epsyphus's reviews
319 reviews

How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them by Jason Stanley

emotional informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

Interesting. The delivery is a bit less engaging than some of the other books I’ve read on the topic but it makes up for it with very direct information and warnings. With the current political climate, this seems more relevant than ever. 

Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism by Rachel Maddow

funny hopeful informative medium-paced

4.0

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Very informative and the narration was amazing. 

Hitler's American Friends: The Third Reich's Supporters in the United States by Bradley W. Hart

challenging informative slow-paced

3.0

An interesting read, but not quite the comprehensive overview I was expecting/hoping for. 

The Bound Worlds by Megan E. O'Keefe
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.

Not feeling it right now. 

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.

I don’t know maybe I’ll come back to this? I’m just really bored. 

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan

adventurous informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

I can see why this series loses a people around this book, but I like it. It was definitely a little slow, but with such a big series there’s a lot of build up and I don’t mind. There was a lot of Aes Sedai to keep track of in this book, but it was interesting to learn more about them and I’m excited to see how the politics of the White Tower will play more into the story.

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Nobody gets me the way T. Kingfisher gets me. I know she’s written several children/middle grade books, but I’ve only read one so I was curious to see how she would go about writing a book with a young teenager as the main protagonist, especially given her propensity to take fairytales stories and turn them on their heads with rather unsettling twists. And I don’t know the story of goose girl so I wasn’t sure what to expect anyway. But of course, I liked it. This book was a bit slower pace, but I didn’t mind that. I loved the ensemble of characters she brought together and she builds such an interesting and tense atmosphere.

And silly me, when I realized the main protagonist was so young I was sad because it meant that I wouldn’t get that dash of romance she seems to always put in her books (the ones that aren’t explicitly romances anyway) that always leave me wanting more but I shouldn’t have worried. Hester and Richard were so sweet!

Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven

adventurous inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

This is the second book of hers I’ve read and I like them for what they are. She seems to have several series where each book focuses on a different couple but takes place in the same world. I like that because I find the world building and plot are often stronger than in a typical romance book. I don’t think her books are ever going to be 5 stars books for me, but when I’m feeling like a good romantic palette cleanser, these are a good option.

The Fractured Dark by Megan E. O'Keefe

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

A lot happened in this book and it also did the thing where a good amount of time passes (like at least 6 months I want to say), but it doesn’t fee l like it does because it time skips. And I’m not against that in theory, but I find there are very few instances where it’s done well enough that it doesn’t bother me or doesn’t feel jarring. However, there were a lot of twists and turns that I liked and I did enjoy myself. This second book wrapped up a little better than I was expecting so I’m curious to see what conflicts will be the center of the last book. 

The Prisoner's Throne by Holly Black

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I think I liked The Stolen Heir just a bit more, just because I really enjoyed Wren’s perspective, but this was good too! I loved seeing all of their relationships develop and further entangle, not just Wren and Oak’s, but Oak’s with his family. I’m very excited to see what lies in store for Elfhame.