Sam

I read this for a book the other reviews do a good job bringing up critiques about both the story and the author. If you can move past that l, the story is moving and interesting I do have doubts about certain things and wish that the story was unmarred by the controversy surrounding the author and her story

This is the second book in the Nicholas Flamel series, and I love it. I loved this series in my youth and I understand why, it's a wonder piece of YA fiction and I think it's one that people should read. It sparks that itch of urban fantasy and is decent enough to reread as an adult. I can't wait to refinish this series and feel that sense of wonderment from my childhood.

A great book for learning about tidying, a short read got through it in 2-3 ish hours of reading and gave me a new perspective for keeping my space tidying

Interesting collections of stories including one of my favorite pieces of science fiction Johnny Mnemonic, I would highly recommend this for any fan of the cyberpunk genre as Gibson is the godfather of the genre

A fantastic end to the trilogy. Finishing this book gave me a finality that left me satisfied. Ultimately I think the allegory throughout the trilogy is done well and has great twists and turns. Highly recommend the whole trilogy to anyone looking for good storytelling and compelling narratives.

A book from my childhood I decided to reread the series and I wasn't disappointed, the mix of mythologies with the modern backdrop makes me giddy with excitement. The main characters are still believable and hold up.

The Malthusian catastrophe which this book uses as motivation for the BBEG is very unbelievably laughable, I feel like Langdon's ability to outsmart a woman who supposedly has an above 200 in borders on feeling sexist. I think so far this is the worst book in the series so far.

A fantastic follow up to the first book in the series with a new backdrop and cast. It keeps all the quirkiness of the first book while not feeling stale I consumed the book and didn't want to put it down during my 2 reading sessions with it. I can't wait to read the 3rd book in the series.

I think this book is a good read to have an understanding of one the foundational texts in linguistic philosophy and understanding where many modern theories have their basis. Building on that I think I would only recommend this book to those which are really interested in learning about linguistic philosophy.

I will start by saying the things I liked about this book, which is, the magic system concept was interesting and the setting and atmosphere was inviting and had a spark of captivation. Now that I've complimented the book I think the characters felt flat and unrealistic, I feel like I walked away from this book not caring about what happened to anyone in this book. I felt like the book didn't dive into the rage of the characters enough, or really at all. The characters feel like shades of real fleshed out ideas which makes me not caring about them, I don't hate the characters I just feel agnostic about what happens to them.

Neverwhere has a interesting world with London below being a dreamland of fantasy which I could get lost in, really enjoyed the world building and how much it leaves to the imagination the short story included in my copy adds to the world to make it even more alluring.

I've read books from the grishaverse and The Ninth House series from Leigh Bardugo and I have to say I was really dissatisfied in this one.

While the Grishaverse books left me wanting for more despite me feeling like the romance between the main character and the main villain soured my enjoyment. I think this book is just lacking in all aspects. There are sparks of really good story telling but they never really get past that ember.

I will probably read more of Bardugo books but hope that they lean more towards the writing of Ninth House than her other books

I first read Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel and I fell in love with the speculative fiction genre. I think Mandel's prose is captivating and compelling. When I picked up Station Eleven and actually started reading it. It was hard to put down the narrative devices. The characters in the world draw you in like nothing else.

I think Emily St. John Mandel is a master of the genre and any of her books are worth reading and picking up if you enjoy the Twilight Zone or Black Mirror but want something that isn't necessarily horror. I think her books are perfect antidote to that wanting. The world that Emily so eloquently creates will capture you and leave a mark with how real it feels.

Excited to read more from the author and more the genre

This book felt like a show I would binge and fall in love with. The book gives us an inside look into the complexities of time travel and love. I think the book explores the fictional topics with a sense of groundedness while still staying whimsical and amazing. I think the blending of genres of spy thriller, office love story, and speculative fiction makes it feel like something that I could get lost in and hope beyond hope to become part of. Furthermore, I think the story of all the characters leaves you caring about the characters as if you were working alongside them.

Made a decision to read more classics and some Shakespeare, decided to start with this one as I've heard many times it's a good entry point. Ultimately enjoyed it but prefer to read other stuff, I do think it's a good entry way and will see if my enjoyment increases.

I enjoyed this book but I don't feel like it was anything profound and I think this is in part because I take an active role in the conversation about gender and gender studies through online debates and discourse. Many of the things covered in this book felt as review. I think there are people who would get a lot from this book but for me I don't think there was much gain from reading it. I don't regret reading it but I don't think it was necessary for me to have the understanding of the ‘gender war' currently going on.

I would recommend this book for anyone who feels uninformed on the current culture war topic and would like some background on the topic.

The golem myth is one that I hold close to heart. I feel like this book is rooted in the reality of our time while keeping the fantasy alive. I think the book touches amazingly on the ideas of Jewish identity and modern issues.

While I could wax on poetic about the golem and imagery I'll leave it to a video essay by Jacob Geller https://youtu.be/pUBVSH6hBvY?si=Fu7XljKymGa5sbGO

All the Light We Cannot See was a book which grabbed at me and tugged on my heart. The way the book shows how people deal with the horrors of the world during war while keeping hope transcends the page. After reading this book I was left with a light holding on to hope

A pretty conclusive biography of a idol for many. I think there is obviously some creative licensing towards the end, but I think the thought and debilitating of the writer. The writer has a lot of intimacy with Kurt Cobain's thoughts. I think this is probably one of the best ways to honor his life while not romanticizing the problems in Cobain's life.

I think this book delves into the material pretty well but I can see someone not understanding the actual thesis of the book. The book states that we should reconsidered our biases that state that a mentally well person is the only person who is a good leader. This thesis does not mean that we should seek out those who are mentally unwell but be open to those who have a mental illness as someone who can lead. Overall I think the book does a good job. But having read some of the other reviews I'm not sure if that thesis is the one many walked away with.

Wonderful collections of poems from Robert frost including several of my favorites of his The Grindstone, Misgiving, and For Once, Then Something. A quick read through and a collection I highly recommend

David Mitchell does a great job writing a comical retelling of the history of Britain's monarchy, it kept me entranced while having good information. I think the mix of comedy and history is great and does not lean into one at the cost of the other.

The Tainted Cup is a masterful murder mystery wrapped in an interesting fantasy world, and is a recommend for anyone who is a fan of either.

I think the grand narrative, the characters, the description of the world and the plot are some of the best parts of this book. I was thoroughly invested in the going on of all the characters I found the mystery to be enthralling and kept me guessing as to the answers to the mysteries that it provided.

When I first saw this book described as Sherlock Holmes meets a fantasy world, I was intrigued little did I know I would be blown away with how accurate that description felt for me. I truly enjoyed this book, even though it had some shortcomings.


The biggest gripe I had with this book was the pacing at sometimes. I understand that the book Takes place over two months, but some passages of times felt shorter or longer than others, and the consistency of the passage of time did not feel relevant to the book.

I'm looking forward to reading further books in the series and hope that the pacing issue is not consistent across the series. If that one issue can be solved I think this would be a perfect mystery book.

I read this book because I've heard it inspired Harry Potter and I wanted to see the similarities and I've only heard good things about it besides that. While I enjoyed it I think because it doesn't have the nostalgia that HP has it fell a little flat. I think it a great book and if you love the style of fantasy HP is you will enjoy this book.

The Magician King is a great sequel to The Magicians. Everything good about the first book is here that is to say Quinten is still an unlovable character.

Lev Grossman does a great job creating an amazing world that you could get lost in and the most ungrateful hatable character. The ending is satisfying and surprising and I feel so ready to read the third book during my next year of reading.

If you didn't like the first one there is much the same in this one I would recommend highly if you liked the first one.