A fast-paced winter thriller. I liked this well enough, but had a hard time keeping characters straight because they weren't written very well. The enA fast-paced winter thriller. I liked this well enough, but had a hard time keeping characters straight because they weren't written very well. The ending was a lot of bad guy exposition, which is fine, but maybe a little lazy. I would still recommend this book for a fun page-turner for those looking for something super plot focused....more
I grabbed this book off the library shelf because I liked the cover. I thought it was going to be spooky, but it was a coming of age story about a PueI grabbed this book off the library shelf because I liked the cover. I thought it was going to be spooky, but it was a coming of age story about a Puerto Rican family and their family secrets. The plot was interesting but the writing was a bit clunky. Lots of explaining and telling the reader....more
I liked the historical fantasy/feminist allegory of the dragons. It stayed pretty surface level, which is a shame. I think Barnhill could have delved I liked the historical fantasy/feminist allegory of the dragons. It stayed pretty surface level, which is a shame. I think Barnhill could have delved deeper into culture and made some more interesting statements; the backbone of the story is strong and could have handled more cultural analysis. I loved Beatrice and Sonja. I did wonder about Alex's dialogue: her voice was so different than her narrational voice that it caught me off guard. The snippets from Mr Ganz were interesting and I wish they had amounted to something in the plot....more
I always love these books, but this one was my least favorite. A bit preachy instead of using the usual nuance McGuire excells at. The unicorn twist iI always love these books, but this one was my least favorite. A bit preachy instead of using the usual nuance McGuire excells at. The unicorn twist is pretty great though, and I loved the inclusion of lesser discussed LGBTQIA+ folx....more
If these questions thrill you, this is a book for you: Will the old lady move into a retirement home? When will the oThis book has a...Deus ex octopus!
If these questions thrill you, this is a book for you: Will the old lady move into a retirement home? When will the octopus die? Will the old man ask the old lady out on a DATE? Will the boy ever find his dad? WILL THE FLOOR EVER BE MOPPED WELL ENOUGH??
Honestly, the writing was pretty good, it and the story started off strong, and I didn't hate it, I just personally found it a little on the slow side. I am probably the wrong demographic to really enjoy this book....more
Malibu Rising is having some kind of identity crisis. They don't know if they want to be a beach read or something more thoughtful. Do they want to beMalibu Rising is having some kind of identity crisis. They don't know if they want to be a beach read or something more thoughtful. Do they want to be a portrait of a family or a book about a great 80's party with cocaine? Is it more fun to talk about bikini models or deadbeat dads? If you are also having these kinds of conundrums than this might be the book for you! Alas, I was bored with the enormous cast of characters' viewpoints (they all had the same voice!), and I lack sympathy for the rich and famous....more
The atmosphere of this book is amazing. It is basically porn for book lovers. There is a big section in the beginning of the last third of the book thThe atmosphere of this book is amazing. It is basically porn for book lovers. There is a big section in the beginning of the last third of the book that is pretty boring, though, so I'm not sure I can say I LOVED Starless Sea. There is some kickass fan art around and I bet there is and will be a wealth of interesting fan fiction too. The world-building is incredible....more
So fun, but the writing leaves a bit to be desired. The ending was disappointing. It felt like the author ran out of steam, but I did enjoy the story So fun, but the writing leaves a bit to be desired. The ending was disappointing. It felt like the author ran out of steam, but I did enjoy the story for the most part....more
I felt like I was reading a book written for the sole purpose of making money. The story was essentially pulled from other famous works (even listed oI felt like I was reading a book written for the sole purpose of making money. The story was essentially pulled from other famous works (even listed on the cover), and rearranged to be thrilling for the current HBO audience.
Red Rising was a quick and easy read. The characters were passably written, although easily forgettable. Because of the easy, action-packed story, I have recommended it to several people with the warning that it is not a unique piece of literature....more
People have been suggesting Alice Hoffman to me for years, and I finally picked one up. Maybe I waited too long, though. Maybe I didn't choose the rigPeople have been suggesting Alice Hoffman to me for years, and I finally picked one up. Maybe I waited too long, though. Maybe I didn't choose the right book. This novel is told from four different perspectives: 1st person from both protagonists, and 3rd person omniscient from those two same protagonists. It felt to me that the story didn't benefit at all from the changes in perspective, and I kept rushing through the 1st person parts, which were boring and repetitive. The characters weren't particularly compelling, either. I did like the story, and I felt that the descriptions of the political tension was interesting. I'll definitely give Hoffman another try after a bit of a break....more
The murder was predictable, and what's with all the God stuff? Definitely not as good as the first book. However, there were some funny passages aboutThe murder was predictable, and what's with all the God stuff? Definitely not as good as the first book. However, there were some funny passages about "Anglos" (I am one of those) from a Quebecoise perspective, and because I live near where the books take place, it was interesting and humorous to read about that tension....more
In Margaret Atwood's second novel, the hints into her future work are there. The post apocolyptic atmosphere is present even if this book has not reacIn Margaret Atwood's second novel, the hints into her future work are there. The post apocolyptic atmosphere is present even if this book has not reached that place yet. The characters are half-formed but still beautiful and deep. I loved the slow degeneration of the "perfect" relationship as the main character began to learn more of these other two people. The loss of the child is very real and valid in our current world, as is the way women are used. This is a feminist novel of self-discovery and of grief. Grief over the loss of loved ones, but also the loss of freedom that age is responsible for....more
Basically, I think the author was going for edgy, subversive, cool, and smart. This book ended up being poorly paced, sloppy, and confusing. I'm not sBasically, I think the author was going for edgy, subversive, cool, and smart. This book ended up being poorly paced, sloppy, and confusing. I'm not sure about the authenticity, either....more
**spoiler alert** I loved the idea of this book, but it was so darn predictable! The love interest was obvious, and the way that it went down was so u**spoiler alert** I loved the idea of this book, but it was so darn predictable! The love interest was obvious, and the way that it went down was so unimaginative. Furthermore, hardly any time was given to the budding relationship—a theme throughout the book. Despite the 300 pages (or maybe because there were only 300 pages), so much was left out. For example, MaCallister left out a huge chunk explaining WHY and HOW Kate Warne became involved in solving murders. Really, though, the topic the author chose was fascinating, and I love that the real Kate Warne was so secretive. In my mind that means she was an excellent operative. I wanted this book to be mystery/historical fiction mash-up, too, and I think it would have done well that way. In the end, it was more of a poorly conceived revenge tragedy....more
This book reminds me so much of The Catcher in the Rye (but The Catcher in the Rye has more depth to it). The narrator Elio speaks to the reader in thThis book reminds me so much of The Catcher in the Rye (but The Catcher in the Rye has more depth to it). The narrator Elio speaks to the reader in the same honest manner. I enjoyed the writing, but became frustrated with how much I was stuck in Elio's head and how little was actually happening. BUT THAT IS EXACTLY THE POINT! I was made to feel what Elio was feeling and time felt as though it was passing at the same rate as it was with Elio. The pacing, in this way, is brilliant. However, I was disappointed with the lack of depth in this novel. I've been reading so much about how insightful it was, but it seemed superficial to me. Their "completele intimacy" was that they watched each other poop? Maybe I missed the mark, but I was hoping for more....more
I was pretty disappointed with the book. I was hoping for more humor, but there was nothing funny in this book, not because it was serious book, but bI was pretty disappointed with the book. I was hoping for more humor, but there was nothing funny in this book, not because it was serious book, but because the author's humor fell flat. There were many moments when I felt the author was trying to say something profound, but again, it didn't work. The characters weren't all that interesting and I didn't become invested in any of them no matter how hard I tried. This book earned 3 stars because it was readable, and the writing was terrible, but it wasn't great either. ...more
I really enjoyed this love story. It is part gas lamp fantasy, part historical fiction (and I mean that in the loosest possible sense), and part romanI really enjoyed this love story. It is part gas lamp fantasy, part historical fiction (and I mean that in the loosest possible sense), and part romance. The writing is somewhat predictable, but it sparked my imagination in such a delightful way, that I didn't mind at all. My issues with this book were all very minor (the female character was weak and annoying). I would recommend this book to pretty much everyone and I am excited to see what else this author publishes!...more
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