Beattz
The second installment of the Singing Hills Cycle continues to follow monk Chih on their journey throughout the land, this time encountering a trio of tigers. In an attempt to escape without being eaten, Chih offers a story, if only so the tigers can ensure it will be told correctly in the future.
I enjoyed it very much. Not quite as impactful as The Empress of Salt and Fortune, but they are fulfilling short stories, and I will read as many as Nghi Vo releases.
The second installment of the Singing Hills Cycle continues to follow monk Chih on their journey throughout the land, this time encountering a trio of tigers. In an attempt to escape without being eaten, Chih offers a story, if only so the tigers can ensure it will be told correctly in the future.
I enjoyed it very much. Not quite as impactful as The Empress of Salt and Fortune, but they are fulfilling short stories, and I will read as many as Nghi Vo releases.
Bravo. A unique story, well told. No wasted pages or strung out plots. Even having read and loved the first, understanding the endgame, the second took me places I did not expect, making the story richer along the way. I giggled, I screamed, I cried. And when it was all over, I applauded.
Bravo. A unique story, well told. No wasted pages or strung out plots. Even having read and loved the first, understanding the endgame, the second took me places I did not expect, making the story richer along the way. I giggled, I screamed, I cried. And when it was all over, I applauded.
Daindreth' Assassin was a great entry novel in a series. We got ample time with each of the major players, seeing their personalities, what drives them, as well as what keeps them awake at night. Pretty standard medieval type setting, with glimpses of empiric opulence. We've been introduced to a magic system, however, for the most part, our characters are flying by the seat of their pants in that arena, or should be. There's a couple of times Amira, the FMC, seemingly has a bit more knowledge than the text would support or suggest, but there's a whole lot more for her to grow into.
There's budding relationship between the FMC and MMC at times had me screaming because the yearning was so strong. I'll definitely be picking up book two.
Daindreth' Assassin was a great entry novel in a series. We got ample time with each of the major players, seeing their personalities, what drives them, as well as what keeps them awake at night. Pretty standard medieval type setting, with glimpses of empiric opulence. We've been introduced to a magic system, however, for the most part, our characters are flying by the seat of their pants in that arena, or should be. There's a couple of times Amira, the FMC, seemingly has a bit more knowledge than the text would support or suggest, but there's a whole lot more for her to grow into.
There's budding relationship between the FMC and MMC at times had me screaming because the yearning was so strong. I'll definitely be picking up book two.
This book was exactly what I wanted it to be. The last couple of “ro-monster” books I've read fell a bit flat, either in character development, or rushed (non-existent) plot, writing that was “just okay.”
Not
This book was exactly what I wanted it to be. The last couple of “ro-monster” books I've read fell a bit flat, either in character development, or rushed (non-existent) plot, writing that was “just okay.”
Not
The second installment of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series took us on an adventure through the third level of the Borant Corporation's Earth-wide life-or-death game. Carl and Princess Donut find themselves on a floor with civilization- opportunities to purchase upgrades and equipment from merchants, and by interacting with the local NPCs, obtain quests. They also get to choose their race and class, that will define them and their abilities for the remainder of their time in the dungeon.
I enjoyed this book well enough. Not as laugh out loud funny to me as the first, but some of that is to be expected as the series continues and the stakes get increasing higher. I preferred the second quest to the first, and wish it had been given the same amount of time and attention, instead of feeling a bit rushed. Carl's setting himself up to be a major player not just in the game, but outside of it as well, and I'm looking forward to seeing how that part of the story progresses.
The second installment of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series took us on an adventure through the third level of the Borant Corporation's Earth-wide life-or-death game. Carl and Princess Donut find themselves on a floor with civilization- opportunities to purchase upgrades and equipment from merchants, and by interacting with the local NPCs, obtain quests. They also get to choose their race and class, that will define them and their abilities for the remainder of their time in the dungeon.
I enjoyed this book well enough. Not as laugh out loud funny to me as the first, but some of that is to be expected as the series continues and the stakes get increasing higher. I preferred the second quest to the first, and wish it had been given the same amount of time and attention, instead of feeling a bit rushed. Carl's setting himself up to be a major player not just in the game, but outside of it as well, and I'm looking forward to seeing how that part of the story progresses.
Stunned. Floored. Flabbered.
I want to get this insanely beautiful novella tattooed on my skin in its entirety. My only regret was that I wasn't able to read it all in one sitting bc, well, life. It's meant to be taken all in at once. Sat in, surrounded by. Changed with.
I was very pleased to have made the decision to go in blind - I had not read the blurb, only going in based on vibes, recommendations, and a love of short fiction. So I will not tell you details here, and will suggest (strongly) that you do the same.
I will absolutely be purchasing a copy of this book. I will be reading it over and over again.
Stunned. Floored. Flabbered.
I want to get this insanely beautiful novella tattooed on my skin in its entirety. My only regret was that I wasn't able to read it all in one sitting bc, well, life. It's meant to be taken all in at once. Sat in, surrounded by. Changed with.
I was very pleased to have made the decision to go in blind - I had not read the blurb, only going in based on vibes, recommendations, and a love of short fiction. So I will not tell you details here, and will suggest (strongly) that you do the same.
I will absolutely be purchasing a copy of this book. I will be reading it over and over again.
4.5 Stars
Paladin's Grace was 100% a peer pressure read. There's at least 3 other T. Kingfisher books I would have picked up before starting yet another series.
At least my friends have taste. I had a great time reading this. The main characters were so realistic and relatable and absolutely adorable and I loved them and the yearning was excellent. Honestly though, I think my favorite character was Bishop Beartongue, and I really hope she'll be included in the coming installments.
Not a perfect 5 stars, just because the plot felt a bit disjointed. There was the thing that you thought was going to be the major storyline, then at the 60% mark, you get whammied with something completely different. Not bad, just a bit awkward.
4.5 Stars
Paladin's Grace was 100% a peer pressure read. There's at least 3 other T. Kingfisher books I would have picked up before starting yet another series.
At least my friends have taste. I had a great time reading this. The main characters were so realistic and relatable and absolutely adorable and I loved them and the yearning was excellent. Honestly though, I think my favorite character was Bishop Beartongue, and I really hope she'll be included in the coming installments.
Not a perfect 5 stars, just because the plot felt a bit disjointed. There was the thing that you thought was going to be the major storyline, then at the 60% mark, you get whammied with something completely different. Not bad, just a bit awkward.
This was my first Blake Crouch book, and it was pretty good. I liked the story well enough, the characters were were fairly well defined and relatable. The multiverse concept I think was handled well/uniquely, if a little clunky in bits. Far better, in my opinion, to be more heavy handed, than overly complex and alienating. I was totally with the story until the very end, but for a book with stakes this high, a “happy ending” felt really out of place to me. It was too neat. We were dealing with infinite possibilities/potential outcomes and divergences, and to have it all work out felt lackluster.
This was my first Blake Crouch book, and it was pretty good. I liked the story well enough, the characters were were fairly well defined and relatable. The multiverse concept I think was handled well/uniquely, if a little clunky in bits. Far better, in my opinion, to be more heavy handed, than overly complex and alienating. I was totally with the story until the very end, but for a book with stakes this high, a “happy ending” felt really out of place to me. It was too neat. We were dealing with infinite possibilities/potential outcomes and divergences, and to have it all work out felt lackluster.
This installment of the Singing Hills Cycle left me wanting more. We got such elaborate tales in the first two, with the “current events” taking a background role, that I wasn't expecting it to be completely reversed in Into the Riverlands. Of course, you understand why in the end, but part of what I love about this series, the art of storytelling, was largely missing. I'm hoping to get that back in book 4.
This installment of the Singing Hills Cycle left me wanting more. We got such elaborate tales in the first two, with the “current events” taking a background role, that I wasn't expecting it to be completely reversed in Into the Riverlands. Of course, you understand why in the end, but part of what I love about this series, the art of storytelling, was largely missing. I'm hoping to get that back in book 4.
This book has been marketed as having cozy vibes, and when compared with other cozy fantasy books, I guess I can see that it checks some of the same boxes, but honestly, at no point in this adventure, did the word “cozy” come to mind.
I liked it well enough, but there was nothing groundbreaking here. The longer the story went on, the more convinced I became that I wasn't going to get what I wanted out of it. And I was correct. That being said that was some cool back story stuff that I did enjoy a whole lot.
This book has been marketed as having cozy vibes, and when compared with other cozy fantasy books, I guess I can see that it checks some of the same boxes, but honestly, at no point in this adventure, did the word “cozy” come to mind.
I liked it well enough, but there was nothing groundbreaking here. The longer the story went on, the more convinced I became that I wasn't going to get what I wanted out of it. And I was correct. That being said that was some cool back story stuff that I did enjoy a whole lot.
Bride was my first Ali Hazelwood novel. Upon chatting with friends, I got quite the education about Reylo fanfic and its many iterations. At first I didn't think it fit. But the longer we chatted and I recalled details of the story, they were absolutely correct.
I don't say this as a disparagement. I really quite liked the story and the characters.
As per usual, my complaints fall within the realm of editing. There was a spelling error in my copy. A couple of scenes (not even spicy ones) that didn't make anatomical sense. Overall, it felt clunky. But in the end, the plot and the cast were able to fill in the gaps. I might not rush out to get any more of her books right away, but I'm excited to see what Mate brings us in the fall.
Bride was my first Ali Hazelwood novel. Upon chatting with friends, I got quite the education about Reylo fanfic and its many iterations. At first I didn't think it fit. But the longer we chatted and I recalled details of the story, they were absolutely correct.
I don't say this as a disparagement. I really quite liked the story and the characters.
As per usual, my complaints fall within the realm of editing. There was a spelling error in my copy. A couple of scenes (not even spicy ones) that didn't make anatomical sense. Overall, it felt clunky. But in the end, the plot and the cast were able to fill in the gaps. I might not rush out to get any more of her books right away, but I'm excited to see what Mate brings us in the fall.
This was unsatisfying. I'm bummed because I loved the first two so much. I was 80% of the way through the book before anything really happened. Then what happened happens and that's great and all, but it just wasn't enough. This volume definitely felt much more like a set up for a conclusion than a conclusion itself.
That being said, the setting, the characters, the story are very well written, and still entertaining. It just felt hollow next to how full to bursting the other volumes in the series were. Like. I still have no idea why Gladys had any chapters at all. It was pure filler content. And I know this was loosely based on historical figures and all, but the fact that Mungo never really got a comeuppance was an incredible letdown. I wanted to see that man flayed for what he put Languoreth and Lailoken through. But alas...
*i see now that what i read elsewhere - that the next book will be a prequel is incorrect. that there will be a 4th installment. which is what i had thought after reading all the author's notes, but a (unfortunately not thorough enough) search of the internet lead I me astray. can you believe it??
So, the review stands, but i am very much looking forward to how this story really ends.
This was unsatisfying. I'm bummed because I loved the first two so much. I was 80% of the way through the book before anything really happened. Then what happened happens and that's great and all, but it just wasn't enough. This volume definitely felt much more like a set up for a conclusion than a conclusion itself.
That being said, the setting, the characters, the story are very well written, and still entertaining. It just felt hollow next to how full to bursting the other volumes in the series were. Like. I still have no idea why Gladys had any chapters at all. It was pure filler content. And I know this was loosely based on historical figures and all, but the fact that Mungo never really got a comeuppance was an incredible letdown. I wanted to see that man flayed for what he put Languoreth and Lailoken through. But alas...
*i see now that what i read elsewhere - that the next book will be a prequel is incorrect. that there will be a 4th installment. which is what i had thought after reading all the author's notes, but a (unfortunately not thorough enough) search of the internet lead I me astray. can you believe it??
So, the review stands, but i am very much looking forward to how this story really ends.
Lavash at First Sight is a star-crossed lovers rom-com, all based around two rival families in the Armenian packaged food game. It takes a trip to a conference in Chicago, and a chance at a spot in a Super Bowl ad, for the younger generation, and our protagonists, to uncover what really happened between their parents all those years ago.
I wanted to love this book. I cajoled people into a buddy read with me - and in the end, it was pretty underwhelming. Everything thing about it was fine. Just fine. Standard character arcs, foreseeable outcome. A bit more “insta-love” than I really prefer. The bones are all there, I just wish an extra 25-30 pages had been used to give the story more life.
Lavash at First Sight is a star-crossed lovers rom-com, all based around two rival families in the Armenian packaged food game. It takes a trip to a conference in Chicago, and a chance at a spot in a Super Bowl ad, for the younger generation, and our protagonists, to uncover what really happened between their parents all those years ago.
I wanted to love this book. I cajoled people into a buddy read with me - and in the end, it was pretty underwhelming. Everything thing about it was fine. Just fine. Standard character arcs, foreseeable outcome. A bit more “insta-love” than I really prefer. The bones are all there, I just wish an extra 25-30 pages had been used to give the story more life.
Radium Girls was an in depth look at the women that changed the face of occupational safety standards, workplace compensation laws, and quite literally being the force behind understanding the long term impacts and effects of radium exposure. This book focused on the women themselves, and their journeys as they started to fall ill, struggle to get a diagnosis, fight to be listened to, and demand justice for the lies they were told while doing their jobs as dial painters to the best of their abilities. It's a tragic story, and an important one. A timely reminder that no one will fight for your rights if you don't. Stand up, and be heard.
Radium Girls was an in depth look at the women that changed the face of occupational safety standards, workplace compensation laws, and quite literally being the force behind understanding the long term impacts and effects of radium exposure. This book focused on the women themselves, and their journeys as they started to fall ill, struggle to get a diagnosis, fight to be listened to, and demand justice for the lies they were told while doing their jobs as dial painters to the best of their abilities. It's a tragic story, and an important one. A timely reminder that no one will fight for your rights if you don't. Stand up, and be heard.