You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
danigc's Reviews (77)
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Abercrombie’s action scenes are written at a level few other authors can compete with - the base meaning, context, and texture of the words in unison creating visceral, vivid imagery of the carnage, conflict, and chaos. Murder and metaphor combined. You will suffer, and you will be entertained.
"One cannot grow without pain. One cannot improve without it. Suffering drives us to achieve great things."
“‘Things aren’t what they used to be’, is the rallying cry of small minds. (What) they invariably mean is they were better for them, because they were young, and had all their hopes intact. The world is bound to look a darker place as you slide into the grave."
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
ZAMIRA!! 🫠 In fantasy/lit, it’s rare to see the “loving mother” and “ruthless leader” archetypes embodied in the same person. And even rarer to see them on-page actively mothering young children during the action, using the complex circumstances dually as moments of tender teaching and aggressively advancing lofty goals. A complete W.I.T.C.H. 🩷 She represents a vision of womanhood and leadership where nothing has to be sacrificed: not motherhood, not ambition, not compassion, not ferocity. BABE.
Oh wait yeah, the book! Almost forgot - it’s basically Italian magic pirates Ocean’s 11. And there’s some guy named Locke, but this is Zamira’s world. Locke’s just visiting and hogging page real estate.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Explores the criminal underworld of the fantasy analogue of Renaissance Venice, following the central heist of the clever, chaotic, flawed conman - Locke Lamora - and his crew - The Gentlemen Bastards. Plans eventually go off the rails as rival gangs’ gambits and corrupt nobles’ layered schemes intermix, and deeper mysteries are revealed.
It took about 40% of the novel for the plot momentum to build or characters to come to life. Pushing through >300 pages of dry drudgery was tough, but there is considerable payoff for persisting past the initial density - sharp banter, inventive twists, brutal and shocking consequences, and world-building secrets lurking in the shadows.
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This book was horny af 😈 Explores power dynamics, abuse, and the slow-burn of feminine retribution. The sapphic tenderness contrasted the dark atmosphere and toxic mood rly well, but nauseating naivety and unremarkable characters ruined my enjoyment. Overall - fun for smut (hot vindictive polycule), meh for narrative/substance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
challenging
informative
slow-paced
I learned sodium much that I nearly chloride! 😇🧂
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Feels like a sort of rough draft to Project Hail Mary. The science is fun and descriptive, but Weir seems to still be refining his brand of humor.
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My hatred for this book runs deeper than the hell it was conceived in.
One star because it takes at least some skill (I’m assuming) to inspire as much contempt, disgust, and agony as this conjured in me.
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Cozy sci-fi “slice-of-life” comfort read. With minimal conflict and tension, this story shows that profound ideas can grow in tiny narrative gardens 🤖🫖🌿
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Hard science fiction with a playful tone, intellectually stimulating and so fun! Through an endearing, sardonic geek protagonist, readers explore an interstellar biochemistry mystery. Solved w scrappy ingenuity, engineering, relentless curiosity, and ✨ the power of friendship ✨. It’s cheesy and wonderful.
Weir describes astrophysics and molecular biology with a balance of accuracy and accessibility that creates connection and levity with a wider audience. While the novel neglects the true messiness of scientific trial and error, its charm lies in celebrating discovery itself. A love letter to problem-solving under cosmic pressure!
TL;DR: nerd joy in space