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jomarie's reviews
319 reviews
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You about Being Creative by Austin Kleon
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker
mysterious
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
Ruing and Rising was a whirlwind end to the trilogy that felt deserved after Bardugo built up this world and this magical struggle. The major point of dissatisfaction for me was in Alina’s own ending. Yes, the Saint had to be martyred and Alina only ever wanted a quiet life. But keeping her starlight hair and while still losing her powers? It felt like it erased all her development in favor of a Happily Ever After with Mal in the countryside. I almost wish we were left with just the myth of Sankta Alina, leaving the reader to wonder what actually became of the girl we followed across Ravka and back.
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
Ruin and Rising started out strong with the best prologue of the trilogy. It continued a compelling performance where Alina grew into not just her (meta)physical power, but also her political sway and the deep resonate of the SYMBOL she had become. I particularly loved how she and her allies finally got out from the thumb of the priest; this also resolved what could have been a secondary Big Baddie which just was NOT needed. The book’s start showed her growth, but also her dip away from righteous toward where the Darkling drew some of his might, which was totally needed to make Alina seem like she had a fighting chance.
This was the book where a lot of character felt real, to the point where it made the first book seem…flat. Genya is probably my favorite character and I loved the poetic resolution of her struggles - especially Nikolai’s handling of the devastating situation. Speaking of Nikolai, though, I was sad for how the story left him because he was also a really strong character in my opinion. Finally, I’m glad to had a new addition to my favorite type of character “The Mean Girl Who Become Friends With the MC But Still Remains a Mean Girl” in Zoya.
However, then there’s Mal. I’m glad we finally cracked into Mal’s “Best Tracker in Ravka” status, but the big reveal being centered on him made a lot of the physical struggle the group face feel like it wasn’t worth the amount of time spent on it. I did sniff out there were extra ordinary reasons behind Mal’s disposition, but am still begrudgingly rooting for him and Alina simply because it was obvious she wouldn’t be temped by anyone else. (Even though Nikolai has way better chemistry with her imo).
Ruing and Rising was a whirlwind end to the trilogy that felt deserved after Bardugo built up this world and this magical struggle. The major point of dissatisfaction for me was in Alina’s own ending. Yes, the Saint had to be martyred and Alina only ever wanted a quiet life. But keeping her starlight hair and while still losing her powers? It felt like it erased all her development in favor of a Happily Ever After with Mal in the countryside. I almost wish we were left with just the myth of Sankta Alina, leaving the reader to wonder what actually became of the girl we followed across Ravka and back.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
Clarisse being a manic pixie dream girl around the 30 year old protagonist was mad weird and I just didn’t care about Guy and his internal struggle about his own society, there was nothing that had me wanting to root for him.
The writing also did not hold up to my rule of thumb when it comes to reading classics - if you remove the symbolism, is the story still enjoyable? This, to me, falls into the category of books that are taught because of their ability to build an easy curriculum around but wouldn’t stand up to modern scrutiny.
The premise and set up alone convey the ideas Bradbury is trying to impart, so I will not be wasting any more of my time to actually consume the story.
The writing also did not hold up to my rule of thumb when it comes to reading classics - if you remove the symbolism, is the story still enjoyable? This, to me, falls into the category of books that are taught because of their ability to build an easy curriculum around but wouldn’t stand up to modern scrutiny.
The premise and set up alone convey the ideas Bradbury is trying to impart, so I will not be wasting any more of my time to actually consume the story.
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-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
4.0
Following Shadow & Bone, I thought the second book in the trilogy was much more engaging. Action was finally happening. It also introduced who I think might be my favorite character: Prince Nikolai. There are plenty of other character I adored throughout the series - in particular I loved the depth that Bardugo brought to her secondary character like David, where they became more solid the more Alina got to know them - and Nikolai just seemed like a character perfectly crafted for this world of the Grisha and the Fold.
In fact, Leigh’s character work is what brought on the climax of the novel, making it hinge on a character flaw of a secondary character that wielded tons of in-world power. I can see how the way it played out being annoying to some people, but I loved it.
The only part I didn’t like was how it played into the way there were SO many people throwing themselves at Alina. I get it from a power struggle dynamic when it comes to the Darkling and Prince Vasily, but in total there is just too. many. suitors.
In fact, Leigh’s character work is what brought on the climax of the novel, making it hinge on a character flaw of a secondary character that wielded tons of in-world power. I can see how the way it played out being annoying to some people, but I loved it.
Also, hot take: but the only reason the Darkling is anyway suitable for a romantic interest is because of Ben Barnes. On paper, he’s not even dark enough to be dark romance bait.
In the first book, Alina struggled to embrace her power, holding herself back. In Siege & Storm, she fully stepped into her power, both as The Sun Summoner and as someone who has a duty to the people of Ravka. That transformation was necessary for Alina to stand any sort of chance against the Darkling in the final book of the trilogy.
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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? No
3.0