cbarcenam's reviews
193 reviews

The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.

I am not getting engaged and it’s just getting confusing 

Proyecto Hail Mary by Andy Weir

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

4.25

Illuminations by T. Kingfisher

adventurous funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

It was a fun story to listen to, especially good for preteen kids 

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

5.0

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher

dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

The only reason this book is getting 4 stars instead of 5 is because there are a couple of things that get repeated over and over again

Avalon Tower by Alex Rivers, C.N. Crawford

adventurous hopeful inspiring fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

A Story Spun in Scarlet by R. Dugan

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

 

Renee Dugan takes us to the incredible kingdom of Mithra-Sha. A place where Storycrafters bring stories to life, creating abundance in the land, helping crops flourish, and helping the people. However, one day, the stories lose their endings, and with that, the power to come to life. That's where our story begins, a few years after the power of StoryCraft disappears Audra has been making her way to the Tailbone City where she hopes to start a life doing honest work trying to forget the disappointment of not being able to finish the story and the rejection of society because of it. One day she's asked her to entertain the patrons of the tavern where she works with an Undying story, a story that would not end and there she meets Jake. Starting as reluctant allies together they embark on an adventure to find out what happened to the endings of stories and how is it connected to them. 

This book feels like a love letter to storytellers, emphasizing the impact of stories on our lives and the importance of hope. Audra embodies the fear of not being able to finish, the fear of chasing an adventure, and the strength of sacrifice. Jake is the help and push needed to choose what is waiting in the unknown. Their relationship is great because they represent both sides of the coin: fear and hope. 

This story made me smile, made me cry, angry and sad, hopeful of what is to come, I thought it was very well written and a lesson in every story that Audra shares with us. It makes you wonder, root for the characters, visit the mountains, sail the sea, and fight the monsters. It is truly a work of art. 

I am very thankful to Renée Dugan for sharing this amazing story Netgalley for allowing me to read it 

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0