diazona's reviews
82 reviews

Perilous Trust by Barbara Freethy

2.0

The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan

adventurous challenging tense slow-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Grief, War

The Kid Who Ran for President by Dan Gutman

5.0

I think of this as a modern fable with some really compelling morals about politics, and for that reason it's been one of my favorite books since I was a kid. Obviously it's not realistic but it holds together well enough that that doesn't bother me.

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou

5.0

Movie Star by Lizzie Pepper by Hilary Liftin

3.0

This is not the kind of book I usually read, but I heard it was an unusually realistic view into how life works for major celebrities, and that had me intrigued. I don't know if that's true, but it seems plausible, and it *was* interesting being mentally transported into that world. But the writing style leaves something to be desired. It felt "flat". Emotional and intense moments came across like a clinical report. And there were some pretty significant plot developments that the book glossed over, only giving brief recaps. Maybe that fits the genre of a celebrity memoir, I'll admit, but I think the story as a whole suffers from not being a bit more like a novel in those moments. Still, it's a good book, and worth a read, just (if you have tastes like mine) don't expect it to be a favorite.

The Alchemyst by Michael Scott

3.0

The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America's Enemies by Jason Fagone

5.0

Murder by the Book by Lauren Elliott

2.0

The Dragon Blood Collection, Books 1-3 by Lindsay Buroker

5.0

I wavered a bit along the way, but I wound up absolutely loving these books, and I can't wait to read the next one in the series. The series is a fantasy epic, which is pretty standard fare for me, but it stands out against some of the more classic examples of the genre (*ahem* Tolkien) for a few key reasons. First, the society in these books develops and advances over time; much of the plot is driven by scientific research and the arms race between enemy political powers. None of this nonsense where old things are axiomatically better. Second, the characters are truly relatable. They could be living in our own world if not for the different names and cultural conventions and the whole magic element - which, incidentally, is balanced just well enough to make a difference in the story without wiping away any real danger. And last but not least, Jaxi the petulant psychic soulblade is one of the most vivid characters I've read in a very long time - the perfect blend of trusty companion and comic relief. (I swear, as I write this I can hear her smirking at that.)

The one thing I didn't like is that the book leans just a little more into the romance genre than I'd like. There are a few amorous scenes with more detail than I care for, and there are a couple characters who from time to time come across as what I would imagine to be romance novel tropes. (In my defense, I think Jaxi would agree.) Still, those are isolated parts of the story, and they absolutely are not enough to diminish the overall experience.

Patterns in the Dark by Lindsay Buroker

5.0

I love this series! While it has the characters splitting off on their own, away from home on an unpredictable adventure, this fourth book still has the same engaging banter as the first three, the same mix of fantasy and in-universe science, and pretty much all the same elements that made me want to follow the story in the first place. I will say, some of the interactions are getting a little bit repetitive; I'm kind of itching to see some growth in certain relationships that isn't actually there. But I still like the book overall enough that it's an easy five stars.