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booksny's reviews
322 reviews
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
A classic magical read
The Little Old Toymaker and Other Stories by Enid Blyton, Peter Wilks
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
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
The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Some parts of it were still an entertaining read, but the plot was oddly all over the place
The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A pleasant, magical read with a hint of melancholy
Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I read this a decade ago and while I couldn't recall the exact content or what my impression of it was, I remembered that Judy ends up in a romantic relationship with her benefactor in the end . Thus, I was a bit worried that the power dynamics between the two would be problematic - and indeed, there were a few moments where I wasn't keen on DLL taking advantage of Judy confiding in him to dictate what Judy could or couldn't do. However, it was saved by Judy's character - she was good at asserting her boundaries and expectations - as well as the fact that DLL respected her enough and didn't put financial pressure on Judy when his wishes were thwarted. This, I appreciate the skill required to take the older, well connected male raising a younger, vulnerable woman trope and develop it into a decently balanced relationship for the period it was set in
Stitches in Time by Barbara Michaels
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Really enjoyed this - thought that the mystery was gradually uncovered in a really skillful way
Dreadful Company by Vivian Shaw
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Somewhat mixed feelings about this novel, though ultimately I think the pros outweighed the cons. Things I really enjoyed:
- Creative worldbuilding
- Adorable monsters
- Strong resourceful protagonist
- Engaging prose
Things which I struggled with
- Some of the supporting characters - I really couldn't tell the difference between the voices of the two psychopomps
- The pacing - I would've liked for more interaction to be had between Greta and Corvin at the dinner party (it felt like lost potential to have it just whizz past). I also couldn't get a sense of urgency with fixing the problems the heroes had at hand - no one else outside their group seemed to be affected by it, so it felt like it was all self-imposed deadlines to sort them out the way they did
- The fluctuating level of competence - a couple of characters were lax in their duties for months. They otherwise seemed like earnest, responsible characters so I thought that there must be a magical reason for their carelessness but no, they were just separately irresponsible. It was especially baffling as
one was the guardian of the city; how is it that no one in the city had called him out on his neglect or even cared? . I also didn't understand their strategy totake on Corvin's crew outnumbered when they were just waking up. Mind you, up until then, I'd also had the impression that Corvin's crew wasn't very skilled; I'm not certain how they suddenly became dangerous fighters, but given that the heroes had Corvin's second-in-command giving them valuable information, I can't see why they ended up misjudging the level of threat they were facing I was under the impression that a lot of the characters were well-connected and respected individuals, it puzzles me that they decided not to pull in more resources or personnel
Watertight Marketing: Delivering Long-Term Sales Results by Bryony Thomas
4.0
Reviewed for a free copy
There are many great books on how to build a business. However, the work isn’t finished once you get that done, which is where Watertight Marketing by Bryony Thomas comes in. Through an entertaining analogy involving buckets and funnels, taps and leaks, Bryony Thomas shows you how to not just keep your business surviving, but thriving; how to not just get customers, but to keep customers as well. The first few chapters cover critical aspects of an effective marketing strategy which companies may often overlook, while later chapters provide helpful, concrete suggestions on how to deal with those oversights. Sprinkled throughout are informational graphics and interactive mini-exercises which will keep readers’ minds entertained and engaged. At the end of each chapter a summary of the key points, as well as recommendations for further readings, are given. Simply put, Thomas knows her material well, and has produced a book which will ensure that readers will thoroughly learn it too.
Watertight Marketing truly impressed me as one of the better marketing guides I’ve read. As I delved deeper into the book, I began to look at my surroundings through fresh eyes; it was surprising to realize how many subtle marketing messages I’m exposed to on a daily basis. It was intriguing to see the intricacy of the strategies needed to build successful marketing messages. Thomas is pretty good at explaining complex concepts in layman’s terms and making even the most technical bits sound interesting. Her fun and informal tone leaves readers feeling positive and motivated to try out the marketing strategies suggested. Watertight Marketing would teach lessons that stick to a marketing class, would liven up the marketing plans of inexperienced companies, and would make a fun read for anybody interested in learning more about the tricky aspects of this particular field of study.
There are many great books on how to build a business. However, the work isn’t finished once you get that done, which is where Watertight Marketing by Bryony Thomas comes in. Through an entertaining analogy involving buckets and funnels, taps and leaks, Bryony Thomas shows you how to not just keep your business surviving, but thriving; how to not just get customers, but to keep customers as well. The first few chapters cover critical aspects of an effective marketing strategy which companies may often overlook, while later chapters provide helpful, concrete suggestions on how to deal with those oversights. Sprinkled throughout are informational graphics and interactive mini-exercises which will keep readers’ minds entertained and engaged. At the end of each chapter a summary of the key points, as well as recommendations for further readings, are given. Simply put, Thomas knows her material well, and has produced a book which will ensure that readers will thoroughly learn it too.
Watertight Marketing truly impressed me as one of the better marketing guides I’ve read. As I delved deeper into the book, I began to look at my surroundings through fresh eyes; it was surprising to realize how many subtle marketing messages I’m exposed to on a daily basis. It was intriguing to see the intricacy of the strategies needed to build successful marketing messages. Thomas is pretty good at explaining complex concepts in layman’s terms and making even the most technical bits sound interesting. Her fun and informal tone leaves readers feeling positive and motivated to try out the marketing strategies suggested. Watertight Marketing would teach lessons that stick to a marketing class, would liven up the marketing plans of inexperienced companies, and would make a fun read for anybody interested in learning more about the tricky aspects of this particular field of study.
The Screaming God (Tales of the Godslayer #1) by J.A. Coppinger
4.0
*Reviewed for a free copy
Meet J.A. Coppinger’s Godslayer, a most unwelcome figure in many an exalted circle. Some, like Lord Sanit, call him a murderous lunatic. Others, like Lady Catrina, see him as a chauvinistic pig. Everybody would agree that he is not a man you want to cross. But the Godslayer doesn’t give a fig about what you think of him. He’s here to do one thing and one thing only: to hunt down those who lay false claim to godhood and kill them. He’s done this job for years and done it well, which is why this latest task irritates him like none other - not only does he have to hold off on slaying a horrible godling in favor of investigating the source of said godling’s great powers, but he also has to cart along some obnoxiously haughty woman as a traveling companion! However, as danger and betrayal come to light, as assassins and tragedy dog their footsteps, the Godslayer must put aside his distractions and do what he does best - survive the threats and kill the false god.
The minute I started reading J.A. Coppinger’s The Screaming God, I was hooked. The Godslayer is an entertainingly flawed antihero. Grossly sexist and obnoxiously sardonic, he projects a cliched image to all and sundry of a barbarian who will gorge, guzzle and wench his way through life without care. The exciting plot does not shy away from his brutal role and tragic experiences in the harshness of this colorfully-crafted medieval world. And yet, as the story unfolds, his character develops to show some hidden depths, like his worldly cunning, soft spot for children and (somewhat twisted) code of conduct. His clashes with the confident Lady Catrina are pure gold in terms of entertaining snark and snappy one-liners, leaving me giggling every time the hard rock of the Godslayer’s head met the unstoppable force that is the Lady Catrina’s determination to seek justice. Through this, and other delightful characters, I felt incredibly invested in their adventures and watched with glee as they bluffed their way into enemy camps and battled detestable characters by the dozens before securing a highly satisfying victory. All in all, The Screaming God is an unabashedly entertaining romp, and I look forward to its sequel.
The minute I started reading J.A. Coppinger’s The Screaming God, I was hooked. The Godslayer is an entertainingly flawed antihero. Grossly sexist and obnoxiously sardonic, he projects a cliched image to all and sundry of a barbarian who will gorge, guzzle and wench his way through life without care. The exciting plot does not shy away from his brutal role and tragic experiences in the harshness of this colorfully-crafted medieval world. And yet, as the story unfolds, his character develops to show some hidden depths, like his worldly cunning, soft spot for children and (somewhat twisted) code of conduct. His clashes with the confident Lady Catrina are pure gold in terms of entertaining snark and snappy one-liners, leaving me giggling every time the hard rock of the Godslayer’s head met the unstoppable force that is the Lady Catrina’s determination to seek justice. Through this, and other delightful characters, I felt incredibly invested in their adventures and watched with glee as they bluffed their way into enemy camps and battled detestable characters by the dozens before securing a highly satisfying victory. All in all, The Screaming God is an unabashedly entertaining romp, and I look forward to its sequel.