW. He is also (A) dashingly handsome, (B) has his own physical disability and is therefore #relatable to Juliet, and (C) a lot nicer than he lets on to the peasants. I totally adored how complex he turned out to be!
Okay, keep your socks on, peoples: yes there IS a love triangle. But I am like officially WONDERFULLY DOOMED to enjoy love-triangles written by AG Howard, apparently. The book ticked all the right boxes for me by developing BOTH of the men and making them intriguing so I didn’t even know who to ship. (I confess, my soft spot is the ghost because #tragedy <3)
- I DIDN’T WANT TO PUT IT DOWN. Which is definitely the feeling I want to have while reading. The first 50% wasn’t rocket-ship fast. But then the mysteries thickened and people started toppling into dangerous situations and I WAS HOOKED. Also plot twists? We gotcha plot twists.
- GORGEOUS WRITING. It is honestly my favourite thing. The words were picked so beautifully and they created such tangible images that I felt like I could see the whole thing. So much pretty.
- I SQUINT A BIT AT THE PORTRAYAL OF DEAFNESS. Now, as someone who is not deaf, I probably should shush here? But, I’ve been researching Deafness for several years for my own writing, so I’m hyper attuned to the details right now. (Not to say I know everything! Because I DO NOT.) One thing that stuck out to me is: Juliet lip-reads perfectly. This is not…realistic, in my honest opinion. I definitely recommend watching this video to see how freakishly difficult lip reading is. I felt like Juliet’s deafness didn’t really affect her life because her perfect lip-reading turned it into a “superpower” and kind of erased the fact she was deaf. Also it rings warning bells when even the blurb says things like “imprisoned by deafness“. NOW, IN THAT ERA, DEAFNESS WOULD’VE BEEN CONSIDERED “BROKENNESS”!! I totally acknowledge that! So it was realistic that everyone treated Juliet’s disability as a shameful thing. But I wanted to see Juliet at peace with her deafness and proud of herself by the end and she didn’t get there. (Maybe in future books??)
Ultimately, I’m definitely pleased with this book!
It was visually delicious and I loved being sucked into the world. The plot twists were the best of ever. I’m talking about me-sitting-there-going-omg-omg-omg. Honestly that is the kind of plot twisty reaction I want!! By the end I had ALL THE EMOTIONS and it is fabulous. A.G. Howard is 100% an auto-read author for me!! I CAN’T GET ENOUGH.
(Also I’m so wildly excited for AG Howard’s next book coming in 2017. I WILL HYPERVENTILATE UNTIL ROSEBLOOD IS IN MY HANDS. Phantom of the Opera retelling people!! AHHHH!)
THANK YOU TO THE AUTHOR FOR THE ARC. The Architect of Song by AG Howard was published August, 2016.
A lady imprisoned by deafness, an architect imprisoned by his past, and a ghost imprisoned within the petals of a flower – intertwine in this love story that transcends life and death.
For most of her life, nineteen-year-old Juliet Emerline has subsisted – isolated by deafness – making hats in the solitude of her home. Now, she’s at risk to lose her sanctuary to Lord Nicolas Thornton, a twenty-seven-year-old mysterious and eccentric architect with designs on her humble estate. When she secretly witnesses him raging beside a grave, Juliet investigates, finding the name “Hawk” on the headstone and an unusual flower at the base. The moment Juliet touches the petals, a young English nobleman appears in ghostly form, singing a song only her deaf ears can hear. The ghost remembers nothing of his identity or death, other than the one name that haunts his afterlife: Thornton.
To avenge her ghostly companion and save her estate, Juliet pushes aside her fear of society and travels to Lord Thornton’s secluded holiday resort, posing as a hat maker in one of his boutiques. There, she finds herself questioning who to trust: the architect of flesh and bones who can relate to her through romantic gestures, heartfelt notes, and sensual touches … or the specter who serenades her with beautiful songs and ardent words, touching her mind and soul like no other man ever can. As sinister truths behind Lord Thornton’s interest in her estate and his tie to Hawk come to light, Juliet is lured into a web of secrets. But it’s too late for escape, and the tragic love taking seed in her heart will alter her silent world forever.
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I really have to read Splintered. It’s been on my gigantic TBR for ages but hopefully soon I can crack open the gorgeous cover if this author’s writing style is so great! The Architect of Song sounds really cool and the characters seem well-developed (a definite plus).
If there’s anything with Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff on the cover: I AM THERE. I read a ton of Shannon Hale too (well, mostly her YA books). 😀
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YESSSS PLEASE DO READ SPLINTERED. That series is my life.😍 (Okay okay I realise I have a lot of “favourite” books, but still!! This one is a favouritier favourite!)
Oh yes, Aime Kaufman is seriously becoming auto-buy for me. HOW IS EVERYTHING SHE TOUCHES SO PURE GOLD AND MAGICAL AND STARRY AND SCARY? #writinggoals
Omg I’m so jealous that you’ve read this! I’m in love with Howard’s writing too!! I’ve decided to patiently wait and ask someone at Christmas to buy me a physical copy of the book because I love torturing myself like that.
AHH I can’t wait!!
Yes definitely
demandask someone to buy it for you!! *nods* I think it’s only available on Amazon atm. I definitely need to get myself a physical copy because #need 😍CAIT YOU MUST STOP. I HAVE TOO MANY THINGS TO READ!! I have Truthwitch and Julia Vanishes to read once I finish And I Darken (so amazingly good, I adore Lada, but it’s a bit on the slow side) 💗
GHOST STORIES AHHH. I love them, especially Anna Dressed In Blood. While plot-wise it wasn’t the best, I love the job of Cas and Anna’s wrath! I would love love love to write one someday. 👻
Great review Cait. I shall now hunt for this.
I CANNOT EVER STOP, ANDREA. IT IS MY CALLING IN LIFE TO SHRIEK OVER BOOKS. *climbs mountain in order to shriek further afield* Ahem.😂 But oh oh I love and adore And I Darken. <33 Although I agree it's slow. I kind of like it more in retrospect, almost?!?
GHOST STORIES ARE JUST SUPERIOR IN EVERY WAY. :') You can go ghost hunting for this < --- hahhhaha #ImHilarious
Kasie west and sophie kinsella is basically autoread for me. I am sorry but I ofteb do not like ghost story, expect casper. I hate feeling scared and fear so I avoid it. I knew I am coward.
Anyway,I love all your pictures. They are gorgeous 😍😍😍
Aw, don’t be sorry!😂 Ghost stories aren’t for everyone! I reeeally like paranormal stuff and cute ghosts and murder mystery. So much win for me. 😂
You are really kind, Cait 🙂 thank you 🙂 I am glad and thankful to know you 🙂
OOOOOOOOOHHHH I love ghost stories, too! (Also, I’ve never read anything by AG Howard. FOR SHAME, I know) And this one sounds AWESOME. Also: Roseblood = A PHANTOM RETELLING??????????????????? That sounds too amazing.
I AM LITERALLY BUSTING OUT OF MY SKIN WAITING FOR ROSEBLOOD. *shrieks happily*
I’m asking for the Splintered trilogy for Christmas (our library decided that they don’t have the trilogy … NOT EVEN ON THE EBOOK ONE!!)
GHOST!!! STORIES!!!
Ugh! I hate it when people have their MC (or any character, for that matter…) as a perfect lip-reader. Sure, if you’ve almost always been deaf, you’ll get to be half decent at it, but NO ONE IS A PERFECT LIP-READER ANGEL!!!
Shame on your library!! But my fingers are crossed you get it for Christmas!! SO SO GOOD ALL THE GOOD AHHHHH.
And yeah. Unfortunately, from what I’ve read (particularly articles by Deaf people) perfect lip-reading is just not an option, although some people can be very good at it. But mostly it feels like Deafness erasure which is dangerous.😕
I NEED TO READ THIS BECAUSE A.G. HOWARD IS AMAZING! Her Splintered series is just…perfection. I WANT TO READ THIS MUCHLY.
YES YOU DO NEED THIS. EVERYTHING AG HOWARD WRITES IS GOLDEN WONDERFULNESS.
Jonathan Auxier is definitely my auto read author (i’m so sad that he only has three books so far though!).
And the Architect of Song sounds SO GOOD! but I’m not really an adulty book kind of person, so we’ll see with this one. And sorry I haven’t commented in…like, forever. I’ve been busy and want to get back into the habit again!
Isn’t it awful when the best authors of ever haven’t written enough?!? WRITE FASTER, PEOPLES, YOUR RABID FANS AWAIT! *shrieks from the mountain tops* 😂
Aww, that’s okay! BUT I DID MISS YOU, JUST SO YOU KNOW. :’) *gives you welcome back cake*
I’ve read Splintered and it was awesome! In fact, it was so awesome that I am still terrified of reading the rest of the series in case they’re not as good, even though I bought each of the books the moment they came out.
OMG KEEP READING YOU MUST!! Ensnared is such a good finale.😍 The Wonderland-ness just keeps getting more wild and it’s AMAZING. Als I highly recommend reading Untamed, too, which is a short story collection. Aaall the love! Eeep!!!
Great review! This was already on my TBR because I LOVE ghost stories. 🙂 The Accident is an excellent one by the way.
Rick Riordan is an auto-read author for me, and Maggie Stiefvater. I just finished Lament. I hated Luke, struggled to like Deirdre, but enjoyed it when it finally got going.
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*dashes off to look up the Accident* I need all the ghosts stories in my life ASAP basically.
And omg YES for Maggie Stiefvater for me too.😂 She is my all-time favourite author of ever. <3 I read Lament like waaaay back when I'd only started reading YA so I didn't mind Luke? But omg I lowkey hate Dee for the way she treats James. BALLAD IS SO SO GOOD THOUGH. YOU MUST READ BALLAD. James = life.
*crashes through window, screaming* SPLINTEREDDDDDDDDD. YES. I love that series so freaking much and TEAM MORPHEUS ALL THE WAY! (Finally, another Team Moth person XD)
I have not read this new delicious book, but it’s now on my list! And I cannot wait for the PotO retelling. Gahh. So many books, so little time…..
*RUNS AND SCREAMS WITH YOU BECAUSE YOU SPEAK MY LANGUAGE* SPLINTERED IS MARVELLOUS AND I LOVE IT SO. And like Morpheus is the ONLY Team. I lowkey hated Jeb for the first two books, although he was kind of awesome in Ensnared. His and Morpheus’ brotip was epic.😂
Maaaake time go faster though we need THE PHANTOM RETELLING IN OUR LIVES RIGHT NOW.
I couldn’t get through Splintered, though I tried. It was, unfortunately, a DNF for me.
I’m not sure if I have any auto-read authors. There are authors that make me excited when they release a new book, but I’m terrible about getting to books in a timely fashion. I guess Diana Wynne Jones and Laura Whitcomb are probably the closest to auto-read authors for me… even though the former is dead, so there’ll be no more books from her, and the latter has only released a few books in total!
I like ghost stories. I know there are some that I’ve read and liked, but they’re escaping me at the moment. Oh, wait… The Lake and the Library by S. M. Beiko has some ghostly elements in it. But… good luck getting your hands on it in Australia (it’s a Canadian book from a small press).
*cries piteously* Splintered is like in the TOP section of my favourite reads of ever.😍
I’m actually terrible about getting to books in a timely fashion unless I get them for review. 😂 It’s the release dates that actually MAKE me read them on time hahah. I still haven’t read a ton of books I’ve got from authors I consider “auto-buy”…like Rick Riordan? LOVE HIM. But have I read Apollo? NOPE. #fail Ahem.
Ooh, I shall look up this Lakey Library. 😀 Sounds promising!
THAT COVER, AHHHHH. Ooh, I’ve never heard of this author before! I may have to check out some more of her works.
Ellie | On the Other Side of Reality
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ISN’T IT GORGEOUS?! I need to own it in paperback ASAP. 😍
Sarah J. Maas, Marie Lu, Sabaa Tahir, and Sally Green. I don’t care what the story is about, I don’t even care if its a grocery list, I will read it. Ghost stories are alright, they aren’t something that I’ve read a lot of. I read an A.G. Howard story in the anthology Monster Girls & Slasher Boys, and loved it. I keep meaning to start Splintered but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Is Splintered any good?
SAAAALLLLY GREEEEEEN. *sobs wildly* I 100000% agree with that. I don’t even care if she wrote like an adult romance or something that I never totally read…I would read it.😂 #addicted
Omg I keep forgetting that I need to read Monster Girls & Slasher Boys!
Well just in case you missed all my raving in the first paragraph of this review…yes. I love Splintered. 🙂
Was this independantly published or something? Because I really haven’t heard a lot about it and AG Howard’s books tend to get a decent amount of press and this got pretty much none.
Anyways, I need to read this book, BUT I NEED ROSEBLOOD MORE.
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I think it was indie done *nods* It’s only available on Amazon and AG Howard was doing all the press stuff personally so I assume it’s indie *nods*
I know how much you love AG Howard Cait, so I am so glad to hear this lived up to your expectations! It sounds like such an eloquent and whimsical read. I don’t normally read adult books either, but I think I’m going to have to make an exception for this one because it sounds too good to pass up. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3
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Eeep, I will hope that our bookish twinness remains for this one.🙈🙊 I have a feeling you might not be as impressed with the amount of romance though? Not sure but there you go.😂
I really like historical paranormal/fantasy, and your description of that snide viscount who doesn’t actually sound too bad makes me want to grab that book for my own e-reader. Also, I’ve never read about a deaf protag before. This would be a nice first. Awesome review as always!
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Yayyyyy I hope you do manage to snag a copy and that you like it! 😀
Looooved your review. I’m not a fan of HF either, but ghost stories = major win. So yeah, adding this one to TBR Mount Doom.
Ilona Andrews is auto-read for me. (Ilona Andrews = Ilona + Gordon the married couple of wonder team writers) And ANYTHING they write is awesome! Their Kate Daniels series is my favorite of all times – It has sass and death and magic and shapeshiters and vampires and everything supernatural you can imagine – And not only the main character is a kickass chick that hits first and ask questions later, the supporting cast is one of the best build ever. They have a bunch of short stories featuring those characters and I can’t get enough of that Universe. Too bad they don’t write young adult. But. They have enough series on going to keep me interested for a LONG LONG time.
Richelle Mead used to be auto-read too. And then things like Soundless and Glittering Court happened and my heart broke and there is going to be a glittering court #2 and I’m depressed. How can she do that to me?
Anyway, Ensnared finally arrived, so I have all 4 splintered books waiting patiently for me to pick them up. Same for Scorpio Races. And Cursed Child. And Raven Boys, Uhmmm. I need to stop doing that nonsense activity called work and start reading. All my pretties are calling my name and I’m stuck at a computer doing stuff…….
Ahhhh thank you, Sonia! And omg I’m glad we are in agreement over the gloriousness of ghost stories *hi fives* I actually need to find more in my life BECAUSE I HAVE NEEDS.
I have not read Ilona Andrews but they sound AWESOME. I love paranormal stuff like that. Eeeep! And omg I read Soundless/Glittering Court and am kind of sworn off Richelle Mead now.🙈🙊 Everyone keeps telling me to at least try VA first though, so I should, right?!
*SHRIEKS BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED THE MOST PRECIOUS SCORPIO RACES*
I’m kind of intrigued by this, but historical fiction… aaagh. I’ve never read anything by A. G. Howard. I’m put off by the fact that the Splintered series is an Alice in Wonderland retelling. I don’t like Alice in Wonderland. I can’t imagine Wonderland appealing to me any more in a retelling. Which is sad, because these books are raved about.
I’ve not read many ghost stories, but I do find them really intriguing! I can’t handle horror though, and most tend to have a horror vibe. Have you read Anna Dressed in Blood? That sounds awesome, but I’m fairly certain it’s horror, and I sleep badly as it is, I don’t need the nightmares, haha!
I have lots of auto-read authors! Rachel Caine, Rachel Vincent, Karen Chance, Jeaniene Frost… though the last two write adult, mostly. I know I have others in YA, but I’m struggling to think of them right now. I have such a terrible memory when it comes to book, I’ve just read so many.
Awesome review, Cait!
Hooooow can you not like Alice in Wonderland Jo?! HOW. I AM FLABBERGASTED.😂 Hehe just kidding. I will forgive you. *nods*
I haven’t read Anna Dressed in Blood because I read the first chapter and it was actually like…really seriously ripping off Supernatural the TV show? Like down to a case and using the same names. And I’m like a RABID Supernatural fan. So hehh, I don’t think I’ll ever read it tbh, which is a pity because I love ghsts!
OH RACHEL CAINE IS AWESOME! I’ve only read Ink & Bone by her but I will read more for sure. 😀
OKAY I JUST GOT TOTALLY DISTRACTED WATCHING THAT LIP READING VIDEO WOW THAT IS FASCINATING. I seriously could not do it howwww even do people do it??? omg. I still think it’s so cool that you did so much research on deafness for your writing!! Because I would be vey vey intimidated to write POV a character with a disability like that. O_O BUT YOU DID IT SOOO WELL. And I was getting such flashbacks to your Wattpad story during this review omg. xD PARTICULARLY LIKE: “I’m talking about me-sitting-there-going-omg-omg-omg.” <<< LOLOL NO THAT WAS ME READING THE DEAD BOY AND THE PAPER CUT OK
<33333 historical fiction thooooo. And dashingly beautiful rich guys who want to marry your land. :'''') HOW CHARMING RIGHT. I'm just such a sucker for historical fiction especially Victorian/Edwardian era <3 like omg. blame all the period dramas I've grown up on but whatever it's all good it's ALL FABULOUS.
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ISN’T IT JUST SO INTERESTING RIGHT?!??! And like I 100% trust it because it’s by a Deaf person. So yeah.😳 Woah! I know people get very good at lip-reading, but like it’s exhausting and never very accurate…and like facial hair is a problem and some people don’t move their lips much while others do too much so soooooo many variables. BUT YEAH IT IS INTIMIDATING TO WRITE. I actually had a Deaf person read Dead Boy and the Paper Cut and say I did well.😂 So that was like AMAZING.
I really liked this book despite it being Romance (not a fan) and Historical Fiction (not a fan), and including a love triangle (not a fan). I think A.G. is the only author who can write a love triangle that doesn’t turn me off (Splintered), ha ha. I did sound for a deaf performance company, and took ASL in college and had to attend a deaf social club event once a month as a language lab credit; and I have seen many deaf persons read lips like mad, especially people who were hearing and had language at some point in their life (because they know the sounds the lip shapes make). And they can eavesdrop. We used to have a lot of fun when we went out to bars. Heh heh. Deaf schools here in the US give lip-reading instruction. So, I didn’t have a problem with that aspect of the book. My two problems were too much fashion, and at times I felt it was a bit overly descriptive/wordy. But I will give her a gold metal for making it something I enjoyed reading despite my ” I don’t care for that”s included in the story. I probably won’t read any of the following companion books, though. I don’t care for the Phantom of the Opera storyline, either, so I guess I will be waiting out her next YA project. XD
Oh I agree about how AG Howard is like the queen of love triangles.😂 She always seems to write them so I’M TORN. But I mean, I still hate Jeb hahah. Just kidding. Ahem. I liked him a lot in Ensnared.
That’s really interesting what you’ve said about the Deaf representation then! I mean, like I Said in the review: I’m not qualified to be saying what’s “right and wrong” portrayal. I was just watching a lot of Deaf youtubers and reading their tumblrs and one of the biggest things they said ruined Deaf portrayal in literature was using sign-language as a superpower. Like they kept repeating how inaccurate that was. So yeah. That’s what made me dubious!
The Architect of Song has such a striking cover! It’s definitely what caught my eye first. But it sounds SO good, and I’m particularly interested in getting to know these three characters. They all sound like such fascinating individuals! I added this to my TBR recently, and I really can’t wait to read it even more after seeing your thoughts on it 🙂
YES IT DOES RIGHT?!? Omg so pretty. I really want a paperback but it’s only available on Amazon so I have to see it if ships to Australia yet. Eep.
So I have this weird thing where I love to write book reviews, but reading them I have to be in a certain mood. But your book reviews, my oh my!! I love them <3 This book sounds amazing and so different, I need my hands on it now!! Thank you for helping me add yet another book to my TBR pile.
Elizabeth
http://whimsicalthoughtss.blogspot.com/
OMG THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY, ELIZABETH. (And I actually totally get that.😂 I love writing reviews too, but sometimes I don’t really read them hahah. Ahem.) Your TBR is most welcome. 😉
I added this one to the TBR as soon as it was announced because I really did enjoy Howard’s Splintered trilogy, and I thought this book sounded A+. And I’m glad that it is, for the most part! I definitely like the sound of the likeable things that you mentioned. I am not a 100% fan of love triangles, but I know that Howard writes them well because even though Morpheus is king, I also really liked Jeb for the most part so 😀
I have to say that I am a little worried about the portrayal and language used in relation to Juliet being deaf. So thank you for giving everyone a head’s up about it, Cait!
It’s awesome that you enjoyed this overall, and I am also super duper impatient waiting for Roseblood! PHANTOM OF THE OPERAAAAA
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YES! I love triangles by AG Howard…like anyone else has me sighing, but hers always win me over. (And tbh are how a love triangle should be written!! Plus it really made sense why both wanted Juliet.)
But yeah, I mean, I don’t feel qualified to really be picking at the Deaf portrayal, you know? But just from watching Deaf youtubers talking about how to portray Deafness in literature (and what the warning signals are) this just rang some warning bells. BUT ANYWAY. I’M FREAKING OUT WITH EXCITEMENT FOR ROSEBLOOD I CANNOT EVEEEEN.
Okay, now you made me intrigue. I WANNA GET THIS BOOK SO BADLY!! I have an inevitable thing for dead people too. Sigh.
http://laxsourire.blogspot.my
THE DEAD PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS A DRAW CARD IN BOOKS FOR ME TOO. I have such an unhealthy obsession with ghosts.😂
See, I was interested in this book anyway but this review makes me want to go buy it immediately and devour it in one sitting. It sounds so interesting! I mean, the fact her disability does not come off as a major disability is annoying (I hate when things like that aren’t appropriately addressed in a book) but it does like the whole is pretty good so it’s probably forgivable having a flaw or two. I don’t know, I’m just glad your review hasn’t made me want to run screaming from the book, really, although my bank balance would have thanked you more if you had. I’m off to go see how much it will cost me to buy immediately so you’ve probably done something right.
OH GOOD. MY JOB HERE IS DONE. *crowns self queen of convincing reviews* I think it’s definitely worth it! I don’t think the Deafness was “badly” portrayed, I just felt that i nearly….wasn’t portrayed, if you know what I mean? Eek. It’s hard, because I don’t feel qualified to say much on the topic apart for having researched a lot myself (and watched a lot of deaf youtubers) SO YEAH. But apart from that it was glorious!!
Rick Riordan and AG Howard are my auto read authors! I mean, I haven’t read this book, Magnus Chase and Trials of Apollo, but SOON I would happen. ALSO YES TEAM MORPHEUS UNITE! I enjoy a good ghost story, whether it’s romance or not. Some ghosts are just really awesome and nice, and other is really creepy (call the winchesters!!!) but I do enjoy BOTH type of ghost. ALSO IT’S A PHANTOM OF THE OPERA RETELLING. This book would end up in my favorite shelf, I can feel it already.
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Yesssss, Rick Riordan for me too! Basically I just know I have to read everything by him. No question.😂 MAGNUS CHASE IS THE BEST THOUGH. It might be my favourite Riordan book, tbh. Ahem. BUT ANYWAY. Ghosts are really epic and can be so complex and interesting and like THERE IS ALWAYS MURDER so that’s fun. *coughs awkwardly* Fun? I mean…um, that’s tragic…#iswearimnormal
Oh The Architect of Song is not the Phantom retelling. hehe. That’s Roseblood, coming out in January!
A.G. Howard, complex characters, gorgeous writing and great pacing? NEED. Like you, I was ecstatic when I first heard about this book because I love her writing as well. BUT when I read the synopsis I was like “Ooh, it will be interesting to see how deafness is portrayed” and I see it was …. not that well. Shame. I will definitely still be checking this one out though!
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Yeeeah, I mean apart from obsessively researching myself, I DON’T KNOW TOO MUCH about Deafness and haven’t met anyone who’s deaf…but just watching a lot of vlogs and youtubers about their pet peeves about Deaf portrayal, this ticked a lot of boxes.😕 Which is a worry. BUT APART FROM THAT IT WAS SO GLORIOUS.
A deaf girl and a dead boy?! What? You mean, there are more of them? Ahem. This sounds really interesting! And you’re right, the moment you mentioned that the MC made hats and something about falling down holes, I immediately thought of AiW. How can it be anything else but a tip of the hat to the Hatter? It must be!
Also, cannot wait for Roseblood! I didn’t even realize it had a cover yet, and its so beautiful!
APPARENTLY I WASN’T AS ORIGINAL AS I THOUGHT. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, tbh. Both?😭😂 Dangit for epic authors getting to my ideas first hhahaha. Ahem. But I seriously hope the hatting is a tip to the Mad Hatter BECAUSE THAT WOULD JUST BE COOL. I kind of have epic ideas of all my books connecting somehow hopefully. :’)
ROSEBLOOD. <3333 I need it more than air basically.
Splintered was soooo good!!! I’ve procrastinated reading the rest of the series because of ALL THE BOOKS that I have checked out from my now-with-no-books local library. This one sounds epic though! I love a good ghost book (have you read the Lockwood & Co series or the Girl from the Well series?? Those two are auto-buys for me!), but wasn’t sure how it was going to work for The Architect of Song.
… Now to go surf Amazon …. 😀
I have read The Girl From the Well and OMG I LOVED THAT BOOK SO MUCH. I never got around to the sequel though, gah, need to do that. And I’ve heard of Lockwood & CO so I should get onto that too.😂 SO MANY BOOKS. hehe. I hope you like The Architect of Song if you get a chance to read it!!
This one sounds so good!
IT IS GLORIOUS.💕
I’ve said this before when during That Season We All Post About Our Most Anticipated Book Releases, but… okay, this just sounds INCREDIBLY like The Story of the ThomasLucaMoxieAileen squad otherwise known as The Dead Boy And The Paper Cut. (!!!) I mean, like, A LOT.
Which, on the one hand, YAY, YOU APPARENTLY SHARE HALF A BRAIN WITH AN AUTHOR YOU LOVE!
And on the other hand – on the scale of 1-to-frustrating, was this plot at 12 for you? It would be for me. I’d eat my own hair. (And I have Rapunzel-long hair, so that’d make a statement fo’ sho’.)
In all seriousness, A.G. Howard’s writing is aaaaalways so picturesque and atmospheric and gaaaah, THIS NEEDS TO ARRIVE ALREADY SO I MAY PROCEED TO EAT IT IN LIEU OF MY HAIR! <3 Never live in eastern Europe, kids. Books take forever to arrive. In the interim, I amused myself by re-reading this review about 5 times on my phone in public. I laughed. I got The Looks. #goodtimes
And also, um, I know that RoseBlood is the Phantom of the Opera retelling, but an introverted girl torn between a rich viscount and a Damaged Guy(tm) who bonds with her via music does sound a whole heck of a lot like Phantom of the Opera, too. Clearly A.G. Howard was doubly inspired and didn't even know it. <3 AND I'M ALL FOR IT.
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YES I KNOW, AND I DON’T KNOW WHETHER TO LAUGH OR CRY ABOUT IT???😭😂 Both? Both is good. It’s always like mixed feeling when you think you’ve thought up The Best Story Of Ever and someone else gets in first hhahhhaha. Ahem. But like, they’re still very different. The Architect of Song is not half as dark-side as Thomas was. *ahem* I don’t have a problem with dark-side adorable psychotic characters, no no of course not.
BUT YES AG HOWARD IS AN INCREDIBLE WRITER AND I’M DOOMED TO LOVE ALL HER THINGS.😍 And I totally agree about the Phantom vibe here too!! I actually thought that for a minute when I was reading because of the whole cemetery and ghosts and things. 😂 IT IS AWESOME. I can’t wait for Roseblood!!
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I need this book in my life, like, yesterday. I too have a soft spot for dead people and romances with ghosts. (Hello Anna Dressed in Blood, I’m looking at you.)
Also, your dead boy story is the best. *nods*
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AWWW, THANK YOU. *blushes* I have a definite soft spot for dead boys too. :’) It is my weakness.
I actually wasn’t able to finish her Splintered series (haha *wasn’t able to* more like I haven’t had the time because they’re all sitting on my shelf, whoops) but I’m REALLY interested in The Architect of Song. Mainly because of the ghost though. This reminds me of an adult version of Meg Cabot’s The Mediator, but set in historical times. Which is kind of why I want to read it. Because ghosts.
I’m glad you included the part about deafness and lip-reading! I know this is your all time favorite author, so I kind of respect you a lot more for including what you disliked! (I mean I have always respected you, but you get what I mean)
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Ghosts are ALWAYS a good reason to read something *nods sagely* Every time I see a book that says ghost, I’m like “hELLO I AM HERE TO STAY” because I have a slight ghost obsession. It’s fine and probably healthy I’m sure.
Omg thankyou! I felt really nervous about saying that, too, because I am not expert or anything so I’m not qualified to pass judgement…I’ve just been reading things via Deaf people over the last 2 years and that potential inaccuracy really did stand out to me.🙈🙊 BUT THANKYOU. I APPRECIATE THE RESPECT haha. *gives you cake*
EEEEEK!!! I want to read Splintered so badly (I’m actually participating in a book club this month that’s reading it) and this book sounds absolutely amazing as well.
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