Honestly I didn’t have faith after reading the first chapter, it was just a bit too predictable beat for beat. I’m glad I kept reading because I was not expecting the Critical Role inspired livestreams. (I think it’s in the description, I just had this on my shelf for so long I forgot). I could really relate to Quinn falling in love with the storytelling and character dynamics of D&D. The characters in general were all very charming.

Overall this book fell flat for me. It was a nice story, just not anything super profound. It seems like it is supposed to be a raw look at young motherhood and the stigma around sex work, and it was fine. I liked that Margo's relationships within her family were a focus, and handled the nuance pretty well. Something that didn't work for me was JB's characterization. Met through OnlyFans, but he's not like other guys! It was pretty cheesy. There was also the professor/student relationship I don't think was handled well. I understand Margo was under the impression she didn't see the power imbalance in their relationship, but it can potentially spread a dangerous rhetoric when she doubles down after the people in her life shed light on this for her. She only uses this against him when it benefits her baby, but I don't think she ever understands how that is one of the many things that makes him a bad person. Anyway, not one of my favorites, but I liked the exploration of Jinx trying to right things with Margo.

I really felt this installment was on par with The Giver. Using familiar characters is a strength to this novel, because it allowed me to better understand the origins and values of Village. I also thought the tension surrounding trades was written so well. The only thing I wish was done better is the pacing. There were some parts that had a lot of buildup with a very small payoff. When considering how much is established in the first half of the novel such as gifts and trades and the new puppy, the second half of the novel was not as eventful. I enjoyed it, but it just seems like an odd pacing choice in retrospect. Overall, I really felt Messenger was just a thought, provoking as The Giver. I really cared about these characters in such a short amount of time.

Annie Bot was such an engaging read from start to finish. As a reader, it’s easy to recognize Annie’s treatment early on, but the challenge is waiting for her to understand the gravity of her situation. There’s an uneasiness with every dangerous thought Annie has. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a quick read with thought provoking ideas such as women in power, what it means to be alive, and abusive relationships. (Also if you’ve ever played Detroit: Become Human, this is a similar premise with a greater emphasis on autonomy VS ownership.)

Growing up as a Dance Moms fan, it is so beautiful to see Nia’s success despite the turmoil she’s been put through by her dance coach. The untold stories really shocked me at how much worse it was than what the viewers knew. The memoir begins and ends chronologically, but the middle jumps around seasons which felt a bit off. There was a point where it sounded like the end due to how much time was spent discussing the later seasons, but the book was only halfway through and still had some things about season 1 to discuss. Regardless, the themes are clear and position Nia in a way that shows she was always resilient and determined. After reading, I admire more than ever for all she’s accomplished!