Allison
I absolutely adored the adventure of the story and learning more about some Finnish mythology. That being said, 1/4 of the book in a row is basically one rough sex scene after another. I don't mind a good sex scene, but after a while I found myself skimming because I wanted to get back to the interesting world and story behind it all. Definitely ends on a cliffhanger, which the writer warns you about in the content warning, and it leaves me with hope that perhaps the sequel will have a better balance. Probably should have given it 3 stars, but I do love the adventure side of it so much.
Many times reading this book, I questioned if I could stomach what would occur and how it would end. I was so hopeful that this would be a book about found family, a father figure, rather than the relationship that came to pass.
Bryn Greenwood has incredible storytelling skills that brings you into a world that at times felt too real to bear.
Though the story was interesting and there were plenty of twists, I cannot get over that you only solve 1 out of 2 mysteries in this book. I do acknowledge that in real life you don't get all the answers, however I feel like it was much too big of a plot point to just let fall to the wayside. I had a hard time sympathizing with our main character as he acted very self centered most of the time. Overall a good mystery, but probably won't purposely seek out the other books in the series.
This book is one of the most beautiful novels I have read, both in language and plot. Characters are multifaceted and full of life, however as each moves to their own destiny you do not feel as though you are missing out on their stories. The love that is intertwined in each page is a guiding light that shows us that through challenges and flaws, true love can and will persevere.
I cannot express how much this book touched my heart. Growing up I wasn't a part of an outdoorsy family, but as an adult nature has become an integral part of my life. This book allowed me to feel connected to others in the exploring community and reminded me that anything is possible if only I choose to set my mind to it. Thank you so much for this amazing collection and for reigniting the fire in my heart.
When I first picked up this book I had a hard time getting invested in the story. You are immediately thrown into action with vague references to clerics and princes and power- which made it hard to sympathize with the protagonist at first. The book does progress nicely and the characters develop into more complex individuals, allowing me to become eventually invested in their stories. I will say, I thought that this was going to follow the typical YA novel “troubled boy and innocent girl are paired together to save the world” plot- and while it does to some degree, there were definitely plot twists that left me reeling.
This is not a book that I would have picked up on my own, so an abundance of thanks to my sister for an amazing birthday present. The pace and details of this story were perfectly set to keep you interested but not weighed down. All of the characters were diverse and dynamic, allowing you to empathize with them on a grand scale. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone- it will be a favorite on my shelf forever.
“And I learned what is obvious to a child. That life is simply a collection of little lives, each lived one day at a time. That each day should be spent finding beauty in flowers and poetry and talking to animals. That a day spent with dreaming and sunsets and refreshing breezes cannot be bettered. But most of all, I learned that life is about sitting on benches next ancient creeks with my hand on her knee and sometimes, on good days, for falling in love.”
I've avoided this book for years as I was certain that it would not live up to all that is said about it. However, after reading it in one sitting, my heart feels as though it is about to burst. An homage to love and choosing your person every day.
Definitely a new favorite of mine. Barton shares her personal experience with what most dog (or cat) people know to be true- that the unconditional love from an animal can help heal broken hearts and exhausted minds. Not only does she share the bond between her and her beloved Bunker, but she also reminds us that forgiving ourselves can alter our lives. This book will remind you of the strength within yourself.
Patricia McConnell does a wonderful job highlighting the different way that dogs perceive the world, and how we may communicate more effectively with them. Whether you are a first time dog owner looking to better understand your pup, or a seasoned owner with three dogs at home- I'm sure you will take something of value away from this book.
Runkle did an amazing job at shining a light on the specific plight of animals at factory farms. A wonderful blend of anecdotes, history and cited facts, Mercy For Animals leaves you with a desire to do more, and some simple tips for how you can start. A must-read for animal lovers who haven't had exposure to the fate of animals on factory farms.
Alexandra Horowitz has done an amazing job at helping one understand the complexities of how dogs perceive the world. Though an understandably hard topic to uncover, she walks you through experiments, history, and the great umwelt of dogs. Definitely not a guide for training- but a perfect read for anyone looking to understand and enrich their dogs life better.
This book was remarkable. It was definitely refreshing in the new way that it was written. The narrator is death, and he gives us hindsight into a world you never would have imagined. The characters are ones that strike emotion in you immediately. Your opinion changes with the book and the characters evolve into individuals you would be proud to know as well. Touching on multiple difficult subjects, this book does it remarkably. Nazi Germany will never be the same to anyone reading this.