When I went in, I was expecting either a very narrow story about a girl who had a strange relationshiI was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.
When I went in, I was expecting either a very narrow story about a girl who had a strange relationship with nighttime celestial bodies, or an exposition-heavy fairytale-style rendition of one of several stories about a princess that either is the moon or lives on the moon.
It was neither.
Instead I got a very well fleshed-out set of characters, each with their own backstories (although after a while there are only so many variations on "lost my parents at a tragically young age" that one can come up with) and character arcs. The ending was a bit formulaic, but I found it satisfying. It might have been done with a bit more punch than it was, but I was not upset with the ending, so I'm happy to leave it as it is.
All in all, I think this is a book I will happily come back to and reread in the future. ...more
Misty of Chincoteague is one of my childhood favorites, and a book I return to periodically for the comfort of an era I never knew. Perhaps if I had lMisty of Chincoteague is one of my childhood favorites, and a book I return to periodically for the comfort of an era I never knew. Perhaps if I had lived on a farm, I wouldn't have such a romantic notion of the Time Before Me, but... there you have it....more
There is something irresistibly charming about the relationship between a respectable old gentleman and a young child who might be of low birth or pooThere is something irresistibly charming about the relationship between a respectable old gentleman and a young child who might be of low birth or poor means of wretched circumstance. You can see it in Dickens. You can see it in The Secret Garden and A Little Princess and other such stories. Here, the effect is no different, and in addition you have the fascinating twist of a child captive (in multiple senses) and the effect that would have. The characters walk cleanly off the pages, just as if they were as real as you or I, and full of more personality and life that you can shake a stick at. Even side characters are just dripping with life-giving detail. I will definitely reread this book, probably multiple times....more
I have a weakness for a strong female lead, and Lessa captures the essence of what I would want to be if I were in her place - strong, passionate, intI have a weakness for a strong female lead, and Lessa captures the essence of what I would want to be if I were in her place - strong, passionate, intelligent, and devoted. Of course, there are other things about her I would not want to be, like conniving, vengeful, and disobedient. But that's part of her charm. :)...more
It's a slow read, but I've always enjoyed the development of the characters as individuals. Gimli as an eloquent mountain prince. Aragorn as a man withIt's a slow read, but I've always enjoyed the development of the characters as individuals. Gimli as an eloquent mountain prince. Aragorn as a man with less than certain self-confidence. Legolas as a second-in-command that has some trouble letting go of what he thinks is right. Differences between Merry and Pippin. Development for Sam especially and his loyalty. ❤️ I love them all....more
There are passages in this book that make me squeal in happiness.
Sometimes I imagine there's a clerk sitting behind a desk situated between the brainThere are passages in this book that make me squeal in happiness.
Sometimes I imagine there's a clerk sitting behind a desk situated between the brain and the mouth, whose job it is to examine utterances, and either stamp them with approval or send them back for reconsideration. If there is such a clerk, mine must be very harried and overworked, and sometimes he just lays his head on the desk in despair and lets things pass without a second glance.
This, among others, keeps dragging me back to read and reread the whole series....more
I discovered these books early last year, and fell in love with them. It's not just because they're about dragons and the people that love them (thougI discovered these books early last year, and fell in love with them. It's not just because they're about dragons and the people that love them (though I will never deny that I have a soft spot for dragon books). It's the characters, the dialogue, the world, the utter snark of this old lady relating her life story and telling her prissy contemporaries to get over themselves. It's the character flaws abundant in every chapter and how they overcome those challenges. It's the complete believability of the story - this is something that might have happened in Edwardian England.
Everything fits together, and it's beautiful, even where it's horribly embarrassing or packed with logical insanity. I especially appreciate that where the main character pulls an impossible victory out of thin air, it's presented as a critical accident with a happy ending, and even then the ending isn't all "happy," because there are consequences to what happened. Nothing is just black and white, and that lends itself beautifully to the believability of the characters and the world....more
Found these books back in 2018. I've read them all several times since. If I can be half as good at worldbuilding and narrative voice when I'm publishFound these books back in 2018. I've read them all several times since. If I can be half as good at worldbuilding and narrative voice when I'm published, I'll consider myself accomplished....more
To say my hopes weren't high is probably true, but I didn't have to wait so long that my excitement from the first book had burned off before I read tTo say my hopes weren't high is probably true, but I didn't have to wait so long that my excitement from the first book had burned off before I read this one.
I hoped for a book that showed me more of the characters I loved, and I got precisely that. It's not just paradise once you're married to Dragonrider Darcy, and their worldviews are different enough that I had an inkling there would be trouble. And I was right. I cannot tell you how happy I was with this book. Like... I could barely concentrate on anything else while I was reading this book.
If there was one section I didn't appreciate as much as I might have - it was how long it took the characters to ask the right questions. I actually found myself shouting at the book, asking how none of them were investigating who was supposed to be lighting the lamp when the girl died. Or even better - this trend of the main character having essential information that she's not sharing because she's... I guess afraid of what others will think? It's perfectly reasonable, really, and completely in-character, but it was extremely frustrating that it took 3 separate occurrences of seeing/hearing a dead man before she said anything about it, and by then it was too late, because he'd already killed again.
Oh, and an IMPORTANT NOTE: this book deals with intense themes of grief and loss and insufficiency, as well as the tragedy of (view spoiler)[suffering a miscarriage, (hide spoiler)] which is something I think readers should be warned of. If that's a loss you've suffered personally, that portion of the book might be a very hard read. ...more
I read this book to help me sleep at night. Couldn't tell you how many times I've finished it now. But it's a comfort, because no matter how many timeI read this book to help me sleep at night. Couldn't tell you how many times I've finished it now. But it's a comfort, because no matter how many times I read it, I can always count on Bilbo to be steady, predictable, and unerringly polite, even with dragons. If I can age gracefully into bagginsish politeness and patience, I think I will have achieved as much maturity as I am ever likely to develop in this lifetime. My thanks, Mr. Tolkien, for many nights of pleasure....more
Black Beauty has been one of my favorite stories since I was a little girl, when I watched the 1994 film repeatedly, as much for my love of English acBlack Beauty has been one of my favorite stories since I was a little girl, when I watched the 1994 film repeatedly, as much for my love of English accents as for my love of horses. For many years, this book was the source of all my knowledge of horse-related vocabulary and horse care. And even now, having had experience with caring for horses in life as well as in my imagination, I would say that this book has served as a solid foundation for how animals ought to be treated. Full review available here.
Good lessons, no violence, no objectionable language - the opinions expressed in this book are VERY slanted, though, and while opposite opinions are acknowledged, they're given little ground and no justification. I highly recommend reading this with a group or with an adult so intelligent discussion and research can supplement the lessons found in this story....more
This book has been a favorite of mine in the Chronicles of Narnia series. I particularly love Bree and his development, and not just because he's a hoThis book has been a favorite of mine in the Chronicles of Narnia series. I particularly love Bree and his development, and not just because he's a horse (though that certainly doesn't hurt). The fact that Bree understands his arrogance and recovers from it consciously is a great thing, and it helped me a lot when I was younger....more
I have to say, I enjoyed this book WAY more than I thought I would. I expected it to drag, explain things that didn't need explaining, and have bland,I have to say, I enjoyed this book WAY more than I thought I would. I expected it to drag, explain things that didn't need explaining, and have bland, flat worlds with no character. Why, then, did I pick it up? "Because it's a classic."
Boy, was I surprised! The characters are fully fleshed out and interesting, the world(s) are well developed, and the technology looks an awful lot like what I'm seeing in modern sci-fi, and nevermind that this was written so long ago.
I LOVE THIS BOOK.
And I want more. I'm aiming for the rest of the series as soon as I can get my hands on them....more
It's a short, pithy read, completely tongue-in-cheek, and I love how successfully he communicates that this is just looney, silly fun. :)It's a short, pithy read, completely tongue-in-cheek, and I love how successfully he communicates that this is just looney, silly fun. :)...more
Every time I read this series, I come to the conclusion that there are more brilliant setups in this one book then there are in many an entire series.Every time I read this series, I come to the conclusion that there are more brilliant setups in this one book then there are in many an entire series. I appreciate the consistency of the characters and the realism in Katniss' response to trauma. She's not sure how to handle any of this when her old coping mechanisms no longer apply....more
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