braedon_schlechte's reviews
16 reviews

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5

Cute, found family type book. More of a series of vignettes about a diverse space crew than an overarching plot. Overall, very decent book but I missed having a real driving plot or deeper development of the characters. Still, this is someones favorite book I am sure; don't think too hard about anything and enjoy the characters and world!

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

A strong, funny beginning to what ends up being a rather mediocre book. It quickly gets mired down in a plethora of semi-cooked story lines and self-indulgent world play and wit will only keep me interested for so long. The ending hooked me again and all the concepts were fun, but it just felt bloated beyond belief.

Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

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

2.5

Low rated not because of quality but simply to reflect my own enjoyment of it. The first half is philosophical musings which I found comedic but unfortunately pertained to a grander context with which I am not familiar. Still, it was rather enjoyable compared to the second half which is composed of anecdotes knowingly concocted to be detestable. I read to escape, this book made me sad. 

Wool by Hugh Howey

adventurous dark fast-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? No

4.0

It opens with the strongest two chapters of any book I can recall, which makes sense seeing as it was once a standalone short story. The conflicts get a bit repetitive at times and the prose worsens to just "good" after those incredible first chapters but it's a very interesting and intriguing world to explore and discover with the characters! 

Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder

adventurous challenging hopeful reflective medium-paced

3.5

Mountains beyond mountains primarily expanded my horizons on disparities in health care and challenged me to believe in (and work for) better, more equitable care. I especially enjoyed the reflections on Farmer's character and drives, but felt the book got mired down in trying to share a full accounting of his life and I was often bored by focus on his past, romantic life, or political endeavors. But, that is not to say these sections were bad. Perhaps it is simply most fair to say non-fiction is not my ideal genre.

The Narrow Road Between Desires by Patrick Rothfuss

adventurous medium-paced

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

4.0

A very light and fun story. In the author's own description is that of a book without a large conflict which is very fun to see! Small details come back in cool ways, and it's intriguing to get a deeper look at the fae

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

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

4.5

Such a sweet, funny, and heartfelt book! Loved the world and the world building, the main character, and the narration/tone. Definitely a standout among the cosmere!

The Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

A solid cosmere adventure. Nothing too stand out but I enjoyed it!

The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

adventurous dark 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

5.0

An incredible adventure! I do not necessarily like it more than the first one, but it is wonderful to see the world expanded upon. The lore gets lorier, the prose gets prosier, and kvothe attempts to learn things (a heroic feat, to be sure).

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

My favorite book! The prose of PR is just astounding and the world is immense and beautiful. The lore surrounds you with every page, inviting you to dig deeper and make theories while simply being a background setting for the heartfelt coming of age story and mystery at the center of it all.