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A review by ashley_mrose530
A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I think this was a very well-written book, but it wasn't really for me.
I tend to not really enjoy the more literary contemporary romance stories and this one was definitely one of those, but just because I don't really enjoy it doesn't mean that it's not a very good book.
I love Malinda Lo's writing in a general sense. She's very thought-provoking and philosophical and that can be really difficult to do in a novel without it becoming boring like a textbook. So I very much appreciate that kind of writing, but unfortunately it's just not my cup of tea.
This book also had the added bonus of having a particular detail of the relationship that I just did not like. It centered on Steph cheating on her current girlfriend with the MC and I couldn't get past that to even enjoy the romantic relationship. I think it would have been better for me if the MC would have been the one cheating on a boyfriend or something while she was figuring herself out because I can relate to that. I remember being in high school and being dumb and thinking that kissing a girl didn't count even though it very much did. So I could probably get over that a little bit easier, but Steph was already out and proud and had a girlfriend and I just couldn't get past her cheating to enjoy a majority of this book.
If it wasn't for that, I probably would have given this book around the same rating as the Telegraph Club (I did enjoy the small connection to that book in this one too) which was a 4. I liked the writing style and the reflective nature of the book otherwise.
I tend to not really enjoy the more literary contemporary romance stories and this one was definitely one of those, but just because I don't really enjoy it doesn't mean that it's not a very good book.
I love Malinda Lo's writing in a general sense. She's very thought-provoking and philosophical and that can be really difficult to do in a novel without it becoming boring like a textbook. So I very much appreciate that kind of writing, but unfortunately it's just not my cup of tea.
This book also had the added bonus of having a particular detail of the relationship that I just did not like. It centered on Steph cheating on her current girlfriend with the MC and I couldn't get past that to even enjoy the romantic relationship. I think it would have been better for me if the MC would have been the one cheating on a boyfriend or something while she was figuring herself out because I can relate to that. I remember being in high school and being dumb and thinking that kissing a girl didn't count even though it very much did. So I could probably get over that a little bit easier, but Steph was already out and proud and had a girlfriend and I just couldn't get past her cheating to enjoy a majority of this book.
If it wasn't for that, I probably would have given this book around the same rating as the Telegraph Club (I did enjoy the small connection to that book in this one too) which was a 4. I liked the writing style and the reflective nature of the book otherwise.