Pablo

What a moving story this was! I was not expecting a wholesome story. I went into this book thinking it was going to be dark, mysterious and tragic in many ways (which some of it is, but not entirely). The premise is clever and brilliant, the science behind space travel is believable and well researched, and the main characters are the spotlight of it all!

The audiobook is perfect! The narrator does an excellent job, plus the sound effects are a nice touch that adds to the experience.

Solid short novella that shines light on the true nature of the Cielcin. Hadrian is often surprised how little he knows about them, and this novel is shocking not only to Hadrian but to the reader. The actions and intent of the Cielcin are so horrific that leaves you scratching your head and asking why. The plot of the story is okay, but what makes this book is the Cielcin and their mysterious nature which we are still learning about.

From what I remember, this added interesting context to the main book.

After ~40 percent the novelty wears off. I like the idea of a video game-esque book, with tons of gear, leveling up, boss fights, upgrades, a big dungeon, etc. However, it failed to keep me interested half way through the book until the end.

I see the attractiveness of this book and the series as a whole. It is very easy to read, it’s very funny at times, with ridiculously wild scenes. The premise and cliffhanger at the end is enough to keep me interested and will continue reading the series.

Pure whimsical fun! a bit too "young adult" for my liking, but it is still a fun story to dive in again and again.

Robin Hobb has a way with words that is just mesmerizing! This booked captured me in ways no other fantasy book has, it hooked me from beginning to end. 

The plot itself isn't that grand or unique, and it was interesting enough to keep me invested. However, the book shines in its characters, their intricacies, relationships, and the rich world they live in. 

This book isn't flashy with intricate magic systems and tons of actions scenes, and is regarded as a “slow burn” read. This I have found, really suits me as I have come to enjoy character driven stories. 

The story is still filled with many mysteries,  interesting and unique magical powers, and cleverly crafted plot twist that had me at the edge of my seat. 

I came to really care for the many characters and their ties with one another. I rooted for some, cried for others, and at times felt betrayed. 

I'm fully invested in Fitz's journey through this harsh and unforgiving world he lives in! Can't wait to pick up the second book! 

 

Such an insightful book! Very dense, informative and incredibly well researched. This book is literally a step by step guide to meditation with the ultimate goal of achieving enlightenment/awakening. 

It is mostly objective in nature and backed up by scientific research. I do have to say, as you get to the later stages, it does become more experiential and anecdotal. The author explains the 10 stages of mastering Samatha meditation. Each chapter provides exercises, tips, objectives and expected struggles or road blocks that one must deal with along the way. 

In no way is this book preachy, and one does not need to be a Buddhist in order to “get it”. This book does not discriminate and the author gives good encouragement to anyone interested in meditation. 

Inspiring book! This is my first introduction to the life of the Buddha. This books strikes the perfect balance between retelling the Buddha's life and introducing sutras and teachings that are foundational for following the way. The book can at times be a bit slow and redundant (same teachings are repeated here and there), but it stroke so many cords in me and inspired me to continue applying these beautiful teaching in my everyday life.

This is a book that lives on your bedside table, to be returned to and read slowly, while meditating on its meaning , and how to apply it on our daily lives. Another nice short book by the great teacher.

This is a book that lives on your bedside table, to be returned to and read slowly, while meditating on its meaning , and how to apply it on our daily lives. Another nice short book by the great teacher.

There is so much to unpack here. This is a book that lives on your bedside table, to be returned to and read slowly, while meditating on its meaning , and how to apply it on our daily lives. This isn't a dogma, but a a clear description in the nature of being.

The premise of this series is so gripping and fascinating! yet I had such a hard time getting through this book. I found myself grinding through many chapters before things started to pick up. Even so, I am fully invested in this series because the premise is that good! 

The problem I have with the writing style is that Hadrian is very introspective and very descriptive. He often compares his experiences with Kings and Heroes of the old times, with old philosophies and lectures that he has learned in the past.

I have no problem with this, however I feel like this is way overdone and takes me, the reader away from the story telling (what is actually happening) instead of adding to it.

The last 10 chapters of this book are absolutely incredible! The chapters before that are very slow paced, just like “Empire of Silence”. This is still a worth read for me, and I can't wait to see how the story unfolds. 

To keep things brief, as I plan on writing a full review later, this book has the potential to change the way you see your life. Putting religion and beliefs aside, the contents of this book are clear and true to the essence of who we are. I am looking forward to reading more from Thich Nhat Hanh.

One of my first introductions to buddhist teachings. Lots of eye opening teachings and a simple guidance in living a rich fulfilling life. Surrendering the self and living in the benefit of others is key in reaching enlightenment. Chapter 9 is missing in this commentary as Pema felt it was too difficult to include in this book. I am looking forward to reading other commentaries on the of The Way of the Bodhisattvas. 

This short book made me deeply think about my life and the meaning of it all. It is deeply rooted in Buddhist practices and if approached with an open mind, you can get so much from it. I see myself returning to this book over and over again. Excellent book!

The audiobook kept me entertained throughout my 8 hour drive. I think I would've enjoyed it more if I had read it instead. Unsure if I will be continuing with the series. 

Enjoyable short novella. It sheds light on Hadrian's brother Crispin and alongside his sister Sabine, fight for their lives against a mysterious attacker. This novella paints Crispin to be more like his brother Hadrian. Despite his barbaric ways, Crispin finds compassion and admiration to those plebeians below his decree. This story adds to the overarching world of the Sun Eater series, with mysteries revealed that I am sure will add to the overall main story line.

Such a simple short story, yet so rich and heartfelt. I enjoyed this one much more than “small things like these”. The innocence of a child and her first hand experiences made me reflect on my own childhood. This story made me realize that little things and gestures do matter to those young and growing up. This is a story that I will most  definitely come back to in the future.

A story rooted in the mundane moments of everyday life—carrying a dark truth and the quiet struggles of a man. It's a short story about him and his family, about his past and how it comes back to test him in the present. It's raw and honest. There isn't much happening on the surface, but underneath are the battles of a man haunted by what he's been through, and how certain moments force him to face what he truly believes in.  

You can tell right away this story's going to be massive. The galaxy is insanely detailed, packed with planets, moons, species, aliens, and plenty of mysteries. Coming from reading Lord of the Rings, I'm used to super descriptive writing—sometimes I'm into it, other times it's a slog—but here it mostly hits the sweet spot.
Hadrian is interesting enough to carry the book, with so many strengths and positive traits that he usually has the edge. What really grabbed me, though, are the mysterious Cielcin and how little the empire actually understands them. The author's descriptions of these aliens are fascinating and vivid, making them feel intelligent, alien, and genuinely terrifying through Hadrian's eyes. This book sets the tone for what feels like an epic, long-haul series.

I loved this world so much! The characters are fascinating, and all the different races are unique and interesting. The depth and history of Middle-earth feel completely believable. At times, it reads like a history book—as if these events really took place.

The world-building is by far the most beautiful and rich I have ever read. The landscapes of all the places the Fellowship travels to are forever ingrained in my mind (and I haven't even seen the movies!). Lothlórien, Mordor, Rivendell, and the Mines of Moria are places I will never forget.

I wouldn't say this series is an easy read by any means. It takes some work and, at times, re-reading pages to fully grasp what Tolkien is trying to convey. Ultimately, the payoff is well worth it.

The conclusion to the series was perfection, and The Return of the King is my favorite of the three books.

Wow! What a fun journey! I was not convinced 1/3 of the way into the book, as it read like a YA novel with children as protagonist. But slowly, the story starts revealing its depth, you'll notice the characters are not as simple and shallow as you may think, their actions have real consequences and the plot weighs heavy on all of them. These children have not been allowed to be children and are instead tools made for destruction. The deception, the mistrust, and the uncertainty are things Ender wrestles with from the beginning of the story to the end. Finally, the plot twists in this book are phenomenal! and probably some of the best I have experienced.

The depth of this world is enormous! The lore and history of the different lands and its people is at times very hard to follow, but you can tell that the outmost care was given to this world by the author. This book is far better than this first one, mainly due to the increased pace and its multiple high tension moments. The characters are all incredibly unique and ever growing as they face new challenges. The pace of book may still be very slow for most people as Tolkien loves to describe everything! But personally, that is what makes the world so vivid and beautiful. Overall incredible series so far! 

What a read! So raw and real that almost made me shiver. If you read Carrie you will feel sadness , anger and dispare. But at the same time compassion, acceptance and the inherit connection that makes us all human. 

This book is filled with tons of interesting insights and historical facts about how money, its value, and its meaning has changed over time. Like many people have mentioned on their reviews, a lot of this stuff is common sense, but yet many of us fall victim of outside forces drawing us away from making common sense decisions. I enjoyed this book, although It felt like it dragged on at times, specially during the mid chapters (the ending chapters are way better in my opinion). Also, read the postscript! Amazing last few pages.