240 replies to this topic

[Mara=^.^=]

Recent reads...

A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft: A fantasy romance starring a traumatized hermit and a dyslexic alchemist who wants to become Bernie Sanders. Muddled world-building, great character dynamics. 3.5 stars

The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman: This book felt like an extremely long prologue for what I imagine will be the main story, which will presumably occur in the sequel. I'll give it a read when it comes out in November. 3 stars

 

Baboon Metaphysics by Dorothy L. Cheney and Robert M. Seyfarth: I didn't have the brainpower to finish this one. No rating.

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

[Katia11]

LOL omg that description for A Far Wilder Magic got me. I liked both that and the Ivory Key.

[Mara=^.^=]

This sucks. I've lost access to my entire Goodreads account because they decided to do away with Facebook integration. The email address associated with my account no longer exists (it was my college email), so I can't verify my identity to sign-in that way. Just like that, a decade's worth of ratings, reviews, and friends are gone.

 

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

 

[JimmyxxCindy4EVER]

Oh, my goodness, Mara... I am so sorry... I hate that had to happen with your account... Wish there was a way I could help... I am available to talk when you need to, remember that... Shoot me a PM, okay? Hang in there...

[Katia11]

This sucks. I've lost access to my entire Goodreads account because they decided to do away with Facebook integration. The email address associated with my account no longer exists (it was my college email), so I can't verify my identity to sign-in that way. Just like that, a decade's worth of ratings, reviews, and friends are gone.

 

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

 

I AM GLARING SO HARD AT GOODREADS FOR YOU RIGHT NOW.

 

HOW DARE YOU GOODREADS

[Mara=^.^=]

Good news! Two of the three messages I sent yielded zero results, but I tried a different tactic with message #3 (I acted like an Ivy League asshole), and they said they could "make an exception" because I was able to provide documentation that I was a Brown student with an email that had only been changed because I graduated. Name-dropping really works folks! lol

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

[Mara=^.^=]

I would describe this book as...aggressively charming, like a sweet, little old lady who corners you in an alley and robs you using a gun she crocheted herself. It's a delightful, very British, very polished emotional vacation package with way more F bombs than I was expecting. If I had to find fault with it, I'd say that this book wasn't written to tell a story — it was written to make the reader happy. There's a certain calculation to its endearing cast and cozy witchiness. There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but it's definitely a fanservice book.

From a technical perspective, I have to give it 4 stars. This book knows exactly what it wants to be, even if it is a little too neat and tidy for my tastes.

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

[JimmyxxCindy4EVER]

Good news! Two of the three messages I sent yielded zero results, but I tried a different tactic with message #3 (I acted like an Ivy League asshole), and they said they could "make an exception" because I was able to provide documentation that I was a Brown student with an email that had only been changed because I graduated. Name-dropping really works folks! lol

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

 

Yay!  I'm so happy for you, girl!! *squeals with glee and bounces with joy*

[Katia11]

I would describe this book as...aggressively charming, like a sweet, little old lady who corners you in an alley and robs you using a gun she crocheted herself. It's a delightful, very British, very polished emotional vacation package with way more F bombs than I was expecting. If I had to find fault with it, I'd say that this book wasn't written to tell a story – it was written to make the reader happy. There's a certain calculation to its endearing cast and cozy witchiness. There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but it's definitely a fanservice book.

From a technical perspective, I have to give it 4 stars. This book knows exactly what it wants to be, even if it is a little too neat and tidy for my tastes.

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

I admit I am a sucker for these kinds of books. Does that surprise anyone? Nope. Give me a cozy romance book, and I'm a happy little clam.  LOL.

 

Also, I'm glad you got your account back!

[Mara=^.^=]

Also, I'm glad you got your account back!

 

You would not believe how many times I've leveraged the Brown University thing to solve an intractable problem. I've never been able to do anything with my degree, but the name always comes in handy.

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

[SweeneyxxTodd]

Good news! Two of the three messages I sent yielded zero results, but I tried a different tactic with message #3 (I acted like an Ivy League asshole), and they said they could "make an exception" because I was able to provide documentation that I was a Brown student with an email that had only been changed because I graduated. Name-dropping really works folks! lol

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

 

This is weird that you couldn't log in with Facebook integration because I did exactly that like six hours ago. Just hit the Continue With Facebook button, reactivated my permission to access my Facebook info, and got in no problem. 

[Mara=^.^=]

This is weird that you couldn't log in with Facebook integration because I did exactly that like six hours ago. Just hit the Continue With Facebook button, reactivated my permission to access my Facebook info, and got in no problem. 

 

I was able to do that once, back when they first announced the change due to take place in November - but when I tried to do it again a few days ago, I was redirected to the "confirm your email" page and couldn't go back or forward.

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

[SweeneyxxTodd]

I don't remember them announcing that. But I generally delete emails from Goodreads when I mass delete my spam, so I probably just missed it. I also mostly use it on my phone these days, which doesn't tend to have those types of announcements/messages.

[Mara=^.^=]

 

I found this book on a Goodreads "Best Books of the Decade" list. Considering its high rating (and its premise), I was expecting something...more. More emotional? More impactful? In some ways, it's like a less philosophical version of the otome game Dandelion, which I reviewed here.

I feel like the book never really found its focal point, despite going on for 511 pages. Honestly, I think the story would've been punchier if the author had whittled that number down to say, 450, or even 400. Schwab has an excellent command of language, but this book is about time, and you feel every. single. year. Even if it's intentional, the middle of the book is a helluva slog.

The main character was fine, I suppose (and the pagan god of darkness she sold her soul to was exactly what you'd expect), but I found many of the modern-day characters to be insufferable. Look, I'm an artist, but the bougie hipster art scene is painfully pretentious. The ending is...the right type of ending, I think, but in the details, it strikes me as the start to another cycle of stagnation. I would have preferred a showdown.

Final verdict: Remy was my favorite character, and he was only on screen for a couple of pages. 2.5 stars.

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

[Katia11]

I thought this one was overhyped too. I liked the general premise, and the writing was lovely, but I agree that it dragged. I don't remember much other than thinking, "Okay, she lives forever, and no one remembers her. That's sad. I get the point now." However, I enjoyed it when the plot found ways to let people include her in their art but not remember her.

 

I just wanted MORE. 

 

I gave it four stars right after I read it, though I'm not sure I'd rate it that high if I reread it. I did like it, but I didn't quite understand why it was so popular. I even gave away my copy, which says something.

[SweeneyxxTodd]

Haha I chose that as one of my Book of the Month picks a while ago but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. I'm a lot less interested now seeing how you both thought it was overrated.

[Mara=^.^=]

Haha I chose that as one of my Book of the Month picks a while ago but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. I'm a lot less interested now seeing how you both thought it was overrated.

 

One of the things that perplexed me about the book was the fact that the MC lived through all of these insane, world-changing historical events, but they were only mentioned in passing. She doesn't change as a result of any of them, either. How do you witness WWII and not come out of that experience viewing humanity differently?

There was so much repetition with her reliving the same day, the same night, the same sadness over and over. I get that the curse produces déjà vu, but there's only so much re-hashing the reader can take before getting bored.

Also, how was she able to spend entire days with people without them ever going to the bathroom once? Did she invite herself into the stall with them so they wouldn't forget her while they were peeing?

 

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

[Mara=^.^=]

I'm really torn on this one. My eyes were glued to the page the entire time, but I was also irritated for the first 2/3 of the book.

How do I put this tactfully... The main character, Spin, is what I like to call a temper tantrum protagonist. She's obnoxious, combative, thick-headed, and profoundly, agonizingly immature. She lashes out, but not in a compelling way — her outbursts are so cringey that I was embarrassed on her behalf. And look, I'm sympathetic; writing hotheaded characters is difficult, because you constantly run the risk of alienating your audience. Sanderson just does not stick the landing on this one. By the time she improves, the damage is already done. Even the prose feels childish and clunky, like it's been contaminated by her inner monologue.

BUT. But. The story is very interesting, and I really, really like Cobb. The setting is intriguing, and the central mystery at the heart of it all definitely draws the reader in. The pilot training, which is clearly well-researched, calls to mind the Star Wars: X-Wing series by Michael A. Stackpole and Aaron Allston, which I loved. The dogfights were exciting, and there were moments of real emotional resonance. I'm going to read the sequel.

I guess what I would say is this: I've always felt like Brandon Sanderson is a good storyteller, rather than a good writer. At the end of the day, they are different skills. So, 2 stars for the main character and the awkward language. 4 stars for the world and side characters. Averaged together, I give it 3 stars.

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =
P.S. How does sunlight get in through the orbital shells? How is photosynthesis possible with the entire sky blotted out? Did I miss the explanation? Maybe I did. Maybe I was too focused on the fact that the male lead is called Jorgen. JORGEN. The Fairly Oddparents has ruined me.

[Katia11]

OMG I legit never made the connection of Jorgen. It just never occurred to me.. but now that you say it, I can NOT unsee it.

 

I read this one too! I enjoyed it enough that I have been keeping up with the series. Unfortunately, the last installment disappointed me a little. I think that the next book is supposed to be the last, but I'm unsure whether I want to actually pick it up or not. 

 

Also, it's so fun to see these reviews. I feel like we have quite different tastes in books, but that's what makes it fun. ((I hope you don't mind me commenting on the ones I've read too.))

[SweeneyxxTodd]

Ahhhhh I love Brandon Sanderson lol. And I love all three of the Skyward books that are out of far!

I listened to them all on audio, though. Most of his books that I've read I have done so as audiobooks, because Tim and I listen together. I think Spensa's personality lands better in audio. I can see how she would be annoying on the page, but in audio there is more emotional resonance, and her humor comes through more as well. Shallan in the Stormlight Archive series seems to have this problem as well, from what I can tell. People who only read the print version don't usually like her as much as people who listen to the audiobooks.