This is definitely one of my new favorite books, so if you're a friend of mine, prepare to have me brutally push it on you unti...moreOriginally posted here.
This is definitely one of my new favorite books, so if you're a friend of mine, prepare to have me brutally push it on you until you give in and give it a go.
One of the reviews I read compared it to The Song of Ice and Fire and Lord of the Rings, saying that the book was equal to the best of fantasy written thus far. Well let me tell you, this doesn't stand alongside the fantasy greats, it knocks them off the shelves.
It isn't just some fantastic epic that you read for fun and adventure (although you'll get plenty of that too). It is story of a real life. Kvothe has known pain, despair, the feeling of being completely abandoned and alone, and he has also experienced joy, love, happiness and knowledge. One chapter he is beaten half to death, the next he is being shown some of the truest acts of kindness I could ever imagine.
I can't think of an emotion I didn't experience while reading. I snorted with laughter, gasped in outrage, choked back tears, shook with disbelief and trembled with anticipation. Seriously, the book has it all.
What a magnificent achievement to tell this story in a completely believable way-I mean sure there are dragons and magic (sympathy)...but I mean the "real life" stuff. Here you have a 15 year old boy, who early on, had fantastic parents and a happy life as a traveling performer. When that was taken away, he lived on the streets of a large city and raised himself to be tough and cunning. He knew how smart he was, and he got himself a place in the University. Now-before you start thinking that he is portrayed as being perfect-the author never hesitates to remind you that he is still a kid! He is constantly showing off and doing outrageously idiotic things that get him into heaps of trouble. I wanted to wring his neck more than once myself!
Anyway, I'm not going to try to summarize the book. I wouldn't be doing it any favors. I will say that the beginning was slow. It probably took me over a hundred pages to actually get really involved with the story. But, even that was all so mysterious and sinister that I knew sticking with it would pay off. I can't wait to read it again someday when I will be able to understand more of what was going on in the beginning.
The ending. I have read a ton of reviews and comments of people saying it ruined the book and so on. I don't get that. I thought Kvothe ended his story in a perfect place to set up anticipation for the next book, and the little scene with Bast and the Chronicler that closed the story was brilliant, set up interest in the current setting. Anyway...just my opinion.
Even after over 700 pages, I still don't "know" Kvothe. Isn't that the point? He isn't predictable, and he hardly ever did what I expected him to do. For that reason alone, I know the next installment will probably be even better then this one.
So...quit listening to me and go meet Kvothe for yourself.
Oh yeah--one more thing though. If you're a fan of the book...or really, even if you aren't, I recommend checking out Patrick Rothfuss' blog (it is posted on his website). He is hilarious, and regularly keeps me entertained. He is just the type of guy I would love hanging out with. Not in a creepy-I'm-looking-at-him-through-his-window way, more of a "hey lets eat something really unhealthy and talk about books."
Anyway, he comes off as a really nice, interesting guy. Its a pleasure to read such a fantastic book by a guy that actually seems to deserve the privilege of having come up with it.(less)
I don't want to put up my full review yet since this book is several months away from being published. I just want to say that THIS BOOK BLEW ME AWAY....moreI don't want to put up my full review yet since this book is several months away from being published. I just want to say that THIS BOOK BLEW ME AWAY. It is ridiculous how good it is.
I was pretty excited to read it, but I had absolutely no idea how freakin' fantastic it would be. Seriously. Just a few minutes after I read the last page, I was telling April @ Good Books & Good Wine that the book came at a good time. Once Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins and Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead are released later this year, I wasn't going to have anything else that I was so obsessed with getting my hands on. Now I do -the next two books in this trilogy. Once I said that, I realized it is about the highest compliment I can pay someone: comparing their book to both The Hunger Games and Vampire Academy series. And let me tell you, Angelfire measures up.
It has the best action/combat scenes I can remember reading ever. All the characters are fabulous, the plot is riveting and the love story exceptional.
Go out immediately and do whatever it takes to get your hands on a copy. Beg, borrow, or steal one...just read it!(less)
Stars & Stripes by Abigail Roux is the sixth in a gay romance series. In my review of the fifth book, Armed & Dangerous, I talk a little more...moreStars & Stripes by Abigail Roux is the sixth in a gay romance series. In my review of the fifth book, Armed & Dangerous, I talk a little more about why I was hesitant to pick these books up but did anyway. I also talked about my Abigail-Roux-probably-ought-to-be-scared-of-me-because-I’m-such-a-rabid-fan-level of obsession. Seriously, y’all. There are no words for how much I LOVE THIS SERIES, OMG.
So, Abigail Roux had a co-writer for the first four books, but I am definitely a huge fan of her solo writing endeavors. The writing is much more polished, and I’m pretty sure she did basically all of the real plotting from the beginning anyway. In this installment, Ty and Zane, our two favorite FBI agents and lovers, hit the road. First, they spend a little time in West Virginia with Ty’s family. The bulk of the book, however, is spent in Texas getting to see Zane’s family for the first time. Chaos ensues, as it inevitably does around our boys. (Also: Ty with a new unlikely finger injury? Check!)
I love Ty’s family. Seriously. Even Earl when he acts like a jackass. But Ty’s grandpa Chester? I have never wanted to hug someone so bad in my life. You guys – he steals the show in Stars & Stripes. No lie. If you’ve read the book, I am 100% sure you agree with me. The only downfall of seeing them in this book was how brief it was.
Zane’s parents are a mixed bag. His mom is TERRIBLE. Luckily, his dad almost makes up for it. In fact, he is up there with Chester as one of my favorite parts of the book. (Best line in the whole thing too…gay bulls. *snort*)
The mystery is throwaway for me in this one, it didn’t really do anything for me at all. Do I care? No. There was so much quality Ty & Zane time that Stars & Stripes is one of my favorite books in the series anyway. Every single time they are able to express their feelings to each other, I melt into a puddle of fangirly goo. It took them a long time – and several books – to get here, and I am enjoying every second of it. (Especially since I’ve got a feeling things won’t be so smooth in the next book, Touch & Geaux.)
To Sum it Up:
-If the thought of two tough, rugged FBI agents falling in love with each other intrigues you, this series is for you.
-If the thought of two tough, rugged FBI agents constantly butting heads with each other intrigues you, this series is for you.
-If the thought of two tough, rugged FBI agents getting it on at every available opportunity doesn’t intrigue you – you can skip those parts, this series is for you.(less)
This review is completely spoiler free, but to check out my full review (including slight spoilers), check it out on my blog!
This series is a favorite...moreThis review is completely spoiler free, but to check out my full review (including slight spoilers), check it out on my blog!
This series is a favorite of mine for a reason - Ty and Zane are so real and damaged. How can I not spend WAY too much of my time obsessing over wanting them to find happiness together?
There is not a lot of happiness in this book, y'all. It's true. All the horrifying twists and turns everyone keeps talking about are just around every corner. I started getting scared to even turn a page - afraid I'd come across something even worse then what I'd just read.
But the happiness that you can manage to dig out from all the rest? More meaningful and hard-won then it ever has been before.
I am seriously shocked beyond belief by some of the things I learned in Touch & Geaux. I thought our boys had already been through a lot - but forget about it. That was nothing. In fact...knowing what I know now? I'll never be able to read the first six books in the same way again. Seriously: WHOA.
As for the ending? Yeah. It was a doozy. Part "YES! YEEEESSSSS! YOU GO BOYS!" and part "WTF, what else could possibly go wrong next." I thought it was a pretty awesome finish actually - a mixture of one of the most kick ass moments of the series with an "uh oh, the trouble ain't over yet" warning thrown in.
How they can expect us to wait a year to see what happens next is beyond me - but at least I can wait knowing that what Ty & Zane have can withstand just about anything the twisted mind of Abigail Roux can throw at them.(less)
The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen is the first book of a new paranormal series about a group of sons of Hell and their hope for redemption throu...moreThe Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen is the first book of a new paranormal series about a group of sons of Hell and their hope for redemption through the Anabo (daughters of Eve). More specifically, the brother named Jax meets Sasha, who turns out to be his Anabo. Attraction and complications ensue, and the even-more-evil-than-the-sons-of-Hell-bad-guys come out to play.
Even though I'm sure I'll go on for longer than this, my review can basically be summed up into one sentence. My belief is that if Stephenie Meyer was a porn star instead of a Mormon, this is the book she would have written. (Of course, she also would have had to have had her Eureka! dream about Hell boys frolicking through a meadow instead of sparkly vampires, but I digress.)
Sasha meets Jax and learns the truth about herself very early on, and even though she is supposedly "terrified" and "repulsed" by him, she still manages to almost immediately engage in a make-out session. Throughout the book, she continues to "not want to be near him" and "just wants to be normal," but still manages to pounce on him on numerous occasions and even goes so far as to ditch the bra fairly early on (before the big sexy scene at the end which I'll get to in a minute). Jax looks at her and admires her strength of character and considers her tough even as a boy basically tries to molest her in the cafeteria while she sits there and cries about it instead of slapping the crap out of him. Oh - but don't worry. Those are tears of anger. Whew. And here I had been thinking it was just because she was a wuss.
Seriously. The characterization in this novel is little more than a joke. Not one character goes beyond being two-dimensional. Sasha's character makes absolutely no sense whatsoever - we are told she is tough and kick ass, yet she cries all the freakin time. We are told she is very hesitant and unwilling to take on her Anabo destiny, but even when she knows that kissing Jax constantly brings her closer to the edge (his spit, you know), she still jumps him like a prime cut of steak. WTF? Also, Jax is supposedly a son of Hell, and we are told that he engages in a varied array of horrible behavior, yet he spends the majority of the novel either mooning over Sasha like a moron in jr. high or being a complete overbearing jerk (see? Twilight!). So, hopefully you see the trend I'm going for her - we are told many things in the story, but never actually shown them. Same goes for the chemistry between the characters, they are supposedly struck mad by the love bug, are constantly all over each other - but I never felt even the smallest flicker of anything. Not good writing my friends, not good at all.
So yeah, this is very much a plot-driven novel. However, the book is pretty long and there are quite a few slow parts that dragged on a little too much. Probably because there were quite a few Sasha/Jax bonding scenes. Since I didn't feel like their relationship made a lick of sense, I was annoyed. But, I did manage to read the entire book, which does say something. If it had really been 100% horrible, no way could I have read the whole thing without throwing it across the room (theoretically since I read it on my Kindle). But then again, I had to put it down several times and never looked forward to picking it back up - it was more determination to see it through. Plus I wanted to get to the promised sexytimes (which yes, was pretty graphic for YA but also very short - I guess even immortal Hell boy teenagers don't have a lot of staying power).
To top things off, the ending of the book was a complete loss. Totally cuts off to rope you into wanting to read the sequel (which I think I'll be managing to resist thank you very much). Not really any resolution.
Anyway, this was obviously not the book for me. I have already seen some positive reviews out there however, so not everyone will agree with me! If you are a huge forbidden love fangirl and/or love Twilight-like relationships don't let me put you off reading the book - you'll undoubtedly enjoy it a lot more than I did. (If you aren't a fan of either of those things, run like the wind...the YA sexytimes aren't worth it.) (less)
I have this really funny picture in my head of Stieg Larsson having had a list mounted on the wall of his office, and I can just see him going down an...moreI have this really funny picture in my head of Stieg Larsson having had a list mounted on the wall of his office, and I can just see him going down and checking off one by one as he just verbally decimates every single political idea/government corruption/way of life he despises. I know that is a very silly idea, but it doesn’t change the fact that every cause he is passionate about shows through brilliantly in his writing. He has a way of making you feel exactly as he does, it is brilliant.
This book is more personal then the first, since it revolves around Lisbeth Salander. While the mystery of the Vangers in the first book was terribly engrossing and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened…this one is almost physically painful. I had to know what was happening, and I inhaled this book. His plot has so many twists and turns, every time you think you have enough information to form a theory he throws something else in the pot and your own mental calculations have to start over. He never lets you catch up to the story until the very end.
Now that we’ve cracked a chunk of the mystery behind Salander, I can’t wait to pick up the next book. It is a horrible shame that we won’t get the 10 books that Larsson intended. (less)
I bought this book expecting to fall in love with it, and it did not let me down. It was an incredible story, and my head is spinning with everything...moreI bought this book expecting to fall in love with it, and it did not let me down. It was an incredible story, and my head is spinning with everything I want to say about it.
First of all, I was touched before the story even began. In Elizabeth Bunce's acknowledgements she says "And lastly, to my husband, Christopher, for always being there. If I wrote you into a story, no one would believe you were real." I think that is lovely, and I was in love with the author from the get-go.
On that subject-make sure you read the Author's Note at the end. I thought it was a fantastic addition to the story in itself. She touches on several key points of her story, and I thought the notes were fascinating.
Now: the story. I thought it began a tad slow, although I was in love with Charlotte Miller from the beginning. From the first paragraph, she easily takes on the "strong female lead" role. There are so many lovely characters in this story...everyone from the "witchy midwife" Biddy Tom to the wool dyer Mr. Mordant added such rich life to the story.
Usually when a book begins too "fairy tale-like" I get annoyed, but Curse has such a great mix of reality and fairy tale that it works. The things that would normally seem like quite a stretch just work in this case.
I love reading a book with a constant cloud of suspense. Through this entire book, you get the "something is just not RIGHT" feeling, and it intensifies as Charlotte uncovers just exactly what it is that isn't right. She falls in love with Randall. At first, he seems like a knight in shining armor, then his character begins to look a bit weak (I wonder if that was on purpose? I hope so), then at the end he really does help save the day.
Anyway...I'm rambling. Suffice it to say that I LOVED this story, and I highly recommend it to anyone that loves YA, fantasy, or fairy-tale retellings.(less)
This book has faults. The story was pretty far fetched at times-but I suppose in kind of an endearing "fairy tale" way (which is funny, since a great...moreThis book has faults. The story was pretty far fetched at times-but I suppose in kind of an endearing "fairy tale" way (which is funny, since a great deal of the book is extremely horrible and depressing), and the main character didn't really have any flaws.
Well, I take that back. Fiona, the main character, was in love with Joe. That is a fault, in my eyes. They grew up together, were in love, and had big plans to get rich together. Well, through a horrible chain of events, they ended up on opposite continents. I'm not saying that what happened was really Joe's fault - the whole thing was so pathetic, I was mad at him at first but really just ended up being sorry for him - but I am not a member of Joe's fan club. He is alright, I just think Fiona is better then him. I forgave Donnelly for making Fiona so perfect - because really, she earned it. Bless her heart, she really got run through the mill in the story.
Okay...now for the two main reasons I loved the book beyond all reason:
1. Nicholas Soames. He is officially one of my favorite characters of all time. He DID have his flaws (spoiled rich kid), but bless his heart, he did not live an easy life. I fell in love with him, and so did Fiona (in a friendly way). Their close friendship and devotion to each other is one of the main reasons I forgive Fiona for being perfect. I cannot say enough that I love this guy. From the very second he walked into the story, I knew it was getting five stars. I felt such an emotional connection to him, I have never wanted to be friends with a character so much. Ever. He melted (and then broke) my heart.
2. The book made me feel. Just a few words into Page 1, Donnelly put me into the story...she just makes you feel like you are right there. Once I was in, she never let up. I was a part of that story from beginning to end, and that is a gift. No matter what problems the plot might have, you cannot ignore an author - or a story - that so fully captures you. Her descriptions and words are gorgeous. Also...I cried like a baby at one point (obviously I'm not going to tell you why, but when you read the book - then we'll talk). I mean...I put the book down for a few minutes and just sobbed. A book hasn't done that to me in...I don't know how long. I felt silly, but I couldn't help it. The story broke my heart.
There was a happy ending though, no worries. Don't let my crying put you off.
This is a great story, it is a long one...but I really think it is worth the time. It, in many ways, isn't very original...but there are plenty of twists you won't see coming. It is a strange combination of Gaskell's North and South, Dumas' Count of Monte Cristo, and heck...I'll even through in the musical Rent. (Ha! If that isn't an intriguing combination, I don't know what is.) (less)
Jennifer Donnelly does it again! She is definitely at the top of my favorite authors list.
One of the main things that kept me from being 100% in love...moreJennifer Donnelly does it again! She is definitely at the top of my favorite authors list.
One of the main things that kept me from being 100% in love with Tea Rose was Joe Bristow. His character was very well portrayed, don't get me wrong--I just didn't have much use for the guy. He did a couple of things in this book that really pissed me off. Then I finally realized...Donnelly is just so bloody brilliant with characterization that Joe was just being a man! Stupid, bull-headed and...wrong! He could have been a real person. Once I made that revelation, I liked him better, not his fault after all :) Plus...he did a couple of really cool things in this book. He decided to run for Parliament and he didn't even think he had a shot at winning-he just wanted to corner his opposition into making promises to help the poor that Joe was dead set on making sure they followed through with post-election. I thought that was so amazing and selfless.
"Sid" was the tortured hero. Here again is Donnelly's talent shining through. Normally, these types of characters have to be taken with a grain of salt. Not Sid. She takes you straight into his head and you see what he is going through. We saw him in the background of Tea Rose, and he comes forward in this and steals the show. He is one of the most truly portrayed characters I have ever read about. Every single thought she puts in his head was a MILLION percent dead-on.
The plots of these books are very edge-of-your-seat/hard to read at times/beautiful on their own...but when you put in her gorgeous lyrical writing and unparalleled talent for creating real and magnificent characters...she can't be beat.(less)
All the different facets of this novel add up to make one of the best stories I have ever read. From the very first pag...moreLyrical. Captivating. Haunting.
All the different facets of this novel add up to make one of the best stories I have ever read. From the very first page, Mattie Gokey's zeal for words makes the pages of the book turn themselves. Weaved throughout Maggie's fictional struggles is the real life story of the death of Grace Brown, as seen through Mattie's brief (and fictional, of course) interaction with her, and letters that she left behind (the letters are real, by the way).
This is not an idyllic coming of age story full of flowers and happy, skipping children. It is a story of racism, hatred, marital infedelity and a family left imbittered by the death of their mother from breast cancer.
Jennifer Donnelly doesn't sacrifice real life to make the story more pleasant. Childbirth is described with horrifying detail, sickness and starving children are common threads to the story, and marriage isn't viewed as the grand ideal. In fact...there IS no grand ideal. Just a community of people surviving as best as they can.
Mattie's love for books and writing is one of the best parts of the story. My favorite part of the novel is a scene where Mattie sees her teacher's library for the first time-more books then she has ever seen or heard of that inspires her into a passionate speech about writing.
Well, it seems to me that there are books that tell stories, and then there are books that tell truths...The first kind, they show you life like you want it to be. With villains getting what they deserve and the hero seeing what a fool he's been and marrying the heroine and happy endings and all that. Like Sense and Sensibility or Persuasion. But the second kind, they show you life more like it is. Like in Huckleberry Finn where Huck's pa is a no-good drunk and Jim suffers so. The first kind makes you cheerful and contented, but the second kind shakes you up...
Why don't they tell the truth? Why don't they tell how a pigpen looks after the sow's eaten her children? Or how it is for a girl when her baby won't come out? Or that cancer has a smell to it? All those books...I bet not one of them will tell you what cancer smells like...
I don't mean to be coarse. I just...I don't know why I should care what happens to people in a drawing room in London or Paris or anywhere else when no one in those places cares what happens to people in Eagle Bay."
Her teacher then tells her Make them care, Mattie, and don't you ever be sorry.
I like to think that is what Mattie will end up doing, after the end of the story. Through the reading of the losses Grace Brown suffers before her death, Mattie realizes where her destiny really lies. (less)
I can handle reading a lot of fantasy violence and torture, because, no matter how connected to the characters I am-I know on some level as I’m readin...moreI can handle reading a lot of fantasy violence and torture, because, no matter how connected to the characters I am-I know on some level as I’m reading that it did NOT happen. So, when I picked up Skeletons I knew that would be different, and I was right. Even the smallest acts of cruelty in this book twisted my guts because I know that what the Jews went through during the Holocaust is absolute reality. Just thinking about it makes me feel sick. So, in a way, this book was the opposite of fantasy-seeing how the various characters in their different situations dealt with the war is what connected me to them. There was a German family fleeing from the Russians and a Scottish POW traveling with them, a young Jewish woman in a work camp, and a Jewish man disguising himself (usually) as a German soldier. I feel like I went on a real journey with these characters and the end of the story was brilliant and heartbreaking, as a true war novel should be.(less)
I'm currently reading the third book in this series, so my review will probably end up being pretty general over what I've read so far.
I think the mar...moreI'm currently reading the third book in this series, so my review will probably end up being pretty general over what I've read so far.
I think the mark of a good series is when you feel like they are all one big book, when everything flows and fits together properly. I hate when one book is really good and then the next one stinks.
The mark of a good AUTHOR is when the chemistry with the characters is real. I don't necessarily mean just romantic chemistry. The main character, Rose, is best friends with a vampire princess, Lissa. Their friendship is pretty complicated, and all the feelings between them are just so right. Rose is Lissa's protector, and they also share a mental bond. The tension those things cause between them is very realistic and I just love how the author portrays them.
The romantic relationships are also great. Rose becomes involved with another protector (or dhampir, as they're called in the series), but their relationship is complicated also-forbidden actually, because they are both set to be Lissa's protectors when Lissa and Rose graduate. Their chemistry is so thick and vibrant, you can actually feel it when you read. Heck, Dimitri's character itself has enough chemistry to visibly spark from the pages.
This is easily one of my favorite YA series that is still in progress, but all six books are scheduled to be published by the end of 2010, so at least there won't be a long wait to find out how everything comes together in the end!(less)
Well, I got about two-thirds of the way through this sucker, and then set it down for over a week and a half. I wasn't bored exactly, the Roland flash...moreWell, I got about two-thirds of the way through this sucker, and then set it down for over a week and a half. I wasn't bored exactly, the Roland flashback just had a rather long lull, and I felt the pull of the many other books in my TBR pile.
Before I picked it back up, I had pretty much made up my mind to forget my usual review policy of trying to give series a blanket rating...because I didn't think I would be able to give a book I could set down for a week and a half 5 stars.
Then I started it reading it again and changed my mind.
Roland is such an amazing character, and as much as I loved him before...I am putty in his fictional hands now. I firmly believe that if you've had your doubts about him in the past, this book will change your mind. Not only for the story he tells about his past, but also for the things he says to his ka-tet near the end of the book.
I also loved the way King admitted how much he was dreading writing the flashback, because he is no romance writer. Once I was reminded of that fact, I appreciated Roland's love story much more, lull and all.(less)
Stieg Larsson was so passionate about the things he wrote about, his entire belief system is laid out for the world to see. What a shame he isn't here...moreStieg Larsson was so passionate about the things he wrote about, his entire belief system is laid out for the world to see. What a shame he isn't here to see the success of his "magnum opus." It makes me really sad to think about.
This is quite a book. It demands a lot of its readers. You have to be able to deal with some financial talk, and you have to be patient. The story is not a powerhouse thrilling story that catapults you through the pages. Instead, it puts down countless layers of suspense, and then begins to weave them together. I was never for a second put off by any of the financial jargon, I thought it was very interesting. It is, after all, one of the layers of this pretty much perfect story.
I feel very emotionally drained after reading it. The Swedish title, "Men Who Hate Women" is apt. There were several things that were painful to read. Several times I started backing up, almost physically unable to keep reading. I cared a lot about this story, I feel so personally invested in it, I think at one point I was turning the pages half expecting to find myself an actual character in the story.
I don't want to delve into any of the specifics, the brilliance of the story is having no idea what is coming. Let me just say...its brilliant.(less)
This book was recommended by a good friend of mine, and she hasn't steered me wrong yet. This book will break your heart. First it will make you sick,...moreThis book was recommended by a good friend of mine, and she hasn't steered me wrong yet. This book will break your heart. First it will make you sick, then make you mad, then you will fall in love...then you will repeatedly feel like you've been run over by tanks. For the past three days, I have been hard put to set this down, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.
It was kinda surreal reading it, because the story of Quanah Parker is pretty well known to me, I learned about him in various Oklahoma history classes growing up, and the mall I grew up going to is even in the city Cynthia Ann and Quanah are buried, and the mall is on the Quanah Parker by-pass.
Going into a book about the Indians' dying way of live will of course be sad, but the utter hopelessness and heartbreak of this ending left me upset and even vaguely unsatisfied. I'm not saying that as a fault of the book-it is what actually happened.
Anyway, even after having my heart broken at the end...I have to say it was worth it, this is a BEAUTIFULLY written story, and I will undoubtedly be picking it up again someday.(less)
Ugh. This was a horrible book, I haven't disliked something this much in a long time. I'm giving it two stars because I was at least compelled enough...moreUgh. This was a horrible book, I haven't disliked something this much in a long time. I'm giving it two stars because I was at least compelled enough to read the whole thing.
First of all...the writing. There were WAY too many awful similes that had me rolling my eyes and snorting with distaste. I don't really care that much about writing styles...so for me to say the writing was bad really is saying something. I felt like she was making the characters do things to fit into the story, and that has always bugged me. I think the story should fit the characters...you shouldn't have to make them do things that seem unnatural.
The plot, somewhat interesting...but not carried out well at all. About halfway through I realized it really wasn't going to get better and thought "oh well, at least things with Jace and Clary are somewhat interesting." Then (major spoiler ahead, so don't read on if you plan on picking this up)...they turn out to be brother/sister?? What the heck, they had kissed and had wonderful chemistry and they are SIBLINGS? Their relationship was about the only thing interesting or captured well in the story...and even that was ruined.
I really had high hopes for this too. Bummer.(less)
I wish I'd listened to my friends sooner and started this series a long time ago, because if the series lives up to the promise it shows in Gunslinger...moreI wish I'd listened to my friends sooner and started this series a long time ago, because if the series lives up to the promise it shows in Gunslinger, I'm going to fall in love with it!
I had a solid 4 star rating in mind as I was reading, but then I loved the conversation between Roland and Walter at the end about the passage of time and the size of the universe so much, plus (as silly as it sounds) I loved King's afterward. I love the way he admitted he basically wrote Gunslinger having no clue what Roland's past (or future) really was, but that he was sure as hell going to find out.
So, I had to bump it up to 5 stars. I'm sure this will thrill my Stephen King stalkers friends to no end.
I'm really glad I picked this up. Horror isn't really my thing, or at least it hasn't been. I've tried several times to read King, but so far he and I...moreI'm really glad I picked this up. Horror isn't really my thing, or at least it hasn't been. I've tried several times to read King, but so far he and I haven't clicked very well. I've been hearing a lot about Joe Hill lately because a few of my very good GR friends recently formed a group to talk about his books. They invited me to it and I just though "eh. thanks but no thanks." Then one day I clicked the link to read the summary of Horns and thought "hey, cool cover!" Which, of course, being of the "ooo, shiny and pretty!" club, made me add it to my TBR.
I picked it up yesterday and was immediately (and I mean from the first paragraph) hooked. One of the major plot questions is answered fairly early on, and let me tell you...that didn't slow down the pace of the story at all. Since I knew the who...I wanted to know the why, and I raced through the book to find out. Along the way, I became more intimately aquainted with one chilling dude, and fell in love with Marrin. She was a peach. Ig, I'm sort of iffy about. He was a very interesting character to read about, don't get me wrong. I don't know if I've ever come across such a tortured character. Its just one of the first books I've read where the main character is more of a lesser of two evils then a good guy. It was interesting, I enjoyed the different perspective.
This baby has layers. Every time I got a little thrill from figuring something out, he would peel back another layer that would leave me filled with as many questions as ever. He never lets you quit guessing.
I'm sure a lot of people were put off by the constant changes of time, place and perspective. Not me. I thought it kept things interesting. I'm a big fan of the way he paced and organized everything.
So anyway, even if you don't think you're a horror fan...give this a shot. Anybody who enjoys the unraveling of a complex mystery and a layered story should easily fall in love with this one.(less)
I read Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility a few years ago, but I don't remember them well at all. So, I count this as just my second Austen, P...moreI read Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility a few years ago, but I don't remember them well at all. So, I count this as just my second Austen, Pride and Prejudice being the other.
Just like with P&P, it is easy to get caught up in the story and involved with the characters. That really is a sign of a very well written book-when instead of just noting 'oh-here is the "bad" guy', you get genuinely angry when they are in the story and breathe a sigh of relief when they leave it.
I know there aren't truly BAD people in this particular story. All the characters are on different levels of stupidity and the worst of them seem to cause the most trouble. Unfortunately, in many ways, Emma is among the ranks of the most ignorant. At least she means well though, which is more then can be said for the ridiculous Frank Churchill. Of course, his standing with me was not at all helped by the fact that I pictured him as in the Gwyneth Paltrow movie-a horrible looking Ewan McGregor with a disgusting head of hair. Too bad his movie character didn't drive an obscene distance to get a haircut like he did in the book. The truest villians of the story are probably the Eltons, its certainly hard not to despise both of them by the end of the story.
I really did love reading this, all the characters had distinct and (mostly) charming personalities that made all the dialogue fly along and the book so easy to read. I'm glad I read it, and will probably read it again someday.(less)
Well. It should be no secret that I have been anxiously awaiting this book since I first read The Name of the Wind back in earl...moreOriginally posted here.
Well. It should be no secret that I have been anxiously awaiting this book since I first read The Name of the Wind back in early 2009. Since then, I've been on a crusade to make as many people read it as possible. I haven't kept up an exact count, but I know the number of people that have picked it up because of me is around 20. When people ask me what my favorite book is, that is the book I tell them. When I re-read it last month, I just loved it more. Now, after finally getting to see the next stage of Kvothe's story, I am glad to say that The Wise Man's Fear is just as good...maybe better!
(Ridiculous amounts of gushing to follow.)
The writing. Oh, the writing. I have had countless conversations about how amazing the writing is in The Name of the Wind. I quote the especially poetic and lyrical parts - or the dialogues that made me laugh. I absolutely believe that Rothfuss is one of the best writers out there. (Click here to check out all the Goodreads quotes from the book so far, you'll see what I mean!) But, other authors can write lyrical passages and make me laugh. I couldn't put into words what it was that made Rothfuss the (in my opinion) undisputed best. Then, I read a scene in this book that made it come together:
The real magic behind the story is the writing. Not just the lyrical and poetic passages, not just the humorous ones - but the parts that cover the everyday, basic interactions. You know how, when you're talking to your friends, you'll laugh (chuckle, if you will) at little things that aren't particularly that funny? Then - you read a passage with dialogue like that in a book - and even though you notice - and appreciate - the (borderline) humor, you don't actually laugh. Well - when you're reading something Patrick Rothfuss has written, you laugh. You do a double-take. You feel a slight awkwardness. You get a chill...you blush. You do all the little things you'd do in your own life and your own conversations that you don't normally react to when you're reading. That is what Rothfuss does like no one else.
One of the best things about Kvothe is that he can really be an irritating SOB. He isn't one of those characters that starts perfect and has absolutely no personal growth. In this book, we see him finally start to mature and understand that, while he might have more life experience then some, he is still ignorant in a lot of ways. We also (finally) see him realize that sometimes it really is better to keep his mouth shut. Of course, on the other hand, sometimes he still can't help himself. He still manages to get into heaps of trouble, most of which is his own fault. The way his character thinks and interacts with others makes it really seem like you're reading about a life and not a character. The realism is why it is so easy to become so deeply involved. Also, sometimes, when he isn't being obnoxious...he can show kindness that will make your heart clench. The man has layers.
I was really nervous about the middle of the book, because I knew that he had to leave the University at some point (based on the synopsis). Actually, I was scared to death he was going to be kicked out for some godawful reason and that it would be a horrible section to read. I was hardcore dreading it. Well, no spoilers, but it didn't unfold like I thought it would and, as you can see, I lived through it. I enjoyed the story just as much away from the University. I shouldn't have doubted it!
Also, we get a lot more of "Kote," Bast and the Chronicler in the present-day with this book. I liked those parts a lot, which was another pleasant surprise, because I didn't so much in NOTW. And if the Kvothe that is unfolding through the story has layers, forget about trying to understand him as he is in the present-day. Although we're closer to seeing what has brought him to an out-of-the-way inn, there are still gaps and mysteries. The third book will have a lot of ground to cover!
One of the best surprises in the book, for me, was Elodin. SO MANY awesome scenes with this guy. Seriously, he is easily one of my favorite characters in the series. I'm definitely avoiding going into specifics in my review, but let me tell you - when you read the book you will love him.
This book ended basically the same as the first - it leaves you definitely wanting more, but not on a cliffhanger that makes you want to choke somebody to death. I am already looking forward to the third book - and whether it takes one year or seven, I can't wait to see what happens next!(less)
Reading this volume, it struck me that Stephen King really didn't know fully the depth and strain of the story he was writing as he wrote The Gunsling...moreReading this volume, it struck me that Stephen King really didn't know fully the depth and strain of the story he was writing as he wrote The Gunslinger. Not to say I don't still love that part of the story too, because I do. It is just that with The Drawing of the Three, the story takes a completely different direction and has a totally different vibe.
There was one specific passage I really liked: No, sugar was not cocaine, but Roland could not understand why anyone would want cocaine or any other illegal drug, for that matter, in a world where such a powerful one as sugar was so plentiful and cheap.
It just struck me that, to someone of Roland's background, sugar WAS something addictive like cocaine would be to someone in our world, relatively speaking. Interesting thought.
I can already tell I'm really going to like Eddie Dean. He comes a long way in this story from where we met him throwing up in an airplane bathroom.
As for Odetta/Detta...I was really annoyed by that block of the story, honestly. I even thought I might have to knock the rating down some. But once I finished the book, I saw that section for what it was - a means to an end, and I can appreciate that. (I'm trying to explain how I feel about it without too many spoilers, sorry if I'm vague.)
This has been recommended to me by several friends here on GR, and while I trust their judgment...I still didn't expect to fall in love with this stor...moreThis has been recommended to me by several friends here on GR, and while I trust their judgment...I still didn't expect to fall in love with this story as quickly as I did. Before the plot gets going, Evans introduces you to a cast of rich and varied characters that are alone worth reading the book for. I was so caught up in their lives that before I knew it I was surrounded by a plot of wolves and intrigue!
The story was so realistic, there was quite a bit of detail of how the wolves live, how the various Wildlife crew members and biologists studied them, and also weaved through the story were stories about how they had been hunted and trapped for over 100 years in Hope, the city in which the story takes place.
I recommend this very highly...it was at times gut-wrenching, beautiful, terrible and heroic. This was my first Evans, but it won't be my last!(less)
Now we get to some real nail-biting action. This book is split into two parts, and each part will have you sitting on the edge of your seat wondering...moreNow we get to some real nail-biting action. This book is split into two parts, and each part will have you sitting on the edge of your seat wondering what the outcome will be.
This is my favorite of the first three volumes I think, although I mostly just consider it all one big story more then I consider it to be split up.
This book made me love all the characters more then ever. Roland especially. He cracked jokes AND faced down a demented train. He kicks ass. I also have a very big soft spot for Oy, I am very worried that something awful will end up happening to him.
Guess there is only one way to find out...onto the next one!(less)
I'm really surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! I have seen the movie several times, and always enjoy it...and now I appreciate it even more, be...moreI'm really surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! I have seen the movie several times, and always enjoy it...and now I appreciate it even more, because it makes things left vague in the movie make so much more sense.
The added character development (and even dinosaur development, for that matter) make the book fly above and beyond anything a movie could ever recreate. (less)
This book is, quite simply, stunning. Magical, hilarious, heart breaking, passionate, real...seriously. It has captivated me and left me a slobbering,...moreThis book is, quite simply, stunning. Magical, hilarious, heart breaking, passionate, real...seriously. It has captivated me and left me a slobbering, stuttering cheeseball in its wake.
I have so much I want to say about it, but at the same time I want to keep all my thoughts to myself and say only that this might be the best book I have ever read...or very high up the list anyway.
Within two pages, I had a huge grin on my face. Within ten pages I had probably laughed about seven times. Within twenty pages I already had a long list of quotes in my head I wanted to remember. By page fifty I had gone between laughing and crying so many times that my head was spinning.
I did not get up, look up or think about anything else for the three or so hours I spent reading this book. I felt these characters, they might as well be real people. Within a few pages I felt the absence of Bailey like I'd known her for years.
Seriously, get yourself to the bookstore. Don't walk, RUN. Buy this book and prepare to fawn at my feet for the rest of time for convincing you to do so. I don't know what to compare it to because its like taking one of the myriad of YA fantasy novels out there and saying it is "like Harry Potter" simply because its in the genre. If you're a fan of Sarah Dessen you'll love it. I've been trying to find something to tide me over until her next book is published. Now I'll be reading the Sarah Dessen books I haven't gotten to yet to tide myself over until Jandy Nelson writes something else.
I stayed up until 8 o'clock in the morning to finish this book. I literally could not put it down, it didn't even occur to me. This book was fan-freak...moreI stayed up until 8 o'clock in the morning to finish this book. I literally could not put it down, it didn't even occur to me. This book was fan-freakin-tastic and I definitely consider it among my few favorites.
I already loved (and hated, in some cases) these characters. They already felt real to me. I know some people will read this series and say that some of the characters are without flaws, but I don't care.
I followed Phedre and Joscelin into the most realized interpretation of Hell I have ever experienced. Seriously, as they were traveling there, I had chills and I was shivering. When they lived there, I felt so sick I could barely bear to keep reading. This particular version of Hell was just a distant country feared by everyone else, but I think it was supposed to represent a Hell on Earth, and it did. She went there because she knew her God, Elua, was calling her to...I dug the prophet vibe, and I got (yet again) chills when Carey described the feelings that came over Phedre when she realized what she had to do. Its so funny I know, that I found so much religious meaning in a book so full of strange gods.
Anyway, absolutely brilliant end to this trilogy of the series. I ended it more than half in love with both Phedre and Joscelin, and I dare you to read them and not feel the same.
This was a really fun story, and a very quick read. Seeing Corrinne embrace her inner hick was an enjoyable experience. The focus is definitely on Cor...moreThis was a really fun story, and a very quick read. Seeing Corrinne embrace her inner hick was an enjoyable experience. The focus is definitely on Corrinne and her learning things about herself and about life in general - I think the cover makes it out to be more of a romance than it is. I'm not saying that as a critique, because it didn't bother me. Just fair warning.
Sometimes I let the stupidest things bother me. When Corrinne is first learning her way around Broken Spoke, they talk about the town having only one sit-down restaurant (Chinese) and a Sonic. Then, the school is described as three stories high with several hundred (400 maybe?) students. Now see, that doesn't work for me. If the town is large enough to have a school with that many students, it is definitely too large to have only one sit-down restaurant.
I mean, I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma - the high school was two small hallways jammed together with a cafeteria in the middle. My graduating class was 40 people. And even my town has a little more going for it than one Chinese place. I mean - at the very least there should be like a burger place and/or a Mexican restaurant. God save me from a small town in this part of the country where you can't sit down somewhere and order a burger (Sonic does NOT count).
So, like I said, I realize it is really silly that I'm so focused on that - but it seriously bothered me to the point that I enjoyed the book less. I'm not claiming to be an expert or anything - but that set-up just totally clashes with what I know about small towns.
Anyway, other than that (which probably doesn't bother anyone else anywhere), the story is awesome. There isn't a lot of deep characterization, but the way everyone interacts with each other is very interesting and entertaining nonetheless.
This is a story of a self-centered, spoiled brat learning about life, family and cow manure in the small town of Broken Spoke, Texas. If that sounds like something you'd enjoy - pick up the book and prepare to enjoy the ride! (less)
For the first 100 pages or so, I loved loved LOVED the story. Its a scary portrayal of the breakdown of America.....more**spoiler alert** This book is weird.
For the first 100 pages or so, I loved loved LOVED the story. Its a scary portrayal of the breakdown of America...and the story of a family that lives out in the middle of nowhere, right on the edge of a forest. They end up having to survive on some canned food they harvested from their garden. The dystopian aspect of the story is captivating, horrifying, and poignant. Basically...it half scared the crap out of me, and half made me want to dance around my house hugging everything from my clean socks to the light switches.
Then, the characters take over the book, and it is downhill from there. The only character I liked was the father, because he was hilarious. Once he died, I wasn't a huge fan of the story. The two sisters never grew on me, and...I don't know. Their personalities were both just WEIRD. I imagine that the way they acted would probably be somewhat realistic if you really did lose all the things we take for granted, but still...they just didn't captivate me like the background of the story did. Especially when they "made love." (Sorry for the spoiler, but I sure wish someone had warned me about it.)
So the portrayal of a dystopian America gets 5 stars...and the characters get nil. I compromised and gave the book 3 stars. I still recommend picking it up though, because its pretty short and the story's backdrop is fascinating.
Update: okay, nevermind. I'm changing the rating to 2 stars, hehe.(less)
Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn is the first book of one of the best series I have ever read. I’ve reviewed other books of the series and talke...moreSilent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn is the first book of one of the best series I have ever read. I’ve reviewed other books of the series and talked about the characters on the blog before, but I recently started at the beginning for a reread and couldn’t resist writing a review! So…now I take on the challenge of reviewing one of my favorite books of all time…
I owned Silent in the Grave for a long time before I finally got around to picking it up. I don’t remember why I finally did start reading it, but I still remember how I felt when I finished. I was so amazed that I’d had this book for so long without knowing how fantastic it was. I looked around at my shelves and thought “how many of these others could be another favorite that I just haven’t got around to reading yet?” Have you guys ever had that moment? (Maybe its just me because I’m such an intense book freak.)
Anyway. Where to start talking about all the pieces that make this book what it is? Check out the opening lines, which is easily my favorite beginning of all time (and which I’ve already talked about on the blog more than once):
To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband’s dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor.
Can you beat that? No. You can’t.
So, we are introduced to Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane, who, after the death of Julia’s husband, must work together to discover whether or not his death was really health-related or if it could have been something more sinister. Speaking of sinister – of all the historical mystery series I read and love, this one is easily the darkest and most gothic. These themes add such richness and depth to the stories and the characters; it is remarkably easy to get lost within the pages of Silent in the Grave.
Lady Julia and Brisbane are easily two of my favorite characters in all the land. The sparks they ignite when they are together are so strong, I can almost get goosebumps just by thinking about it. Deanna Raybourn has created characters that I can easily believe are real – and I have never been able to get enough of them, no matter how many times I have read the books. I basically fell in love with Brisbane very early on when he said the following to Julia:
If you were a man, your ladyship, I would cordially horsewhip you for that remark.
Who could resist that, right?
And, not only are the plots dark and twisty-turny enough to please any mystery lover – but there are so many laugh-out-loud moments as well! Seriously, there is nothing that you could want that Deanna Raybourn and Silent in the Grave won’t provide you with. Most of the funny comes from the fact that Julia’s family, the Marches, are mostly insane (or barking mad, as she likes to put it).
If you have read this book, I’m betting you loved it. If you haven’t – hopefully I’ve convinced you to do so. It highlights all the reasons I love to read: amazing plot and overall tone, and characters I enjoy so much that I reread the books over and over again for a chance to revisit them. This is a world you need to get lost in, y’all!(less)
On one hand, the cover is stunning. The story was compelling enough and the writing pretty good. On the oth...moreI have a lot of mixed feelings on this one.
On one hand, the cover is stunning. The story was compelling enough and the writing pretty good. On the other, once I got past the first half of the book, I could barely stomach all the "I would die without you"s and the "You are my life now"s. I find the whole co-dependent thing quite nauseating. But I guess it is a little different with this book since the main character isn't human. Either way, that part of the book turned me off big-time.
Early on, I liked the characters a lot. Gabriel and Ivy seemed so all-knowing and mysterious. Bethany seemed a little more green and human. Xavier was an attractive high school student with a lot going for him.
As the book went on, the way Gabriel and Ivy's characters both started to seem less real. Ivy especially. She seemed to get a lot more caught up in mundane human concerns then her character was supposed to be capable of. I've already covered my issues with Bethany and Xavier.
So, even though there were good points to the book, I guess overall I have to be negative. I can't recommend it, but if you aren't put off by my descriptions of the relationship between the MCs, then you should definitely pick it up. It is definitely just a matter of preference! (less)
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