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frogsarelovely's reviews
299 reviews
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
5.0
‘His nose was broken by a falling volume of fairy tales his first day on the job, and that, they said, told you everything you needed to know about strange Lazlo Strange: head in the clouds, world of his own, fairy tales and fancy.’
Laini Taylor is one of the best fantasy writers around right now, she is certainly a force to be reckoned with. This book is a fairy tale. The kind that creates myth. It opens the mind to imagination and sucks you right into this world of lost cities and gods.
Foremost, the writing is spectacular. It is littered with heavenly descriptions that one can only dream of being able to conjure up. The characters are also wonderful. The main character is an excellent centre to the story. Strong, humble, sincere, and a wonderful advocate for fantasy stories.
The story itself is fantastic. Taylor’s imagination has once again crafter a gorgeous tale full of hope, suspense, and a love that physically makes your chest ache. You become fully immersed in the world created, and you become part of the story. The story is so well rounded and fits perfectly together. You are gripped from the very beginning and are walked through a slow-paced masterpiece of imagination that is saturated with excitement and wonder.
This is definitely my favourite of Laini Taylor’s writing that I have had the pleasure of reading so far.
Laini Taylor is one of the best fantasy writers around right now, she is certainly a force to be reckoned with. This book is a fairy tale. The kind that creates myth. It opens the mind to imagination and sucks you right into this world of lost cities and gods.
Foremost, the writing is spectacular. It is littered with heavenly descriptions that one can only dream of being able to conjure up. The characters are also wonderful. The main character is an excellent centre to the story. Strong, humble, sincere, and a wonderful advocate for fantasy stories.
The story itself is fantastic. Taylor’s imagination has once again crafter a gorgeous tale full of hope, suspense, and a love that physically makes your chest ache. You become fully immersed in the world created, and you become part of the story. The story is so well rounded and fits perfectly together. You are gripped from the very beginning and are walked through a slow-paced masterpiece of imagination that is saturated with excitement and wonder.
This is definitely my favourite of Laini Taylor’s writing that I have had the pleasure of reading so far.
The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
5.0
Perfect!
Even Auri herself would find every piece of this story to be in just the right place.
Even Auri herself would find every piece of this story to be in just the right place.
The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo
5.0
These stories are full of powerful, strong characters. I can’t get over how perfect the messages in them are. Not just the traditional fairy-tale lessons, but how the characters act, the fates they choose, how they are portrayed. I think they make some excellent role models, and they’re incredibly relatable. I love that some of these characters truly want to help each other, the friendships are so strong in the tales and there is so much bravery. The twists Bardugo puts on the stories are very well done and intriguing. Certainly memorable. I feel that she also touches upon issues that can be problems for any of us readers which makes the stories more emotional and the messages more meaningful and hopeful.
The illustrations are gorgeous. I love how they follow the stories as you read them, as if the illustrations are telling their own story. It really adds an extra magical quality to the book. I loved the large art pieces for each story also. My only complaint would be the art piece for the first story. There was a big focus on appearance in order to present a positive message, and I feel like the portrayal in the illustration went against this a bit. Maybe I simply imagined the character vastly different to Bardugo/the illustrator, but overall, amazing art inside.
The diversity is wonderful, from appearances, body image, races, sexualities and of course the nature of the stories. It really does feel like a well representative book.
Fantastic stories. Really well written, great twists, wonderful characters. Overall her best writing I’ve read so far. I loved the descriptions, some of the lines really stood out. Perfect for reading in this cold wintery weather!
The illustrations are gorgeous. I love how they follow the stories as you read them, as if the illustrations are telling their own story. It really adds an extra magical quality to the book. I loved the large art pieces for each story also. My only complaint would be the art piece for the first story. There was a big focus on appearance in order to present a positive message, and I feel like the portrayal in the illustration went against this a bit. Maybe I simply imagined the character vastly different to Bardugo/the illustrator, but overall, amazing art inside.
The diversity is wonderful, from appearances, body image, races, sexualities and of course the nature of the stories. It really does feel like a well representative book.
Fantastic stories. Really well written, great twists, wonderful characters. Overall her best writing I’ve read so far. I loved the descriptions, some of the lines really stood out. Perfect for reading in this cold wintery weather!
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
4.0
This was an all-round enjoyable adventure. The characters were very likeable (even Monty, despite the fact he is completely disastrous). It has a wonderful female role model who, for once, seems realistic. She is strong and intelligent, has dreams that society wrongly frowns upon, and works hard towards her goals. The friendship in the book is great. I love the relationship between Monty and Percy, they’re both loyal and supportive of each other which was wonderful to see. I also really enjoyed the character developments throughout the story. I feel that Monty grew in ways that could be inspiring to many in his situation.
It touches on many important topics, from homosexuality to epilepsy to female education. I feel that the author has highlighted these areas well. I love that she addressed that you are not different just because you have a disorder, and you don’t always need to be ‘cured’ because other people are scared or ignorant of it. The book also touches on the issue of not being able to defend yourself in domestic abuse. This is something I don’t see come up often in books. It’s a real issue and I’m glad the author brought attention to it and created a strong character out of it.
I loved that the story took place in multiple countries. It was refreshing to have so many different atmospheres, and I rarely read about Spain during this time period; so it was a nice change. I also found it fun to read about places I’ve personally been to, such as Cheshire and Versailles. It made imagining the story more fun for me!
Overall this was a great introduction into Lee’s writing and I definitely want to read more of her work. Looking forward to the book that focuses on Felicity!
It touches on many important topics, from homosexuality to epilepsy to female education. I feel that the author has highlighted these areas well. I love that she addressed that you are not different just because you have a disorder, and you don’t always need to be ‘cured’ because other people are scared or ignorant of it. The book also touches on the issue of not being able to defend yourself in domestic abuse. This is something I don’t see come up often in books. It’s a real issue and I’m glad the author brought attention to it and created a strong character out of it.
I loved that the story took place in multiple countries. It was refreshing to have so many different atmospheres, and I rarely read about Spain during this time period; so it was a nice change. I also found it fun to read about places I’ve personally been to, such as Cheshire and Versailles. It made imagining the story more fun for me!
Overall this was a great introduction into Lee’s writing and I definitely want to read more of her work. Looking forward to the book that focuses on Felicity!
Timekeeper by Tara Sim
4.0
This book is set in an alternative Victorian London, where humans influence time and two boys fall into a forbidden and dangerous romance.
Wow this book was the definition of lovely. Something about it was so cosy and welcoming. When I was a hundred pages before the end, I had the feeling of not wanting the book to end. I was so comfy in the world Sim created, and I wanted it to keep going (though the second book is out this year so my wish shall be fulfilled)!
As someone who is highly fond of clocks and mechanical things, I was geeking out over a lot of it. It isn’t however highly technical, so if clocks aren’t so much your thing you can still enjoy the story. The ‘magic’ system was also interesting. The idea that time can be manipulated and changed so easily and drastically made for a fun and often gripping story.
The relationship between Danny and Colton was absolutely adorable. It felt bright, healthy, and strong. Potentially one of my all-time favourite couples from a book. It was also good to see the consideration of homosexuality in Victorian times, where it was only just becoming mildly acceptable. The author has also included information at the back of the book related to this subject, along with others such as women in Victorian society, which I enjoyed reading.
The main character, Danny, I thought was also great. He felt very realistic to me. He suffers from PTSD after an accident, and you can see his reactions as a result of this clearly throughout the story. Many YA authors seem to forget to do this when they create characters with harrowing past experiences. But Danny was consistent in his troubles, and of course brave in facing them. He seems like a wonderful role model.
The book was emotional for me, the relationship between Danny and his mother was heart-breaking and beautiful. The love he has for Colton also made me emotional. In total, I cried quite a bit hah. I even cried happy tears at the end. I’m not particularly sure why this book was so emotional for me. Perhaps it struck something in me personally. But it is wonderful.
Whilst this book was not the most perfectly written, nor had the most detailed world building, it feels like a story that will stick in my memory for a long time. It’s also the kind of story that manifests itself outside of the book. Whenever I hear the clock tower outside my house chime, I think of the story and imagine what kind of clock spirit would live in there. To me, stories that have this effect on me are the best kind.
Wow this book was the definition of lovely. Something about it was so cosy and welcoming. When I was a hundred pages before the end, I had the feeling of not wanting the book to end. I was so comfy in the world Sim created, and I wanted it to keep going (though the second book is out this year so my wish shall be fulfilled)!
As someone who is highly fond of clocks and mechanical things, I was geeking out over a lot of it. It isn’t however highly technical, so if clocks aren’t so much your thing you can still enjoy the story. The ‘magic’ system was also interesting. The idea that time can be manipulated and changed so easily and drastically made for a fun and often gripping story.
The relationship between Danny and Colton was absolutely adorable. It felt bright, healthy, and strong. Potentially one of my all-time favourite couples from a book. It was also good to see the consideration of homosexuality in Victorian times, where it was only just becoming mildly acceptable. The author has also included information at the back of the book related to this subject, along with others such as women in Victorian society, which I enjoyed reading.
The main character, Danny, I thought was also great. He felt very realistic to me. He suffers from PTSD after an accident, and you can see his reactions as a result of this clearly throughout the story. Many YA authors seem to forget to do this when they create characters with harrowing past experiences. But Danny was consistent in his troubles, and of course brave in facing them. He seems like a wonderful role model.
The book was emotional for me, the relationship between Danny and his mother was heart-breaking and beautiful. The love he has for Colton also made me emotional. In total, I cried quite a bit hah. I even cried happy tears at the end. I’m not particularly sure why this book was so emotional for me. Perhaps it struck something in me personally. But it is wonderful.
Whilst this book was not the most perfectly written, nor had the most detailed world building, it feels like a story that will stick in my memory for a long time. It’s also the kind of story that manifests itself outside of the book. Whenever I hear the clock tower outside my house chime, I think of the story and imagine what kind of clock spirit would live in there. To me, stories that have this effect on me are the best kind.
Obsidio by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
5.0
fffffffff THAT WAS SO GOOD
These characters are so precious to me. I love them so much! This was an amazing ending to a huge adventure that never fails to drain my energy when I read it. I always become so immersed in these books, more than most other books I read. The atmosphere and the action is perfect, my emotions swing all over the place and they are SO intense. It's funny, I was grinning stupidly for a lot of it, I cried, and I got really confused about which characters I was rooting for by the end of it (because they did such a good job at bringing life to every character). I'm so sad the trilogy is at an end, but I couldn't have asked for a better ending!
These characters are so precious to me. I love them so much! This was an amazing ending to a huge adventure that never fails to drain my energy when I read it. I always become so immersed in these books, more than most other books I read. The atmosphere and the action is perfect, my emotions swing all over the place and they are SO intense. It's funny, I was grinning stupidly for a lot of it, I cried, and I got really confused about which characters I was rooting for by the end of it (because they did such a good job at bringing life to every character). I'm so sad the trilogy is at an end, but I couldn't have asked for a better ending!
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
5.0
This was wickedly funny, I was sniggering all the way through it. It's very similar to Terry Pratchett, which was a great surprise. It definitely had the same humour, with those one-liners that catch you off guard at how silly they are. I loved the characters and the ideas created by Adams, it's so ridiculous yet at the same time incredibly relatable and thought provoking. I already want to re-read it, and I can't wait to get to the rest of the books in this series.
Descender, Vol. 1: Tin Stars by Jeff Lemire
4.0
This was awesome. The story was really interesting and unique. It all linked together really well with some great twists. I loved the characters and the artwork a lot. Great mix of humour and dark scenes. Can't wait to see what happens next in the story.
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
5.0
This is my favourite young adult book I’ve read so far. My emotions haven’t had this much action in a long time. This book was insanely cool, like, /insane/ly cool… Going through this book, I wasn’t just interested in what was going to happen next, but I was excited; and that doesn’t happen often.
First off, the format is wonderfully unique. The story is told through a series of interviews, emails, audio files, and camera footage descriptions. It’s as if you’re researching the story yourself. Because of this, we can only ever see what has been physically shown by the characters, we don’t know what else may have been going on in their head, and we don’t get a complete feel for the scenery. This I loved. It felt realistic and intimate. It also allowed you to feel the fear, nervousness, and excitement of the characters. I was therefore on edge for most of the novel.
The book had me laughing out loud for much of the story, something only a handful of authors have been able to make happen. On the other hand, I was on the verge of crying for a lot of the scenes, and probably would have bawled my eyes out if I hadn’t been half asleep because I was dying to read the whole book at once. The characters are wonderful, including the side characters. I was emotional for those I had hardly read about, and was rooting for both leads. I was even emotional over the artificial intelligence. Kady, the main female, is fantastic. If you want an example of a strong female lead, she is your girl. She, for me, was very inspiring and the best female role model I’ve come across in a young adult novel so far.
Overall, I thought this was a fantastic book. The format could get a little bit repetitive but this would soon be turned around when another jaw-dropping event occurred (which happened a lot). The story is also pretty scary, did I mention that? I LOVED it. Solid 5* for me.
First off, the format is wonderfully unique. The story is told through a series of interviews, emails, audio files, and camera footage descriptions. It’s as if you’re researching the story yourself. Because of this, we can only ever see what has been physically shown by the characters, we don’t know what else may have been going on in their head, and we don’t get a complete feel for the scenery. This I loved. It felt realistic and intimate. It also allowed you to feel the fear, nervousness, and excitement of the characters. I was therefore on edge for most of the novel.
The book had me laughing out loud for much of the story, something only a handful of authors have been able to make happen. On the other hand, I was on the verge of crying for a lot of the scenes, and probably would have bawled my eyes out if I hadn’t been half asleep because I was dying to read the whole book at once. The characters are wonderful, including the side characters. I was emotional for those I had hardly read about, and was rooting for both leads. I was even emotional over the artificial intelligence. Kady, the main female, is fantastic. If you want an example of a strong female lead, she is your girl. She, for me, was very inspiring and the best female role model I’ve come across in a young adult novel so far.
Overall, I thought this was a fantastic book. The format could get a little bit repetitive but this would soon be turned around when another jaw-dropping event occurred (which happened a lot). The story is also pretty scary, did I mention that? I LOVED it. Solid 5* for me.