Abandoned Ship On the Horizon – the good luck girls (Charlotte Nicole Davis)

~ Captain's Quarters

Ahoy there me mateys!  I received this young adult fantasy eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  So here be me honest musings . . .

the good luck girls (Charlotte Nicole Davis)

Title: the good luck girls

Author: Charlotte Nicole Davis

Publisher: Tor Teen

Publication Date: TODAY!! (hardback/e-book)

ISBN: 978-1250299703

Source: NetGalley

The Good Luck Girls (The Good Luck Girls, #1)

Upon seeing the beautiful cover and reading the synopsis, I thought this novel would float me boat.  The highlight was the comparison to the handmaid’s tale.  Sadly, I stopped reading at the 15% mark because I really wasn’t feeling it.  But because this is supposed to be a woman driven story with a gangster escape and social commentary, I did an unusual thing and looked up other reviews and spoilers before deciding to fully abandon it.  Those tipped me over the edge and caused me to stop reading because I didn’t like what I was seeing.

First let me explain me viewpoints on the section I actually read.  I did feel the beginning was nicely set-up.  I really liked the odd mix of Japanese courtesan-type setting, magic, and western.  I adored the idea of the how the tattoos worked.  I liked the idea of two sisters with different personalities being main characters.

That said, I also felt that both the world-building and the characterization was too surface level.  I felt like I was getting the shiny ideas with no real substance.  Neither people nor world felt real.  Both seemed like caricatures.  The older sister was led too much by her emotions and rage with no real thought.  The younger sister was too naive, didn’t really think, and seemed to want her sister to do everything for her.  The other three girls seemed two-dimensional.  Then the plot broke down because how the girls escaped the whore, I mean welcome, house was just so unbelievable and silly.

I wasn’t sure if pushing through would make the story better and I wanted the book to be as good as its premise.  So I read reviews.  I won’t get into the major details because of spoilers but suffice to say that many people claimed that the two-dimensionality of the characters didn’t improve and it remained hard to connect to them.  Insta-lust makes an appearance.  The ending was said to be problematic and thanks to someone who wrote the entire ending in their review, I can say that it would have made me angry to have read the whole story only to get to that (even if it is a book one in a series).

The reviews did seem split 50/50 on whether it was liked so if it does sound good, it still might work for ye.  But basically this book was very much not to me taste and I am glad I stopped when I did.

So lastly . . .

Thank you Tor Teen!

Goodreads has this to say about the novel:

Westworld meets The Handmaid’s Tale in this stunning fantasy adventure from debut author Charlotte Nicole Davis.

Aster, the protector
Violet, the favorite
Tansy, the medic
Mallow, the fighter
Clementine, the catalyst

THE GOOD LUCK GIRLS

The country of Arketta calls them Good Luck Girls–they know their luck is anything but. Sold to a “welcome house” as children and branded with cursed markings. Trapped in a life they would never have chosen.

When Clementine accidentally murders a man, the girls risk a dangerous escape and harrowing journey to find freedom, justice, and revenge in a country that wants them to have none of those things. Pursued by Arketta’s most vicious and powerful forces, both human and inhuman, their only hope lies in a bedtime story passed from one Good Luck Girl to another, a story that only the youngest or most desperate would ever believe.

It’s going to take more than luck for them all to survive.

To visit the author’s twitter go to:

Charlotte Nicole Davis – Author

To buy the novel go to:

the good luck girls – Book

To add to Goodreads go to:

Yer Ports for Plunder List

23 thoughts on “Abandoned Ship On the Horizon – the good luck girls (Charlotte Nicole Davis)”

  1. It’s always sad when a book that looks awesome doesn’t live up to the hype! The Good Luck Girls is still one I’ll probably give at least a brief attempt to see if it’s for me, but I’m kinda expecting it to not be a winner for me either. :/

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  2. One-dimensional characters and unbelievable developments would be enough to make me abandon a book, no matter how intriguing the premise. The fact that some insta-ANYTHING makes its appearance would then make me run for the hills… 😀
    Better luck with the next one!

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  3. The ending upset me too, but I didn’t mind the story. I thought it was okay, but I do agree with your critique especially for the beginning. If I wasn’t in the mood for the story and wasn’t buddy-reading it, it’s possible that I would have DNF’d it too.
    The main character is driven by anger and usually that would turn me off, but I like that she experiences some growth and realizes that anger isn’t always the best motivation. But she’s one of two characters who really experience some growth and for all they get away with in such a harsh world, I think you would have been frustrated if you’d continued. It certainly made me lower my expectations a little.

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    1. What a lovely comment! The part that made me almost read it was the descriptions of the growth of the main character but the other things tipped into stopping.

      Buddy-reading is hard for me because I am such a mood reader. I can’t make promises to read on someone else’s timeline. That sad it might have been fun to complain about while reading. Or debate. I do enjoy other crew members viewpoints.

      I didn’t see a review for this one on yer blog. Did I miss it?
      x The Captain

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      1. I know what you mean about buddy-reading. I’m a mood reader too but the buddy reads I’ve had so far have been relaxed, so they worked for me. It becomes difficult when I have more than one buddy-read going at once.
        Oh no, I haven’t posted a review yet. Me and my buddy-reader will post a Q&A of each other about the book this Monday, most likely I’ll just make that my review post.

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    1. Aye, a lot of YA books these days have cool concepts and lackluster execution. And too much silly romance. It’s why I love middle grade. All the fantasy elements, focus on friendships, and excellent writing. I still want ye to read The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling sooo bad just because I want yer opinion.

      Oh and side note, would tne 3rd or 4th weekend in November work for ye in terms of me reading and reviewing yer Sunblinded trilogy? I have been meaning to since it came out but life got in the way. I thought that Sci-Fi November would be a good time as long as I start planning now. Plus I would want yer author interview. It would take up a whole week. Thoughts?
      x The Captain

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      1. I’ve just scampered across and got hold of the first book in the series! Looking forward to tucking into it, Cap:)). Like you, I’m a real fan of well-written middle grade writing as you’re right – often the lurve interest flattens the life and fun out of what could be a really enjoyable premise.

        And as for doing a feature of the Sunblinded Trilogy – I would be thrilled and honoured! Thank you so much. I’d be delighted to do an author interview, so whenever you decide to send along the questions, I’ll happily answer them. You’ll be shocked to know that I rarely run out of things to say – especially about my own writing:))).

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      2. Hoooray!!! I am so very glad ye picked up the first book. Delighted in fact. Audio or paper?

        So very glad to review yer books. I will put them in the schedule and send the questions over after I figure out if I want to add any besides me standards (likely). Don’t hold yer breath but do expect them fairly soon. I am going to do a 3 Bells segment for yer trilogy tues-thurs and author interview on Friday. Monday will be the announcement post. I be excited.
        x The Captain

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      3. Oh, paper! I picked up the first one on your recommendation and read it when I very, very badly needed some light relief last week… And then after I completed it – we bought the 2nd book, I’ve now tucked into that, too:)). Loving them SO MUCH!

        And thank you so much for reviewing the books – I’m very excited and honoured that you’re doing so!

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  5. Aww, well I hope your next is better. Glad you ended up finding out the ending ahead of time and didn’t read yourself into anger. Thanks for sharing your honest review. 🧡

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  6. I hadn’t even heard of this one until I started seeing the (very mixed) reviews, and I can’t say that it sounds like my kind of book. Oh well, that cover is still gorgeous, even if I’m not sure I would like the contents! Pity you didn’t enjoy this one more.

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  7. I’ve seen lots of mixed reviews for this as well. And I actually read an excerpt that made me excited to read it. But I think my NetGalley request was turned down, but maybe that’s ok😁

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