itheory's reviews
214 reviews

Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

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

4.0

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5

Fun

The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.5

Fine boot of fantasy. A bit murdery for my taste, though in fairness the protagonist are carnivores.

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Lush writing, fun story. Thanks for the rec, Bigolas Dickolas

Hyperion by Dan Simmons

mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky

adventurous emotional hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Just terrific. Can’t wait to read the sequel.

Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet

reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

A Room With a View by E.M. Forster

challenging medium-paced

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

3.0

I found the prose quite confusing and difficult to follow. I even downloaded a different copy fro Project Gutenberg thinking some text might be missing. But apparently not. I didn’t love the story, either, would rather a different ending where Lucy rejects both dudes forever, but no, it is an artifact of its time. 

So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love by Cal Newport

fast-paced

2.0

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A bit more complicated than the other books, I found it a little harder to keep track of the characters. But I enjoy spending time with these people, and find the emotional stakes just right,  not at all existential or universe threatening.