ashmagoffin's reviews
691 reviews

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

3.5

I feel like the worst thing this book had going for it was just the fact that I had read it after her latest three releases. This is a great book, it achieves a lot of emotional impact for something that moves at a reasonable pace. I did feel less connected to the characters in Bel Canto than her other books, probably due to the sheer number of them. This is my least favourite Patchett book but that is un unfair criticism of my part as if I had read this book before the rest I would have a higher opinion of it.

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

5.0

My second Ann Patchett read and I am so late to the party. The Dutch House is a family drama spanning decades, following Danny and his older sister Maeve. These are two characters who I found so compelling - intelligent and sensitive Danny who simultaneously was utterly clueless, and fierce, larger than life Maeve. It is the little details and the very human flaws that Patchett illustrates about them and her supporting characters which make this book ring sincerely true as realism. 

This book has a (partly) non-linear narrative which weaves in and out which itself is a technical marvel. In the hands of a different author this would be hard to orientate for the reader but it felt like it unfolded organically. I was fully gripped within the story, Patchett has an effortless wit and the asides throughout were thoroughly entertaining. 

I absolutely adored this book, it left me reading until the early hours of the morning, this book seems to be universally loved and this is another glowing review to add into the mix. 

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

Nearly too much for my lil brain

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

3.75

I didn't think this book was for me until the latter half of this book. I truly thought YA had passed me by and I couldn't return. I am glad to say I was wrong.

Not going to lie, I found the worldbuilding confusing. I highly suspect that this is in the same world as Stephanie Garber's other fantasy series Caraval which may have been an assumed prerequisite that I had missed out on. I felt like this book moved very quickly as YA does before I had time to get invested or orientate myself to anything going on. It was only until the last 200 pages that I felt truly along for the ride and as soon as I finished I immediately had regrets not having the second book at hand ready to go. As the book progressed the more I found enjoying the characters, a few I wish we had spent more time with.  Evangeline is a compelling protagonist who had my heart from the first page and Jacks is full of intrigue, I hope to learn more about him and the Fates as the series progresses. Oh and the banter is mint.

I hope to pick up the second book soon!

Powerless by Lauren Roberts

3.5

 

Powerless is an enjoyable romantasy read. There were a lot of things this book did well and some things fell by the wayside. 

 The main POV characters Kai and Paedyn BIIIG TICK. Banter was spot on. Every romantasy trope thrown in which made for a good time. I wanted more from the support characters which I did not receive. There are points of this book where I felt like Lauren Roberts wanted me to be invested which I just was not. Another thing this book did so well was the worldbuilding and magic system. I thought this was clever and would love to see it expanded on in a sequel. 

However, I feel like where this book fell down was its attempt to build suspense and tension. The events seemed to move to swiftly and with frequent time jumps with little orientation left me feeling that the events of this book were a touch lacklustre. Also trying to replicate The Hunger Games (which is not a crime) but falling short because the suspense was not built. It seemed that every few chapters we were told that we have skipped three days with nothing to fill it in or appropriate segway. That being said this book held my attention and I did find it gripping but the payoff fell short. 

This book is a solid romantasy read, although it isn't a masterpiece, I feel like this trilogy is going to keep improving as the books continue. Worth checking out. 

 

 

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

2.0

Did not slap

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.5

Christmas special and nothing else

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Alright Sarah, you got me

Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

Needed more DnD and Drama

Orbital by Samantha Harvey

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

 Orbital is a slow-paced novel which takes the exact amount of time to tell what it wants to convey to the reader and then just leaves us to contemplate our existence itself, like an asshole. Slow and without much of a plot, Orbital takes place over the period of a traditional earth day although the characters are on an orbiting space station. I found myself wanting to savour every word of this book, leaving me with lots to contemplate (like how nice it is to be able to lie down and not float away.) Not much in the way of character development or much to propel the plot forward, this book still managed to capture my attention throughout. The prose is sparce and from the snapshots of the lives of the astronauts just made me intent to find out more about them. A reminder on the fragility of life, the simple joys of existence and our planet itself. Who are we and is there any earth without humanity, are we human without our planet? 

A small novel but one that is still rattling around in my little brain. 5 stars.