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anna_curlyquotesediting's reviews
192 reviews
The Riddle by Alison Croggon
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Much better than the first book. The author seems to be stepping out more on her own rather than rearranging Tolkien's work and words. (Though there are still some direct references.)
The MC finally gets some autonomy in this one, which I was glad of; she's much less annoying now. Gandalf did a Gandalf. Found Sauron lite.
I think the worst part of the book was the MC's very weird sexual awakening for the entity that kidnaps her. I'll say no more because spoilers, but really. The next book better have a good explanation for that, because right now I see no point for it other than to direct the MC's desire away from a not-dead character for drama's sake.
The MC finally gets some autonomy in this one, which I was glad of; she's much less annoying now. Gandalf did a Gandalf. Found Sauron lite.
I think the worst part of the book was the MC's very weird sexual awakening for the entity that kidnaps her. I'll say no more because spoilers, but really. The next book better have a good explanation for that, because right now I see no point for it other than to direct the MC's desire away from a not-dead character for drama's sake.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Confinement and Kidnapping
The Naming by Alison Croggon
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
It's LotR lite. All the way down to things like ring wraiths and Minas Tirith but Frodo is a girl and also the ring and I think Gandalf is the love interest. Saruman is here too. On the lookout for Gollum next.
Anyway, I'm not too impressed, which is sad because I was looking forward to this one. There's something to be said for taking inspiration from the Father of Fantasy but...well, The Naming takes too much. I shouldn't read a book and think, "Hey, it's the Dead Marshes" or "Oh look, it's literally Minas Tirith" or "Wow, this is exactly like Frodo's escape from the Shire." If something reminds me of LotR, fine, but this straight up takes the setting and sometimes story, shakes it a little, and then puts it back.
The MC doesn't really have an objective. I don't really know what she wants after the first few chapters (because she gets what she wants) or what she's willing to do to get what she wants. MC is just dragged along with the mentor figure, who feels more like the MC sometimes.
The writing was fine. I liked the characters well enough. But I wish so much coincidence and tied-up-with-a-bow explanations didn't occur in just one book.
I'll give the next one a go, I guess. Let's see if the story and settings evolve into themselves rather than imitating.
Anyway, I'm not too impressed, which is sad because I was looking forward to this one. There's something to be said for taking inspiration from the Father of Fantasy but...well, The Naming takes too much. I shouldn't read a book and think, "Hey, it's the Dead Marshes" or "Oh look, it's literally Minas Tirith" or "Wow, this is exactly like Frodo's escape from the Shire." If something reminds me of LotR, fine, but this straight up takes the setting and sometimes story, shakes it a little, and then puts it back.
The MC doesn't really have an objective. I don't really know what she wants after the first few chapters (because she gets what she wants) or what she's willing to do to get what she wants. MC is just dragged along with the mentor figure, who feels more like the MC sometimes.
The writing was fine. I liked the characters well enough. But I wish so much coincidence and tied-up-with-a-bow explanations didn't occur in just one book.
I'll give the next one a go, I guess. Let's see if the story and settings evolve into themselves rather than imitating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Body horror, Child abuse, Racism, and Sexism
Children of Memory by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Absolutely fantastic book! I wish there was a fourth, but I'm also happy with the end of Children of Memory. Tchaikovsky builds on each of his books through thousands of years and keeping with beloved characters and new ones. I loved the exploration of identity and self and the frequently asked "what makes you more sentient than something else?" question. This book was sad; it was full of hope. I have zero complaints.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Dysphoria
Minor: Child death, Death, and Misogyny
Absolution by Jeff VanderMeer
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I give Absolution 4 stars literally just because of Part 3. From about 68% to 76%, the book is almost unreadable with the f-bombs. I don't care about the cursing; it's the almost-every-other-word frequency of it that drove me batty. After that 76% way through the book, the narrator chills out somewhat, but not entirely.
The rest of the book is really cool, as usual from Southern Reach titles. Creepy, strange, and sometimes horrifying, this book feels more like a companion book to the original three than a prequel, which I liked.
The rest of the book is really cool, as usual from Southern Reach titles. Creepy, strange, and sometimes horrifying, this book feels more like a companion book to the original three than a prequel, which I liked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body horror, Cannibalism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Mental illness and Violence
Too Wyld for Comfort by Shelley White
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Cultural appropriation and Alcohol
The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
A decent book for creatives. There were some things I agreed with and lots more I agreed with but only to a point. More of an "I understand and agree with the message but not as much the method."
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is so sad; prepare to be devastated. If you're familiar with the myth of Achilles, then you won't be going in completely blind, but Madeline Miller brings life to these heroes from myth in a way I haven't seen before. She makes them so human, and it's honestly bittersweet, heartbreaking, and hard to watch all at once.
I loved Circe too, and I hope to see lots more work from Madeline Miller in the future.
I loved Circe too, and I hope to see lots more work from Madeline Miller in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Homophobia, Slavery, and Murder
Minor: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Pregnancy
Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Absolutely fantastic. I think I might like this one more than I liked Children of Time.
Without spoilers, I'll say this book treads much darker than its predecessor, which I was happy with. Its themes were either built upon from the first book or totally new. I think Children of Ruin left me with more to think about, but I'm a big fan of cosmic horror, and this book dips its toes directly into that.
Without spoilers, I'll say this book treads much darker than its predecessor, which I was happy with. Its themes were either built upon from the first book or totally new. I think Children of Ruin left me with more to think about, but I'm a big fan of cosmic horror, and this book dips its toes directly into that.
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
The only real reason I rated Daring Greatly slightly less than five stars is because if you've read The Gifts of Imperfection already, this book won't contain too much new information.
Because I read The Gifts of Imperfection right before listening to this book, I recognized some lines and paragraphs that were taken word-for-word from that book to this one. While that's not necessarily a bad thing--sometimes you land on the best way to say something and should stick with it--I felt the repeat of information without new insights a little grating.
I will say that at about 75% of the way through, when Brown focuses more on parenting, the information becomes more focused and actionable. This is a book I'd like to reread before becoming a parent.
It's all still wonderful information! Brown's research will hopefully help the world change.
Because I read The Gifts of Imperfection right before listening to this book, I recognized some lines and paragraphs that were taken word-for-word from that book to this one. While that's not necessarily a bad thing--sometimes you land on the best way to say something and should stick with it--I felt the repeat of information without new insights a little grating.
I will say that at about 75% of the way through, when Brown focuses more on parenting, the information becomes more focused and actionable. This is a book I'd like to reread before becoming a parent.
It's all still wonderful information! Brown's research will hopefully help the world change.
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Honestly an incredible book. If you'd like to explore how evolution might work with another species and how desperate humans might interact with that, read on.
There's so much detail of technology and evolution here that it's almost hard to swallow, but Tchaikovsky balances so well on that thin line between believable and unreal science. The POV swaps between civilizations in a meaningful way that makes sense. And it's imperative that it makes sense, because this one book spans thousands of years.
There's so much detail of technology and evolution here that it's almost hard to swallow, but Tchaikovsky balances so well on that thin line between believable and unreal science. The POV swaps between civilizations in a meaningful way that makes sense. And it's imperative that it makes sense, because this one book spans thousands of years.