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crisscrossedshelves's reviews
502 reviews
Beyond the Shadows by Brent Weeks
5.0
I can't even begin to describe how this book was. I'm not going to say it was flawless however, because some things, I thought, could defiantly be improved on. For example, I'm sure I wasn't the only one who had questions about Logan's "sons" or Vi and Kylar. And, personally, I would have liked to see more of Uly; I loved that kid! Besides those two minor flaws, the ending....God, the ending. I was in the car and my younger brother looked at me like I was insane because I was crying my eyes out. It was so artfully beautiful and tragic and I had yet another one of my cases of inner turmoil and sadness. Even more tears came as I closed the last book shut for the last time (indefinably. For sure I'm going to read them again). I have been so absorbed in the perfectly imperfect magical and wonderful world of Midcryu that I had to mourn for a while before I could pick my next book to read. Despite being one of the most profane books I've ever read, it has earned a spot on my list of eternal books that I loved; the whole series has.
The Hidden by Jessica Verday
5.0
I admit. I cried at the ending. All that had happened, all that they went through, for an ending that could have been the beginning. I cried out of both sadness, and happiness. As it did in the last two books, The Hidden had a slow beginning and middle, full of small or semi-large occurrences and revelations, and then the last five or so chapters were full fit to burst of answers to endless questions and resolutions to give an overwhelming feeling of closure to the end of this beautiful story. I thought it was fantastic. I am at peace with how it ending, and I love it, but I wish Verday hadn't already proclaimed it a trilogy. I would love to have been able to look forward to Abbey and Caspian again. Speaking of our two love birds, November first was certainly eventful. They were so joyous in their newfound ability to touch that I was smiling the whole time (and occasionally blushing). I loved loved loved this series.
May Bird, Warrior Princess by Jodi Lynn Anderson
5.0
Oh my good God. I remember buying May Bird and the Ever After when I was 11. I loved it to tears (literally) and lent to my two best friends at the time, in succession, and we were all hooked. Being in the frenzy that I was, I found May Bird Among the Stars soon after and adored it just as much as I did the fist. The ending seemed so subtle, so complete in it's questions and answers left unsolved, that I didn't question my inner self telling me that it was just a two book sort of deal. So imagine my surprise when, years later I discover that this whole time, there was a goddamn THIRD BOOK! I was in shock, then began a frantic search for it. Seeing as how it had been out for some time, it was never in any of the sections I look in at book stores. But I happened upon it online, bought it, read it, and promptly died and went to the Ever After. I LOVED this book! I thought Among the Stars was good? No. This book defines closure. There was opening for imagination, there was heart wrenching tears, shock, surprise, God don't even get me started on Pumpkin. It was well worth the wait, no matter how much I wish I could have read it sooner.
The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
4.0
I give it a 3.5. To those people who got all excited about this book because it was J.K. Rowling, the brilliant author who brout into the world the magical story of Harry Potter, you are to be sadly mistaken. Except for a few terms and phrases that seperate it as British, there is nothing what-so-ever that connects the Harry Potters to the Casual Vacancy. So, again, to those who think Rowling is going to give you another masterpiece and are waiting to compare it to The Boy Who Lived,take my advice and let it go.
Now, on to an actual review instead of vague warnings. I admit, I myself was expecting the whole wonder and fantasy that so caught me in the Harry Potters. Upon learning about the actual plot of the book, I thought it would be some sort of amazing, thrilling murder story with twists and turns that would keep me up all night. But when they say adult novel, the seriously mean ADULT NOVEL. There is almost constant swearing and sex (or referance to) and the lack of self-respect was apalling. There were times where I thought I was scared for life. The seemingly boring town of Pagford may have been an urban battle-zone and seriously provocative, but it was also real. This the the real world, handed to us on a silver platter, as much as we would like to ignore it.
The constant change of POVs was very confusing at times, but once you got all the relationships sorted out between the mentioned people, it became easier to follow. I did not manage to form any serious attachment to any of them, so when something that should have been big and climatic happened (don't get me wrong, it was climatic and very, very big) but I couldn't feel anything pwersonal for them. All I felt was a slightly detached stunned feeling. I was struck into dumb silence and had to pause with my mouth open and my head feeling like its full of cotton.
Though it was certainly not what I was expecting, and it took me way longer to finish than I normally would have, I did enjoy The Casual Vacancy. Rowling stepped out of her comfort zone, and for that I respect her. It was very well written once you got past the bouncing POVs. Though I do not approve of the constant sex mentioned throughout, I can't complain as it played a crutial part in the story line. All I recomend is this: Do not read this simply because it is J.K. Rowling. Do not read if you are uncomfortable with graphic sex scenes. Do not read if you dislike swearing (especially f***). But be noted, that given consideration, it is a good book.
Now, on to an actual review instead of vague warnings. I admit, I myself was expecting the whole wonder and fantasy that so caught me in the Harry Potters. Upon learning about the actual plot of the book, I thought it would be some sort of amazing, thrilling murder story with twists and turns that would keep me up all night. But when they say adult novel, the seriously mean ADULT NOVEL. There is almost constant swearing and sex (or referance to) and the lack of self-respect was apalling. There were times where I thought I was scared for life. The seemingly boring town of Pagford may have been an urban battle-zone and seriously provocative, but it was also real. This the the real world, handed to us on a silver platter, as much as we would like to ignore it.
The constant change of POVs was very confusing at times, but once you got all the relationships sorted out between the mentioned people, it became easier to follow. I did not manage to form any serious attachment to any of them, so when something that should have been big and climatic happened (don't get me wrong, it was climatic and very, very big) but I couldn't feel anything pwersonal for them. All I felt was a slightly detached stunned feeling. I was struck into dumb silence and had to pause with my mouth open and my head feeling like its full of cotton.
Though it was certainly not what I was expecting, and it took me way longer to finish than I normally would have, I did enjoy The Casual Vacancy. Rowling stepped out of her comfort zone, and for that I respect her. It was very well written once you got past the bouncing POVs. Though I do not approve of the constant sex mentioned throughout, I can't complain as it played a crutial part in the story line. All I recomend is this: Do not read this simply because it is J.K. Rowling. Do not read if you are uncomfortable with graphic sex scenes. Do not read if you dislike swearing (especially f***). But be noted, that given consideration, it is a good book.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
4.0
I loved this book, really loved it, for many reasons. One, it was set in one of my favorite time periods, the 1920's. The speed of New York and all of it's energy was captivating. I was glad that the story was told from Nick's POV because it added insight on everything. It was batter than if someone like Daisy or Gatsby had been the narrator, because then their thoughts, wants, and illogical logic would have clouded up the readers decision. Having an unbiased character tell the story made for a much more interesting insight.
Normally I don't relate well with books read only for a class project, but this was something new entirely. It captured my attention and kept it, and despite whatever I heard about it being a classic (with in my eyes it is) all of the normally cryptic meanings either weren't there, or I understood the book even more than I thought. I could have gone a long time without reading this. I'm glad I didn't.
Normally I don't relate well with books read only for a class project, but this was something new entirely. It captured my attention and kept it, and despite whatever I heard about it being a classic (with in my eyes it is) all of the normally cryptic meanings either weren't there, or I understood the book even more than I thought. I could have gone a long time without reading this. I'm glad I didn't.
Specials by Scott Westerfeld
4.0
I didn't like Tally so much at the beginning. She has changed throughout the series so many times, I don't even know who she really is any more. First she was ugly, all self-pitying and whiney, then a Smokie, believing that she can really go against the system just because no one looks at her funny for not being pretty. (I'm still offended that normal people would be considered ugly in this society. No wonder everyone is so insecure.)Then a bubble headed, annoying pretty, and now as a special (or Cutter, to use their terms) Tally looks down on everyone as inferior to herself and Shay. They are almost constantly violent, angry, it annoyed me for a while. But none the less, I liked it. The pattern of the story was nice and eventful, always a thought, a change, a climax that kept it interesting enough for me to want to turn the page. I especially liked the ending. It left it off in a way that was very closed to further expansion with Tally, Shay, David and Co. But at the same time, it doesn't really seem over yet. I look forward to getting my hands on Extras. It will be refreshing to have a change of scenery in that futuristic, ugly world.
Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman
5.0
Let me just say that I would kill for the sequel right now. Eon starts out, in my opinion, slowly. It is a very interesting way to introduce the main character, conflict, setting, etc. But it was hard for it to keep my interest for very long. this is probably the reason why it took me so long to read. But once Eon and Ryo had stolen the Mirror dragon folio, things really started to pick up for me. It was like being doused in ice water. I suddenly became much more aware of the situation, the character development and it became so much more enjoyable.
Eon in particular was a very interesting and at times confusing character. He constantly switches his perspective around along with his gender. It wasn't until around the last five chapters that I actually thought of her as Eona. Once she embraced her dragon and the fact that being a woman is what made her strong, I became so much more pleased with the character. That didn't quite blot out her stupidity of the Sun drug incident, but it's progress!
I found the detailed setting to be awe-worthy. The attention to detail was astounding and left images in my head that I'm recalling even now. The author did a very good job crafting together the realistic historical Chinese setting and this magical sort of spirit-focused world. I really enjoyed it.
Eon in particular was a very interesting and at times confusing character. He constantly switches his perspective around along with his gender. It wasn't until around the last five chapters that I actually thought of her as Eona. Once she embraced her dragon and the fact that being a woman is what made her strong, I became so much more pleased with the character. That didn't quite blot out her stupidity of the Sun drug incident, but it's progress!
I found the detailed setting to be awe-worthy. The attention to detail was astounding and left images in my head that I'm recalling even now. The author did a very good job crafting together the realistic historical Chinese setting and this magical sort of spirit-focused world. I really enjoyed it.