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Klynn - 42 Will Do, But I'll Take More, Too! Complete!
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You're Never Weird On the Internet, Almost by Felicia Day
Finished Jan 1
4 Stars
Review:
I've been a fan of Felicia Day for many years now, and enjoyed getting a look at her early life and inner workings.
While it was entertaining to read about her rather unconventional upbringing, what impressed me most was how candid she was about the effect stress and anxiety had on her mental health. It simultaneously made her more human, and more worthy of admiration, to me. And while it is a serious topic, she managed to write about it in a way that was honest without being overwhelming or depressing.
Perhaps if more people were as willing to share their own struggles, the stigma around mental health issues could be eliminated.


Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Finished Jan 7
4 Stars
Review:
I found it to be an enjoyable book. I did think that some parts were a little long-winded, but that was more than made up for by the fact that the villain isn't just a mustache-twirler; He legitimately believes that what he is doing is the right thing. I hope that kind of nuance is kept up with and expanded upon in the next books.


Pyramid Schemes by Peter David
Finished Jan 12
4 Stars
Review:
If I could give half stars, this would actually get 4.5.
It seems to take a few chapters for the book to really recapture the particular charm and humor found in the earlier Apropos books. Once it does, though, the reader is brought along on what appears to be just another of Apropos' zany adventures. During the last quarter of the book or so, however, you start to learn why this particular story is so crucial to the overall arch of his life story. In the end, it reaches what I found to be an entirely satisfying conclusion to the story of Sir Apropos of Nothing; A character I have often wondered about in the years between finishing Tong Lashing and beginning Pyramid Schemes.


Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
Finished Jan 22
5 Stars
Review:
While I enjoyed this book more than anything I have read in a while, I do have some mixed feelings.
The world building was fascinating and unlike anything else I have read before. It did feel like a fully thought out, concrete world, and had "rules" that made sense.
The characters were also well fleshed out, with flaws, nuance, and growth over the course of the story.
I even found the plot to be interesting, if not quite as unique as other parts of the book.
All that said, sometimes, it felt like I was slogging through trying to find my way to the end of the story. Then, the end arrived almost before I was ready for it. The entire thing was very much like the first hill of a roller coaster: That long, slow chug up, full of anticipation, followed by the swift rush of the rest of the ride that makes the slow build up worth it.


Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Finished Jan 28
4 Stars
Review:
An interesting book. I haven't read anything with a format like this before, and I think it was very effective at upping the intensity of the story.
While I didn't find anything to be particularly surprising or revolutionary in the story, it still kept my interest. I think a very large part of that was due to Aiden. (view spoiler) I don't have any complaints about the characters Kady or Ezra, but they were not nearly as fascinating as Aiden.
Overall, I'm looking forward to continuing the series.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


The Palace Job by Patrick Weekes
Finished Jan 30
3 Stars
Review:
While there were some elements of this book I loved and characters that I quite enjoyed, there were also aspects that I absolutely hated. (view spoiler) Using a trope once can be fun. Using multiple tropes repeatedly gets old, fast.
Overall, what I liked did outweigh what I did not, and I will likely be continuing the series.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine
Finished Feb 4
4 Stars
Review:
I really enjoyed this book. It was darker than I was expecting, (view spoiler) , but I believe that worked well with the story and was not simply used for shock value.
The only complaint I have is a light one: I would have liked to have seen a bit more of the ways that the setting is different from our world. There were some steam punk elements, and passing mentions of other small differences, but not enough to make it feel solid rather than slightly generic.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
Finished Feb 7
5 Stars
Review:
Excellent! One of the most enjoyable books I have read in recent memory!
That plot was a fun, fast-paced ride, the characters were fascinating and clearly well thought-out, and the setting was a beautiful combination of themes that should have felt phony, but instead simply worked.
Never before have I longed so greatly to step foot inside a book. Oh, to become a Librarian!


The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
Finished Feb 7
5 Stars
Review:
Excellent! One of the most enjoyable books I have read in recent memory!
That..."
You have me intrigued!

I'm sure it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I highly recommend giving it a whirl!


Tomorrow, When The World Began by John Marsden
Finished Feb 8
3 Stars
Review:
The plot idea for this book was quite interesting, but I do feel the delivery fell a bit short. It was written in first-person past tense, and felt something like a cross between a diary and an essay. Personally, I didn't feel it was a very successful hybrid.
One major issue I had was that the premise of it is that this was written from the perspective of a teen aged girl. Something about it rang false to me, and I continuously felt like I was reading something written by a man mimicking a teenage girl. I think it may have worked a lot better if the author had instead chosen to make the protagonist male.
Aside from that, the was nothing particularly wrong with the book. Unfortunately, there was nothing particularly promising about it, either, and I will not be continuing with this series.


Blood Work by Kim Harrison
Finished Feb 10
4 Stars
Review:
This was good. It was pretty cool to get things from Ivy's perspective, and interesting to see visuals that matched the way Kim Harrison saw her characters. (Even if they don't match the way I pictured them!)
I did think the story was a bit lackluster. The vast majority of it focused on (view spoiler) which was already something well known and well covered in the books. I think it would have been a more enjoyable read if there had been a little more depth and focus on the case they were working.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Finished Feb 17
4 Stars
Review:
What to say about this book?
There were parts of it that I enjoyed immensely, and parts that I found so tedious that I nearly quit reading. Fortunately, as I read further and further, the intriguing portions became more frequent and the dull ones less so.
I loved the little side stories about various gods and figures interspersed through the book, as well as the portions of the main story involving the actual gods. It was particularly fun to try to identify which god he was meeting before their true or common name was revealed.
The plot itself was also interesting, with a couple of twists that I didn't expect. (Though I couldn't help feeling like I -should- have seen them coming, which is actually a good thing. It means the clues where there, but not so obvious as to be, well, obvious.)
The one major criticism I have about this book is the main character, Shadow. I found the character to be rather flat and simply a means for conveying the story. It brings to my mind a saltine cracker used to serve salmon and lox. Sure, it gets the toppings in to your mouth, but a base that is tasty in its own right would be even nicer.


The Drafter bu Kim Harrison
Finished Feb 21
3 Stars
Review:
If I could give half stars, this would be a 3.5.
It was a decent start to a new series. The premise itself is great, and I love the idea that there is a cost that comes from altering time.
Unfortunately, I thought poor decision making and/or a lack of logic on the part of the protagonist was used a bit too much as a way to add drama to the story. For example, (view spoiler)
I also found Peri's internal monologue to be whiny and "helpless" to the point of being annoying, at times. The things done to her are traumatic, no doubt, but I didn't need to see her reduced to a keening animal multiple times to get the point.
I think there is still a lot of promise to this series, but I'll need to see a lot of character growth in the next book if I'm going to stick with it.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Finished Feb 25
4 Stars
Review:
I really wish we could give half stars, as this should get 4.5.
I really enjoyed this book. The setting was interesting, and fleshed out quite well. It felt real and believable. (view spoiler) Even characters that appear to be one-denominational through most of the story ultimately show at least a modicum of depth by the end.
There were a couple of small things that bothered me: The timeline was a little wibbly-wobbly here and there when changing between perspectives, but never enough to be difficult to follow or understand. (There is one place where it is very clear that the timeline is not completely linear, but that is not what I am referring to.) Also, there was a little too much breath-taking, core-shaking instant attraction to multiple people for my liking. It makes it feel artificial, and put in just to develop the drama inherent in a love triangle/square/dodecahedron.
Overall, I am looking forward to reading the next book.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger
Finished March 2
4 Stars
Review:
This skewed further toward the young end of "Young Adult" than I was expecting, but I still found it to be a fun read.
The characters all had a little something that gave each one a bit of interest, the plot was interesting without being convoluted or beset with unnecessary complications, and there was just enough tongue-in-cheek humor to keep things light and fast-paced.


The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Finished March 11
4 Stars
Review:
There are psychics, ley lines, and legends of an old Celtic king just waiting to be re-awoken. Add to that some intrigue and murder, and you have yourself a great story!
The cast of characters was rather large, though none of them felt like they didn't belong. It did mean that several of them were painted in broad strokes, without much nuance to their personality, but based on the writing and foreshadowing so far, that is something I expect will change over the course of future novels.
This was a good start to what promises to be an intriguing series.


Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold
Finished March 14
5 Stars
Review:
I loved this book! The author has a writing style that I found delightful to read, as well as the ability to convey volumes of meaning with just a few words. I also particularly enjoyed her descriptive passages, as they were vivid enough to paint the scene in your mind without being over done to the point of tedium.
One aspect of the style I found particularly interesting was that each chapter felt like a small story arch in and of itself. It was very much like reading a TV series, with each chapter being the weekly episode. While I don't think that I would like that in most cases, it worked very well here.
I found Cordelia to be both vulnerable and strong in a way you don't often see female characters written; She was able to save herself whenever it was realistic to do so, but was not so invulnerable as to never need rescued.
I liked Vorkosigan, as well, though would have liked a bit more of his personality to shine through. I suspect this is a situation of still waters running deep, however, and that more will be revealed as the series continues.
Overall, this book was not at all what I expected. Rather than being a story about a war and here are the people that happen to be important, it is a story of two people and the war that happens to be important.


The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf by Gerald Morris
Finished March 18
5 Stars
Review:
These books are absolutely charming! Sometimes, I just need something light and fun to read, and this series always fits the bill perfectly.
As is usually the case in such tales, this one features a damsel in distress. Fortunately, her younger sister is much less content to wait for a knight to just happen by and save them, and takes matters in to her own hands. Lynet isn't a completely atypical example of women in Arthurian stories, as she can be just as swayed by an attractive knight as the next girl, but I actually like that. It is the world she lives in, after all, so the ideals of courtly behavior are bound to have some influence.
The plot itself was fun and a bit whimsical, with brief appearances by some of the past characters I am growing to love. I was particularly impressed with how the author managed to show some of the ways Terrance has changed, despite the fact that there were probably less than ten pages involving the character.
All in all, I am thrilled to have discovered this series. My mood is always a bit brighter after reading a Squire's Tale, and I'm looking forward to what comes next.


Undone by Rachel Caine
Finished March 25
4 Stars
Review:
I found this book to be a stronger-than-usual start to a series. The plot line for at least a few books is quite obviously planned out, and there were several hints about what is still to come. The pacing was exceptional; fast enough to keep it interesting while still including quiet moments. Every scene felt like it belonged, however, and I never felt like the book dragged. (A rare feat, as even some of my favorites have portions that feel slow or dull.)
I found Cassiel to be intriguing and well developed. Her growth was interesting to watch, and I appreciated that she didn't change so dramatically as to be nothing like the character she started as; even if that meant she was not always likable.
If the following books live up to the standards set by this start, I could easily see this becoming one of my favorite series.


Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
Finished April 11
4 Stars
Review:
I can say without a doubt that this book was different from anything else I have ever read!
The beginning of the book was a little bit difficult to get in to; The world and characters being introduced were interesting, but there didn't seem to be much in the way of a plot developing. And then the pieces start falling in to place one at a time, and all these little details that didn't seem to mean anything suddenly add up to something huge.
The setting itself was fantastical and slightly absurd while still being relatable and just plausible enough. Hiro was fun. After all, who doesn't love an intelligent computer geek with a sword? Y.T. was also a lot of fun, though (view spoiler) got a bit old..and kind of creepy gross, sometimes. I enjoyed her bold attitude and the adventure she brought to nearly every scene she was in, however.
My favorite thing about his book, by far, was the (view spoiler) were blended together to create a plot unlike anything else I have read before. It was absolutely fascinating!["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
Finished April 17
4 Stars
Review
Reading this book was a lot like a bad romance.
It started out like most of these things: I saw the stunning cover, and felt immediately intrigued. After spending a few minutes getting to know a little about it, I added it to my list of books to be read.
After that, I passed by it often when perusing for something new to read. I'd consider it for a moment, but ultimately settle on something more comfortable. Eventually, a friend suggested we read it together, however.
In the beginning, things were beautiful! Sweet nothings whispered from the pages, and I fell head over heals in to the arms of the story. Oh, there were ups and downs, but every moment had it's own kind of sweetness. If only we could have stayed that way forever...
Sadly, it wasn't to last. I turned a page, and it was as though it was an entirely different book sitting before me! One I didn't know and only barely recognized! The words that had been so lovely before became twisted, convoluted parodies of what we had shared! I couldn't even believe what was happening!
Eventually, the end arrived. To be honest, it came a few chapters later than it probably should have, but you must understand: Sometimes, it's hard to let go even when we should.


The Black Prism by Brent Weeks
5 Stars
Review:
This book started out good, but as much as I enjoyed it while I was reading, there was nothing pulling me back to it once I set it down. And then, around 40% in, I started looking forward to getting back to it each evening. By the last quarter, I was going back to it every spare second I had.
I thought the plot was very interesting. (view spoiler) I absolutely loved that nothing was black and white; Every character had their flaws and failings, and it wasn't always easy to say "This one is the good guy, and that one is bad".
The extensive history that set up the story was told in a method I thought was particularly effective. Instead of having a prelude that detailed the events ten years prior, which can feel like sitting through a stuffy history lesson, it was told in bits and pieces as it related to the current scene. It made it in to a mystery you kept wanting to unwrap, layer by layer, but without leaving you feel lost or confused.
There were some flaws. For example, (view spoiler) And there was one character (view spoiler) whose frequent poor decision making skills made me want to punch 'em.
The ending left me excited to see what comes next, so I will definitely be continuing this series.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
3 Stars
Review:
I don't have a lot to say about this book. There were parts that were quite interesting, but I also found some portions to be difficult to get through.
I didn't find any of the "revelations" to be particularly surprising, and, in fact, thought they were often predictable to the point of it being a wonder the characters didn't figure it out.
That said, if I was reading this 100 years ago, it probably would have been a very different experience.


Mirror, Mirror by Gregory Maguire
5 Stars
Review:
When they work, fairy tale retelling can be a lot of fun. And, personally, I felt this one worked!
I've always been fascinated by historical characters from the Middle Ages, so finding a retelling that used a family as infamous as the Borgias for inspiration made it an obvious addition for my to-read list.
Now that I have read it, i can say I was glad I did. It was a lot of fun, and I particularly liked the unique take it had on the evolution of the dwarves. I did find Bianca to be a bit bland, however. She was the character the story spun around, but without actually adding anything interesting herself. Fortunately, the rest of the characters were all intriguing in their own way, and kept pulling me along the story.


The Guild: Knights of Good by Felicia Day
4 Stars
Review:
A fun read!
I've seen every episode of the webseries this is based off of, so knew a lot of the background already. Even still, there was something new about each of them. My favorite part was studying the background details, though.


The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov
2 Stars
Review:
I did not feel it fair to write a review, because I suspect the major reason I did not enjoy it more was because it is a play rather than an actual story. I have come to the conclusion that that is not something I care for, in general.


Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
5 Stars
Review:
Lately, I've been finding myself wishing quite often that I could just hurry up and get to the end of whatever book I'm reading. That was not at all the case this time, however!
I thought the characters were interesting and well developed. They all had distinctive personalities that were believable, even when they were sometimes brought right up to the edge of being a caricature.
While there were some very serious elements to the plot, it was paired perfectly with just the right degree of humor and lightness to keep the story from becoming heavy and depressing. I thought it was actually a very impressive way to draw attention to issues such as (view spoiler) in a way that took it seriously, but also left the audience fully receptive to the message.
The only critique I might have is that (view spoiler)
I'm quite looking forward to checking out some of Ms. Moriarty's other books!["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman
5 Stars
Review:
A worthy follow-on for the first book!
I loved that we were able to see more about who both the fae and the dragons are, and how they operate within their societies and various worlds. I also enjoyed the introduction of (view spoiler) and both hope and expect to see more of each of them in the future.
The villeins of this story were ok, though I wouldn't have minded just a touch more depth from them. I strongly suspect that this was simply supposed to serve as (view spoiler)
I also found the ending slightly frustrating, as it was (view spoiler)
All in all, I would still give my eye tooth (and every other tooth in my head!) to be able to join the Library and explore all the worlds it has to offer.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov
2 Stars"
Hi Klynn,
If you like watching plays and you ever have a chance to see it in a theater, I definitely recommend it :)
I felt the same way you did. But I really enjoyed the play in person :)
Seems like you're off to an awesome start! Keep it up ;)


Marked In Flesh by Anne Bishop
5 Stars
Review:
While this was the darkest book in the series so far, I also think it was one of the best.
The characters are all changing and growing, and their relationships keep growing and evolving in a way that feels very natural. (view spoiler) The one character I really wish we could have seen more from is Tess; She is one of my favorites, and it felt like she was almost an after thought this time around. I'd also like to see Hope's role continue to grow.
While I did enjoy the portions involving Meg and (view spoiler) It's a small nit-pick with an otherwise excellent book, however.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


Imagine Wanting Only This by Kristen Radtke
2 Stars
Review:
Overall, this book was depressing and frustrating. There were moments that were brilliant and beautiful, but they were far overshadowed by moments where I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt.
There were many portions that simply smacked of privledge, and I couldn't shake the feeling that the author thought herself better and more self-aware than her audience. Even the title screams of it: "Wouldn't it be nice if we were all so simple and pure to be content with such a quaint lifestyle? Alas, I could never..." I feel(view spoiler) does more than just imply that, in fact.
I also found much of the novel to be disjointed and without a clear story line. Sometimes it was about her family, sometimes about her travels, and other times about her fascination with abandoned civilizations; It tried, but just never seemed to fit together in any way that was meaningful.
I did give it two stars, however, because there were some panels that were stunning illustrations, a few instances of exceptional symbolism, and some absolutely poetic turns of phrase hidden within.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
3 Stars
Review:
There were highs, and there were lows.
The book actually starts out fairly low, with a protagonist too young to believably have done what he's apparently done, and too cold and blood-thirsty with no redeeming qualities. There is something about the writing or the story that kept me reading, however, and things began to change at about 40% in. There are some moments and revelations that make Jorg much more human, and thus more interesting as a character. The writing itself also improves. Unfortunately, it left me with the impression that the first part was written by the author several years prior, and then he picked up the story to continue on after developing more skill...without ever giving the first section any kind of rewrite.
There were some flaws with the rest of the book, as well, but nothing as detracting as those in the beginning, and the story itself was entertaining enough to mostly look past them.
I'm looking forward to see what kind of growth the next book can offer, both on the part of the story, and on the skill of the author.


Caraval by Stephanie Garber
5 Stars
Review:
This book started out okay. There wasn't anything particularly interesting about the characters. In fact, the main character, Scarlett, did nothing but fret to the point of becoming an annoyance. The setting itself was fine, but nothing about it stood out. Despite those things, there was something about the writing and the beautiful descriptions that kept me reading, and I am so glad for that!
Things begin to become more interesting when Caraval starts, though it takes several more chapters before Scarlett herself gain the confidence needed for the character to become interesting and enjoyable.
The whimsical and vivid descriptions of the Caraval itself were enough to make me wish I could step inside and experience it for myself; A little bit Alice In Wonderland, but with a darker edge. I actually wish it wasn't a YA novel, as it would have been perfect if there was just a bit more sensuality.
The plot itself was actually great fun, with twists and turns that kept me guessing. I absolutely love it when a book leaves enough clues to make you speculate, but leaves enough mystery that you can't be sure if you are right until the answer is revealed. The ending did leave a few questions unanswered as it set up for a sequel, but nothing that lead to feeling unsatisfied or like the book wasn't actually finished. Instead, I'm simply left looking forward to the next one!


Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
4 Stars
Review:
Reading this book was a lot like sitting in the kitchen listening to your Nana's exaggerated stories from her youth (when she swears every word is true) as she taught you to cook. There are some bits that are funny, some that will make you roll your eyes, and still others that touch on deep emotions of all kinds.
If you are going to take it seriously, or judge it through the lens of modern American society, then this book is not for you. If you can take the story with a grain of salt and understand that women in Mexico in the early 1900s were treated very, very differently than we would expect women to be treated now, then you may find this to be an enjoyable read.


by Maria V. Snyder
5 Stars
Review:
This should probably be 4 stars, but I have a soft spot for my old "friends", Yelena and Valek.
Major Spoilers Below! Don't open the spoiler tags if you don't want to know!
The story was good, if not outstanding. I did like that(view spoiler)
There were some twists I did not expect, which is always fun when you're reading about old, beloved characters. The addition of Onora was actually one of my favorite parts, and I'm excited to see where all those little threads that touch on her lead the story.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop
5 Stars
Review:
I thought this was a great end to one of my favorite series. Was it the most action packed? No. Did the romance between Meg and Simon (view spoiler) ? Nope. Was it an interesting exploration of various dynamics and interpersonal interactions between various "packs" and the members therein? You bet! And did the official start of the romance reflect the slow buildup we've had in the other four books, as well as something realistic for someone who survived (view spoiler) ? Absolutely.
I can understand why this book wouldn't be for everyone, as the plot, such as it is, is somewhat thin and there is a lot more talk than action. I still found it to tie up all the loose ends, and it's one of the few books I've read this year that kept me up later than I intended because I couldn't stop reading.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


Parsifal's Page by Gerald Morris
5 Stars
Review:
Another delightful story, exactly as I expect from this series! It's like mac & cheese, hot cocoa, and a snugly blanket on a rainy day in book form, and always leaves me feeling good after reading.
In this entry, we have a not-so-typical knight and an aspiring page who get together as something of an "odd couple". They have some adventures, cross paths with some characters from prior books, learn a few secrets and valuable life lessons, and end up finding their true selves. While such stories can be rather trite, Mr. Morris always finds a way to tell a classic tale with his own fun twists and touch of humor.


The Heir by Kiera Cass
2 Stars
Review:
Meh. The story itself was fine, and might have even been enjoyable...IF the protagonist wasn't so completely unpleasant and unrelatable. I'm not one to require every character I read about to feel like my best friend, but they must have something redeeming or interesting about them!
So far, this Selection is nothing but a pale, pale imitation of the original series, and even more predictable. I'm willing to bet infinity internet dollars that the "surprise twist" in the next book is (view spoiler) . If I'm wrong, I'll eat my book...which would be really difficult, since I read on my phone.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
3 Stars
Review:
I've read worse, but I've also read a lot better.
One thing that drove me absolutely nuts was the way the author threw in random, obscure words like "insouciant" or "laconically". It didn't fit with the style of the rest of the writing, and felt like she either had a word of the day calendar she was trying to get use of, or that she decided to "improve" her writing by thumbing through a thesaurus.
There wasn't anything terribly interesting or unique to the story. I did enjoy the Silent Brothers and the warlock, Magnus Bane, however. There were also some scenes that were fun to read; particularly those involving the aforementioned characters.
All in all, I didn't hate it, but I won't be continuing with the series, either.


Midnight Jewel by Richelle Mead
4 Stars
Review:
This was a fun read! The idea behind it was something I found intriguing: Taking a character from the first book, and telling her tale from the same time period. The author handled it very deftly, including just enough overlap to anchor the timeline, but keeping it primarily new content so you don't feel like you're reading the same story over again.
I really liked Mira. She was adventurous and driven, but also had the whole "heart of gold" thing going on. That isn't to say anything was simple, however, as there was an enjoyable dash of moral conflict sprinkled through the story.
It's left me eager to read Tamsin's tale and see which of my guesses pan out!


Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs
5 Stars
Review:
None at this time. I've found I've started to delay updating when I finish a book because I don't want to write the review. So, I've decided to stop and will only write reviews for future books when I feel moved to do so.
Books mentioned in this topic
Curtsies & Conspiracies (other topics)Curtsies & Conspiracies (other topics)
Garden Spells (other topics)
Night Study (other topics)
Garden Spells (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Gail Carriger (other topics)Sarah Addison Allen (other topics)
Maria V. Snyder (other topics)
Patricia Briggs (other topics)
Richelle Mead (other topics)
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I will not be including any DNF books in my count.
1. You're Never Weird on the Internet
2. Shadow and Bone
3. Pyramid Schemes
4. Warbreaker
5. Illuminae
6. The Palace Job
7. Ink and Bone
8. The Invisible Library
9. Tomorrow, When the War Began
10. Blood Work
11. American Gods
12. The Drafter
13. An Ember in the Ashes
14. Etiquette & Espionage
15. The Raven Boys
16. Shards of Honor
17. The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf
18. Undone
19. Snow Crash
20. Cruel Beauty
21. The Black Prism
22. The Phantom of the Opera
23. Mirror Mirror
24. The Guild: Knights of Good
25. The Cherry Orchard
26. Big Little Lies
27. The Masked City
28. Marked in Flesh
29. Imagine Wanting Only This
30. Prince of Thorns
31. Caraval
32. Like Water for Chocolate
33. Shadow Study
34. Etched in Bone
35. Parsifal's Page
36. The Heir
37. City of Bones
38. Midnight Jewel
39. Silence Fallen
40. Night Study
41. Garden Spells
42. Curtsies & Conspiracies