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frootlupo's reviews
229 reviews
Bloodline by Will Wight
adventurous
funny
medium-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
3.75
An emotional and heavy hitting ending mostly redeemed the fairly slow start of Bloodline.
This wasn’t the peak of the series so far - while Wight certainly got us to the super high stakes at the end - the first half of the book felt more meandering than usual. It felt like the first half was less a part of a cohesive narrative, and more just shuffling around pieces so that the story could start in earnest around the midpoint.
That being said, when the book did get going, there were some fantastic emotional moments and climactic set pieces. Wight could have taken the easy way out with a lot of the more grounded character moments, and at moments my empathy for the characters made me almost wish he had. Instead, we’re given a much more three dimensional look at both characters we love and those we hate.
I liked Bloodline, wasn’t the best so far, but still decent.
That being said, when the book did get going, there were some fantastic emotional moments and climactic set pieces. Wight could have taken the easy way out with a lot of the more grounded character moments, and at moments my empathy for the characters made me almost wish he had. Instead, we’re given a much more three dimensional look at both characters we love and those we hate.
I liked Bloodline, wasn’t the best so far, but still decent.
Wintersteel by Will Wight
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Wintersteel certainly held it's own as a solid addition to the series, despite at times it not having quite the same momentum as other instalments. It had some of the biggest wins of the entire series, with truly great individual moments - but it was the connection between those moments that felt a little choppy.
It's always satisfying when characters need to personally grow in order to also grow more powerful - and Wight was able to weave those two together many times over in Wintersteel. Added to this was some of the best written combat he's done so far. Further still, we arguably learned more about the world and magic of Cradle than in any other book so far. Where the series may end up is getting clearer and clearer - as is the future of our protagonists. However, there was a weird amount of jumping around in the narrative and drastic pacing changes. So while I'll look back at the events of Book 8 with some of the greatest fondness, the actual reading experience itself wasn't as enjoyable as some of the other books.
It's always satisfying when characters need to personally grow in order to also grow more powerful - and Wight was able to weave those two together many times over in Wintersteel. Added to this was some of the best written combat he's done so far. Further still, we arguably learned more about the world and magic of Cradle than in any other book so far. Where the series may end up is getting clearer and clearer - as is the future of our protagonists. However, there was a weird amount of jumping around in the narrative and drastic pacing changes. So while I'll look back at the events of Book 8 with some of the greatest fondness, the actual reading experience itself wasn't as enjoyable as some of the other books.
Uncrowned by Will Wight
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I mean I'm a sucker for a magical tournament - so there was virtually no way I wasn't going to love Uncrowned.
With fun development and a continuation of some of the more nuanced character work that Wight begun in Underlord - Uncrowned was a slam dunk for me. I appreciated the bold choices that Wight made and the pacing was probably his best yet.
Uncrowned was always going to be an easy win for me - but as we see in the story, an easy win is still a win!
With fun development and a continuation of some of the more nuanced character work that Wight begun in Underlord - Uncrowned was a slam dunk for me. I appreciated the bold choices that Wight made and the pacing was probably his best yet.
Uncrowned was always going to be an easy win for me - but as we see in the story, an easy win is still a win!
Underlord by Will Wight
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Underlord was a fun entry to the series. More and more it's hard to think of these as individual books as opposed to one larger story - I don't mind this at all as a reader, however it makes reviews more difficult.
Overall Underlord had a solid self-contained narrative. A number of previous foreshadows finally paid off, while also developing the storyline further. Underlord brought us into the larger world in a much bigger way than we've experienced previously, but didn't do it in an overwhelming way.
Underlord also probably brought the deepest character work that we've seen so far. Which was a welcome addition to the series.
A solid entry to a solid series.
Overall Underlord had a solid self-contained narrative. A number of previous foreshadows finally paid off, while also developing the storyline further. Underlord brought us into the larger world in a much bigger way than we've experienced previously, but didn't do it in an overwhelming way.
Underlord also probably brought the deepest character work that we've seen so far. Which was a welcome addition to the series.
A solid entry to a solid series.
Ghostwater by Will Wight
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
So I wasn’t sold on Ghostwater at first. The rest of the series has very much felt like a flowing narrative - while this instalment felt like a pretty sharp departure from that. The story almost felt like a side-quest or filler episode and made it hard to get invested . . . at first.
After the initial shock, I quickly got just as invested as usual - and in the end, the stand-alone nature of Ghostwater made it probably the most cohesive narrative in the series to date.
Wight left us a breadcrumb trail of clues that eventually culminates in a story far more satisfying than I thought it would have been. On top of that - by the end it was clear that the events in this story are far more connected to the future of our protagonist than previously thought.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by Ghostwater, and indeed jumped straight into book 6!
After the initial shock, I quickly got just as invested as usual - and in the end, the stand-alone nature of Ghostwater made it probably the most cohesive narrative in the series to date.
Wight left us a breadcrumb trail of clues that eventually culminates in a story far more satisfying than I thought it would have been. On top of that - by the end it was clear that the events in this story are far more connected to the future of our protagonist than previously thought.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by Ghostwater, and indeed jumped straight into book 6!
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
There is not a sentence wasted in this entire tale -
Neverwhere is positively chock-full of dark whimsy, British droll humour, and sharp cultural critique. At times the humour could be a little more bitter or dark than my personal preference, and at least 3% of the jokes flew over my head simply due to the fact that I'm not a London native, but I still found myself quite merrily lost in the playful magic of Gaiman's world.
I was also deeply impressed by the thoughtfulness and density of Gaiman's writing. The bombardment of details early in the story aren't merely used to illustrate how overwhelmed our protagonist is (though it does that masterfully) - rather, each peculiar detail and character just add into layers upon layers of setups that eventually all avalanche into payoff after payoff later on in the book. Nothing is wasted - everything is thoughtful and everything matters.
The story then ultimately ends with a nuanced examination on purpose and what we ultimately desire in life. The true climax feeling purposely less dramatic than one would have expected after the magical journey through the rest of the book.
Overall, Neverwhere is a playful and darkly magical story written in an unmistakably wry tone that we've all come to expect from Neil Gaiman.
Neverwhere is positively chock-full of dark whimsy, British droll humour, and sharp cultural critique. At times the humour could be a little more bitter or dark than my personal preference, and at least 3% of the jokes flew over my head simply due to the fact that I'm not a London native, but I still found myself quite merrily lost in the playful magic of Gaiman's world.
I was also deeply impressed by the thoughtfulness and density of Gaiman's writing. The bombardment of details early in the story aren't merely used to illustrate how overwhelmed our protagonist is (though it does that masterfully) - rather, each peculiar detail and character just add into layers upon layers of setups that eventually all avalanche into payoff after payoff later on in the book. Nothing is wasted - everything is thoughtful and everything matters.
The story then ultimately ends with a nuanced examination on purpose and what we ultimately desire in life. The true climax feeling purposely less dramatic than one would have expected after the magical journey through the rest of the book.
Overall, Neverwhere is a playful and darkly magical story written in an unmistakably wry tone that we've all come to expect from Neil Gaiman.
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
There was definitely an old man - there was certainly a sea. . .
This was a short little tale about the resilience of man's spirit - taking a look at both the beauty and futility of that unconquerable heart. The story at times seems to drag and the struggles seem to blur into each other, but that does perfectly encapsulate the trials of Santiago, our protagonist. Upon completion of the book I found myself caring more than I thought I would, and pleasantly surprised by the elevation of community and relationships that this largely solitary book has.
Overall - I'm glad I read it, and I'm reminded that I don't really like fishing anyway
This was a short little tale about the resilience of man's spirit - taking a look at both the beauty and futility of that unconquerable heart. The story at times seems to drag and the struggles seem to blur into each other, but that does perfectly encapsulate the trials of Santiago, our protagonist. Upon completion of the book I found myself caring more than I thought I would, and pleasantly surprised by the elevation of community and relationships that this largely solitary book has.
Overall - I'm glad I read it, and I'm reminded that I don't really like fishing anyway
Souls in the Stars by Sara Jane Triglia
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Souls in the Stars is a thoughtful and emotionally driven short novel. Overall I found myself enjoying the book and the journey through its various twists and turns.
Very early on we get to see the author's considerate approach to grief, and I found myself far more invested that I would have expected. Sara Jane Triglia does a great job humanizing our protagonist and really leaning into nuanced and often conflicting emotions.
Plot-wise, Souls in the Stars was interesting enough, but it didn't shine quite as bright as Triglia's character work. The plot shifts direction pretty radically after the first act, and while it wasn't necessarily unenjoyable, it was quite unexpected. There is also an eleventh-hour plot twist that I felt the book would have been stronger without (and without the moments peppered within to set it up).
Overall I was impressed with Triglia's character work and nuance, and those strengths more than made up for any plot quibbles I might have.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Very early on we get to see the author's considerate approach to grief, and I found myself far more invested that I would have expected. Sara Jane Triglia does a great job humanizing our protagonist and really leaning into nuanced and often conflicting emotions.
Plot-wise, Souls in the Stars was interesting enough, but it didn't shine quite as bright as Triglia's character work. The plot shifts direction pretty radically after the first act, and while it wasn't necessarily unenjoyable, it was quite unexpected. There is also an eleventh-hour plot twist that I felt the book would have been stronger without (and without the moments peppered within to set it up).
Overall I was impressed with Triglia's character work and nuance, and those strengths more than made up for any plot quibbles I might have.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really really wanted to love this book more. I came in with such high expectations, and perhaps that was my downfall. It wasn't a bad book, but it certainly wasn't nearly as great as I was led to believe.
Let's start with the good. Cixin Liu is a master at speculative fiction. The thoughtfulness of the world development and implications of the story are deeply thought out. Characters often reacted to their extreme situations with surprisingly insightful (if not overly bleak) realism. This, combined with an extremely fast-paced and shocking final 1/3 of the book leaves the reader feeling pretty satisfied at the end.
However, the first 2/3's of the book were a slog to get through. I wish I could say that the ending made up for how slow and often boring the main body of the book was, but it really didn't. The Dark Forest could have easily been half the word count and probably would have benefitted from it. The prose oscillated between clunky/boring and overly purple/flowery with not a whole lot in between (though from other reviews I am led to believe that might be due to the translator).
On top of my issues with pace and writing is the character work. In short, every single character in the entire book (with one notable exception of a side character) is entirely unlikable. I'm not invested in any of their journeys or decisions except for the impact on others. I'm actively rooting against most people, and when the main character has good ideas, I'm actively disappointed because I don't want him to be right. Further, the book's treatment of females is extremely disappointing. The Three-Body Problem had a thoughtful and dynamic main female character. While The Dark Forest's female characters are barely even caricatures - either completely devoid of personality or a literal "dream girl" (minus the manic pixie).
So as a whole, the book was quite difficult to just read and get engrossed. Cixin Liu's genius was suffocated in a vacuum left by insufferable characterization and poor pacing.
Let's start with the good. Cixin Liu is a master at speculative fiction. The thoughtfulness of the world development and implications of the story are deeply thought out. Characters often reacted to their extreme situations with surprisingly insightful (if not overly bleak) realism. This, combined with an extremely fast-paced and shocking final 1/3 of the book leaves the reader feeling pretty satisfied at the end.
However, the first 2/3's of the book were a slog to get through. I wish I could say that the ending made up for how slow and often boring the main body of the book was, but it really didn't. The Dark Forest could have easily been half the word count and probably would have benefitted from it. The prose oscillated between clunky/boring and overly purple/flowery with not a whole lot in between (though from other reviews I am led to believe that might be due to the translator).
On top of my issues with pace and writing is the character work. In short, every single character in the entire book (with one notable exception of a side character) is entirely unlikable. I'm not invested in any of their journeys or decisions except for the impact on others. I'm actively rooting against most people, and when the main character has good ideas, I'm actively disappointed because I don't want him to be right. Further, the book's treatment of females is extremely disappointing. The Three-Body Problem had a thoughtful and dynamic main female character. While The Dark Forest's female characters are barely even caricatures - either completely devoid of personality or a literal "dream girl" (minus the manic pixie).
So as a whole, the book was quite difficult to just read and get engrossed. Cixin Liu's genius was suffocated in a vacuum left by insufferable characterization and poor pacing.
Skysworn by Will Wight
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cradle is starting to get its bearings as a series. This third instalment didn’t take me in directions I was expecting, but as usual was a fun ride.
As the series continues to introduce new characters, Wight does a decent job keeping the focus on our three main heroes.
Overall the books continue to be short and sweet - but more and more the books are feeling less like their own narratives and more like continuations in a larger story.
As the series continues to introduce new characters, Wight does a decent job keeping the focus on our three main heroes.
Overall the books continue to be short and sweet - but more and more the books are feeling less like their own narratives and more like continuations in a larger story.