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jayenhope's reviews
82 reviews
Misery by Stephen King
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ca I start ot putti g stars i my reviews? Because I do 't Thi k this book should be measured so. If this is what a Stephe Ki g ovel feels like, watch me read the e tirety of his career.
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
A good one. The trilogy in itself was a great story! The first book really disappointed me and therefore I wasn't expecting much from this series but, I am very happy with this one!!
P.S. IDK why does everyone hate Mal so much, I mean yeah he lacks a little bit of character but so does Alina. They both are perfect for each other.
P.S. IDK why does everyone hate Mal so much, I mean yeah he lacks a little bit of character but so does Alina. They both are perfect for each other.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
challenging
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Absolutely blew my mind! Christie always finds a new way to call you dumb.
The edition I was reading has a postscript by Laura Thompson and at the end, it goes:
'And if a few rivalrous crime writers did mutter curses upon the head of the clever Mrs. Christie, complaining that she had twisted the genre out of shape with her damned conceptual ingenuity, they were shouted down by the more generous voice of Dorothy L. Sayers who proclaimed then, and for all time:
"Christie fooled you."'
The edition I was reading has a postscript by Laura Thompson and at the end, it goes:
'And if a few rivalrous crime writers did mutter curses upon the head of the clever Mrs. Christie, complaining that she had twisted the genre out of shape with her damned conceptual ingenuity, they were shouted down by the more generous voice of Dorothy L. Sayers who proclaimed then, and for all time:
"Christie fooled you."'
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
hopeful
3.5
a little depth is being added to every character, even the new ones, except Mal -_-
he is a little bitch, but he is no doubt the only one who loves Alina. In the last book, my main problem was Alina as a character was 2-D. That is certainly being worked upon as the novel progresses.
For every other thing, I am more than a bit satisfied.
he is a little bitch, but he is no doubt the only one who loves Alina. In the last book, my main problem was Alina as a character was 2-D. That is certainly being worked upon as the novel progresses.
For every other thing, I am more than a bit satisfied.
The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This tomb was a masterpiece. Mr. Sanderson so fluidly explains the whole of his world that I could imagine myself living in it (I won't wish to as I'll probably end up as the ska). There were some aspects of the world-building that seemed a little lacking to me but since there are 2 more books to go I'll reserve judgment on that front.
Characterizations in themselves had great depth and ...character ( and this is why I am not a writer). Though, the author handled Vin a little clumsily. She is still an awesome personality, even if her transition from a quiet, beaten-down girl to an outspoken crewmember was unbelievably unsubtle. It is quite well known by the end of the book that Vin, as a person, is still in transition, and despite the past bumps I cant wait to see whose skeleton she wears for her next form (It's a book reference please don't get creeped out).
(If Elend doesn't get some more 'character' real soon I might Riot.)
Kelsier might be my favorite character in this entire series; the charismatic blond who set himself up to become a God through nothing but politicking, philanthropy, and bullshit. His whole character arc was wonderfully handled and I couldn't have been more satisfied with how it ended.
I loved the pacing of the whole thing! I have probably never been more content with the pace of the book. Brandon Sanderson Pulled on it like someone would a tide on a sting. Pulling and Pushing it better than his Allomancers did the metal in the book.
I'll start the next book as soon as I practically can.
Characterizations in themselves had great depth and ...character ( and this is why I am not a writer). Though, the author handled Vin a little clumsily. She is still an awesome personality, even if her transition from a quiet, beaten-down girl to an outspoken crewmember was unbelievably unsubtle. It is quite well known by the end of the book that Vin, as a person, is still in transition, and despite the past bumps I cant wait to see whose skeleton she wears for her next form (It's a book reference please don't get creeped out).
(If Elend doesn't get some more 'character' real soon I might Riot.)
I loved the pacing of the whole thing! I have probably never been more content with the pace of the book. Brandon Sanderson Pulled on it like someone would a tide on a sting. Pulling and Pushing it better than his Allomancers did the metal in the book.
I'll start the next book as soon as I practically can.
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Crime and Punishment seems to me like a 600-page in-depth exploration of the human psyche. And what a masterpiece it is!
I have been reading a lot of classics these past few months. And there was always this problem I had with the characters. I was ready to look over it due to my modern differences but then Dostoyevsky sir here comes along. His characters are so well made and make so much sense. There is no divide between the main character and the others. Nor between the females and the males.
It's long and, no doubt a tiring read but I would recommend it to everyone.
One of the points I would like to research is a few of the thoughts expressed by some of the side characters in the book, generally looked down upon by the rest of the class of characters, even our very own resident murderer. What I would like to know is if those thoughts were hidden in the other rubbish spoken by such characters on purpose or was it actually rubbish in the eyes of the author.
I could never guess what Rodion would do next (though Porfiry seemed a little too comfortable in doing so). While his story was what kept me reading, Svidrigailov, and Dounia kept me so intrigued. My understanding of his character is so vague that I feel a reread is necessary.
Side note, I am Team Sonia Deserved Better.
But the real question here is, did Rodya?
As far as I have thought about it, he didn’t. If anything he got off too easy. And while he made such strong points, he insisted on his theory and the comparison to Napoleon, I get it, I, to some extent. even agree, but what boggles my mind is how much he doesn’t ever include Lizaveta in his arguments. He insists on not feeling at all guilty at having killed that wretched old pawnbroker who would have caused misery all around’ but refuses to even acknowledge the ‘accident’ he inflicted on that woman. Dostoyevsky sets her up to fail to gain any sympathy for her patheticness. But at the scene of the actual crime, he portrays her helplessness beautifully. So, I am sure he himself realizes. It has to be a defect in Romanovitch.
Crime and Punishment: So, that period’s concept of punishment is repentance. People hope you repented for your crime and asked for divine forgiveness, and all that. Rodian obviously didn't. He did, however, suffer quite a bit. Does the reason for suffering have to be specifically expiation? But also doesn't it have to be? For, wouldn't every suffering be punishment otherwise.
Svidrigailov really caught my eye, like really, really. Perhaps even a bit more than Raskolnikov. Though I don't think it is fancy when I draw parallels between the both. I mean I think Arkady himself said it. There was both their propensity to donate money when they didn't have much on themselves, to murder for nothing more than to test out their theories and to experiment. Svidrigailov took the step where Raskolnikov couldn't. Was Rodya right to, was Svidrigailov? I want a book solely on Svidrigailov, not as a victim, that would be wrong, but someone gray.
Dounia. With Crime and Punishment as the theme, I think Dounia (Sonia, Rhuzumihim, etc) remaining unexplored was understandable. Tho I have to say there was still exploration. Good deal. Parallels between the siblings were also worth noticing. The showdown between Dounia and Arkady is the most culminating one.
Once again I see this review has failed to review anything and has become the inevitable amateur stream of consciousness it always does. But here we are. Team This Book Deserved Better.
I have been reading a lot of classics these past few months. And there was always this problem I had with the characters. I was ready to look over it due to my modern differences but then Dostoyevsky sir here comes along. His characters are so well made and make so much sense. There is no divide between the main character and the others. Nor between the females and the males.
It's long and, no doubt a tiring read but I would recommend it to everyone.
One of the points I would like to research is a few of the thoughts expressed by some of the side characters in the book, generally looked down upon by the rest of the class of characters, even our very own resident murderer. What I would like to know is if those thoughts were hidden in the other rubbish spoken by such characters on purpose or was it actually rubbish in the eyes of the author.
I could never guess what Rodion would do next (though Porfiry seemed a little too comfortable in doing so). While his story was what kept me reading, Svidrigailov, and Dounia kept me so intrigued. My understanding of his character is so vague that I feel a reread is necessary.
Side note, I am Team Sonia Deserved Better.
But the real question here is, did Rodya?
As far as I have thought about it, he didn’t. If anything he got off too easy. And while he made such strong points, he insisted on his theory and the comparison to Napoleon, I get it, I, to some extent. even agree, but what boggles my mind is how much he doesn’t ever include Lizaveta in his arguments. He insists on not feeling at all guilty at having killed that wretched old pawnbroker who would have caused misery all around’ but refuses to even acknowledge the ‘accident’ he inflicted on that woman. Dostoyevsky sets her up to fail to gain any sympathy for her patheticness. But at the scene of the actual crime, he portrays her helplessness beautifully. So, I am sure he himself realizes. It has to be a defect in Romanovitch.
Crime and Punishment: So, that period’s concept of punishment is repentance. People hope you repented for your crime and asked for divine forgiveness, and all that. Rodian obviously didn't. He did, however, suffer quite a bit. Does the reason for suffering have to be specifically expiation? But also doesn't it have to be? For, wouldn't every suffering be punishment otherwise.
Svidrigailov really caught my eye, like really, really. Perhaps even a bit more than Raskolnikov. Though I don't think it is fancy when I draw parallels between the both. I mean I think Arkady himself said it. There was both their propensity to donate money when they didn't have much on themselves, to murder for nothing more than to test out their theories and to experiment. Svidrigailov took the step where Raskolnikov couldn't. Was Rodya right to, was Svidrigailov? I want a book solely on Svidrigailov, not as a victim, that would be wrong, but someone gray.
Dounia. With Crime and Punishment as the theme, I think Dounia (Sonia, Rhuzumihim, etc) remaining unexplored was understandable. Tho I have to say there was still exploration. Good deal. Parallels between the siblings were also worth noticing. The showdown between Dounia and Arkady is the most culminating one.
Once again I see this review has failed to review anything and has become the inevitable amateur stream of consciousness it always does. But here we are. Team This Book Deserved Better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There is literally nothing I want to nitpick in this book.
The only negative emotion I had was the sadness the autobiographical parts of it set in me :')
I would like to mention that the question 'is there any character development?' is a little complicated since this book is more about a young girl's decent into madness. Development might not be the most appropriate word.
The only negative emotion I had was the sadness the autobiographical parts of it set in me :')
I would like to mention that the question 'is there any character development?' is a little complicated since this book is more about a young girl's decent into madness. Development might not be the most appropriate word.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25