When I went in, I was expecting either a very narrow story about a girl who had a strangeI 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
I think this may be the only LGBT novel I've ever read that didn't somehow make me feel shamed or uncomfortable for being straight. I reallyI think this may be the only LGBT novel I've ever read that didn't somehow make me feel shamed or uncomfortable for being straight. I really appreciated the main character, love interest and all. I also appreciate that the physical intimacy is implied, rather than described in detail. I feel more free to imagine things without pressure from the text....more
My opinion of the story may be influenced by my childhood love of this book (and its sequels). That said, I reread with the thought in mind that IMy opinion of the story may be influenced by my childhood love of this book (and its sequels). That said, I reread with the thought in mind that I loved it for a reason - why?
The opening scene (historical background to the ponies on "the isle of the wild things") was exciting - a good hook. The dialogue seemed a little hammy, but it was very consistent and seemed believable. And I loved the dynamic between the kids - maybe not as explosive as I was at that age, but the sibling rivalry thing is still there. They act like real kids, and I appreciate that....more
There is something irresistibly charming about the relationship between a respectable old gentleman and a young child who might be of low birth orThere 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,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, 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 themI 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
I could not love these books more. Clean, well-paced, excellent dialogue, wonderful characters, and worldbuilding I hope to match when I'm all grownI could not love these books more. Clean, well-paced, excellent dialogue, wonderful characters, and worldbuilding I hope to match when I'm all grown up. (Ha. Like that's ever going to happen.) Fully recommended to anyone who loves historical fiction and fantasy. This is the perfect combination of both.
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 readTo 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
5 stars again, and this time I had a greater appreciation of both the pacing and the alterations to the original PP characters. This is definitely one5 stars again, and this time I had a greater appreciation of both the pacing and the alterations to the original PP characters. This is definitely one of my top 5 favorite books EVER, and I'm looking forward very much to reading the sequel.
One of the scenes I disliked the first time around was when the two girls were convincing their father to let them go with the Riders to the North Fields Lodge. I felt he had given in too quickly, but in perspective with the pacing, the scene was just long enough to communicate that they disagreed and that he was worried without stretching it out too far. Top notch. I hope I can write this well some day....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 manyI 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 EnglishBlack 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 aThis 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
I have a particular love of "playing the victim" in fiction. It can be done badly and it can be overdone (both very easily). In this case, I thinkI have a particular love of "playing the victim" in fiction. It can be done badly and it can be overdone (both very easily). In this case, I think there is an excellent balance between the main character's position of power (especially in the beginning) and the main character's inherent gentleness. Her desire to avoid conflict is consistent, even when it causes problems for her and for others.
In short, I liked the first-person account of a girl who was almost entirely in the right. This is one of my guilty pleasure books, and I will stand by that. :)...more
I must have read these more times than I can count, but it seems like something new this time. Not just that I can see foreshadowing and connections II must have read these more times than I can count, but it seems like something new this time. Not just that I can see foreshadowing and connections I didn't see before, but now that I know more about James and Lily (thank you, fanart, for making them real to me) I'm seeing people's reactions to Harry and realizing that they James in him - it's like their hero, their friend, back from the dead. And Snape looks into Harry's face and it's HER eyes looking back at him and gosh darnit but that must hurt something awful. And... there are just so many layers to this now, and I can't help but love it even more....more
Loading...
