the big brain move that is Kuang moving from clear, simple writing in a military novel, emulating the quick cold language in war, to high brow, extensive word choices in Babel bc she writes about language lovers like THE CONTROL ON WRITING SHE HAS?????
I don't know why, but I assumed it was going to be a super epic, super high fantasy, which I felt meh about. But after hearing you say it's more literary fantasy with light magic and has a historical academic setting? Yes. Just yes. I am definitely excited to read it!
Thank you for advising that it’s dark academia without being the tropey murder mystery type! I wasn’t really looking forward to it because I’m not not those type of books, but now I can’t wait to get this book in front of my face!
The whole Poppy War trilogy was everything to me, but I especially loved the scenes at the academy at the very beginning, so I'm very excited to see R.F. Kuang dive deeper into the academic setting (and I also love languages so I'm sure this book will be right up my alley).
I think this is one of my favourite reviews. I am more than ever excited to read this! Also, I hardcore agree I don't know how RF Kuang manages to handle everything she does. She also did the Tolkien Lecture recently, which I loved too!
As someone who is currently pursuing a PhD, tries to have a social life and has a nano-channel here on UA-cam that I struggle to post on, Kuang is an inspiration! I need her energy to be more productive! I can’t wait to read this!
Great review. Thanks for the care you took in not revealing spoilers. I'm even more excited to read this now. It's great to see you excited about reading. Good luck in your move.
I love that you gave the advice to take time in reading this book. Many times it seems we are encouraging reading faster so you can read more. As a person who is not always the quickest reader, I feel like I have been given permission to read for enjoyment instead of completion. Wonderful review, Jess!! I will definitely be adding this to my want to read list.
Vibes-only reviews are my fav! I don't need much to know if I want to read something or not, and honestly, my brain starts to turn off when people give a whole dang synopsis to pitch a book. I haven't read Poppy Wars because I feel like it's probably going to be too much for me if I'm not in the right headspace, but I plan on picking Babel up soon! Also, I buy most of my books second hand and it's my dream to stumble upon a well-loved and annotated book! I love a heavily annotated book and the idea of getting to read someone else's annotations as I read along seems so special.
I really appriciate the review and I just wanted to say that your joy about the book has made me very excited to read the book. I wish you much success and general happiness in life. Thank you!
i'm excited to dive into this because 'the poppy war' series is really long and a little intimidating so this being a standalone played a giant role in me wanting to read this first. i know kuang's writing can be pretty intense but everything she writes, she writes with purpose and it's great. i'm so excited >w< thanks for the spoiler-free review!
Your description was fantastic. I also feel like I am terrible at spoiler free reviews that are worthwhile. I have had this book on preorder for months already and cannot wait to read it. I adore Kuang as an author as well and I was blown away by all the details you mentioned about her. Holy cow she is even more amazing than I knew! Thanks for your great content.
This was so helpful! I was waiting for more details about this book without reading the blurb and you came thruuuuuu thank you! Also I cackled at you "Babel-ing" LOL great review!
Yay, I'm so happy to hear that you loved this! It's one of my most anticipated reads of the year because I enjoyed the Poppy War, and this is actually more up my alley genre-wise than that series...it's a testament to the quality of R.F. Kuang's writing actually, since I'm not super into high fantasy. It's a relief to hear Babel is genuinely good because up until this point, my most anticipated releases have not been hitting any marks this year.
Thank you so much for making this review. I hadn't heard of this book, but Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is one of my all-time favorites; just your description gave me huge JS&MN vibes, but I'm especially fascinated to know how they relate to one another, since it was referenced directly in the author's note. Susanna Clarke's use of language was one of the things that so struck me about it, so I'm amped as hell to read this
I pre-ordered Babel just cause you, Mara, and a few others kept talking about it. After watching this review I am sooo excited to read it! Can't wait for it to come out.
Thanks for this! I appreciate your letting us know at the beginning you wouldn't spoil. Lately I've been going into books knowing as little as possible, beyond basic tropes. This looks good good. :)
I’m so excited for this! I don’t normally enjoy high fantasy so your description confirmed that I will probably enjoy it. I’m a translator and study languages so it sounds so interesting to me. Loved your review!
I was already hyped for this book but hearing your spoiler-free review makes me want to read it even more! I love what I've read R.F. Kuang say about it so far and I think it's going to be a really challenging and interesting book
I have been DYING for this book! I've heard so many great things... but GIRL.. the way you made me wait to know what you thought! I was like "TELL MEEEEE!" So happy you enjoyed it! I'm even more excited now. I start my PhD in August so an academic setting is exactly what I NEED
omg! I'm so excited for this book, I'm really interested in the discussions it presents :) I'm so glad you loved it, I'm desperate to get my hands on it when it comes out !
Kuang sets the standard and I'm so excited to read this!!! I love the way you described it, especially in considerations to dark academia. So many people really just think of it as aesthetic of wool coats and studying but they miss out on the realities of being an actual academic and a POC at that. There had been so controversy in regards to dark academia being shallow and noninclusive (like the aesthetic got the elitsm down) and the fact that this book already seems like a big F*** You to the historically white male academia (still a huge problem today) makes me so excited
You've talked about this before but differing expectations can definitely sink a book..... so thanks for being super clear on what this book actually is!!! You've made me waaaaay excited for it
wow I have heard this book is anticipated a lot, and I didn't care about it until now, watching your review makes me want to read this book! I'm still one book left in the Poppy war trilogy but I'm in for Babel!
I just finished it and I loved it! I agree everyone should read the author’s note. I loved the characters. I loved the academia. I loved the silver work. I loved the action! The pacing! The libraries! The pastry shops! I want a scone! Great review! I subscribed to your channel!
This does seem perfect. As an Indigenous language learner/teacher and someone who is super interested in language acquisition in general I am super interested to read this after hearing your review. Literary historical fantasy actually sounds pretty dreamy to me.
Oh I'm so relieved you love it! And also that the writing is more prose-y than TPW-trilogy, the "clean" writing style in those books was the only thing I didn't really like about them :s
Hearing you describe this makes me SUPER excited. I got my degree in Linguistics in college so language-centered books? I'm here for it. And the fact that it's released a day before my birthday? Excellent. I need it to be August now!
Okay I’m even more hyped for this book now! It being an academic book and also created by the amazing r f kuang immediately makes it my biggest anticipated release of this year
Okay, I may not have been all that interested to read Babel before your review but now...I'm so intrigued. So I will be picking this one up. Thank you!
I am very happy that you loved this book! Everything you said about it was exactly how I thought about it. I was never a big fan of dark academia murder mystery stories. Dark Academia, to me, is to critique the problems of academia as a whole and expand upon those themes. Babel: An Arcane History sounds like the perfect book for this type of Dark Academia. Madame Kuang is an amazing storyteller who has many things going for her at the age of 26 (I wish I am that accomplished). After reading The Poppy War trilogy this year, I am a major fan of Kuang and will read literally anything she writes. Very excited to read this Dark Academia debut and her Literary Fiction debut next summer. Hope you have a great day ahead of you.
Thank you so so much for your spoiler free review!! I have been anticipating this release since R.F. Kuang announced it and I can't believe we are finally approaching that moment AAHH!! Your review has made me want to pick it up more! And it certainly gave better ideas as to what to expect from this book. Thank you thank you!! Blessed!! 🙌🙌😻
I wasn't sure if Babel was going to be for me, but you've made me super excited!! I LOVED the school-setting part of The Poppy War and I think Babel is also going to give me the academic vibes I wanted (but found kind of lacking) in the The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake :)
I've pre-ordered this book and am thrilled you loved is. I have yet to hear anyone whose received an ARC of it say anything but wonderful things. I'm excited.
I just want to say in advance that I'm sorry if my form comes up three times. My phone has a glitch and it made me go back to the previous page to edit my answers. I swear I wasn't trying to submit more than once. The book sounds really cool and it's right up my alley. Kuang is genuinely on a whole other level of productivity that I admire. Thank you for reviewing it!
I'm really looking forward to this book, it just sounds so good. I love language (not that I'm very good at it) it's just so interesting. I've heard so many good things and I'm glad you loved it too.
Look at you in your Oxford sweatshirt. I see you! I'm not a dark academia person, but Babel has been on my list. Can't wait to give it a try. The Poppy War was hard for me 😩 it's gonna take me the rest of the year to finish Babel!
15:52 Jess, you’re a mess 😂😂 Babel is my most anticipated book of the year! And after watching you’re review, you make me want to read it even more! Can’t wait! Hoping the illumicrate edition is fire, too 🔥🔥
I'm really excited to get into this in a couple months, cause it sounds super interesting! Although I've somehow still not read Poppy War so I need to get in gear!
So excited to read this book and enter the giveaway! I haven’t read any R.F. Kuang before because I am not a big grim dark fan, and from what I have heard of The Poppy War trilogy it is GRIM and DARK.
I am soooo looking forward to this book. I pre-ordered the Brnes and Noble special edition, and now my book box has chosen it, so I will have two special editions.
The academy portion was my favorite part of The Poppy War. I’ve read both The Secret History (don’t worry about reading it-it’s just elitist people being bigoted and boring) and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, so I’m looking forward to R. F. Kuang’s responses. I love historical fantasy, so I will be all over this. I definitely want to read Babel now. Exciting!
It’s been a while since I’ve read JS&MN, but I remember enjoying it. It’s a big book with a lot to keep track of, but when I think back on it I appreciate its themes on otherness, class divides, and what it means to be English. I’m guessing these parts are why Kuang is bringing it up as inspiration.
This was on my radar already since everyone on booktube has been talking about it, but after your review I'm even more interested and excited! I haven't read much literary fiction so I'm interested in expanding my horizons.
Yes! I'm so happy you loved it! You also described it perfectly. I got an arc at the store and now I'm forcing it on all of my coworkers 👏📚 because it deserves to sell all the copies ❤️
Your review just made me a hundred times more excited than I already was!! Btw I love buying used books and finding tabs or annotations it just adds so much to a book
Finally got to read Babel, just finished it and came over to your channel to finallly watch your review (I watched your response to that one clown, too!), and was with you through all of it. If you ever come back to learning French, I will definitely be one of many cheerleader you will surely have! Bonne chance et prends soin de toi!✨✨✨💖💖💖📚📚📚
Oooh I've never heard of receiving an annotated book!!!! I wish this was more of a thing. That's an awesome idea! I think you and a friend should send each other annotated versions of a new read and react 😉
I was already really excited about this book, but now I’m even more excited! Oxford was my favorite stop in a trip I took to England some years back and I’ve loved stories set there ever since. I’m also really into linguistics and language, so this whole book is so up my alley. I’m so glad you gave us this spoiler-free vibe check, haha! Thank so much, Jess!
This reminds me I have so many unread books but still want to get and read more books. LOL. I have had Babel on my shelf for 2 years now but have not read past the first chapter because it just seems like a heavy book to get through although I agree it must be great and I actually enjoyed reading that first chapter.
I first heard about Babel last year and, despite never having read The Poppy War (though it's on my TBR), I was immediately into it purely because of the premise/concept. Since then, my interest has slowly turned to intense anticipation. This video though? I AM OBSESSED. You have basically confirmed all my hopes and dreams for this book, and I cannot freaking wait! Also, I cackled at your "babble" pun 🤣
A perfect novel?! Honestly, I expected nothing less. Rebecca truly is “god’s favorite” she is exponentially more talented than anyone I have ever seen. I love her so much. 😻😻😻
Always look forward to your videos, your sense of humor always makes me laugh. I've been excited for Babel because while I didn't *love* everything about the Poppy War trilogy, I thought it was amazing for a debut trilogy. Glad to hear Babel seems to live up to expectations, definitely getting it asap 👀
can't wait to check this one out! I've been meaning to check out the poppy war trilogy for a long time but I think I just might read this one first since it's a stand alone and I love dark academia. thank you for the great review!
I'm someone who read the first book of The Poppy War and won't read the others. But this book sounds fantastic. Thanks for your impressions of Babel. 😊
You're review makes me more excited to read Babel. Really think the premise is fantastic and I've heard two glowing reviews so far. I have it on hold at the library but I may need to buy a copy.
![Book CommuniTEA: Booktok drama galore, is it changing publishing? Also many books, much mess 🥴 [CC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/D4CSmhYAfBE/mqdefault.jpg)
![Book CommuniTEA: Booktok drama galore, is it changing publishing? Also many books, much mess 🥴 [CC]](/img/tr.png)
Kuang is one of those enviously, revoltingly productive people. We're not worthy!
the big brain move that is Kuang moving from clear, simple writing in a military novel, emulating the quick cold language in war, to high brow, extensive word choices in Babel bc she writes about language lovers like THE CONTROL ON WRITING SHE HAS?????
I don't know why, but I assumed it was going to be a super epic, super high fantasy, which I felt meh about. But after hearing you say it's more literary fantasy with light magic and has a historical academic setting? Yes. Just yes. I am definitely excited to read it!
Thank you for advising that it’s dark academia without being the tropey murder mystery type! I wasn’t really looking forward to it because I’m not not those type of books, but now I can’t wait to get this book in front of my face!
rf kuang is actually insane i can't believe how SMART she is ??????? & i can't wait to read this i just know it's going to be amazing omg
The whole Poppy War trilogy was everything to me, but I especially loved the scenes at the academy at the very beginning, so I'm very excited to see R.F. Kuang dive deeper into the academic setting (and I also love languages so I'm sure this book will be right up my alley).
Same about the academy scenes at the beginning. I loved those!!
Yesss I loved the academy parts !
I wish the whole of the Poppy wars was just Rin at the academy..
the karen karening was real intense in this one, happy that you had as good a time as i did when i read it
LMAO the karening was out of control!
I think this is one of my favourite reviews. I am more than ever excited to read this! Also, I hardcore agree I don't know how RF Kuang manages to handle everything she does. She also did the Tolkien Lecture recently, which I loved too!
Kuang is the asian child our parents compare us to and wish we were, so young, so achieved. I’m such a fan
As someone who is currently pursuing a PhD, tries to have a social life and has a nano-channel here on UA-cam that I struggle to post on, Kuang is an inspiration! I need her energy to be more productive! I can’t wait to read this!
Omg you cracking up at your unintentional pun was so adorable, I can't even.
Great review. Thanks for the care you took in not revealing spoilers. I'm even more excited to read this now. It's great to see you excited about reading. Good luck in your move.
I love that you gave the advice to take time in reading this book. Many times it seems we are encouraging reading faster so you can read more. As a person who is not always the quickest reader, I feel like I have been given permission to read for enjoyment instead of completion. Wonderful review, Jess!! I will definitely be adding this to my want to read list.
Such a good review! So informative and not a spoiler in sight! Thank youuu!
I was excited to read this before but you have now escalated that 100x!
Vibes-only reviews are my fav! I don't need much to know if I want to read something or not, and honestly, my brain starts to turn off when people give a whole dang synopsis to pitch a book. I haven't read Poppy Wars because I feel like it's probably going to be too much for me if I'm not in the right headspace, but I plan on picking Babel up soon!
Also, I buy most of my books second hand and it's my dream to stumble upon a well-loved and annotated book! I love a heavily annotated book and the idea of getting to read someone else's annotations as I read along seems so special.
It’s so important to go into books with the right expectations, so this video is so well done
Thank you 🥹
I really appriciate the review and I just wanted to say that your joy about the book has made me very excited to read the book. I wish you much success and general happiness in life. Thank you!
i'm excited to dive into this because 'the poppy war' series is really long and a little intimidating so this being a standalone played a giant role in me wanting to read this first. i know kuang's writing can be pretty intense but everything she writes, she writes with purpose and it's great. i'm so excited >w< thanks for the spoiler-free review!
This review is PERFECTION.
😌😌
You are a breath of fresh air, you always make me laugh. This was a great video and thanks for all the deets about Babel!
Your description was fantastic. I also feel like I am terrible at spoiler free reviews that are worthwhile. I have had this book on preorder for months already and cannot wait to read it. I adore Kuang as an author as well and I was blown away by all the details you mentioned about her. Holy cow she is even more amazing than I knew! Thanks for your great content.
🥰🥰
This was so helpful! I was waiting for more details about this book without reading the blurb and you came thruuuuuu thank you! Also I cackled at you "Babel-ing" LOL great review!
LOVE the idea of sharing your annotations so much! You def have me more interested in this than I already was!
Yay, I'm so happy to hear that you loved this! It's one of my most anticipated reads of the year because I enjoyed the Poppy War, and this is actually more up my alley genre-wise than that series...it's a testament to the quality of R.F. Kuang's writing actually, since I'm not super into high fantasy. It's a relief to hear Babel is genuinely good because up until this point, my most anticipated releases have not been hitting any marks this year.
One of my most anticipated books this year, and now I’m even more excited for it. So glad you loved it so much!
These earrings you have on are fabulous! I haven’t read RF Kuang yet but I think I want to start with this one!
Thank you 🥰💜
Thank you so much for making this review. I hadn't heard of this book, but Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is one of my all-time favorites; just your description gave me huge JS&MN vibes, but I'm especially fascinated to know how they relate to one another, since it was referenced directly in the author's note. Susanna Clarke's use of language was one of the things that so struck me about it, so I'm amped as hell to read this
I pre-ordered Babel just cause you, Mara, and a few others kept talking about it. After watching this review I am sooo excited to read it! Can't wait for it to come out.
Thanks for this! I appreciate your letting us know at the beginning you wouldn't spoil. Lately I've been going into books knowing as little as possible, beyond basic tropes. This looks good good. :)
I’m so excited for this! I don’t normally enjoy high fantasy so your description confirmed that I will probably enjoy it. I’m a translator and study languages so it sounds so interesting to me. Loved your review!
Definitely hyped to read it, your enthusiasm is more than enough reason to dive in as soon as I get my copy. Thank you!!
I love your enthusiasm in your reviews, great video!
I wanted to read Babel before your review and after watching it im SURE i want to read it. Can't wait until it is released!
Loved the review, I have not read Babel but I am so excited to read it now. This will be my 1st book by this author.
This review has me intrigued and I love the idea of reading an already annotated and marked up book.
I was already hyped for this book but hearing your spoiler-free review makes me want to read it even more! I love what I've read R.F. Kuang say about it so far and I think it's going to be a really challenging and interesting book
I have been DYING for this book! I've heard so many great things... but GIRL.. the way you made me wait to know what you thought! I was like "TELL MEEEEE!" So happy you enjoyed it! I'm even more excited now. I start my PhD in August so an academic setting is exactly what I NEED
This video brought me joy. Thank you for the review, I have this on preorder and I can hardly wait.
omg! I'm so excited for this book, I'm really interested in the discussions it presents :) I'm so glad you loved it, I'm desperate to get my hands on it when it comes out !
Kuang sets the standard and I'm so excited to read this!!! I love the way you described it, especially in considerations to dark academia. So many people really just think of it as aesthetic of wool coats and studying but they miss out on the realities of being an actual academic and a POC at that. There had been so controversy in regards to dark academia being shallow and noninclusive (like the aesthetic got the elitsm down) and the fact that this book already seems like a big F*** You to the historically white male academia (still a huge problem today) makes me so excited
You've talked about this before but differing expectations can definitely sink a book..... so thanks for being super clear on what this book actually is!!! You've made me waaaaay excited for it
Yesss, I just hate thinking a book is way different than it actually is.
wow I have heard this book is anticipated a lot, and I didn't care about it until now, watching your review makes me want to read this book! I'm still one book left in the Poppy war trilogy but I'm in for Babel!
I just finished it and I loved it! I agree everyone should read the author’s note. I loved the characters. I loved the academia. I loved the silver work. I loved the action! The pacing! The libraries! The pastry shops! I want a scone! Great review! I subscribed to your channel!
This does seem perfect. As an Indigenous language learner/teacher and someone who is super interested in language acquisition in general I am super interested to read this after hearing your review. Literary historical fantasy actually sounds pretty dreamy to me.
Thanks for this. I was not at all interested in reading Babel until this video. I'm now definitely going to read it.
I just found your channel and I already love you 😂😂😂💛 Oh my gosh! I’m reading this right now and I’m THRIVING. It’s so good!!!
Sounds very intriguing. Thanks so much for sharing!
Love this commentary! I’m so excited for this book ahhhhh
Oh I'm so relieved you love it! And also that the writing is more prose-y than TPW-trilogy, the "clean" writing style in those books was the only thing I didn't really like about them :s
Hearing you describe this makes me SUPER excited. I got my degree in Linguistics in college so language-centered books? I'm here for it. And the fact that it's released a day before my birthday? Excellent. I need it to be August now!
I am so glad you loved this story! I have been eyeing it since I first heard about it, and now I am happy that I have already added it to my TBR!
Just pre ordered it because of your review. I wasn't going to read it but you changed my mind.
Okay I’m even more hyped for this book now! It being an academic book and also created by the amazing r f kuang immediately makes it my biggest anticipated release of this year
Okay, I may not have been all that interested to read Babel before your review but now...I'm so intrigued. So I will be picking this one up. Thank you!
The way I went ‘yay!’ When I saw this in my feed!! Also omg the annotated giveaway copy is such a sweet idea
I am very happy that you loved this book! Everything you said about it was exactly how I thought about it. I was never a big fan of dark academia murder mystery stories. Dark Academia, to me, is to critique the problems of academia as a whole and expand upon those themes. Babel: An Arcane History sounds like the perfect book for this type of Dark Academia. Madame Kuang is an amazing storyteller who has many things going for her at the age of 26 (I wish I am that accomplished). After reading The Poppy War trilogy this year, I am a major fan of Kuang and will read literally anything she writes. Very excited to read this Dark Academia debut and her Literary Fiction debut next summer. Hope you have a great day ahead of you.
i was hoping you'd get a copy so we could hear your thoughts on it!!!!! i'm now even more exited for this release
Thank you so so much for your spoiler free review!! I have been anticipating this release since R.F. Kuang announced it and I can't believe we are finally approaching that moment AAHH!! Your review has made me want to pick it up more! And it certainly gave better ideas as to what to expect from this book. Thank you thank you!! Blessed!! 🙌🙌😻
I wasn't sure if Babel was going to be for me, but you've made me super excited!! I LOVED the school-setting part of The Poppy War and I think Babel is also going to give me the academic vibes I wanted (but found kind of lacking) in the The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake :)
Oh wow!!! I would love to get an annotated book from you. I am a lover of language and your video made me want to check this out.
Thanks for this spoiler-free review! I've already wanted to read it, but now I'm even more excited ❤🙌
so excited to read this book! this made me wanna read it more
I've pre-ordered this book and am thrilled you loved is. I have yet to hear anyone whose received an ARC of it say anything but wonderful things. I'm excited.
I just want to say in advance that I'm sorry if my form comes up three times. My phone has a glitch and it made me go back to the previous page to edit my answers. I swear I wasn't trying to submit more than once.
The book sounds really cool and it's right up my alley. Kuang is genuinely on a whole other level of productivity that I admire. Thank you for reviewing it!
I'm really looking forward to this book, it just sounds so good. I love language (not that I'm very good at it) it's just so interesting. I've heard so many good things and I'm glad you loved it too.
Look at you in your Oxford sweatshirt. I see you! I'm not a dark academia person, but Babel has been on my list. Can't wait to give it a try.
The Poppy War was hard for me 😩 it's gonna take me the rest of the year to finish Babel!
15:52 Jess, you’re a mess 😂😂 Babel is my most anticipated book of the year! And after watching you’re review, you make me want to read it even more! Can’t wait! Hoping the illumicrate edition is fire, too 🔥🔥
A mess I am indeed 😆
omgg I am soo here for this review...I'm so excited for this release
The annotated version sounds amazing.
I'm really excited to get into this in a couple months, cause it sounds super interesting! Although I've somehow still not read Poppy War so I need to get in gear!
So excited to read this book and enter the giveaway! I haven’t read any R.F. Kuang before because I am not a big grim dark fan, and from what I have heard of The Poppy War trilogy it is GRIM and DARK.
I entered, thanks for a chance to win it!!! I am super hyped for this book!!!
Thank you for your review! I'm even more excited to read this now!
The vibes and the enthusiasm to read this book just comes across the screen and makes me want to go buy the book right now!! LOL!!
I am soooo looking forward to this book. I pre-ordered the Brnes and Noble special edition, and now my book box has chosen it, so I will have two special editions.
The academy portion was my favorite part of The Poppy War. I’ve read both The Secret History (don’t worry about reading it-it’s just elitist people being bigoted and boring) and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, so I’m looking forward to R. F. Kuang’s responses.
I love historical fantasy, so I will be all over this. I definitely want to read Babel now. Exciting!
I liked Susanna Clarke's Piranesi.. what didn't you like about Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell? (on my current TBR). TIA!
Glad I’m not the only one who didn’t like The Secret History !
It’s been a while since I’ve read JS&MN, but I remember enjoying it. It’s a big book with a lot to keep track of, but when I think back on it I appreciate its themes on otherness, class divides, and what it means to be English. I’m guessing these parts are why Kuang is bringing it up as inspiration.
Oh I'm so glad you loved it! I can't wait for my copy to come
This was on my radar already since everyone on booktube has been talking about it, but after your review I'm even more interested and excited! I haven't read much literary fiction so I'm interested in expanding my horizons.
Yes! I'm so happy you loved it! You also described it perfectly. I got an arc at the store and now I'm forcing it on all of my coworkers
👏📚 because it deserves to sell all the copies ❤️
Your review just made me a hundred times more excited than I already was!! Btw I love buying used books and finding tabs or annotations it just adds so much to a book
Finally got to read Babel, just finished it and came over to your channel to finallly watch your review (I watched your response to that one clown, too!), and was with you through all of it. If you ever come back to learning French, I will definitely be one of many cheerleader you will surely have! Bonne chance et prends soin de toi!✨✨✨💖💖💖📚📚📚
Oooh I've never heard of receiving an annotated book!!!! I wish this was more of a thing. That's an awesome idea! I think you and a friend should send each other annotated versions of a new read and react 😉
I was already really excited about this book, but now I’m even more excited! Oxford was my favorite stop in a trip I took to England some years back and I’ve loved stories set there ever since. I’m also really into linguistics and language, so this whole book is so up my alley. I’m so glad you gave us this spoiler-free vibe check, haha! Thank so much, Jess!
Love this video 😂🥰 had me smiling and laughing. Can’t wait to read !
I already planned on getting this because the author is great. But now I'm even more excited after hearing your rave review. Can't wait!
This reminds me I have so many unread books but still want to get and read more books. LOL. I have had Babel on my shelf for 2 years now but have not read past the first chapter because it just seems like a heavy book to get through although I agree it must be great and I actually enjoyed reading that first chapter.
This was fun can't wait for the spoiler version
I can’t wait until I get my copy! I wanted to read the Poppy War trilogy but I was too scared!
It’s the “White Audacity” that took me out!
I first heard about Babel last year and, despite never having read The Poppy War (though it's on my TBR), I was immediately into it purely because of the premise/concept. Since then, my interest has slowly turned to intense anticipation. This video though? I AM OBSESSED. You have basically confirmed all my hopes and dreams for this book, and I cannot freaking wait!
Also, I cackled at your "babble" pun 🤣
I’m glad someone else laughed 😆😆
A perfect novel?! Honestly, I expected nothing less. Rebecca truly is “god’s favorite” she is exponentially more talented than anyone I have ever seen. I love her so much. 😻😻😻
Always look forward to your videos, your sense of humor always makes me laugh. I've been excited for Babel because while I didn't *love* everything about the Poppy War trilogy, I thought it was amazing for a debut trilogy. Glad to hear Babel seems to live up to expectations, definitely getting it asap 👀
I’m so excited for this!! It’s been on my most anticipated books list for a while.
can't wait to check this one out! I've been meaning to check out the poppy war trilogy for a long time but I think I just might read this one first since it's a stand alone and I love dark academia. thank you for the great review!
I'm someone who read the first book of The Poppy War and won't read the others. But this book sounds fantastic. Thanks for your impressions of Babel. 😊
I thought I was the only one! I Dnf’ed the first one half way through but this one sounds interesting and I’ll always give authors 3 chances :)
The poppy war was so good tho 😭 I haven’t read the following books yet only bc I have yet to order them. Sure am going to, reading babel rn tho :)
This is my most anticipated book this year and hearing you talk about it made me want to read it more!!
You made me so excited for the book uhhhh. I would love to have an annotated version! Such a lovely idea.
You're review makes me more excited to read Babel. Really think the premise is fantastic and I've heard two glowing reviews so far. I have it on hold at the library but I may need to buy a copy.
This is definitely one of my most anticipated reads of this year so it's nice to hear you love it so much 😊
Yay this made me even more excited to read this!!