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ailurolily's reviews
150 reviews
The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
I read The Secret of the Old Clock for a book club because it's one of my friends' favorite series, and she was eager to share it with us!
It was decent. For what it was, it was a good book, but rating it feels unfair since I'm not really the target audience. It was a simple mystery with simple writing and a fun, spunky protagonist. Probably a perfect children's book for kids just getting into chapter books, but just not for me overall.
It might be a nice reprieve for those who read longer, denser books regularly. Sometimes I want to read but don't have the mental capacity at the time due to stress having too many things going on, and it's cases like those that I think this book really fits into well.
But yeah. No regrets reading this, but I wasn't in love with it. I don't hold any nostalgia for the series, and I also don't generally care much for plot-focused mysteries, so I expected to feel the way I do about it. By no means a bad book, it was a decent time, but I probably wouldn't reread it.
It was decent. For what it was, it was a good book, but rating it feels unfair since I'm not really the target audience. It was a simple mystery with simple writing and a fun, spunky protagonist. Probably a perfect children's book for kids just getting into chapter books, but just not for me overall.
It might be a nice reprieve for those who read longer, denser books regularly. Sometimes I want to read but don't have the mental capacity at the time due to stress having too many things going on, and it's cases like those that I think this book really fits into well.
But yeah. No regrets reading this, but I wasn't in love with it. I don't hold any nostalgia for the series, and I also don't generally care much for plot-focused mysteries, so I expected to feel the way I do about it. By no means a bad book, it was a decent time, but I probably wouldn't reread it.
The Golden Fool by Robin Hobb
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was INCREDIBLE like OH MY GOD!! I do prefer it over the previous book, for sure, though I'm not entirely sure whether it's fair to compare them? Golden Fool really expanded on Fool's Errand, since Fool's Errand was more of a set up to get Fitz back where he needed to be rather than a book that carries the plot forward massively (though there was some of that).
There was SO MUCH in this book that there were so many times I just had to put it down and ramble about it to someone. I could go on and on about the stuff that happened, but I won't for now lol. I'm probably gonna take a month off between this book in the next, but I just know I'm gonna be thinking about this one for a while.
The rift between Fitz and the Fool was difficult to read, but they thankfully resolved it by the end. and also that last scene was peak gay. I think The Fool may die in the next book though?????? (this is purely a theory I may be wrong)
also nettle was SKILLING TO FITZ???
and now burrich's SON is gonna be mentored by Fitz ljke what
Fitz almost DIED
bingtown traders came to Buck?? with jek and Selden?? yass
There was SO MUCH in this book that there were so many times I just had to put it down and ramble about it to someone. I could go on and on about the stuff that happened, but I won't for now lol. I'm probably gonna take a month off between this book in the next, but I just know I'm gonna be thinking about this one for a while.
also nettle was SKILLING TO FITZ???
and now burrich's SON is gonna be mentored by Fitz ljke what
Fitz almost DIED
bingtown traders came to Buck?? with jek and Selden?? yass
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Seems like a super interesting book and appears to be pretty highly regarded, but I'm not much in the mood for more WWII fiction.
I've also been listening to this as an audiobook and my comprehension with audiobooks is SO BAD. I'm too busy with other books I'm reading this month to be able to dedicate that kind of time, so for now I'm just gonna set this on the back burner and continue at a later date.
I've also been listening to this as an audiobook and my comprehension with audiobooks is SO BAD. I'm too busy with other books I'm reading this month to be able to dedicate that kind of time, so for now I'm just gonna set this on the back burner and continue at a later date.
Hogfather by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
It feels wrong to give Sir Terry Pratchett 3 stars since Discworld is such a highly regarded series, but I've struggled to get into each of his books, including this one. I really wanted to like Discworld since it's such a fun and unique concept, but I find myself bored each time I read one of his books.
It's not a dreadful read or anything, though, don't get me wrong. There are tons of scenes that are absolutely historical, the characters are unique and interesting, and the plot and setting are absurd in the best possible way. Really I don't know why these books aren't clicking with me, but ya know, they were decent.
It's not a dreadful read or anything, though, don't get me wrong. There are tons of scenes that are absolutely historical, the characters are unique and interesting, and the plot and setting are absurd in the best possible way. Really I don't know why these books aren't clicking with me, but ya know, they were decent.
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
3.5
read for the aroace and trans rep. I could see this potentially being a series I stick with, but I'd have to read a couple more books to know for sure. this was a pretty fun read and I kind of liked the whole grim fairytale vibe. I'll def check the other ones out!