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blissofalife's reviews
127 reviews
Prelude to Foundation by Isaac Asimov
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
PHENOMENAL.
Picked this up after loving the "Foundation" series on AppleTV and reading Asimov's collection of short stories. I loved his writing style in the short stories and was pleased that the writing style in Prelude was very similar. I loved Asimov's attention to detail and how vastly different each sector was. His characters are compelling and felt real. I especially loved the "encyclopedia" snippets at the start of each chapter, giving glimpses into the futures of the characters that we wouldn't see in this book.
I started with this one because I wasn't sure where else to start, and I have to be honest, I'm not exactly sure where to go from here but I'm excited to read more! I suppose I'll start with whatever holds come up first at the library.
Would be five stars but the underlying female-inferiority in each society wasn't my jam. But it wasn't a focus so I mostly shrugged it off.
Picked this up after loving the "Foundation" series on AppleTV and reading Asimov's collection of short stories. I loved his writing style in the short stories and was pleased that the writing style in Prelude was very similar. I loved Asimov's attention to detail and how vastly different each sector was. His characters are compelling and felt real. I especially loved the "encyclopedia" snippets at the start of each chapter, giving glimpses into the futures of the characters that we wouldn't see in this book.
I started with this one because I wasn't sure where else to start, and I have to be honest, I'm not exactly sure where to go from here but I'm excited to read more! I suppose I'll start with whatever holds come up first at the library.
Would be five stars but the underlying female-inferiority in each society wasn't my jam. But it wasn't a focus so I mostly shrugged it off.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Violence, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
A Werewolf's Guide To Seducing a Vampire by Sarah Hawley
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Ella Enchanted, if Ella was a vampire/succubus.
A great installment to the series! I liked it better than the second one, for sure. It did feel like it took awhile to get the ball rolling on (what I thought) was actual plot though which kind of bothered me. It started to feel like "good guy Ben" didn't really care to fix the problem of Eleonore being bound to him since he had found work-arounds which felt icky to me. To me that should've been the prime plot pusher but it kept being mentioned then ignored. That said, I liked their relationship and their interactions with the characters from the rest of the series and I look forward to their cameos in (hopefully) future installments.
Wasn't a fan of the sex scenes, but for once they felt like they worked with the plot (she's literally half succubus) and I skimmed instead of completely skipping. Eleonore was hilarious and I loved her interactions with Lillith!
A great installment to the series! I liked it better than the second one, for sure. It did feel like it took awhile to get the ball rolling on (what I thought) was actual plot though which kind of bothered me. It started to feel like "good guy Ben" didn't really care to fix the problem of Eleonore being bound to him since he had found work-arounds which felt icky to me. To me that should've been the prime plot pusher but it kept being mentioned then ignored. That said, I liked their relationship and their interactions with the characters from the rest of the series and I look forward to their cameos in (hopefully) future installments.
Wasn't a fan of the sex scenes, but for once they felt like they worked with the plot (she's literally half succubus) and I skimmed instead of completely skipping. Eleonore was hilarious and I loved her interactions with Lillith!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood
Minor: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, Murder
Mentions of murders committed in the past, light on the gory details. Murders performed (mostly) under duress.
The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A very cozy read! I didn't realize this was part of a series until I logged in to write a review, so it stands on its own very well. I loved the character development and how they all interacted with one another, it felt natural and was sweet and genuine. I didn't love the stalker-ish vibes from Eli, and if half of the book hadn't been from his perspective I think it would've been much creepier.
Kind of a "found family" dream scenario, and I am living for it. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series! I hope there will be more about this little clan in the future too! But if there isn't, this felt like a whole and complete story that could stand alone.
Didn't love the audiobook narrator, at times it felt like it was being read by an AI voice from a TikTok video.
Kind of a "found family" dream scenario, and I am living for it. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series! I hope there will be more about this little clan in the future too! But if there isn't, this felt like a whole and complete story that could stand alone.
Didn't love the audiobook narrator, at times it felt like it was being read by an AI voice from a TikTok video.
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I loved the amount of world-building Okorafor but into such short work! It was very descriptive without feeling forced. I thought the audiobook narrator added a lot to the story and would recommend that format. Though it felt like a complete story that could easily stand on its own, I'm looking forward to reading (listening) to the rest of the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore
Minor: Racism, Slavery, Violence, War
You Never Know: A Memoir by Tom Selleck
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
I don't know if I would've rated it quite as high if I hadn't been listening to the audiobook read by Tom Selleck himself. Hearing his voice telling the stories is what made it interesting. I'm not familiar with Magnum P.I. which was the focus of most of his stories, and I was disappointed that most of the work he did after Magnum ended was only briefly summarized in a few sentences. I'm most familiar with the movies and guest appearances he did during that time and was looking forward to hearing his reflections on those projects but there were none.
He seems like a decent, reflective guy who's just trying to do his best by those around him (he seems like a pretty conservative guy, maybe a bit anti-union but I appreciated his candor when addressing the union strikes). I enjoyed the way he told stories, and it made me want to watch his earlier projects and Magnum.
I hope he writes another memoir covering his later work, but I kind of doubt that he will. The epilogue felt very final and he sounded pleased with what he's written and there was a sense of closure in his reflections.
He seems like a decent, reflective guy who's just trying to do his best by those around him (he seems like a pretty conservative guy, maybe a bit anti-union but I appreciated his candor when addressing the union strikes). I enjoyed the way he told stories, and it made me want to watch his earlier projects and Magnum.
I hope he writes another memoir covering his later work, but I kind of doubt that he will. The epilogue felt very final and he sounded pleased with what he's written and there was a sense of closure in his reflections.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Felt a little like Hunger Games, I especially enjoyed the chapters where characters performed the labors. I thought the "curse" on the main character really didn't fit in the story and was honestly just kind of angsty and distracting. It wasn't really resolved or acknowledged until Lyra needed something to blame for her problems. It really didn't seem like she was cursed, all of her relationships seemed to directly contradict the curse.
The ties to Greek mythology were tenuous at best, but it kind of worked?
The romance didn't really make sense to me, it was never really explained why Hades (an immortal GOD) would be interested in Lyra (who literally had a curse making it "impossible" to love her?). Wasn't a fan of the sex scenes, but I rarely am so I ended up skipping those parts.
Overall it was predictable but a fun read, I loved the non-romantic dynamics between the characters and thought most of the characters were fairly fleshed-out with solid motivations and personalities. I'll probably read (listen) to the next one.
The ties to Greek mythology were tenuous at best, but it kind of worked?
Overall it was predictable but a fun read, I loved the non-romantic dynamics between the characters and thought most of the characters were fairly fleshed-out with solid motivations and personalities. I'll probably read (listen) to the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
What to say other than I loved it? Constanza was compelling in her reflective voice and raw retelling of her own story. I wish there was more, but still it was perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting
Minor: Genocide, Grief, Alcohol, War
Andromeda by Therese Bohman
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Definitely high-brow, it’s the kind of book I think I could reread every other year or so no because I particularly liked it, but because it made me pause and reflect on my own life and ambitions so much.
Often I love when a book is split between multiple narrators, but I did not like it for Andromeda. I did not enjoy the second half half as much as I liked the first. After the first few pages, it was just restating information we were given in the first half but workout adding anything to it. I wish we could’ve gotten more about how her life changed because of him and less of…him.
Would still recommend though, it can be a quick read.
Often I love when a book is split between multiple narrators, but I did not like it for Andromeda. I did not enjoy the second half half as much as I liked the first. After the first few pages, it was just restating information we were given in the first half but workout adding anything to it. I wish we could’ve gotten more about how her life changed because of him and less of…him.
Would still recommend though, it can be a quick read.
Nightfall and Other Stories by Isaac Asimov
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
It’s been a while since I listened to an audiobook this long in such a short period of time. Usually, I am more than happy to listen during my 30 minute commute to and from work and not much outside of that. Not so with this one. I could hardly put it down, each of the short stories Were thought-provoking and compelling in ways. I haven’t experienced before. I’ll admit this is one of my first four raises into science fiction and I was led to pick this book up after watching the Apple TV series “Foundation“ and thoroughly enjoying that.
I started with this book, thinking it would be a lighter commitment than the lengthy book series the TV series is based on, just to see if I liked his writing style, and I loved it! I can’t wait to read more of his work.
While obviously firmly rooted in the period of time that it was written, at the same time, it exudes timelessness by focusing on the human condition more than the science of the science fiction. I also loved the preferences before each of the short stories, they were fun interlude between somewhat gloomy stories.
I started with this book, thinking it would be a lighter commitment than the lengthy book series the TV series is based on, just to see if I liked his writing style, and I loved it! I can’t wait to read more of his work.
While obviously firmly rooted in the period of time that it was written, at the same time, it exudes timelessness by focusing on the human condition more than the science of the science fiction. I also loved the preferences before each of the short stories, they were fun interlude between somewhat gloomy stories.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
Did not finish book. Stopped at 75%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 75%.
I nearly finished this before my library due date, but not quite and I didn’t like it enough to check it out again.
The gore in this one was so much worse for me, I dry heaved a few times which just isn’t an experience I like when listening to an audiobook. I found myself fast forwarding a lot.
Characters were fine, I love the marriage of convenience trope, but it felt like nothing was happening there and then they were suddenly having sex. I didn’t feel like the relationship development was there.
The gore in this one was so much worse for me, I dry heaved a few times which just isn’t an experience I like when listening to an audiobook. I found myself fast forwarding a lot.
Characters were fine, I love the marriage of convenience trope, but it felt like nothing was happening there and then they were suddenly having sex. I didn’t feel like the relationship development was there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence
Teeth gore. If you don’t like that, don’t read.