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archer3's reviews
85 reviews
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
There were technical aspects of this book that weren't my favorite, but overall it was a super fun story. It was easy to enjoy and full of enough ups and downs to keep my attention. I also liked the ending; it was satisfying and complete, and fit the progression of the main character well.
3.0
"She's had so many lives, and some of them were bad, but a lot of them were good, and maybe there isn't a single best path forward that she has to find."
There were technical aspects of this book that weren't my favorite, but overall it was a super fun story. It was easy to enjoy and full of enough ups and downs to keep my attention. I also liked the ending; it was satisfying and complete, and fit the progression of the main character well.
Go Ask Alice by
Did not finish book. Stopped at 62%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 62%.
It was interesting until I learned more about the author. The lies and misrepresentations made me feel betrayed as a reader, plus some of her depictions of drug use were wildly exaggerated. I'll admit she did a good job of depicting the rapid mood changes and hyperbole that come with being a teenager, but overall it felt like one big scare tactic and eventually I had to put it down because that's not my style.
The Philosopher Kings: A Novel by Jo Walton
This was a wonderful continuation of the story that began in the first book. It was a great balance of new and returning characters.I wish more of the story had been given to Simmea's death. It was very sudden and not all that emotional.
I thought the direction the ending went in seemed odd, so I'm interested to see how it plays out in the final book of the trilogy.
4.0
"I knew what death meant now. It was conversations cut off."
This was a wonderful continuation of the story that began in the first book. It was a great balance of new and returning characters.
I thought the direction the ending went in seemed odd, so I'm interested to see how it plays out in the final book of the trilogy.
Death in Her Hands by Ottessa Moshfegh
4.0
Only Ottessa Moshfegh can write a book made up of all my least favorite literary attributes and still make me enjoy it (however, if I have to read the word "mindspace" one more time I might go crazy). Not a whole lot happened in this book, and you're left with more questions than answers by the end; it was a detailed and immersive examination of the human psyche and it was fun, as the reader, to come up with different explanations and interpretations of the story.
The Fisherman by John Langan
This was a superbly written story with an interesting structure, compelling narratives, and a unique blend of raw human emotion with the dark and mystical. This story felt magical and fearful in a way that was still, somehow, realistic. Excuse the unintended pun, but I was hooked from the start.
5.0
"Now, he is dust, dust which remembers what it was to be a man and can do nothing with that knowledge."
This was a superbly written story with an interesting structure, compelling narratives, and a unique blend of raw human emotion with the dark and mystical. This story felt magical and fearful in a way that was still, somehow, realistic. Excuse the unintended pun, but I was hooked from the start.
The Just City by Jo Walton
This was an incredibly creative story with wonderful dialogue and characters. It could have used one final edit as there were a number of grammatical errors. I also found the ending a bit unsatisfying; it felt almost as if the author ran out of time and chose the easiest/quickest ending. Despite that, this is still a new favorite. The characters were all strong and memorable, and I enjoyed how easily understandable the philosophical aspects were. The debates were especially well-written.
Edit: I did not realize this book was the beginning of a trilogy! That entirely reframes my perspective on the ending, as I had been reading it like it was a standalone. It makes much more sense knowing that it is a "to-be-continued" situation rather than a complete end.
4.0
"'There isn't an end point to excellence where you can have it and stop. Being your best self means keeping on trying.'"
This was an incredibly creative story with wonderful dialogue and characters. It could have used one final edit as there were a number of grammatical errors. I also found the ending a bit unsatisfying; it felt almost as if the author ran out of time and chose the easiest/quickest ending. Despite that, this is still a new favorite. The characters were all strong and memorable, and I enjoyed how easily understandable the philosophical aspects were. The debates were especially well-written.
Edit: I did not realize this book was the beginning of a trilogy! That entirely reframes my perspective on the ending, as I had been reading it like it was a standalone. It makes much more sense knowing that it is a "to-be-continued" situation rather than a complete end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Slavery
Apollo: The Brilliant One by George O'Connor
3.0
Some of the text was a bit corny, but overall this is a great comic for young readers and a simple recap of Apollo for older readers. I enjoyed the "g(r)eek notes" at the end.
Almond by Won-pyung Sohn
4.0
"I have never been abandoned by anyone. Even though my brain was a mess, what kept my soul whole was the warmth of the hands holding mine on both sides."
Who knew a book about a boy who couldn't feel emotions could be so incredibly emotional? This story was painful but also full of life and love. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
August Blue by Deborah Levy
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Lost me immediately at the use of the word "midget." Unfortunate because it seemed like an interesting story.
The Fern House by Brooke Hamilton-Benjestorf
4.0
"How does anyone really know anything? Is this a drop or an ocean?"
This is the kind of book in which time freezes when you read it. The story was immediately captivating and ever so subtly magical. The writing had an impeccable flow that made it hard to put down and the author really made the characters feel knowable and relatable. This, very quickly, has become a new favorite and go-to recommendation.