chiming_bells's reviews
29 reviews

Follow Me to Ground by Sue Rainsford

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

A short book, I swallowed it in one sitting. Absolutely horrifying, but intriguing. So impressed with the imagination needed for this gory fairy tale. 

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

Some elements were fine and I enjoyed the narrative around the elite British gentlemen. But the story ended quite abruptly for me, I’d predicted the ending and so was expecting more of a twist - not realising my prediction that he was the anomaly was the twist. Slightly disappointing. 

Death's End by Cixin Liu

adventurous challenging dark hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

the authors range is incredible, and anything I write won’t do these books justice! 

I’m totally in awe of the concepts, range, and beauty of the work. 

This is science fiction and international relations on a mammoth scale, mixed with fairy tales and love. Who knew it could be done so well. 

While I had no love for Cheng Xin, the three problems she faced, and her journey through time was incredible. Continuously saying she wasn’t a god - but then, look at how it ends. 

The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu

adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious slow-paced

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

5.0

The ideas in the book are incredible - from theology to game theory - on an international scale.  But I found the book a slog. 

At the same time I rarely finish a book that’s laborious, but my thoughts would go back to it and I had to find out what was happening. 

The ending was super fast - and the climax I hadn’t predicted. Which is always fun 

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

sad medium-paced

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

3.5

It’s fine - the dogs voice was cute. 
I like reading feminist literature/stories with strong female leads - and this felt something was missing. 

The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu

challenging dark slow-paced

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

3.0

I found the first 200 pages an irrelevant slog! And then about 100 pages I understood before it became too technical in some ways. Though I generally understood the themes and ideas 

I am hoping to read the others though and watch the series 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

adventurous hopeful reflective 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

4.5

The Other Half by Charlotte Vassell

mysterious 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

3.0

A cast of pointless, pained and villainous characters. I finished the book, and loved all the Greek and Roman references, but also left the story slightly empty. 

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

Natalie Haynes books always make me feel like I’m learning or relearning something half remembered. Which is a great feeling. 

But I preferred the children of Jocasta and a thousand ships. While medusas story is great - the story brings in so many gods and goddesses, and each chapter flits around a lot. I know that’s a tool to show the gods experience time differently, but it could have run it’s course slightly smoother for me. 

I still finished it, and enjoyed it. For that I thiank the author!