anna_curlyquotesediting's reviews
202 reviews

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

adventurous funny reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

There was a lot of room for character growth in this book that the author simply did not pursue, which is unfortunate since the cast is around 15 now and should be maturing more rapidly.

Everything outside the character arcs was fine. The story was a bit darker, but it makes sense for the main arc going on. Seems that will finish in the next book.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I liked this book a lot more than the previous prequel. The basics of Haymitch's story came through in The Hunger Games trilogy, but Collins didn't just tell us that story in this book, and I appreciated that. The characters felt more developed in this book as well.

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Old-fashioned fantasy for YA readers. I'm not as into the omniscient POV as I think it's too easy to lose a lot of character development with the narrator at such a distance. Not a bad book, by any means. I found the themes very interesting if a little cliché in some parts. I wish the man versus self theme had been more overt, but that would mean changing the POV from omniscient to limited.

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Another bit of late MG fun. There was a lot more character development in this one as the MC and co. are beginning to get older and mature. The stakes were much higher as well. The next books will definitely move into early YA territory.

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Just some middle grade fun. There's not really much depth to be found here. Basic plot and shenanigans for 13-year-olds.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Still a fun book. It's definitely meant for young YA readers, but when it came out, that was the point, so I can't complain upon a reread when I'm 30.

Plot is rather predictable, but again, younger YA. Dialogue can and will make you cringe, but the MC is twelve.

Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

challenging dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I literally have no idea how to rate this book. Does that make it a good book or a bad book? I'll give it a 4 for thoroughly confusing me and making me rub two brain cells together. That's a good thing.

Anyway, I'm definitely not the right audience for postmodern satire. I think I'm too literal a person. I didn't dislike the book at all. Just....what was the point? And isn't that exactly the question the book throws at you in 800 different ways? I found the whole thing kind of sad. Hopeless. 

The Mist by Stephen King

reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

For a novella, this book certainly read like a full length novel. Not in a good way. It was extremely slow to move forward and didn't pick up much until almost 65% in. As if most of the book was setup. It was frustrating.

I read this because I liked the movie. I prefer the movie. This novella works better that way.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Blood

Minor: Gun violence

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.

I loved this book as a kid. I'm 30 now and reading a lot of books for nostalgia, and I really just couldn't get into this book again. It's extremely slow to start and truly meant for younger kids. The writing is super basic--which is fine for middle grade--and I had a lot of trouble liking the characters, especially the main little girl. She doesn't really have much of a personality.

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield

reflective fast-paced

3.5

I have some super mixed feelings about this book. A lot of Pressfield's assertions have merit and bear thinking about and maybe even trying to apply to your life. Buuuut, a lot of other things he says sounds cold, unfeeling, callous.

No one person is the same as the other, so don't treat them as if they have the same problems, responsibilities, or ability. It's something I think he forgot sometimes.

As I said, I have very mixed feelings here. I made a lot of margin notes, underlines, and highlights. But I don't think I'll pick this up again.