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982 reviews
Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett
4.0
Carpe Jugulum is the end of the Witches of Lancre arc in the Discworld series. It's a good ending, even though it didn't really feel like an ending and I'm guessing it's because some of these characters will come back in the Tiffany Achings arc.
Granny didn't really feel like Granny at first. She was off her game and ran from the problem before it even came to fruition. The entire book she felt off her game and for awhile it seemed that Granny Weatherwax was finally going to meet her end. It was dark times.
It was great to see Agnes come into her own and grow a backbone, even if there was some dark influence involved. Nanny is the same as always. Though I'm surprised we didn't get as much Greebo as usual.
The vampires were certainly interesting, since they played the usual tropes and yet they were unlike any that I've read and some of the nastiest.
Overall, it's definitely a nice wrap up to the series and I'll be looking forward to the Tiffany series once I get there.
Granny didn't really feel like Granny at first. She was off her game and ran from the problem before it even came to fruition. The entire book she felt off her game and for awhile it seemed that Granny Weatherwax was finally going to meet her end. It was dark times.
It was great to see Agnes come into her own and grow a backbone, even if there was some dark influence involved. Nanny is the same as always. Though I'm surprised we didn't get as much Greebo as usual.
The vampires were certainly interesting, since they played the usual tropes and yet they were unlike any that I've read and some of the nastiest.
Overall, it's definitely a nice wrap up to the series and I'll be looking forward to the Tiffany series once I get there.
Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett
5.0
I hope Death is taking good care of Sir Terry Pratchett, because when he comes to take me to the other side, I’d like to kiss Sir Terry on the mouth. Because I’m in love.
I don’t think words like clever, witty, cynical, hilarious, dark, gut-busting-funny really do justice to his writing, but it’s kind of all of those combined and you get this amazing writing that is both funny, clever, and underneath it all incredibly dark and somewhat sobering. But how else do you point out to people all that is wrong with humanity? No one wants to hear what’s wrong with humanity unless they want to get out of bed again. So you do it the only way that will get people to listen: you disguise it as a joke. So that people can laugh, sigh, and say “that clever bastard” and go on with their day without thinking of drowning themselves in a bottle of gin.
I’ve been holding off on starting Terry Pratchett’s works for years because the collection is so massive and apparently you don’t start with book 1. After hearing about his passing, however, I knew I just had to do it. Since there are several viable starting points, after some consideration and research, I decided to start with The City Watch collection, as it is lauded as one of the funniest and best books in the collection.
If you take a city and turn it upside down, put criminals in charge, and the “respectable” folk at the bottom you’ll have something vaguely resembling Ankh Morpork. Cover it in trash, alcohol, and feces and you’ll be much closer.
Like any true fantasy this book has it’s heroes, it’s tyrants, it’s would-be-kings trying to beat the tyrants, secret societies, magical books and artifacts, and of course, last, but never the least: dragons.
We go to the gutter to find our anti-hero Sam Vimes, Captain of the Night Watch, a depressed drunk brought low by a woman. The woman in this case is Ankh Morpork herself, his true love, his city. Our other hero is Carrot, a six foot Dwarf who may not be a Dwarf at all do to human genetics, in possession of the most non-magical sword in existence. And of course, Srg. Colon and Srg. Nobbs. Oh, and the Librarian mon— beg pardon, Ape. Who may have been a man once. They are all brilliant, lovable, and while slightly cowardly, ready to stand behind their Captain.
Then there is of course Lord Havelock Vetinari, who is the city’s ruler, a tyrant who you probably actually don’t mind having in charge, since he’s not very tyrannical, but a very effective ruler. He demands greats respect and you have to give it him, because if you didn’t he’d send men to come and take it away.
It takes a threat to the city, to the livelihood of all its criminal citizens, to get the good Captain out of his drunken malaise and turn him into the cynical, brooding, anti-hero his city needs, but never knew it wanted. That threat, of course, is a dragon, for what other creature could disturb a city that is already run by organized crime.
But a dragon is only a dragon after all, and it will do what a dragon will do. That is, hoard anything shinny, set things on fire, and demand a human snack to appease its hunger.
Full of puns, wordplay, and humorous cynicism this book would give Monty Python a run for its money, all while showing just how petty some powerful people can be, and how heroic some pathetic people may turn out to be. It a one in a million chance, but it just might work.
The question is: Are you feeling lucky, punk?
I don’t think words like clever, witty, cynical, hilarious, dark, gut-busting-funny really do justice to his writing, but it’s kind of all of those combined and you get this amazing writing that is both funny, clever, and underneath it all incredibly dark and somewhat sobering. But how else do you point out to people all that is wrong with humanity? No one wants to hear what’s wrong with humanity unless they want to get out of bed again. So you do it the only way that will get people to listen: you disguise it as a joke. So that people can laugh, sigh, and say “that clever bastard” and go on with their day without thinking of drowning themselves in a bottle of gin.
I’ve been holding off on starting Terry Pratchett’s works for years because the collection is so massive and apparently you don’t start with book 1. After hearing about his passing, however, I knew I just had to do it. Since there are several viable starting points, after some consideration and research, I decided to start with The City Watch collection, as it is lauded as one of the funniest and best books in the collection.
If you take a city and turn it upside down, put criminals in charge, and the “respectable” folk at the bottom you’ll have something vaguely resembling Ankh Morpork. Cover it in trash, alcohol, and feces and you’ll be much closer.
Like any true fantasy this book has it’s heroes, it’s tyrants, it’s would-be-kings trying to beat the tyrants, secret societies, magical books and artifacts, and of course, last, but never the least: dragons.
We go to the gutter to find our anti-hero Sam Vimes, Captain of the Night Watch, a depressed drunk brought low by a woman. The woman in this case is Ankh Morpork herself, his true love, his city. Our other hero is Carrot, a six foot Dwarf who may not be a Dwarf at all do to human genetics, in possession of the most non-magical sword in existence. And of course, Srg. Colon and Srg. Nobbs. Oh, and the Librarian mon— beg pardon, Ape. Who may have been a man once. They are all brilliant, lovable, and while slightly cowardly, ready to stand behind their Captain.
Then there is of course Lord Havelock Vetinari, who is the city’s ruler, a tyrant who you probably actually don’t mind having in charge, since he’s not very tyrannical, but a very effective ruler. He demands greats respect and you have to give it him, because if you didn’t he’d send men to come and take it away.
It takes a threat to the city, to the livelihood of all its criminal citizens, to get the good Captain out of his drunken malaise and turn him into the cynical, brooding, anti-hero his city needs, but never knew it wanted. That threat, of course, is a dragon, for what other creature could disturb a city that is already run by organized crime.
But a dragon is only a dragon after all, and it will do what a dragon will do. That is, hoard anything shinny, set things on fire, and demand a human snack to appease its hunger.
Full of puns, wordplay, and humorous cynicism this book would give Monty Python a run for its money, all while showing just how petty some powerful people can be, and how heroic some pathetic people may turn out to be. It a one in a million chance, but it just might work.
The question is: Are you feeling lucky, punk?
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
3.0
This was quite the interesting read. I wouldn't say it's the most original, and I was able to guess most of the plot as I read along, but I liked all the characters. Cassie is pretty kick ass. I mean, she's a real survivor. She's a great heroine and probably wins the best sister of the year award.
1. I wish the beginning wasn't a summarization/infodump/flashbacks. It takes about a hundred pages to catch up to Cassie where she is in the story. And while interesting, I'd rather it just started off with the 1st wave, instead of jumping back and telling us what happened. It gave it a very cinematic feel, and I sure hope Mr. Yancey isn't writing this way so the book get's adapted. *gives pointed look*
2. Cassie has great character development. She may have been your average girl, but damn, she learns fast. She's quick on her feet, she's witty and funny, she knows her references, and did I mention she's really smart?
3. I wish the switching of the POVs were marked I was rather confused at first.
4. I did like the chapter with Sammy's POV, and would have liked more from him.
5. Didn't care too much for Ben. But where do I get an Evan. He smells like chocolate. Also sexy, good looking, smart, kind, soft hearted, and loving. I need one. Like, now.
6. The part when they live together for several months, yeah, as much as I appreciated the sexual tension. Which was delicious. I wish that the middle of the book didn't focus quite so much on it.
7. The ending was pretty great. Cassie has guts, and again wins sister of the year award. Not to mention just how kick-ass she was. Damn, girl.
Will be very interested in reading the sequel.
1. I wish the beginning wasn't a summarization/infodump/flashbacks. It takes about a hundred pages to catch up to Cassie where she is in the story. And while interesting, I'd rather it just started off with the 1st wave, instead of jumping back and telling us what happened. It gave it a very cinematic feel, and I sure hope Mr. Yancey isn't writing this way so the book get's adapted. *gives pointed look*
2. Cassie has great character development. She may have been your average girl, but damn, she learns fast. She's quick on her feet, she's witty and funny, she knows her references, and did I mention she's really smart?
3. I wish the switching of the POVs were marked I was rather confused at first.
4. I did like the chapter with Sammy's POV, and would have liked more from him.
5. Didn't care too much for Ben. But where do I get an Evan. He smells like chocolate. Also sexy, good looking, smart, kind, soft hearted, and loving. I need one. Like, now.
6. The part when they live together for several months, yeah, as much as I appreciated the sexual tension. Which was delicious. I wish that the middle of the book didn't focus quite so much on it.
7. The ending was pretty great. Cassie has guts, and again wins sister of the year award. Not to mention just how kick-ass she was. Damn, girl.
Will be very interested in reading the sequel.
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
1.0
This book would have been perfect if Mafi wasn’t trying so fucking hard. I’m sorry for the expletive, but this book made me so angry. Good thing my English Degree is still in the mail, because I’d have stained it with tears. I’d read plenty of bad reviews for it, so my expectations were very low, but I went in with an open mind. I have two words to describe this book: Pretentious Potential. Or to make it a little more clear: Tries Too Hard.
This book was only good when Mafi stopped trying, and you know when she stopped trying? By the end. Of course, I understand that maybe Mafi was trying to symbolize Juliette’s broken mind in the beginning and her narration becomes more clear by the end. I can appreciate what she was trying to do with the repetition, and the hyperboles, and the figurative language, not writing out numbers below hundred, even the text strike outs were inventive. To a point.
Review Under the Cut to Avoid Pissing People Off.
Also, I’m going to make a t-shirt and send it to guilty authors with a message “STOP ABUSING METAPHORS".
"I am an old creaky staircase when I wake up." No.
"He says it with a small smile the size of Jupiter." … what? No.
"Every organ in my body falls to the ground." Not a metaphor, but, No.
Sadly, Mafi’s talent, and you catch glimpses of it through the novel, only becomes apparent in the last eighty pages or so. That’s when the story really picked up, we finally saw some great action, and even some character development. Not to mention we meet characters who I didn’t want to punch in the face, like Kenji. Here’s proof Mafi has talent:
“Hate looks like everybody else until it smiles.” Finally, a metaphor that didn’t make me want to cry.
"He’s kissing me and I’m oxygen and he’s dying to breathe." Wait… I need a fan.
"He drops kisses down my throat like ecstasy, electric energy searing into me, setting me on fire. I’m on the verge of combusting from the sheer thrill of every moment. I want to dive into his being, experience him with all 5 senses, drown in the waves of wonder enveloping my existence.”
Wow. Besides that 5 that totally ruins the flow, this quote is beautiful and sensual and just a how a kiss should be described.
The Characters: Juliette herself was a special snowflake. An annoying, naive, and innocent girl who wouldn’t stop yelling at the bad guy about how disgusting she thought he was for half the book. Adam is our very special cookie cutter puppy love who loves Juliette because he liked how she was a doormat when they were younger and got the bad case of hero. Warner is our psychotic, yet lovable because he’s so mysterious and sexy, bad guy who’s obsessed with Juliet. And of course Castle our aged and wise and benevolent (rebel) leader. The only character I liked was Kenji. Sorry, I’m not sorry.
The world building wasn’t that bad either, but we didn’t get to see much of it. The only reason, I want to read the next book is because of Chapter 62, or whatever it is that makes this damn fandom so excited. If it’s not a steamy sex scene like I expect, so help me…. and I may have downloaded the book just to see what it is and… woah Also the next book has great reviews. Does that mean Mafi actually stops trying and the writing is actually good?
I may or may not read the next book. Chances are I won’t. Or it’ll be a very long time before I do.
This book was only good when Mafi stopped trying, and you know when she stopped trying? By the end. Of course, I understand that maybe Mafi was trying to symbolize Juliette’s broken mind in the beginning and her narration becomes more clear by the end. I can appreciate what she was trying to do with the repetition, and the hyperboles, and the figurative language, not writing out numbers below hundred, even the text strike outs were inventive. To a point.
Review Under the Cut to Avoid Pissing People Off.
Also, I’m going to make a t-shirt and send it to guilty authors with a message “STOP ABUSING METAPHORS".
"I am an old creaky staircase when I wake up." No.
"He says it with a small smile the size of Jupiter." … what? No.
"Every organ in my body falls to the ground." Not a metaphor, but, No.
Sadly, Mafi’s talent, and you catch glimpses of it through the novel, only becomes apparent in the last eighty pages or so. That’s when the story really picked up, we finally saw some great action, and even some character development. Not to mention we meet characters who I didn’t want to punch in the face, like Kenji. Here’s proof Mafi has talent:
“Hate looks like everybody else until it smiles.” Finally, a metaphor that didn’t make me want to cry.
"He’s kissing me and I’m oxygen and he’s dying to breathe." Wait… I need a fan.
"He drops kisses down my throat like ecstasy, electric energy searing into me, setting me on fire. I’m on the verge of combusting from the sheer thrill of every moment. I want to dive into his being, experience him with all 5 senses, drown in the waves of wonder enveloping my existence.”
Wow. Besides that 5 that totally ruins the flow, this quote is beautiful and sensual and just a how a kiss should be described.
The Characters: Juliette herself was a special snowflake. An annoying, naive, and innocent girl who wouldn’t stop yelling at the bad guy about how disgusting she thought he was for half the book. Adam is our very special cookie cutter puppy love who loves Juliette because he liked how she was a doormat when they were younger and got the bad case of hero. Warner is our psychotic, yet lovable because he’s so mysterious and sexy, bad guy who’s obsessed with Juliet. And of course Castle our aged and wise and benevolent (rebel) leader. The only character I liked was Kenji. Sorry, I’m not sorry.
The world building wasn’t that bad either, but we didn’t get to see much of it. The only reason, I want to read the next book is because of Chapter 62, or whatever it is that makes this damn fandom so excited. If it’s not a steamy sex scene like I expect, so help me…. and I may have downloaded the book just to see what it is and… woah Also the next book has great reviews. Does that mean Mafi actually stops trying and the writing is actually good?
I may or may not read the next book. Chances are I won’t. Or it’ll be a very long time before I do.
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
4.0
I'm so happy that I finished my year with this book. It was so beautiful. It is beyond words how happy it made me, how painful it was to read sometimes, and how unfair it is that books like these go undiscovered. The characters were amazing, they were alive and breathing; uncertain at one moment, strong the next, in love, in pain, mourning or celebrating. I love, love the fact that the romantic couple was not just in mundane, simple love; but the kind of love where they can hurt each other if needed, when they can tell each other the truth even if it hurts the other's dignity. They are equals in every sense of the word, they respect each other,rescue each other, they need each other and they love each other. You want an epic love story? Forget Romeo and Juliet, this is it! Evanjalin is certainly one of the best female characters that I have seen in a long time, maybe next to Tamora Pierce's Allana and Kel, or Sabriel. The kind of girls that command respect, think on their feet and do not let their emotions, even love, cloud their judgement. They are not perfect of course, they have fears and weakness, and they they get into bad situations. The only thing I regret is not reading this earlier. I'm in love with this book. It made me cry from the very beginning, with real pain and feeling, with bitterness for the pain of others. Marchetta is an amazing writer, thank you, for giving this book to the world.
Cloak and Dagger by Nenia Campbell
3.0
This was pretty great. I was familiar with the characters since I've read the versions on Fictionpress, and there's been definite improvement. I love how the characters evolve and change over the course of the book, but how they are both aware of who the other is. Christina never lets herself believe Michael is a good man, she knows he never will be, and she isn't willing to believe she can change him. She doesn't forgive the abuse he carried out against her, and doesn't justify it (which is a good thing), like heroines always seem to do in novels. And while Michael does change for the better, there is no glossing over the things that he'd done. I can't wait for the sequel.
That said, there were a few spelling errors and quote marks missing, and I don't know if that's just Kindle messing up or if that's bad editing. They were noticeable enough to annoy me.
That said, there were a few spelling errors and quote marks missing, and I don't know if that's just Kindle messing up or if that's bad editing. They were noticeable enough to annoy me.
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
3.0
I liked this book overall, even though a lot of things about it annoyed me.
I was very hesitant to read this book. Mostly because the concept seemed a little ridiculous to me and when I started reading it, I really had to suspend my disbelief to read it. The biggest problems being that people don't show or feel any love and they don't dream. It has been scientifically proven that humans need love to thrive and grow and they need dreams to stay sane. They mention several times how they no longer dream after the cure: ehm...you'll go insane if you don't dream, what happens to most people is that they simply don't remember what they dreamed out, but everyone has to dream. And they mention several times that mothers have trouble caring for their children and it's frowned upon to show any affection to them: newsflash, children don't grow up to be healthy and sane if you don't show them love. Really! There have been studies. Also, I would never believe that enough people would agree that love was dangerous enough to be banned, especially in US.
The concept of the novel itself isn't new: that is there have been other movies and books, where emotion, especially love is seen as what causes all the problems for humans. The movie Equilibrium especially, where all feelings, not just love, are forbidden, but they have to take a daily dose of medicine and all forms of art are forbidden and destroyed. In this world, everything is simply regulated and censored. But, I found Delirium's concept well written and well explained, so that I could suspend my disbelief and go along with it.
I liked the main character Lena, you really see her progression from being this scared girl who couldn't wait for the cure, who went along with what everyone told her and chose to be careful rather than free to a girl who was ready to fight for her love and feelings, and realizing just how trapped she and everyone else was. Alex, the main love interest, was a good, character too, even though we don't really find out that much about him.
The progression of them falling in love was very well written. She doesn't become obsessed with him right away, like a lot of heroines are doing these days. In fact she is suspicious and cation. Their love grows slowly. They get to know each other, get to learn how to trust one another and of course slowly fall in love. Even then however, Lena isn't exactly willing to give everything up for him. That also takes time in the novel. However, I did find the ending way too predictable to be any fun.
There are a few other things that annoyed me, but it doesn't just apply to this book, but other dystopias as well. And that is match making, I mean the government deciding that everyone is too stupid, or it's too dangerous, to let everyone decide who they should be with and assigning them the partner and of course, the main character in the novel goes ahead and falls in love with someone else. It would make more sense if the parents were arranging things, like in the good old days, at least it's a more natural concept.
Also, this doesn't apply to this book, but can a dystopia actually take place AFTER the revolution, instead of leading up to it. I mean every single dystopia starts with a problematic concept and there's revolution brewing, and of course the main character is in the middle of it. But I mean, what it was after? After they toppled the old government and people were learning to live naturally and healing. I imagine there would still be a lot of fear and people not knowing what to do, and then we have them, to people meeting and beginning to fall in love... and they're terrified because everything they'd ever been taught tells them it's wrong!
Instead I feel like I'm reading the same thing over and over again, just slightly rehashed and concepts shifted around a bit.
I was very hesitant to read this book. Mostly because the concept seemed a little ridiculous to me and when I started reading it, I really had to suspend my disbelief to read it. The biggest problems being that people don't show or feel any love and they don't dream. It has been scientifically proven that humans need love to thrive and grow and they need dreams to stay sane. They mention several times how they no longer dream after the cure: ehm...you'll go insane if you don't dream, what happens to most people is that they simply don't remember what they dreamed out, but everyone has to dream. And they mention several times that mothers have trouble caring for their children and it's frowned upon to show any affection to them: newsflash, children don't grow up to be healthy and sane if you don't show them love. Really! There have been studies. Also, I would never believe that enough people would agree that love was dangerous enough to be banned, especially in US.
The concept of the novel itself isn't new: that is there have been other movies and books, where emotion, especially love is seen as what causes all the problems for humans. The movie Equilibrium especially, where all feelings, not just love, are forbidden, but they have to take a daily dose of medicine and all forms of art are forbidden and destroyed. In this world, everything is simply regulated and censored. But, I found Delirium's concept well written and well explained, so that I could suspend my disbelief and go along with it.
I liked the main character Lena, you really see her progression from being this scared girl who couldn't wait for the cure, who went along with what everyone told her and chose to be careful rather than free to a girl who was ready to fight for her love and feelings, and realizing just how trapped she and everyone else was. Alex, the main love interest, was a good, character too, even though we don't really find out that much about him.
The progression of them falling in love was very well written. She doesn't become obsessed with him right away, like a lot of heroines are doing these days. In fact she is suspicious and cation. Their love grows slowly. They get to know each other, get to learn how to trust one another and of course slowly fall in love. Even then however, Lena isn't exactly willing to give everything up for him. That also takes time in the novel. However, I did find the ending way too predictable to be any fun.
There are a few other things that annoyed me, but it doesn't just apply to this book, but other dystopias as well. And that is match making, I mean the government deciding that everyone is too stupid, or it's too dangerous, to let everyone decide who they should be with and assigning them the partner and of course, the main character in the novel goes ahead and falls in love with someone else. It would make more sense if the parents were arranging things, like in the good old days, at least it's a more natural concept.
Also, this doesn't apply to this book, but can a dystopia actually take place AFTER the revolution, instead of leading up to it. I mean every single dystopia starts with a problematic concept and there's revolution brewing, and of course the main character is in the middle of it. But I mean, what it was after? After they toppled the old government and people were learning to live naturally and healing. I imagine there would still be a lot of fear and people not knowing what to do, and then we have them, to people meeting and beginning to fall in love... and they're terrified because everything they'd ever been taught tells them it's wrong!
Instead I feel like I'm reading the same thing over and over again, just slightly rehashed and concepts shifted around a bit.