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the_dog_standard's reviews
14 reviews
Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Easily one of my favourite books. My only issues is I am too traumatized to read the last one of the series because I'm 99% sure it's not going to end well for Mia being that the author warned a tale of 3 parts Birthday, Life and Death ðŸ˜
Definitely a book I would happily read again and again we well as recommended it to others
Definitely a book I would happily read again and again we well as recommended it to others
What It's Like to Be a Dog: And Other Adventures in Animal Neuroscience by Gregory Berns
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Very good read and I would recommend it to anyone that has an interest in animals.
Gregory Berns covers Dogs, Sea Lions, Dolphins and Tasmanian Thylacine (Tiger) as well as others in the informative read. This book looks into the brains structure and inner workings of these animals to really give a sense as to what it's like for them and show that they are not that much different for humans.
Gregory Berns covers Dogs, Sea Lions, Dolphins and Tasmanian Thylacine (Tiger) as well as others in the informative read. This book looks into the brains structure and inner workings of these animals to really give a sense as to what it's like for them and show that they are not that much different for humans.
The Dog Project and the research that has stemmed from it is a step in the right direction for animal welfare and understanding.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
The second to last chapter "Dog Lab" details some animal cruelty and deaths but this is easily skippable and does not take away from the message if not read.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Had to read this for my book club and I have to say if it wasn't for that I may have DNF'd this book. It's definitely a strange read and just becuase the whole thing is written as if the MC is telling th story to some random man in a cafe.
It's one of those books that you finish reading and are left wondering what you just read. Was any of it real? Is the guy delusional?
I'm not sure i regret reading it but I definitely would not recommend it to someone else.
Personally I reckon the guy went to America and had a good time for a couple of years (uni etc) and then decided he didn't want to be there anymore so became disenfranchised with everything. Then proceeded to essentially sabotage himself (not saying the tension surround 9/11 helped but he certainly didn't handle it well). After returning to Pakistan he taught people of his bad experiences of America.
I think Erica represents his previous love of America which is why he cannot 'find her' in the novel she wrote, becuase he cannot remember the America he loved. Her "disappearance" also coincides with him becoming disenfranchised with America.
It's one of those books that you finish reading and are left wondering what you just read. Was any of it real? Is the guy delusional?
I'm not sure i regret reading it but I definitely would not recommend it to someone else.
I think Erica represents his previous love of America which is why he cannot 'find her' in the novel she wrote, becuase he cannot remember the America he loved. Her "disappearance" also coincides with him becoming disenfranchised with America.
The Paradox Paradox by Daniel Hardcastle
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
I think this has just rocketed it's way up to the top of my favourites list. Brilliantly written, hilarious yet emotional. I read the digital copy first but will definitely be reading it again when my physical copy arrived in march (2025), I will also listen to it when the audio book comes out.
You will not regret reading this book. The best way I can describe it is Doctor Who, time travel with the humour of Niel Gaimen and Terry Prachets Good Omens (my favourite book (this this one may have just over taken))
There were so many point in the book where it loops back and little comments make so much sense. Absolutely brilliant and I commend Dan for being able to make such a complicated yet cohesive story. I can't wait to see what he comes out with next.
READ IT!!!
You will not regret reading this book. The best way I can describe it is Doctor Who, time travel with the humour of Niel Gaimen and Terry Prachets Good Omens (my favourite book (this this one may have just over taken))
There were so many point in the book where it loops back and little comments make so much sense. Absolutely brilliant and I commend Dan for being able to make such a complicated yet cohesive story. I can't wait to see what he comes out with next.
READ IT!!!
The Thief on the Winged Horse by Kate Mascarenhas
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Got it on sale and can see why. Whilst it's a nice easy read I found myself bored and like it was a chore to pick it up and read it. The premise of the books seems really good, love the setting and the dynamics between the characters.
But considering it a crime novel about a theft there's not a lot of focus on the theft and despite some of the characters eventually realising who stole the doll it never really gets solved as to why. And there are no consequences for anyone in the book for any my their sh*tty behaviour.
All in all just left me a bit disappointed and wanting more.
But considering it a crime novel about a theft there's not a lot of focus on the theft and despite some of the characters eventually realising who stole the doll it never really gets solved as to why. And there are no consequences for anyone in the book for any my their sh*tty behaviour.
All in all just left me a bit disappointed and wanting more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Domestic abuse
The Billionaire's Valet by Lucy Lennox
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.0
Was disappointed.
Was a good read but needed more, it all felt very rushed. The beginning had potential like it was setting up a full romance but then they had sex and the book ended basically. I wanted more of the romance and figuring out their relationship not just a flash forward to a year later and everything was just hunky dory
The description makes it sound like an epic love story but it's not. You don't follow the journey of their love. You get a couple of chapter at the beginning where they are both pinning after each other and trying to run away from it and then you suddenly they are confessing their feelings over dinner, they have sex, the end. That's it thats the whole book.
Was a good read but needed more, it all felt very rushed. The beginning had potential like it was setting up a full romance but then they had sex and the book ended basically. I wanted more of the romance and figuring out their relationship not just a flash forward to a year later and everything was just hunky dory
The description makes it sound like an epic love story but it's not. You don't follow the journey of their love. You get a couple of chapter at the beginning where they are both pinning after each other and trying to run away from it and then you suddenly they are confessing their feelings over dinner, they have sex, the end. That's it thats the whole book.
Mated to the Monster by Sarah Spade
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
The concept is there but I don't think it was great execution. I found myself skim reading a lot of it and felt a bit disappointed there wasn't more cutsy/romantic interaction between the MCs. The FMC spent 95% of the book trying avoid interaction with the MMC
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Everybody needs a Rowan.
This books is the best things I've listened to for a long time
This books is the best things I've listened to for a long time
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It's a bit meh...I felt like it didn't really go anywhere...the same problems at the beginning of the book as at the end. If I didn't already have the next 2 books I wouldn't bother buying them. Towards the end it started to pick up but then it just went back on itself and overall achieved very little
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0