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Chain of Gold Review

By Cassandra Clare 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 stars

Summary: Clare continues her Shadowhunter series with a new trilogy that follows James and Lucie Herondale, along with their childhood friend Cordelia Carstairs as they navigate London society in the early twentieth century as well as strange demonic activity that threatens more than their world.

The Good (Because let’s be honest, there’s nothing bad about this book): Once again, Cassandra Clare dragged me back into the Shadowhunter world, and I gladly welcomed it. I will probably read Clare’s books until I die as she is one of my favorite authors and the world of Shadowhunters is one I am always willing to immerse myself in over and over again. Besides her fantastic worldbuilding, Clare’s characters are always extremely compelling, and Chain of Gold is no exception. I think my favorite part about this novel was the characters and their relationships to one another; the relationships of Clare’s characters are far from simple, often entangled in overlapping webs of romance, friendship, and more. Furthermore, this review is less like a review and more like a rant about my love for the Chain of Gold characters and relationships.

*Beware spoilers below!*

Matthew: One of my first thoughts while reading this book was that Matthew and Lucie are really cute. Although I desperately wish they could be together, I know Clare has more planned for them, and it’s probably futile for me to ship them but alas. I also adore Matthew and just want to protect him at all costs. While I would be happy if Matthew and Lucie got together, I also want the best for Matthew, even if that is a completely new character he can fall in love with. That brings me to this freaking love triangle. At first, I wasn’t entirely sure that Matthew was falling for Cordelia because I thought he was already in love with James! I don’t know if I read too into their parabatai relationship but it seems to me like Matthew is falling for two people who don’t reciprocate his feelings...my poor baby.

Lucie: I absolutely love Lucie! I knew I would since I first heard about her character before the book came out. I’m not sure how I feel about her relationship with Jesse (although I did begin to miss him after he faded away); I think I need the sequel in order to be convinced of their romance. All I can really say is: I. NEED. MORE. GHOST. POWERS. Lucie’s powers are fascinating, and I was a little disappointed to see that they weren’t as big of a focus in this book as James’ powers. I hope we get to explore them more in Chain of Iron. (Let Lucie raise the dead!)

Cordelia: Weirdly enough, I felt kind of indifferent towards Cordelia when I first started Chain of Gold. But now that I’ve finished, I will protect her at all costs because I love her. She is such a bombass bitch! I especially enjoyed how she protected her family and pushed against the bounds of society. I wasn't entirely sold on her romance with James (Who couldn’t love the Whispering Room scene though??), but now that they’re in a fake arranged marriage, I can get on board. I can’t wait for the pining, and I know Cassie won’t let me down!

James: I just need him to get this fucking bracelet off!! I love all Herondales but I could love James a lot more without the bracelet. All in all, he’s such a sweetie and I literally cannot.

Grace: I’m open to seeing Grace grow as a character in the next two books but for now, she’s far from one of my favorites. I did find it intriguing when she wanted to team up with Lucie; I look forward to that subplot in Chain of Iron.

Anna: Bombass bitch. I was hoping she’d figure out the bracelet’s powers but still: bombass bitch.

Thomas & Alastair: I liked Thomas just fine. However, I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I enjoyed reading about Alastair. I was prepared to hate him but Cassie always surprises me. He’s one of the most interesting secondary characters because of his past actions. Even though he has a lot to atone for, I look forward to seeing his development, including his future relationship with Thomas. (Please ditch Charles soon!)

#chain of gold #chain of iron #cog2 #cog2 spoilers #chain of gold spoilers #cassandra clare #shadowhunters #tmi #matthew fairchild #james herondale #cordelia carstairs #lucie herondale #book review #book reviews #books #review #book blog #miraculousmidnightreviews #booklr #reading #2020 review

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Writing Advice!!

There are so many great posts with advice for writers floating around that I have decided to create a side blog where I can not only keep them for the future but also share them with others! This side blog is for all of you fellow writers! I hope you’ll find something useful here. Many thanks to the Tumblr users who create these amazing posts! Find me on my main blog @girlgotattitude448 or my book review blog @miraculousmidnightreviews !

#writers #writeblr #writing #written #writings #writer #reading #advice for writers #writing advice

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Book Lovers!!!

To all my wonderful followers who love to read:

Please go check out (and possibly follow) my book review blog @miraculousmidnightreviews !!!

We try to post a new book review every week!

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The Unhoneymooners Review

By Christina Lauren ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5 stars

Summary: Olive has been unlucky her entire life. And when everyone in her sister’s wedding party except for Olive and the groom’s older brother, Ethan, get food poisoning from the buffet, Olive must take her sister’s place in an all-paid honeymoon to Hawaii with one catch: she has to pretend to be newly wed to Ethan, who also happens to be her nemesis. All Olive wants is to enjoy a free vacation, not fall in love with the person she hates. But luck is a funny thing....

*Beware spoilers below!*

The Good: This was such a fun read! The writing flows so nicely that I read it in just two days. I’ve heard great things about Christine Lauren, and of course, I couldn’t resist an enemies-to-lovers trope, so I had to grab this. 

Usually, the characters we read about are people we wish to be, or at least have attributes that make them “cooler” than us. However, Olive and Ethan felt very real to me while I was reading. Disregarding their outrageous attractiveness, Olive and Ethan are homebodies, even in Hawaii they are relieved to return to the hotel after a long day and later their own houses; Ethan is also a major germaphobe who refuses to eat from buffets. I have never felt so seen before! I, too, love staying home! Characters in books never want that, because then it would be quite a boring book. Christina Lauren just really get me.

I’ve read in other reviews that some people didn’t like how the enemies-to-lovers trope played out because Olive and Ethan technically weren’t enemies. But I personally enjoyed this little twist. When I found out that Ethan never truly hated Olive and even wanted to ask her out when they first met, I immediately thought of Rhys from A Court of Mist and Fury, one of my favorite novels and romances. Ethan pretending to hate Olive added a lot to his character, which made me like him even more. 

The Bad: I pretty much loved everything about this book. The only thing that rubbed me the wrong way was how everyone treated Olive at the end of the novel. I understand that everyone’s disbelief was necessary for Olive to change her perspective on her life, but I felt that Olive’s feelings and opinions were often valid, and it was Ami and Ethan who were being unfair. While everyone eventually reconciled, Ami and Ethan definitely owed Olive a better apology than “I’m sorry, Olive, but you know how you are.” I know that both Ami and Ethan acknowledged Olive’s efforts to change, but it all felt a bit patriarchal. I just wish that the authors hadn’t chosen this as the main conflict of the second half of the novel. 

And The Everything Else: Not much else to say, besides the fact that I’m definitely going to pick up another book by this incredible duo!

Thanks for reading! Check out my other reviews here. You can also find me on Instagram or Goodreads.

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Over the past few days, I’ve been thinking about how I can best use my time and energy to help BIPOC Americans and this movement. I want to help as much as possible as a white ally, and I’ve realized that the first place to start is with myself and those around me, specifically through reading. In order to tackle the deeply-seated white supremacy and racial inequities of our country, white people, including myself, need to understand and listen to the voices of Black Americans. We need to do the research.

For the rest of the week, I won’t be posting any of my usual content in solidarity with this movement. But I will continue to amplify BIPOC voices, not just on Instagram but throughout my personal life as well. And I hope this community and those close to me will hold me accountable, as we should do for all white people we know. I’ve created a story highlight, “EDUCATE URSELF,” where I will continue to post content that supports and amplifies BIPOC voices.

Of course, reading is only one of many things we, as allies, have a responsibility to do. I encourage everyone who has the means to donate to Black-owned organizations that actively support Black Americans as well as sign petitions. For organizations to donate to, petitions, and more resources, I’ve included a link, “EDUCATE YOURSELF,” in the linktree in my bio. It’s not enough to post once. It’s not enough to say you support this movement and then go about your life as normal. The state of our country should NOT BE NORMAL! And we must continue to actively work to counteract it.

#books #book #book blog #reading #miraculousmidnightreviews #book review #review #writing #reviews #book recommendations #chain of gold #cassandra clare #quote on tumblr #book quote #book quotes #quote #quotes

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Reviews - Instagram - Goodreads

#the unhoneymooners #christina lauren #quotes #quote #book quotes #Quote of the Day #book quote #book #books #book review #book blog #booklr #quoteoftheday #quotes for writers #romance #romcom #romance books #romcom book #miraculousmidnightreviews

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How many books did you read this month?

March was a slow month for me. I only read two books and now with online classes, I don’t know if that number will go up. But hopefully it will!

My ratings:

Chain of Gold ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Unhoneymooners ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Read my review of Enlightened Sexism.

Check out my blog on instagram!

#book #books #the rise of enlightened sexism #susan j douglas #chain of gold #cassandra clare #the unhoneymooners #christina lauren #quotes #quote #book quotes #book review #book reccs #Book Review Blog #miraculousmidnightreviews #my edit #book blog #review blog

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The Last Girl Review

The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State

By Nadia Murad

5/5 stars

While some progress has been made in the fight against ISIS, as argued by Nadia Murad in The Last Girl, the problems in Iraq cannot be clearly divided along a line that is determined to label every Muslim as a terrorist. In fact, Murad approaches the controversial topic from a new outlook: the rise of the Islamic State and its supporters has been years in the making, ever since American intervention took down Saddam Hussein and his Baathist institutions. She also explains the situation in Iraq as a religious persecution as ISIS targeted members of religious minorities living in the nation, including Murad herself. In her book, Murad not only argues for the dismantling of the Islamic State but also the humanization and protection of the innocent people who still remain under ISIS control. Her powerful memoir deserves more attention as it is a necessary read in order to fully understand the inner workings of Iraq’s many religious sects as well as a different and relevant, non-western feminist perspective of women living in the Middle East. Through her narrative style, Murad effectively persuades her audience of the need for religious acceptance of the Yazidi people and on a larger scale, the prosecution of the Islamic State for genocide.

Split into three parts, the memoir begins with a historical account of Iraq that explains the rise of ISIS. Starting with Saddam Hussein’s control over the nation and its eventual liberation by Americans in the early 2000s, Murad paints a historical backdrop that informs the reader of decades of political unrest and recurring violence, interwoven with anecdotes from her childhood and the days leading up to the ISIS capture of her village, Kocho. From the tension between political parties, like the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to the growing separation between Yazidis and their Sunni Arab neighbors, one is lead to believe that it was only a matter of time before the temporary bubble of peace that Murad had lived in her entire life popped.

The second section of the memoir begins with the corralling of Murad and her village into the public school. That day, six of her brothers along with the rest of the male residents of Kocho were killed. Murad and the women and children were taken to a secondary location, where she and her young female relatives were separated from Murad’s mother. Murad would later find out that every elderly woman from Kocho, including her mother, was executed and buried in an unmarked grave. Meanwhile, Murad and the young women were sold into slavery, forced to become “sabaya” or sex slaves for ISIS soldiers and high-ranking officers.

After a failed attempt, Murad managed to escape for a second time and find a sympathetic Sunni Arab family that would hide her from ISIS. From this home, she contacted one of her brothers, who was outside the country at the time and able to smuggle her into Kurdistan controlled territory. While her brother worked to help their female relatives and other women escape enslavement, Murad became an activist against ISIS and human trafficking, later speaking in front of the United Nations and winning the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize.

An integral part of The Last Girl as well as Murad herself is the Yazidi religion, which should be protected and accepted across the world, as Murad argues. “Yazidis believe that before God made man, he created seven divine beings, often called angels, who were manifestations of himself,” according to Murad (27). One of these angels, Tawusi Melek (or the Peacock Angel), is the main being to which Yazidis pray and center their practices and celebrations around. However, many Muslim Iraqis consider Yazidis “devil worshippers,” scorning them and their practices for “reasons that have no real roots” in the stories of Yazidis (Murad 28). As a result of this hatred, “outside powers had tried to destroy [Yazidis] seventy-three times” before the genocide of Murad’s people in 2014 (Murad 6). It is this hatred and derision, Murad argues, that led ISIS to target Yazidis in their terrorist campaign. As a religious minority in Iraq, Yazidis relied on the relationship that they had with Sunni Arabs for protection. But as many Sunni Arabs turned to the Islamic State, Yazidis were left vulnerable to the whims of ISIS. As Murad conveys, the acceptance of the Yazidi religion, and religious tolerance on a broader scale, would further prevent the violence and persecution that often follows minorities.

In order to accept and protect Yazidis, one must first become educated on their religious practices and culture. Murad asserts that “Yazidism should be taught in schools from across Iraq to the United States, so that people understood the value of preserving an ancient religion and protecting the people who follow it” (300). In a broader sense, people who are better informed about Yazidism and its history as a persecuted community would be able to better help the Yazidis still under ISIS rule, especially the women forced into sexual slavery. The Last Girl is a moving story and a major contribution to understanding the role of transnational feminisms. It is important to note that while many Yazidi practices and the general attitudes in Iraq reinforce gender inequality, Murad is not arguing for a complete cultural upheaval of these practices and attitudes; she is pushing for what may seem like a small step to western feminists, but freeing the large Yazidi population of women still kept in sexual slavery is what is needed for the feminism that Murad practices, for the betterment of Yazidis, and for a longer path towards female empowerment in the Middle East.

Although Murad advocates for the prevention of Yazidi persecution through religious tolerance, she also wants justice for the crimes committed against her and her people. Murad argues that the Islamic State, “from the leaders down to the citizens who supported their atrocities,” should be put on an international trial for the genocide of the Yazidi people and other war crimes (300). Not only has ISIS executed the majority of Murad’s village, including her mother and brothers, but it has also committed horrific acts of cruelty and continues to do so today in the form of rape and other torture. Murad states that when she fantasizes about putting ISIS on trial, she sees her first rapist, Hajij Salman, captured alive, and as she further describes: “I want to visit him in jail [...] And I want him to look at me and remember what he did to me and understand that this is why he will never be free again” (177). For Murad, holding ISIS responsible for its crimes against humanity is not just for Yazidi justice, it’s personal, and reasonably so. No one should have to go through such unimaginable torture, especially without any form of justice.

In the epilogue of The Last Girl, Mura writes that “the UN finally recognized what ISIS did to Yazidis as a genocide” (304). But without a trial, justice does not exist for Murad and her people. Recognition is not enough. And the longer the UN waits to prosecute the Islamic State, more evidence of its crimes will continue to disappear. But for Murad, the time for waiting is over. Her memoir is not only a testament to her survival and her love for her people but also her unwillingness to let ISIS go unpunished. The Last Girl is evidence, Murad’s written evidence, of the Islamic State’s atrocities. As a survivor, this book is her way of holding ISIS accountable for its crimes. It is an act of defiance that will continue to be a relevant and necessary read for the public until ISIS is formally punished.

Murad’s memoir perfectly conveys her intentions through an effectively enticing narrative that urges the reader to better empathize with the struggles of the Yazidi people and understand the importance of prosecuting the Islamic State on a grand scale. Although this is not a revolutionary take on feminism, it is a compelling story that portrays a nation racked with terrorism in a new light. While Murad’s memoir educates as well as connects western readers to the plight of her people, it also highlights a path to resolving conflict in Iraq from the perspective of those who know the region and its culture best. In order to help her people, Murad argues that one must first understand her history and culture. While the punishment of ISIS is imperative, it is not enough to employ airstrikes on suspected terrorist headquarters. Organizations, like the Islamic State, will only continue to reform as violence, religious persecution of minority groups, and the poor treatment of women persists.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this review! Check out my other reviews here!

Credit: Murad, Nadia. The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State. New York: Tim Duggan Books, 2017.

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The Lover Review

Album: Lover

Artist: Taylor Swift

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Taylor Swift’s seventh album is a triumphant feat of lyrical and musical genius. It is 1989 with a brand new depth of maturity. Favoring synth drum beats, Lover covers a wide range of topics not usually heard on a Swift album, from LGBTQ+ issues to feminism to even political disillusionment. Quite possibly one of the most fantastic aspects of Lover is the ability of each song to embody the album cover. Albeit a strange accomplishment, props to Swift for always planning ahead; even songs as solemn as “Cornelia Street” still manage to paint clouds of pastel pink and blue in a listener’s mind.

After the release of reputation (my personal favorite out of Swift’s discography), I was extremely excited for Lover. It’s safe to say that this album exceeded my expectations and more. It gave me songs that I didn’t even know I needed, like “False God” and “Afterglow,” and it also completely blew me away with spectacular bops (yes, I’m talking about “Cruel Summer”). Interestingly, Swift seems to have gotten into the habit of releasing lead singles which do not accurately reflect the excellence and vibe of her upcoming albums. “ME!” and “You Need to Calm Down,” while fun to dance to, are probably my least favorite songs from Lover. This goes to show that Swift, unlike other artists, is not a one hit wonder but can back up chart-topping songs with entire albums of catchy and well-written tunes. 

Another significant aspect of this album is Swift’s solo songwriting credit on three songs. On reputation, Swift enlisted help from other songwriters on the entire album whereas with Lover, “Lover,” “Cornelia Street,” and “Daylight” are written solely by Swift. “Lover” especially stands out from the rest of the album as a timeless classic despite being released just last year. It’s truly a beautifully romantic song that will be played as the first dance for many weddings; it will absolutely go down in history as one of the most romantic tracks of all time. 

Clearly I’m a huge fan of Swift’s newest album. Even though Lover didn’t do as well as Swift’s previous albums in terms of sales, it still did extremely well in the era of streaming, surpassing all other 2019 albums in pure sales. For those who say Taylor Swift is no longer relevant, I beg to differ. She’s still making fantastic music and doing just fine. 

Thanks for reading! Check out other reviews here!

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The Rise of Enlightened Sexism Book Review

By Susan J. Douglas 4.5/5 stars

In present day society, women seem to have it all. Who needs feminism anymore? No one, according to the media. However, it is precisely because of the media, Susan J. Douglas argues in The Rise of Enlightened Sexism, that we so desperately cannot forget the principles of feminism. Douglas asserts that while there are depictions of strong and capable women embedded in the media, these are only fantasies of power. Media has given rise to enlightened sexism, the belief that women have come so far in society that we no longer need feminist politics, and in fact, can embrace sexist stereotypes with the knowledge that no one actually believes in them anymore. And when embedded feminism and enlightened sexism crash together on our T.V. screens, we are often left with contradictory portrayals of women that leave much to be desired. Despite its age, Enlightened Sexism still remains fairly relevant in a society still focused on media sources, particularly of the entertainment and journalistic forms. Through a deep dive into 90’s culture centered around T.V. shows and a look at female figures in the public eye, Douglas reminds women that we cannot rely on the media for our liberation but must instead, take a critical approach to the media-presented fantasies of power.

In the mid-1990s, with the prevalence of violence against women and a focus on sexual politics, T.V. shows that embraced “warrior women in thongs” thrived, and Douglas argues, represented how the view of women in society was simultaneously changing and remaining the same. “Warrior women in thongs,” as dubbed by Douglas, describes the main characters of shows like Xena: Warrior Princess and Buffy, who possess kickass abilities while also maintaining a sense of femininity through revealing clothing. These characters completely inverted the idea that women were the weak and cowering victims of frightening sequences. In Xena, Xena is a tough woman haunted by her ugly past, who must constantly fight barbarians representing the evils of the patriarchy. Known for her impressive fighting skills as well as her chakra, Xena proved a formidable opponent in battle and an iconic figure for girls, especially lesbians, to look up to.

Similarly, Buffy is a witty high school girl who has been chosen to protect the world from vampires, demons, and other evil creatures. This depiction of a woman who is not “ soft-spoken, always tactful, deferential to men,” and does not “self-censor [her] feelings and desires” conveys that women, especially adolescent girls, do not need men to save them nor do they need to take men’s advice (Douglas 90). But while both Xena and Buffy seem to represent liberated and empowered women to their audiences, they also reveal fantasies of power about the condition of women in society; they both “reaffirmed the sexual objectification of women and girls” through their sexualized clothing as well as reminded viewers that women this powerful can only exist in fictional realms, where the Greek gods are not myths and a Hellmouth exists (Douglas 99). While Douglas points out the contradictions of these characters, she also highlights a common thread among strong, leading female protagonists in general: they walk with one foot in the sphere of masculine traits and one in the feminine, never finding a balanced, realistic depiction of women. Just replace Xena or Buffy with a leading female from the CW and almost a decade later, we encounter the same issue.

If one watched the media in the nineties, she would not find stories about the accomplishments of girls but rather young women as “either victims or delinquents of some sort” (Douglas 58). As a result of powerful women becoming well-known in the public arena for their achievements, Douglas notes that a policing of women by the media, and of course, men, occurs. This most notably happened as Hillary Clinton ran for the Democratic ticket in 2008. In a society engrossed in the ideals of enlightened sexism, Clinton represented “the ascension of feminism” to the public eye once again (Douglas 268). Although a skilled lawyer and U.S. senator, Clinton was often criticized by the media, not for her lack of qualifications, but for being a woman. In the face of a powerful woman, Douglas argues, men and the media become afraid of her level of status and must therefore, put her back in her place through the use of demonizing double standards. 

This “fear of castration” also applies to the high profile story of Lorena Bobbitt, who cut off her husband’s penis after reportedly suffering years of abuse and rape. While Bobbitt did not become known for an accomplishment, she did gain power from her actions, prompting the media and men to go into an immediate frenzy. The case of Lorena Bobbitt, much like Clinton’s bid for the nomination, scared men; it was a literal example of the loss of masculinity at the hands of a woman who, because she committed castration, held power over them. As a result, the media, such as late night hosts, made Bobbitt and her husband the butt of many jokes in order to reinforce traditional masculinity in a society that was seemingly trying to take it away. Today, these fantasies of power still persist; while women can run for president, they can also count on ridicule and backlash solely based on their appearance and womanhood during their campaign.

Although Douglas does an excellent job of making the text and its terms, like enlightened sexism, accessible to a large audience, her writing sometimes obscures the meaning of her thesis. For example, Douglas often uses long sentences to convey her information and points. However, these sentences, for the most part, separate the subject and the verb with lengthy clauses, making it difficult at times to connect the sentences to the paragraphs and to the text at large.

Overall, Enlightened Sexism discusses in broad terms how the reality of femininity for every day women contrasts greatly with the ideas of femininity portrayed by the media. In her examples arguing against enlightened sexism, Douglas often highlights how the media contributes to the omission, trivialization, and condemnation of women: female accomplishments, unless they relate to sports, are often left out of media coverage. Black women and women from minority groups are often completely forgotten in the white conforming culture of media. If a woman, like Hillary Clinton, gains power, her intrinsic value in the eyes of the media is often reduced to her appearance. Women, like Lorena Bobbitt, who are too often victims of their situation, are usually portrayed as villains by the media, responsible for the reprehensible actions of men. In a society in which we still obsessively follow media, whether it be journalism sites or T.V. shows, Enlightened Sexism never fails to be relevant as one can always substitute a modern T.V. show for one from the past.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this review! Check out my other reviews here!

Credit: Douglas, Susan J. The Rise of Enlightened Sexism: How Pop Culture Took Us from Girl Power to Girls Gone Wild. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2010.

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What are you doing to keep yourself busy these days?

Lover review is finally up! Because of social distancing, I have a lot more time on my hands to write and post for you all! Hopefully I’ll be able to stick to a regular-ish schedule. Fingers crossed! In the mean time, be safe and be kind 🥰

Check my post out on insta!

#taylor swift #taylorswift #taylorswiftedit #taylorswiftlover #miraculousmidnightreviews #writing #writings #review #reviews #album review #lover #lover fest #writingblr #review blog #book review blog

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How are you staying connected with friends from afar?

My friends and I are attempting to start a book club soon! I have to come up with three book recs for it. Any suggestions  are welcome in the comments!

On a different note, I binged Tiger King over the weekend and that was an insane ride. Message me if you want to talk about because I’m still reeling!

Reviews - Instagram - Goodreads

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Top 6 songs from Lover in no particular order:

Cruel Summer

Lover

The Man

Death By a Thousand Cuts

London Boy

Afterglow

Read my review of Lover here

#taylor swift #taylorswift #taylorswiftedit #taylorswiftlover #my edit #lover #lover era #lover edit #tswiftlyrics #music review #lover the album #album review #review blog #book blog #mmrmusic #miraculousmidnightreviews #ts lover #ts7 lover #ts7 era #lover ts7

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I’m back!

Hello dear followers,

I’m terribly sorry that I have been gone for so long! But due to current events, I am now at home completing college classes online. It’s not the most fun way to spend my time, but I’m hoping to finally, finally get this blog onto a regular schedule that I can maintain in my spare time. Please go easy on me haha. I’m doing my best. But I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who’s still hanging around. New content is coming tomorrow!

Love, 

MMR

#MMR #miraculousmidnightreviews #hiatus #personal #text #reading #reading blog #blog #review blog #book blog

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There will definitely be an explanation for my review of reputation

Album: reputation 

Artist: Taylor Swift Rating: 5/5 stars

I would first like to preface this review with one fact: reputation is my favorite album by Taylor Swift. It should be noted that I did not rate this album based on the average of each individual song rating. (If I did, the actual album rating would be 4.5 stars.) But I felt that this album deserved more. So much more.

What I admire most about reputation is its honest introspectiveness. I think it’s safe to say that no one predicted this album to be The Next Taylor Swift Album. The lead single is distinctly not like previous Swift singles, providing an unexpectedly darker side to Swift. And the album cover is devoid of Swift’s usual bright or pastel colors. Yet what people brushed off as a risky and failed move designed to turn around Swift’s career, her reputation, became the most truthful album of her discography. 

At this point, whether you’re a fan of Swift or not, you can’t doubt her abilities. She knows how to create chart-topping hits; she knows how to pen heart-wrenching ballads; she’s done it before. And she’ll continue to do so for the rest of her career. But reputation was never meant to be the next 1989, the next record-breaking financial success (although it was to some extent). This album was meant to be something else entirely: an admittedly risky exploration that only Swift could pull off. 

And I respect that immensely. This album is honest, and it’s brave. It might not be her most sonically cohesive or lyrically complex album, but it wins anyways. I love that the songs are in chronological order as they pertain to Swift’s life, and while that means it can be hard to listen to the songs without skipping around, the album itself is a journey through Swift’s year of solitude, through her mind space and blossoming relationship, through her life away from the eyes of the public and the media. To me, it’s clear Swift wrote reputation not because she needed to stick to her schedule of releasing an album every other year, but because she just needed to cope with events in her life. I appreciate that maybe even more than the honesty: that Swift wrote this album because she needed it; she wrote it for herself and no one else.

In anticipation of Lover coming out on Aug. 23, I will be reviewing each of Swift’s albums up until the forthcoming album’s release. I can’t wait to listen to new TS music, and I hope these reviews will provide a wistful and refreshing glance at past eras as we look forward to a brand new one.

Continue reading below for my review of each individual song.

1) ...Ready For it?

Rating: 4/5 stars

*clears throat*

At first listen, I was unsure of the mix of rap and singing. But it’s now one of the songs from this album that I play when I’m in That Mood™.

Did I mention Taylor raps?!?

The pre-chorus is so “Wildest Dreams”-esque that I can’t. I just can’t. (Also, sexy!)

That Elizabeth Taylor reference!!! I love it when artists make pop culture references in their works. It gives me a dopamine rush.

As always, it’s nice to hear Swift play with the perception of herself. She’s just so great at turning her reputation as portrayed by the media into a clever and witty line or song.

i’M So vERy TAme nOW (Sarcasm on point. She did that.)

2) End Game (feat. Future & Ed Sheeran)

4/5 stars

Taylor raps! Pt. 2

BIG REPUTATION

I love the features on this one, and I’m very surprised by Future. But that’s Taylor Swift, keeping us on our toes.

This song includes the first of many references to alcohol from this album. A first for Swift, but all those who are surprised need to grow the fuck up. Because Swift certainly did.

Also, notice “End Game” has the first mention of gold, a motif that will continue throughout the album.

3) I Did Something Bad

Rating: 5/5 stars

Probably my favorite song from this album. The live performance was also my favorite of hers. 

badass vibes all the way

IF A MAN TALKS SHIT THEN I OWE HIM NOTHING

I am absolutely in love with the feminist-y witch metaphor in the bridge. Iconic.

Also cool that Swift was inspired by Game of Thrones for this and other songs from this album.

4) Don’t Blame Me

Rating: 5/5 stars

All the gospel feels

TAKE ME TO CHURCH, TAYLOR!!!

THAT high note

Once again, the honesty

5) Delicate

Rating: 5/5 stars

When the album first came out, this was the song that I immediately played the most and connected to. I just adore how she was able to take these universal feelings and put them into a song that anyone just starting a relationship can relate to.

The music video is so underrated. It’s so cute and happy and I just love it and her so much.

1 2 3, LET’S GO BITCH!!!!!!

The repetition of “isn’t it?” to reflect anxiety is, once again, an example of Swift’s lyrical genius.

6) Look What You Made Me Do

Rating: 4/5 stars

YOU’LL ALL GET YOURS

A lot of people did not like this song when it first came out and some still don’t. I happen to like it a lot. While the chorus is not my favorite, the verses bite with amazing zingers and that’s what hooks me.

I think when everyone first heard this song, we assumed the rest of the album would sound similarly: dark and filled with vengeance. But with the exception of a few songs, I would consider reputation to be one of Swift’s happiest albums. There are certainly dark overtones, but at its heart, reputation is an album about love and acceptance in the aftermath of Swift’s metaphorical death. If you consider 1989 for comparison, the composition of its songs (and even the album cover) present a romantic and hopeful facade, when actually, many songs have depressing lyrics about the fate of romantic relationships.

The bridge is so reminiscent of the bridge from Blank Space in a way. They give me similar vibes, except LWYMMD’s is the follow-up to that of Blank Space.

This song has one of my favorite music videos ever. I love when artists tell stories through their music videos, and Swift never fails at storytelling. (Also, a fantastic lyric video!)

7) So It Goes…

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

I feel like this song embodies what everyone expected from this album at first glance: dark, techno pop.

This one doesn’t really do much for me, but I enjoy the extended metaphor of the magician. 

Too much techno, in my opinion.

But sexyyy—“scratches down your back”

8) Gorgeous

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

This song gives me old Taylor vibes, just with a new production.

“Gorgeous” does such an excellent job at conveying the thoughts and feelings surrounding first attraction between two people.

“I guess I’ll just stumble on home to my cats.” Relatable.

Give the original lyrics a listen from Swift’s the making of a song video. They’re heartbreaking.

9) Getaway Car

Rating: 5/5 stars

Now this bitch is DEFINITELY old Taylor storytelling at its finest.

That Tale of Two Cities reference!

THat BRidGE!!!

“And a circus ain’t a love story. And now we’re both sorry.”

Just the complexity of feelings portrayed in this song is utter perfection.

Bonnie & Clyde!!!

This is one of those classic Taylor songs that you turn all the way up while driving down the highway at 70 miles per hour, screaming at the top of your lungs. GO GO GO!!

(not that I’ve ever done that. I follow all speed limits :))

10) King of My Heart

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

The only reason this song doesn’t get 5 stars is because I could have done without the added production (less techno plz).

The beginning always gets me. This and “Call it What You Want” have the saddest beginning lines on the album.

Overall, this is just cute af. Pure fluff.

“jAguARs”

The drums on tour were a wonderful bonus.

Also, the bridge. Swift writes some damn good bridges on this album and just in general.

11) Dancing With Our Hands Tied

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

This song, like “So it Goes…,” doesn’t really do much for me, even though it seems to be a fan favorite. I really preferred the acoustic version of this that she played on tour.

But I appreciate the versatility of her song topics as well as her voice.

12) Dress

Rating: 5/5 stars

First reaction while listening to this song: OMG TAYLOR!!! sexyyyyyy

Her voice *heart eyes*

The pre-chorus is so much fun to sing!!!

“I’m spilling wine in the bathtub” gives me high school party vibes for some reason lol

13) This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things

Rating: 4/5 stars

I really love everything about this song, except for the chorus. It just wasn’t as fun to sing along to as the rest of the song. (Although purposefully making it sound childish was an effective way to get her point across).

 That Gatsby reference!

love Love LOVE the tongue-in-cheek attitude

She missed the parties :(

14) Call It What You Want

Rating: 5/5 stars

so soft & pure

A recovery song is what we really deserve. I love that Taylot took this time for herself.

My heart just bursts when I hear this song. 

That feminist bridge tho—a mature and fulfilling continuation of “Love Story” in a way

15) New Year’s Day

5/5 stars

Bittersweet—the perfect closing song to this album

This song perfectly showcases Swift’s heartachingly beautiful songwriting talent. 

“please don’t ever become stranger whose laugh I recognize anywhere” really gets me.

With this conclusive song, I can say that Taylor Swift is truly happy and okay. And I’m so proud.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this review! Check out other reviews here!

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The Coming-of-Age Novel That We All Deserve

Again, But Better

By Christine Riccio

4/5 stars

Described as a rom-com, coming-of-age, this debut novel follows the story of college student Shane as she studies abroad in London and decides that it’s time to “do college right.” A few fast facts about Shane: she doesn’t have any close friends; she’s majoring in a field (pre-med) that she lacks a passion for; she has never kissed a boy. 

I first heard about this book because I am a fan of and subscriber to the author’s channel on YouTube. That being said, I will try to provide an honest review, but it’s impossible to avoid all bias so take what I write with a grain of salt.

As a follower of Riccio’s, I was extremely excited for this novel. I also had high expectations. And as soon as I learned of the release date, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. But what I didn’t know before reading, was how much the world of books, especially the genre of New Adult books, needed this novel.

In the beginning of the novel, Riccio includes a short note about how much she needed this type of book when she was younger. A book where the protagonist is not an expert kisser and sexy badass at the age of 16. A book where the protagonist does not have her life figured out before she graduates high school or college. A book where everything must go wrong before it can go right. 

I was both surprised and elated after reading her note. Surprised because I didn’t realize how the majority of coming-of-age stories center around high-school-aged protagonists, not college students. And elated because I had finally found a book that I could connect to on a highly personal level.

Whether or not you enjoy Again, But Better, it is suffice to say that this debut novel is a much needed addition to the New Adult genre for young and adult readers alike.

The Coming-of-Age Bit

While coming-of-age novels center a great deal around romance, I felt that this novel had a healthy balance between romance and figuring out how to just live life. I was a little disappointed that the romance wasn’t as present as I would have liked, but it was refreshing to see a character who also didn’t know how to be an adult. It was an honest portrayal that I greatly appreciated. It also made Shane a more likable and relatable character.

I’m honestly so surprised how much I related to Shane, especially her passion for writing. While Shane wants to become a published writer with her “Great American Novel,” her parents want her to follow a pre-med track for many reasons, but mostly because it would provide her with a decent income later in life. Shane’s career dilemma is a situation in which many liberal arts students find themselves these days. And Again, But Better perfectly depicts the difficulty in choosing yourself over others and in pursuing your passions above all else.

The Romance

Another refreshing part about this novel was the romance. In most New Adult novels, the plot revolves quite a bit around the romance, especially the sexual parts. However, this novel does not dwell on the sexual aspects of a relationship, choosing instead to explore the first (and sometimes awkward) encounters that everyone experiences in his or her first serious relationship. 

It was really nice to read a first time relationship with characters who were in college. Like really fucking nice. Not all people will fall in love in high school, okay? And I’m glad this book breaks the mold of first time high school romances. I’ve had enough of books reinforcing the notion that you’ll fall in love at age 15, have sex when you’re 16, and know that you’ll be with that person forever and ever at the ripe, old age of 17. That’s just some bullshit right there.

The Writing Style

Riccio’s writing style took me a little while to get used to. It’s much like her videos on YouTube, but in written format. I enjoyed her originality, but certain scenes and phrases just didn't flow as well as they probably would have if they were said out loud. I eventually got used to it, but I would have traded some quirky thoughts for more details.

Unfortunately, this novel does fall into that trap of including every physical detail about a character at his or her introduction (which leads to me completely forgetting everything about that character, except for his or her name. And then for the rest of the novel, I just have a weird visual of a floating name in place of an actual person while reading. Or maybe that’s just me.) But I’m willing to let this slide since it’s a debut.

The dialogue was definitely a strong point for Riccio, probably courtesy of her screenwriting background. Character interactions were always my favorite part of every scene.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this non-spoilery review! Come back later for the spoilery stuff, or keep reading at your own risk! Check out other reviews here.

SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT

That Second Second Chance

Wow, so I went into this thinking Shane’s second chance was her going abroad, but I DID NOT expect time travel, or even a time jump for that matter. This was definitely a highlight of the book that I absolutely loved. Kudos to Riccio for duping me like that.

That Scene That Made Me Feel Some Hardcore Second Hand Embarrassment

This is probably weird, but whatever: the scene in which Shane and her parents argue in the restaurant was one of my absolute favorite scenes in the entire book. And it’s mostly because of how hard I felt That Second Hand Embarrassment™ for Shane. It’s that awful feeling of heaviness in your stomach and heat in your cheeks. And I felt it all! An excellent display of Riccio’s writing.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed both the non-spoilery and spoilery reviews! Check out other reviews here!

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