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abookgoblin's reviews
464 reviews
Firstlife by Gena Showalter
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5 stars (and I'm not making it 4 stars because I believe this book should be down-graded instead of up-graded)
I'm honestly not sure how to rate this book. I somehow enjoyed the book, even though I despised the writing style of this author along with the main character and her way of ''shimmying around the ultimate question'', Troika or Myriad. Killian and Archer probably kept me alive during the book along with the fact that I did have to finish this book because the author will be at YalFest on the 23th.
First off, the writing style annoyed me to a max. I don't think I've ever been more annoyed than I was in The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E Pearson, but this book came very close. The level of immaturity of the MA, using words like ''gimme'' and the curse word ''Zero!'' made my eyes roll about 32947234 times.
That said, the ultimate question between Troika and Myriad made my head hurt.
And as always, the main character as well as the supporting characters have to be beautiful beyond comprehension. Give me more characters like Kaz and his gang from Six of Crows, characters that aren't perfect in any way, characters that I can see myself in, characters that emotionally bond rather than having to be sexually attracted to each other.
On a happier note though, I enjoyed the plot line! The choice between Troika and Myriad was interesting, and both sides had something appealing to them. The only thing that, yet again, annoyed me, was the MC's relationship with both realms, as said above.
I'm not sure if I want to read the next book, because I didn't like her ultimate decision (see for yourself which realm she chooses ;)) ), but I've heard that the second book in this series is somewhat better than the first, so maybe I will read it after YalFest... We'll see.
I'm honestly not sure how to rate this book. I somehow enjoyed the book, even though I despised the writing style of this author along with the main character and her way of ''shimmying around the ultimate question'', Troika or Myriad. Killian and Archer probably kept me alive during the book along with the fact that I did have to finish this book because the author will be at YalFest on the 23th.
First off, the writing style annoyed me to a max. I don't think I've ever been more annoyed than I was in The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E Pearson, but this book came very close. The level of immaturity of the MA, using words like ''gimme'' and the curse word ''Zero!'' made my eyes roll about 32947234 times.
That said, the ultimate question between Troika and Myriad made my head hurt.
Spoiler
The girl died 3 TIMES and she's still not sure which realm to choose! People around her are DYING because of her indecisiveness (many will die during the war, but many died just because she couldn't make up her damn mind too). I just....no.And as always, the main character as well as the supporting characters have to be beautiful beyond comprehension. Give me more characters like Kaz and his gang from Six of Crows, characters that aren't perfect in any way, characters that I can see myself in, characters that emotionally bond rather than having to be sexually attracted to each other.
On a happier note though, I enjoyed the plot line! The choice between Troika and Myriad was interesting, and both sides had something appealing to them. The only thing that, yet again, annoyed me, was the MC's relationship with both realms, as said above.
I'm not sure if I want to read the next book, because I didn't like her ultimate decision (see for yourself which realm she chooses ;)) ), but I've heard that the second book in this series is somewhat better than the first, so maybe I will read it after YalFest... We'll see.
Hard Times by Charles Dickens
4.0
Okay, so I'm DNF'ing this book mainly because I had to finish this one about 3 weeks ago and I have more school books to read, so.... I got about 50% into this book, and thus far I liked it, but did not love it in any way. Dickens' writing style is enjoyable and exhaustive at the same time and I could not fully enjoy this book due to a time frame so I might try and finish this one on a later date :/
Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare
4.0
Oh yes, that ending was something alright!
4/5 stars. I enjoyed almost everything about this book. The representation in this book was just unbelievable. I loved every character equally and actually enjoyed the ''multiple perspectives'' in this book! I'm never one in favour for multiple perspectives, but I definitely enjoyed seeing things from all characters' points of views.
The only problem I have, which I also mentioned when I first started this book, is Mark. He was my favourite (and still is) in Lady Midnight, but the fact that he, at some point, is dating 3 people at the same time just didn't push the right buttons for me. The whole ''Kieran/Cristina'' part in this book was just weird to me and somewhat offensive. I hope we will get more clarity on where those characters stand, because those parts were definitely my least favourite parts in the whole book.
Oh and Jemma 4life, I repeat, JEMMA 4LIFE
4/5 stars. I enjoyed almost everything about this book. The representation in this book was just unbelievable. I loved every character equally and actually enjoyed the ''multiple perspectives'' in this book! I'm never one in favour for multiple perspectives, but I definitely enjoyed seeing things from all characters' points of views.
The only problem I have, which I also mentioned when I first started this book, is Mark. He was my favourite (and still is) in Lady Midnight, but the fact that he, at some point, is dating 3 people at the same time just didn't push the right buttons for me. The whole ''Kieran/Cristina'' part in this book was just weird to me and somewhat offensive. I hope we will get more clarity on where those characters stand, because those parts were definitely my least favourite parts in the whole book.
Oh and Jemma 4life, I repeat, JEMMA 4LIFE
Paradise Lost, Books I–II by John Milton
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! It was a school read nonetheless, but still, this is probably one of my favorite school reads thus far. I've always been interested in Satan and his crew and I definitely want to read the other books as well! I think I'm going to make this a life-goal :)
The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace
5.0
I finally had the courage to read through this one and wow, what beautiful pieces of poetry were in this book! I eventually did not have enough tabs to tab my favorite poems and had to get creative.
This book was so diverse and covered multiple topics but most of all, the pain and struggles of the author were so easy to be felt and left me almost broken and healed back up all by this single book.
I'm starting to appreciate poetry more and more and this book definitely will leave its mark on me.
This book was so diverse and covered multiple topics but most of all, the pain and struggles of the author were so easy to be felt and left me almost broken and healed back up all by this single book.
I'm starting to appreciate poetry more and more and this book definitely will leave its mark on me.
The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
4.0
Another fun YA book! I think this book crashed my reading pace because I finished this one in 2 DAYS, WHAT?
This book was fun and easy to read, but not very memorable... The writing style was something I didn't necessarily enjoy. Imo, the author focussed on things that weren't of any importance and forgot about important things. The main character, Kestrel, nagged me sometimes but then again, I'm not sure how her character will develop in the next two books because she does show a great potential to change her naïve ways...
I don't know. It's a fun, easy read and pretty short. It's not super fast paced, but it's bearable!
This book was fun and easy to read, but not very memorable... The writing style was something I didn't necessarily enjoy. Imo, the author focussed on things that weren't of any importance and forgot about important things. The main character, Kestrel, nagged me sometimes but then again, I'm not sure how her character will develop in the next two books because she does show a great potential to change her naïve ways...
I don't know. It's a fun, easy read and pretty short. It's not super fast paced, but it's bearable!
The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski
4.0
Actual rating: 3.5/5 stars
This book was EXHAUSTING. But something about the writing style makes me read the books super fast? The ending gave me so much anxiety that I don't even know if I enjoyed it or not... I guess when you feel that much emotion that you're actually trying to catch your breath, it could be considered a great story, but the way it happened? I just don't know. All throughout the book, I was thinking a single word: Ugh. Yet, the character development in Kestrel was amazing which leaves me a bit confused since I really disliked her in the first book. Yes, Arin's character? He was rethinking and reshaping his thoughts constantly which I believed was the purpose of his character and yet it seemed so freaking unbelievable?
Still, this series is enjoyable and a fun read if you're looking for a fast, semi-love story. I hope the next book will be more action packed, but I can definitely see why there wasn't that much action in this book, which is why I still give it 3.5 stars.
This book was EXHAUSTING. But something about the writing style makes me read the books super fast? The ending gave me so much anxiety that I don't even know if I enjoyed it or not... I guess when you feel that much emotion that you're actually trying to catch your breath, it could be considered a great story, but the way it happened? I just don't know. All throughout the book, I was thinking a single word: Ugh. Yet, the character development in Kestrel was amazing which leaves me a bit confused since I really disliked her in the first book. Yes, Arin's character? He was rethinking and reshaping his thoughts constantly which I believed was the purpose of his character and yet it seemed so freaking unbelievable?
Still, this series is enjoyable and a fun read if you're looking for a fast, semi-love story. I hope the next book will be more action packed, but I can definitely see why there wasn't that much action in this book, which is why I still give it 3.5 stars.
The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
4.0
One of the few books I've read so far in 2017 that did not make me cry at the end of the book. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this series a lot, but it isn't as memorable as the other series I've read in 2017. However, I do recommend this series if you're looking for a fast, cute, action packed read that you'll finish in less than 2 weeks hehe
The Beast In The Jungle by Henry James
3.0
DNF'd this one since it was such a struggle to get through... I ended up on page 18 after doing homework all day and I couldn't make myself finish it. We did, however, talked it over thoroughly in class and I liked the idea behind it, but couldn't say I enjoyed reading Henry James. Maybe I'll try again in the future, who knows.
Bartleby, the Scrivener (Dodo Press) by Herman Melville
4.0
My favorite line of 2017: "I prefer not to."