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honnhi's reviews
322 reviews
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
5.0
This book was exactly the sort of creepy, wintry, folklore story that I was in the mood for. The three main characters were all so interesting to follow in their unique situations and motivations, and I found them to be so clever for the experiences that they went through. The ties to family, finding self-efficacy, and the power that comes from having people to rely on helped ground this rather fantastical adventure. I found myself feeling like I truly understood where different characters’ decisions were coming from even when I didn’t want them to happen, which I truly loved.
I think the pacing towards the end was a little rushed to tie everything neatly together, which is a shame since I loved how beautifully slow and well-written the beginning was. The author has this brilliant way of playing with the atmosphere and descriptions to make the world seem so dreamy despite the harsh circumstances of the characters.
I think the pacing towards the end was a little rushed to tie everything neatly together, which is a shame since I loved how beautifully slow and well-written the beginning was. The author has this brilliant way of playing with the atmosphere and descriptions to make the world seem so dreamy despite the harsh circumstances of the characters.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
5.0
I feel the descriptions about this book do not do it justice. Gideon the Ninth is a wild ride that was simultaneously so engaging and so confusing. After finishing my first read of this, I went back to read it all again, because I had clearly missed huge points of the story. I enjoyed it so much despite being confused my first time that I just had to try again.
I was initially recommended this book by someone who compared Gideon to the character Vi from Arcane (my favorite character), and as I read through it, I realized they were very right. Gideon was the exact combination of “swing sword first, ask questions later” and lovably annoying idiot that is so incredibly endearing to me. As someone who is primarily interested in character-focused stories, I must say I ended up deeply caring about the complexities of nearly every single one that appeared despite the conflicts between many of them.
Beyond the characters, the setting was intriguing. I have been in a dark magic mood lately, and this haunted, necromancer story was exactly the tale that scratched my itch. Though I still don’t feel as if I totally understand all the trials these characters underwent, I enjoyed learning about every second of it. The plot, while dragging at a snail’s pace at the beginning, was interesting enough that I felt compelled to keep reading. I am so glad that I did! The pace rapidly picked up in the last quarter of the book in a slightly jarring but oddly satisfying way. The author through so many reveals one after another that it ought to have felt rushed, but I rather enjoyed all the discoveries and plot twists.
The book is not without its flaws. While I understood where the romance was coming from, the main relationship did seem as if it went really quickly into “I can’t live without you” territory faster than seemed appropriate. Honestly, it didn’t feel as if those emotions were earned yet. Still, despite some issues, it has been such a wonderful journey. Books like these are why I am a reader.
I was initially recommended this book by someone who compared Gideon to the character Vi from Arcane (my favorite character), and as I read through it, I realized they were very right. Gideon was the exact combination of “swing sword first, ask questions later” and lovably annoying idiot that is so incredibly endearing to me. As someone who is primarily interested in character-focused stories, I must say I ended up deeply caring about the complexities of nearly every single one that appeared despite the conflicts between many of them.
Beyond the characters, the setting was intriguing. I have been in a dark magic mood lately, and this haunted, necromancer story was exactly the tale that scratched my itch. Though I still don’t feel as if I totally understand all the trials these characters underwent, I enjoyed learning about every second of it. The plot, while dragging at a snail’s pace at the beginning, was interesting enough that I felt compelled to keep reading. I am so glad that I did! The pace rapidly picked up in the last quarter of the book in a slightly jarring but oddly satisfying way. The author through so many reveals one after another that it ought to have felt rushed, but I rather enjoyed all the discoveries and plot twists.
The book is not without its flaws. While I understood where the romance was coming from, the main relationship did seem as if it went really quickly into “I can’t live without you” territory faster than seemed appropriate. Honestly, it didn’t feel as if those emotions were earned yet. Still, despite some issues, it has been such a wonderful journey. Books like these are why I am a reader.