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| Read (August 28 - September 2, 2014) |
Book: Sweet Unrest by Lisa Maxwell
Publication Date: October 8, 2014
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 336
Genre/s: Young Adult, Paranormal
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Publication Date: October 8, 2014
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 336
Genre/s: Young Adult, Paranormal
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Lucy Aimes has always been practical. But try as she might, she can’t come up with a logical explanation for the recurring dreams that have always haunted her. Dark dreams. Dreams of a long-ago place filled with people she shouldn’t know…but does.
When her family moves to a New Orleans plantation, Lucy’s dreams become more intense, and her search for answers draws her reluctantly into the old city’s world of Voodoo and mysticism. There, Lucy finds Alex, a mysterious boy who behaves as if they’ve known each other forever. Lucy knows Alex is hiding something, and her rational side doesn’t want to be drawn to him. But she is.
As she tries to uncover Alex’s secrets, a killer strikes close to home, and Lucy finds herself ensnared in a century-old vendetta. With the lives of everyone she loves in danger, Lucy will have to unravel the mystery of her dreams before it all comes to a deadly finish. — (source)
When her family moves to a New Orleans plantation, Lucy’s dreams become more intense, and her search for answers draws her reluctantly into the old city’s world of Voodoo and mysticism. There, Lucy finds Alex, a mysterious boy who behaves as if they’ve known each other forever. Lucy knows Alex is hiding something, and her rational side doesn’t want to be drawn to him. But she is.
As she tries to uncover Alex’s secrets, a killer strikes close to home, and Lucy finds herself ensnared in a century-old vendetta. With the lives of everyone she loves in danger, Lucy will have to unravel the mystery of her dreams before it all comes to a deadly finish. — (source)
I feel like I have so many words but not enough steam to heave them out for this review. Sweet Unrest drained me. My patience is nearly running out and I have just enough to write this review without sounding like a cranky person you're forced to sit with in a public vehicle.
Sweet Unrest is banking on its quiet atmosphere and mystique. Qualities that should inspire readers to turn pages after pages, delving deeper into the mysteries of New Orleans' history and voodooing in search of answers. But instead of it being a relishing experience, it felt like wading through a senseless pile of sludge. I have nothing against sludge-wading if it's worth the effort but it fueled nothing but boredom and apathy. Voodoo shenanigans are tricky enough as it is, but to keep piling frustrating aspects like instalove, lifeless characters, unexciting plot on top of everything? It's like this book is asking what's coming for it.
Lucy, our protagonist, was uprooted from her Chicago life when her parents decided to take a job in New Orleans. She was not happy at all but she's a nice kid and while I applaud her for not being whiny about this sudden change in her life, that's about where her personality started and ended for me. You could argue that she's brave and passionate especially when things started to take a turn for the worst but most of the time she would just spend her days mooning about her past life and a certain Alex Reade Jourdain.
“..When I finally met his eyes again, there was an intensity and fierceness there that gave me hope and that maybe there was an answer to our shared pain. That maybe our love could be more someday than a deep well of regret. That at the very least having him—even like this—could be enough for both of us.”
Now if any of you were following my reading progress for this one, you'd know that I couldn't stop myself from seeing similarities between this and Ghost House. While Sweet Unrest is infinitely better than Ghost House in almost every respect, it didn't dodge the most horrible trope of all: instalove. In fact, it embraced it wholeheartedly. For a while, I was able to stop grinding my teeth in frustration and to reserve judgment because I haven't yet unravel the past and the book kept shoving cookies at me to pacify me. It went like this (intentionally vague to avoid spoilers):
ME: WTF. You just met him Luce-girl. How come you lurve him already? -___-
BOOK: NO. You see, she had met him before so that should count for something and I'm pretty sure that would dispel any anti-instalove campaign.
ME: Bu-bu-but..
BOOK: Just you wait. I will blow your mind with my revelashun.
~After 10 boring years~
BOOK: Shazam. See?! THAT WAS A BRILLIANT REVELASHUN, WASN'T IT?
ME: *punches book in the crotch*
It's actually cute how this book tried so hard to justify the instalove, really. Or maybe, I'm the one who tried so hard to justify it because I see no other reason why I endeavored to finish this in the first place. But even when we take into consideration the circumstances from the past, it's still didn't make any sense. Also, this didn't change the fact that Lucy is her own self now, no matter what happened in the past. If I have to suspend disbelief every time Lucy and Alex interact, it won't do anything but alienate me more from the story and its characters.
The plot is so dull and while it's not exactly uninspired, it wouldn't win any award in the riveting section either. I couldn't, for the life of me, make myself care for what's happening. I tried so hard, I swear. It didn't help that the secondary characters were dragged out in the open to serve the plot and they're forgotten immediately afterwards. The villain reveal was so groundbreaking I felt so stupid for not finding out who it was sooner! Spoiler alert: I encountered this "evil" person for like 2x tops before the reveal. The ending tried but inevitably failed to take hold of any emotions except bliss because all I could think about was I'm so close to turning the last page and then freedom!
Sweet Unrest tested how far I would go to finish a book I'm not enjoying. Still, I have to tip my hats off to Lisa Maxwell because without her writing, I would have not finished this book. I would undoubtedly read Lisa Maxwell's future books because I really believe she has potential. If reading about voodoo and ghost boyfriends are something you can see yourself enjoying, then you are welcome to read this one.
A copy was provided by the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Quote taken from an uncorrected ARC and may change in the final copy.
Oh boy, this one doesn't seem enjoyable at all. Ugh, insta-love. I can take cliffhangers, love-triangles, insta-lust but NOT insta-love!!! Sorry, you had to go through this (poor patience of yours XD.) Was planning on reading it someday but now I'm not interested at all anymore so thansk for the heads up! Great review, Sarah. :)
ReplyDeleteInstalove needs to die. XD
DeleteHaha! Your discussion with the book made me giggle. Buy, yes, insta-love is a trope that's getting far too overused in my opinion. *Sigh* Glad to know this is one to avoid!
ReplyDeleteBrittany @ http://www.spacebetweenthespines.com
Ah yes. I hope they get the memo and stop with the instalove already.
DeleteThis cover is actually pretty creepy :O I'm sorry you felt frustrated :( "that's about where her personality started and ended for me." LOL--this is funny, Sarah! YIKES. NO INSTA LOVE PLS. I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT, BUT NO THANK YOU *pushes it politely back the author's way* Aw, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the plot either *insert sad face* And I totally get why you felt surprised about the villain and not in th best way. Sorry it wasn't your book, lovely.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry too. I wish I could have loved this book but eh.
DeleteThere is nothing worse than a book you have to force yourself to read and that frustrates you to no end. I am so sorry this didn't work out for you. I hope your next read is better.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too! Thank you.
DeleteLifeless characters? COUNT ME OUT. I did giggle at the conversation between you and the book, though. ;-) At least the writing wasn't terrible?? lol Not much comfort. But I suck at DNF'ing books, which is why I always hesitate to read ones I know most people hate because I can't NOT finish. IT IS A SAD THING. I think I would skip this one. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's actually a good idea, Cait. I should really think hard before I pick up a book since I don't have it in me to DNF books.
DeleteBut the cover looked so pretty and creepy :( DAMN.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised this even got a 2.5 from you, because it sounds so mindlessly dull! (Plus, insta-love -_- JUST NO).
It's the writing. I have to give credit for that. :|
DeleteFeeling annoyed and snippy after finishing a book is NEVER a good sign, but thanks for sucking it up and taking the time to type up this review to warn other readers about Sweet Unrest. Lisa Maxwell writes good, however I should steer clear of this particular story—gotcha!
ReplyDeleteSigh. I really feel crappy saying that but I do hope she will have a better story in the future to go with her writing talent.
DeleteOh, I'm sorry this one did not work out well at all for you. But, hats off for finishing it and writing a thoughtful review as to why - which is a challenge it self (for me anyways - lol.) I was hoping this was a good one because I love the setting and mystery ... Hope your next read is better, Sarah :)
ReplyDeleteI hope so too! I tried to tone down the snarkiness though which made it even harder. XD
DeleteThere are a select few books where instalove actually worked for me and I was able to believe in it in the context of that particular world, but more often than not it just drives me crazy. It's a shame that was the case here for you Sarah! I was hoping for more from this one given the premise and the beautiful cover, so I'm bummed it took the more typical YA route. Hope your next book is a 5-star read!
ReplyDeleteThe instalove here was actually complicated. But even though I take that into consideration, I still felt pretty meh about it. I hope so too. Thanks Jenny!
DeleteUh oh. I've never actually heard of this book before, but just when I glanced over the blurb, I thought that it sounded plenty interesting (I've always bee morbidly intrigued with voodoo). So it's such a shame to see that in fact, this one was such a struggle for you to get through! Actually, it kind of sounds like you struggled with a lot of the same kinds of things that I did while reading my last voodoo book (I believe it was called This Wicked Game). It was just so bland and blah and I did have to force myself to make it through to the end. Voodoo is a topic that you would think an author could have a lot of fun with and make an exciting read out it! But instead it had you wanting to punch the book in its crotch <--- such a funny line btw ^^ Hope your next read is a good one for you!
ReplyDeleteIt is a struggle but if you are actually intrigued by voodoo maybe you'd find this read actually interesting. Thanks for the heads up about This Wicked Game. I can't handle anymore voodoo stuff.
DeleteGirl I can feel your pain. Even now after I finished it I a) still wonder why did I finish it, b) what's the point of all that and c) insta-love. yes or no? I still don't know the answer to any of it. But somehow I was lured and that atmosphere was really grabbing. I guess. I'm lost when it comes to this one, but it's a shame as it had a lot of potential. So we're on the same boat here, dear! Amazing review :)
ReplyDeleteYes, the atmosphere was well done especially at the beginning. Glad I'm not the only one who felt this way. Can't wait to read your review, Tanja! :D
DeleteWahahahaahahah!. I am sorry for gaining so much happiness from your pain, Sarah! Punching the book in the crotch is a total WIN!!!!! Anyway, I'm really sorry for the pain that this book has caused you. I also loathe instalove with a fire of a thousand suns. Why can't just the author write the story without it? Is it a measure for literary success? Heavens, help us!
ReplyDeleteAnd oh dear, a dull plot would also make me steam. At some degree, I can tolerate instalove as long as the other parts of the book would make up for that (i.e awesome character development, phenomenal world building, unpredictable and tightly woven plot). Unfortunately, this book only has a beautiful prose which is not enough to redeem the whole book from flopping. :D
Fab review, Sarah!
Glad to have made you laugh, Charlotte. Uh no. Instalove is definitely not a measure of any kind of literary success. That would be too awful! XD
DeleteIt sounds like a Meh kind of a book huh? Tho I'm not really bothered by insta-love. just as long as its not annoying. But it sounds irritating and unreasonable so eeeeh.
ReplyDeleteJules @ Jules Bookshelf
Yes really meh, Jules. :(
DeleteI hate when books suffer from the tropes of insta-love, bland and recycled characters and horrible world-building. Totally understand why this book frustrated you so much, and I will be staying faaaar away from it! Wonderful review, I hope your next read is better x
ReplyDeleteJoy @ Thoughts By J
Thanks Joy. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
DeleteOh boy, now I'm worried. I live about an hour from New Orleans, so I jump at anything set there and I was getting excited about reading a book set there with all the goodness that tends to come with voodoo and murder. I can only hope that my general lack of bother about instalove will make me like this more than you and that New Orleans will fuel my interest. I'm glad to hear the writing is good, though! :)
ReplyDeleteIt actually excites me that you live so close to New Orleans, Rachel. Maybe you'd like this better?
DeleteAnother amazing cover and intriguing premise ruined by Instalove. </3 I'm sorry this didn't work out for you, Sarah. I've seen your GR updates so I'm not really surprise by your rating. As always, fantastic review! And thanks for heads up :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Paula! The updates actually made my reading experience bearable I must admit. XD
DeleteThis is going to sound sadistic, but I love when you can't connect to a book. It's honestly the highlight of my blog visits! You're so incredibly funny Sarah, the snark and crotch punching make me giggle to the point where I want to recommend crap books just so you'll write more snarky reviews *runs off to make a list*
ReplyDeleteLove is Sarah <3
Lol, I saw another review for this one and it mentioned the same problems.
ReplyDeleteI was never interested in this one because I figured this line in the synopsis " Lucy finds Alex, a mysterious boy who behaves as if they’ve known each other forever" alluded to insta-love and it looks like I was right. So, I'll be passing on this one. But, amusing review, Sarah!