jokeefe28's reviews
1249 reviews

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

fast-paced

4.0

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi

emotional funny fast-paced

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

5.0

Cards on the table this may be my favorite Scalzi book.  I probably need to review the list of what I've read but Scalzi's writing ability really shined (shone?) here. Let's be clear the starting premise is absurd, the moon turns to cheese.  Ok sure and the book starts pretty light hearted.

But the book then digs a bit, well a lot, into people's reactions to this and various things that I won't spoil.  But faith, love, friendship and a whole bunch of other things get his attention and I would range from literally laughing out loud to outright tears.

I'm 100% sure this will be a near-term re-read for me.  

Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky

challenging emotional slow-paced

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

5.0

The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Jade War by Fonda Lee

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

3.5

I seem to be an outlier in regards to this series.  I think that the world building and the general plotting are excellent.  However, I really struggle connecting with the characters.  Not to say I have to be able to like them but I feel that characterizing is just not Lee's strength.

Yes, I'm saying that expecting a lot fans to come at me for this  but ultimately I don't feel sufficient distinction among them.  Most dialog, assuming that the conditions were the same, could be said by the same character.  On top of that, while there is some character growth and change I generally don't find a lot of it.

Shorefall by Robert Jackson Bennett

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

adventurous slow-paced

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

3.5

488 Rules for Life: The Thankless Art of Being Correct by Kitty Flanagan

funny relaxing medium-paced

3.0