Jacob
I struggled with this book as it sat unread for months. Being a fantasy fan, the description and author had be very interested. Maybe I should resolve myself to being a modern fantasy fan, because I didn't like the way the book was written.
Austin grasps the reader who is fearing the doubts in their faith and carries them through his struggles to highlight the insights in his journey. His discourse allows the untraditional conversations to happen while guiding the doubter back to Jesus's love.
I can not say that I've had the same doubts or have the same theology as the author, but I believe that his work is an important, welcoming pool of hope for struggling Christians to come out of the shadows and wade in.
A great blend of Christian spirituality and psychology. If we can understand ourselves and each other, we are much better equipped to grow in the fullness who God has made us while supporting others. A definite must-read if you have not had any experience with the Enneagram.
[a:Evan Winter 17087338 Evan Winter https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1506183476p2/17087338.jpg] does a fantastic job in his debut, [b:The Rage of Dragons 44330000 The Rage of Dragons (The Burning, #1) Evan Winter https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563407420l/44330000.SX50.jpg 57522473]. He keeps the action going, picking up the pace as the book goes along. The way he sprinkles the world lore into the settings is brilliant, giving the reader just enough to understand, but allowing the mystery of the bigger picture to linger. There were a few scenes that told me instead of showing me what was happening, but those were few and far between. I am very excited to read what lies in store for these characters in the next book of The Burning series
Like the world that the author created and his characters, but this book really didn't do much for me. It felt like a long build-up with no resolution other than ‘check out Book 2'.
I probably shouldn't have read this at the same time as another YA book, because I tend to get burned out on young lead character quickly.
This book has major plot and pacing issues. The MC has no depth other than his small backstory, his impossible magic skills, and the ability of any female around him to instantly want him within one or two encounters.
His summoning abilities and combinations are interesting. I wish the author would have taken the time to build out the foundations for the big events and side characters by planning a story arc for 3 or 4 books. The book ends with a lot of questions and a plea to rate this book well in order to get a second one.
Brilliant
An emotional elevator ride where a child's past and present converge into the biggest decision of his life. Brilliant writing and word imagery create a work that will stay with me for a long time.
This book was brutal in the best way possible. The trail of bodies is long. The main characters are put through hell. This book is really long, yet I was still wanting more when that last page turned. I can't wait for the ending to the 2nd trilogy.
Loved this book and can not wait for the last book in the series to come next! Come the Hod King!
While this book has ‘Being Yourself', it focuses on throwing out traditional standards in the workplace, in our social circles, and in our bedroom. I don't disagree with the author on all these fronts, but the book makes me feel like an outsider for having a monogamous, heterosexual marriage and having a normal job to take care of my family. This book is more of a validation for alternative lifestyles and tearing down status quos. I completely agree that the modern expectation of “go to college and work for the man” can lead to an unhappy life, but there is a personal responsibility to find income streams to take care of yourself and live the lifestyle you want.
Brandon Sanderson has solidified his place as my favorite author. Every book I've read from him has not disappointed and this is the best one yet. I'm ready to spend the next 20 years reading Cosmere novels.
The details the author wanted to explain got in the way of the story. I didn't hate the book, just didn't enjoy it.
I think that the overkill of zombie references in pop culture today hurt my view of this otherwise good book. It seemed a little boring compared to The Walking Dead (comic, not TV series). I liked the writing and perspective of the narrator, but the setting just doesn't have any suspense left in it.
Scalzi does an excellent job of writing science fiction with the character in mind before world building.
I have a hard time getting into books that spend the first few chapters telling me a bunch of names which I can't pronounce with no inkling of story. This is not one of those books.
John Perry's character is a quirky 75 year old writer that signs up to be a solder because there's nothing left for him on Earth. The journey with Perry is very enjoyable and well thought out. His interactions with other characters is, at times, emotional and, others, hilarious.
I will definitely be checking out more fiction from John Scalzi.
Good YA caper with a fantasy bend. While I'm not going to binge the rest of series, I might pick up book 2 down the road.
Imagine ‘The Breakfast Club' with a murderous psychopath pulling the strings in a thought-provoking short read.
Great defense against atheism and agnosticism by [a:C.S. Lewis 1069006 C.S. Lewis https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1367519078p2/1069006.jpg]C.S. Lewis. His way of going around a point a few different ways can help someone relate to the topic, but can drone on when you already grasp his logic. I would recommend taking the time to read through this no matter your religious affiliation.
An excellent and fitting conclusion to the Night Angel series. The scope of the story is expanded greatly in this finale. The reader is rewarded with a sprawling tale that challenges the main characters while bringing to light the importance of the side characters in the series.
Pierce Brown, you gorydamn pen wizard, you've created a penultimate chapter than makes me love your stories even more and hate how you've racked my heart with pride, pain, and longing. Thank you, sir. I sit eagerly awaiting Red God and anything else you choose to write afterward.
A fitting ending to the Legends of the First Empire series. I'm going to miss these characters, but I'm excited to jump into Riyria and The Rise and Fall in the future.
As a fan of the Dexter show but not necessarily the book series, I thought I'd check out Jeff Lindsay's new series. I liked the main character, but I what made me put this book down was the improbability of it all.
The main character just happens to see a magazine article and fix all his depression about what to do next. The cop in pursuit doesn't know why, but he's going to the exact city to look for the exact guy because he's going to steal the exact thing he's actually going to steal. It's all a little on the nose and completely took me out of the story. It's as if the writer knew where he wanted them to be but couldn't figure out how to get them there.
DNF at Chapter 9
