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_al's reviews
19 reviews

Книжная деревушка в Шотландии by Катарина Херцог

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lighthearted relaxing medium-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? N/A

2.0

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

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adventurous challenging reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Minor Detail by Adania Shibli

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challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A

5.0

Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This one for me much more engaging and funnier than the first one. Not without its problems and some things didn't land - notably, I'm not a fun of Bethan and Cohen thing. I recognize that it's a jab I just don't think it's a good one.
Worldbuilding continues to be the most interesting part for me. Still just as rich, but in this one, it felt more seamless than previous one.
Another surprising thing for me was Rincewind and his not grand, but still very present character arc. Made him not just funny protagonist but funny and genuinely very interesting for me to follow. Twoflower was also funny and much more balanced in his sincerity and romantic ideals, and being a jab at tourist and tourism. 
Overall, a good block of fascinating worldbuilding for the series with a funny and more or less interesting to follow story with solid characters. .5 for being genuinely engaging. 

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We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
nice written book but I didn't connect to the story or characters. quieit frankly was bored.

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The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

continuing my way through Discworld books: I heard so many times how this one isn't good for early readers of the series, and honestly, I understand that now. But, I wanted something fun and relaxing to read in bits in few times I got time for the book and this book provided that. It's certainly a product of its decade and being the first work. Still, I had fun. Main characters are amusing and their shenanigans are extremely hilarious, worldbuilding is extremely rich and creative but never overwhelming. I think it drags in the middle and second to part being the least fun isnt helping. So yeah, it isn't a great start of Discworld series but as second or third one and for the purpose of relaxing and getting to know the world better it's fine. 2.5 stars, .5 for entertainment value, especially in the first half.

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Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

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challenging funny reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

3.5/75 out of 5 stars and I genuinely enjoyed but also in the middle I kinda got confused if we meant to read Keiko as a character and the entire book in general as a satire or its just a nice message and that Keiko meant to break from the desire to "blend in". Obviously in the end it was the second but I think it got jumbled a bit (even though Keiko was hilarious)
Still, the book was very enjoyable and I liked Keiko as main character. The themes and message was also kinda echoing some my personal struggles and long existing thoughts, so that's also nice.

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