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bookforthought's reviews
720 reviews
Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This review comes embarrassingly late, given how long ago I actually read this book but please bear with me as I (maybe) finally catch up on my backlog...
I seem to be in the minority on this one, as I saw a fair number of good reviews, but sadly I didn't really enjoy Counterfeit. On paper, this had all the elements needed for me to love it: estranged friends reconnecting; reflections on motherhood and patriarchy even among seemingly privileged women; a high-stakes international criminal operation; a critique of consumerism and the luxury goods market; and even elements of racial inequality and American exceptionalism. And yet...
My main complaint about this is that, despite everything that was going on, I was ultimately bored. There was very little excitement and I found the characters to not be as developed as they could (and arguably should) have been. There was also an over-reliance on stereotyping which couldn't really be explained away with it being solely the narrator's opinions and which ultimately felt like a lazy way out of delving deeper into the themes that were teased. Speaking of which, none of the themes felt to me like it was being explored in any meaningful way: it was mostly presented as whining and complaining on the part of the main characters and didn't really add anything new to the discourse.
That being said, I did enjoy the fact that the narration was framed as a statement being given to the police by a character who definitely had a significant self-interest in presenting events in a certain light. I also liked the character switch, which breathed some fresh air in an otherwise stale narrative.
I received an e-arc of this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
I seem to be in the minority on this one, as I saw a fair number of good reviews, but sadly I didn't really enjoy Counterfeit. On paper, this had all the elements needed for me to love it: estranged friends reconnecting; reflections on motherhood and patriarchy even among seemingly privileged women; a high-stakes international criminal operation; a critique of consumerism and the luxury goods market; and even elements of racial inequality and American exceptionalism. And yet...
My main complaint about this is that, despite everything that was going on, I was ultimately bored. There was very little excitement and I found the characters to not be as developed as they could (and arguably should) have been. There was also an over-reliance on stereotyping which couldn't really be explained away with it being solely the narrator's opinions and which ultimately felt like a lazy way out of delving deeper into the themes that were teased. Speaking of which, none of the themes felt to me like it was being explored in any meaningful way: it was mostly presented as whining and complaining on the part of the main characters and didn't really add anything new to the discourse.
That being said, I did enjoy the fact that the narration was framed as a statement being given to the police by a character who definitely had a significant self-interest in presenting events in a certain light. I also liked the character switch, which breathed some fresh air in an otherwise stale narrative.
I received an e-arc of this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
An Abundance of Wild Roses by Feryal Ali-Gauhar
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
An Abundance of Wild Roses is one of those books I picked up not knowing what to expect beyond the fact that it was set in Pakistan, a country that hasn’t really featured that much on my reading list and that I was very curious about. This book sadly fell in my review burnout phase, so even though I read it last year I never got around to reviewing it – this is the moment I’m very thankful for the notes I wrote myself after finishing it!
The book follows multiple characters living in and around a remote village in the Black Mountains of Pakistan, but also incorporates reflections on humankind and its destructive behaviour expressed by supernatural entities deeply embedded in the natural world. The narrative is rich and luscious, never shying away from the more brutal aspects of a society in which the men seek absolute control over the women, the rich exploit the poor, and all destroy nature.
Although the story develops over only a few days, it is very rich, presenting multiple characters and covering a wide range of themes, some of which might be disturbing for certain readers. The writing is beautiful, even though at times for me it came across as slightly overwritten, making it hard to follow the narrative and forcing me to re-read certain parts to ensure I understood them correctly. It might be the case that I read this when my concentration wasn’t optimal, but I definitely struggled with a few sections. The pacing also didn’t always work for me, as I found some parts to be very repetitive, which made it feel as though it dragged a fair bit.
I’d still recommend this to readers who enjoy very lyrical, descriptive writing and are looking for a book exploring feminist and environmentalist themes.
I received an e-arc of this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Suicide, Violence, and Pregnancy
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
Light and entertaining, but overly chaotic and overstuffed. There are way too many characters and not enough space to develop them, making the majority utterly forgettable. I was entertained and annoyed, which is rarely a good mix, and I kept thinking this is no Thursday Murder Club. Not the best start to the series, but I am curious to see if it will improve with the second book. In the meantime, I'm definitely looking forward to the next TMC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Dancing on Knives by Joanne Rush
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I have fallen completely in love with this book, and I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up as one of my favourites of the year. In her final note, the author describes this as a "quiet book", and it certainly is that but it's one of those books that quietly builds up an incredible amount of power, with characters I wasn't fully ready to let go of when we finally reached the end of our journey together.
The execution is flawless, as the very real experiences of war, loss and trauma blend with elements of magical realism. Laura is a fascinating main character, trying to come to terms with the ghosts of the past and the scars left by the war. How do you keep on living after such a dramatic experience, keeping the memories of those who were lost to such senseless violence alive in a world that desperately wants to forget and move on? This is one of the central questions that kept popping up for me as I was reading this book, and one that certainly seems incredibly relevant today.
Dancing on Knives felt like a rare book, and the kind that I was desperately craving without even realising it. A book that takes its time, leaving space for reflection without trying to provide easy answers - of which there are none. Belonging, home, grief, healing, justice were all themes that kept popping up for me while on this journey with Laura. I feel this would make for a great book club pick, as there are several different elements that I would have loved to discuss with others. Yet despite its quietness, I kept turning the pages, unable to stop reading as with the best thrillers.
Deeply reflective, hopeful and haunting at once, with some truly unforgettable characters and stunning writing: discovering this little gem felt like a true privilege, and I think it won't be a book I'll forget anytime soon. I saw some other reviewers compare this to Black Butterflies, which the author also mentioned in her note, so I think I'll have to pick that up sometime soon!
I received an advance review copy of this book for free from the publisher as part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free from the publisher as part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Pregnancy
The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Cosy and whimsical short story with strong Christmas vibes. The audiobook production is lovely: the music and woodland sounds really add to the experience. At little over 30 minutes long (including the author's afterword), I wasn't really expecting a lot of depth but it still felt way too short to convey everything the author suggested in her note. The concept and characters are interesting, and the setting fascinating, but they needed just a little more space to really work for me. Susanna Clarke's writing is always impeccable though, and this really made me want to catch up on Piranesi.
Tatà by Alberto Bracci Testasecca, Valérie Perrin
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Like previous Valérie Perrin books I read, Tatà starts off strongly, certainly aided by the intriguing premise, the interesting characters, and the author’s captivating style. By the end though, there are just a few too many plot lines and twists that feel like pure shock value, and the story gets too convoluted. I still enjoyed reading it, but couldn’t help feeling annoyed by this (just as I had felt reading Three). Shame, because this could have been a truly fantastic book if only it had ended slightly earlier and hadn’t tried to tackle every theme under the sun in one novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Drug abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Pregnancy, and War
Noi rifugiati by Hannah Arendt
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
"La società ha trovato nella discriminazione il più grande strumento sociale di morte che permette di uccidere le persone senza spargimento di sangue: i passaporti e i certificati di nascita, talvolta perfino le dichiarazioni dei redditi, anziché essere documenti amministrativi, diventano mezzi di differenziazione sociale."
"Il consesso dei popoli europei è andato in frantumi quando si è consentito che i membri più deboli venissero esclusi e perseguitati."
Breve ma indimenticabile e ancora tristemente attuale.
"Il consesso dei popoli europei è andato in frantumi quando si è consentito che i membri più deboli venissero esclusi e perseguitati."
Breve ma indimenticabile e ancora tristemente attuale.
Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A man wakes up with no memory after what seems to be some sort of spell gone wrong. Soon, he realises that he must be in a dark wizard's lair, although he has no clue how he got there... unless the dark wizard is him.
So begins Dreadful, a magical tale of a dark wizard with amnesia trying to figure out why he feels like saving the royal princess he kidnapped in the first place. This was a fun read, and the (mostly) lighthearted escape I needed from very busy days. I wasn't a fan of some choices employed here, but I did appreciate the attempt at introducing more serious topics. The reflection on identity and making choices was particularly interesting to me, even though at times it felt just a tad too easy to the detriment of depth.
I don't think this will end up being particularly memorable, but it was a fun, easy read.
So begins Dreadful, a magical tale of a dark wizard with amnesia trying to figure out why he feels like saving the royal princess he kidnapped in the first place. This was a fun read, and the (mostly) lighthearted escape I needed from very busy days. I wasn't a fan of some choices employed here, but I did appreciate the attempt at introducing more serious topics. The reflection on identity and making choices was particularly interesting to me, even though at times it felt just a tad too easy to the detriment of depth.
I don't think this will end up being particularly memorable, but it was a fun, easy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Sexism and Fire/Fire injury
Inferiori. Come la scienza ha penalizzato le donne by Angela Saini
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Overall interesting exploration of the ways in which scientific research has often been used to justify social gender expectations.
I was expecting a little more in terms of analysis and a little less simple exposition, but this approach did contribute to maintaining the book very accessible. Sometimes it felt disjointed and rushed in certain sections, with a few arguments coming across as slightly more biased than would be desirable: a certain degree of bias is bound to be everywhere and complete objectivity is impossible, but I would have liked to see slightly stronger evidence-based explanations to support some points than those that were offered here. I think this would work well as an introductory text for people approaching these subjects for the first time, but it has little more to offer to someone who read other books on the topic, such as Invisible Women.
Still, it was an interesting read and I might pick up some of the author's other works in the future.
I was expecting a little more in terms of analysis and a little less simple exposition, but this approach did contribute to maintaining the book very accessible. Sometimes it felt disjointed and rushed in certain sections, with a few arguments coming across as slightly more biased than would be desirable: a certain degree of bias is bound to be everywhere and complete objectivity is impossible, but I would have liked to see slightly stronger evidence-based explanations to support some points than those that were offered here. I think this would work well as an introductory text for people approaching these subjects for the first time, but it has little more to offer to someone who read other books on the topic, such as Invisible Women.
Still, it was an interesting read and I might pick up some of the author's other works in the future.
Honorbound by Avery Carter
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Gwynhafahr val Dieth was always destined to be a Hero, that much she knows. And yet, life at the Academy is not exactly how she envisioned it: she struggles to fit in with the other Heroes-in-training, her rankings are consistently low, and above all she is desperately homesick. To make matters worse, her best friend from back home never replied to any of her letters, with no explanation whatsoever.
So Gwyn is incredibly surprised when a delegation from her home comes to visit the Academy with Izzy accompanying them. Could this be their chance to mend their relationship, or will a dark secret tear everything apart?
Set in the same world as Carter's previous book, Spellbound, Honorbound is the perfect follow-up, even though it works truly well also as a standalone. The Academy is a fascinating setting without being so overly complicated that readers risk getting lost in it, making this a great book for readers approaching fantasy novels. The characters are charming and well-developed, especially the main character Gwyn. Her efforts to fit in delicately convey a meaningful reflection on belonging, and her struggles with insecurity, loneliness, friendship and love are very relatable, especially for a younger audience.
The book is described as a dark cozy academia fantasy and, while that may sound somewhat confusing at first, it is an accurate description. The stakes are moderately high, yet there is a pervasive coziness throughout the narrative and it is impossible not to become invested in the characters' struggles. For fans of the previous book, there are some very welcome returns but having read it is not a prerequisite in order to enjoy Honorbound.
Despite some small issues with pacing, with the last third or so of the book feeling slightly too rushed, this is a truly pleasant reading experience. Readers looking for an adventure that does not require excessive commitment on a cold winter evening (but that is nonetheless highly rewarding) will certainly find it here.
This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery.
I received an e-arc of this book for free via Reedsy Discovery. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
So Gwyn is incredibly surprised when a delegation from her home comes to visit the Academy with Izzy accompanying them. Could this be their chance to mend their relationship, or will a dark secret tear everything apart?
Set in the same world as Carter's previous book, Spellbound, Honorbound is the perfect follow-up, even though it works truly well also as a standalone. The Academy is a fascinating setting without being so overly complicated that readers risk getting lost in it, making this a great book for readers approaching fantasy novels. The characters are charming and well-developed, especially the main character Gwyn. Her efforts to fit in delicately convey a meaningful reflection on belonging, and her struggles with insecurity, loneliness, friendship and love are very relatable, especially for a younger audience.
The book is described as a dark cozy academia fantasy and, while that may sound somewhat confusing at first, it is an accurate description. The stakes are moderately high, yet there is a pervasive coziness throughout the narrative and it is impossible not to become invested in the characters' struggles. For fans of the previous book, there are some very welcome returns but having read it is not a prerequisite in order to enjoy Honorbound.
Despite some small issues with pacing, with the last third or so of the book feeling slightly too rushed, this is a truly pleasant reading experience. Readers looking for an adventure that does not require excessive commitment on a cold winter evening (but that is nonetheless highly rewarding) will certainly find it here.
This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery.
I received an e-arc of this book for free via Reedsy Discovery. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence