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juliawitmer's reviews
13 reviews
Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would - and I don't mean that in a mean way!
I read the first book and enjoyed it relatively well, but felt it was missing a certain...umph. I feel like this book actually has that umph, which is awesome! Despite that, it has weaknesses along with its strengths, so let's get into those.
(All of these are also taking into consideration the fact that this is a middle-grade/borderline YA novel, and therefore has different standards/expectations than, say, a YA or Adult novel)
Ok moving on
**THIS SECTION HAS SPOILERS**
STRENGTHS:
- further character development
- plot full of twists and turns
- a story world that feels even deeper and more complex than what we can see
- a story world that we can see that feels well thought out and unique
- an intriguing cliffhanger ending (I like cliffhangers, but I guess this could be a downside for others!)
WEAKNESSES:
- Kendra and Seth don't feel like realistic siblings. Maybe my siblings and I just got along uncommonly well, but it feels like they're more at each other's throats than I ever was with my siblings as a kid.
- I think some plot points were dropped or forgotten? FOR INSTANCE (with spoilers): I thought that they said once they got into the tower at the climax of the story, that getting out with the artifact would be nearly impossible. But they just...waltzed out?? And it was fine?? Maybe my reading comprehension is bad or something but that just really confused me lol
- because the plot had so many twists and turns, it was sometimes hard to follow.
- it feels like there weren't a lot of negatives/consequences for things happening. (i.e. nobody who got mortally wounded actually died except one guy that we didn't care about that much and low-key wanted to die)
**END OF SPOILER SECTION**
Overall, I enjoyed this read. I give it a 3.5 or 4 out of 5 stars!
I WOULD NOT suggest this book for...
- most Christian families (demons and dark magic are a big element of these stories, and a lot of Christians are uncomfortable with them or their kids reading books like that)
- people who don't like violence in stories (contained some graphic violence)
I WOULD suggest this book for...
- readers who like fairytales with a twist
- readers who enjoy books with cool story worlds and magic
- readers who enjoyed book 1 in this series (lol)
That's the end of my thoughts! Thanks for taking the time to read π
I read the first book and enjoyed it relatively well, but felt it was missing a certain...umph. I feel like this book actually has that umph, which is awesome! Despite that, it has weaknesses along with its strengths, so let's get into those.
(All of these are also taking into consideration the fact that this is a middle-grade/borderline YA novel, and therefore has different standards/expectations than, say, a YA or Adult novel)
Ok moving on
**THIS SECTION HAS SPOILERS**
STRENGTHS:
- further character development
- plot full of twists and turns
- a story world that feels even deeper and more complex than what we can see
- a story world that we can see that feels well thought out and unique
- an intriguing cliffhanger ending (I like cliffhangers, but I guess this could be a downside for others!)
WEAKNESSES:
- Kendra and Seth don't feel like realistic siblings. Maybe my siblings and I just got along uncommonly well, but it feels like they're more at each other's throats than I ever was with my siblings as a kid.
- I think some plot points were dropped or forgotten? FOR INSTANCE (with spoilers): I thought that they said once they got into the tower at the climax of the story, that getting out with the artifact would be nearly impossible. But they just...waltzed out?? And it was fine?? Maybe my reading comprehension is bad or something but that just really confused me lol
- because the plot had so many twists and turns, it was sometimes hard to follow.
- it feels like there weren't a lot of negatives/consequences for things happening. (i.e. nobody who got mortally wounded actually died except one guy that we didn't care about that much and low-key wanted to die)
**END OF SPOILER SECTION**
Overall, I enjoyed this read. I give it a 3.5 or 4 out of 5 stars!
I WOULD NOT suggest this book for...
- most Christian families (demons and dark magic are a big element of these stories, and a lot of Christians are uncomfortable with them or their kids reading books like that)
- people who don't like violence in stories (contained some graphic violence)
I WOULD suggest this book for...
- readers who like fairytales with a twist
- readers who enjoy books with cool story worlds and magic
- readers who enjoyed book 1 in this series (lol)
That's the end of my thoughts! Thanks for taking the time to read π
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
would not suggest for most young Christian audiences
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I grew up seeing the cover of this book every time I read a Leven Thumps book, and finally the time came, at the age of 21, for me to read it myself. And I wasn't super disappointed! I enjoyed it a lot.
The story is fun and cute. It has elements that remind me of stories like The Spiderwick Chronicles, but with plenty of unique and fun twists. It was a little slow starting out, but overall the plot was intriguing and fun. The characters were fun, although the main boy, Seth, was quite consistently annoying. Pretty realistic for an 11-year-old boy lol but some of his actions didn't feel realistic. There were quite a few things that he did after a point at which I felt he should have learned from his past mistakes already.
As a Christian book reviewer myself, I have to add: I wouldn't suggest this book to most young Christian readers. I can fairly confidently say that many Christian parents wouldn't be comfortable with some of the elements included (witches, demons, dark magic, etc.). However, if those are elements that don't bother you, go for it! It didn't promote any bad morals, in my opinion, and had strong themes of family, learning to listen to authority figures, and taking responsibility for your mistakes.
Again, I really enjoyed this! I'm glad I got the chance to finally read it βΊοΈ
The story is fun and cute. It has elements that remind me of stories like The Spiderwick Chronicles, but with plenty of unique and fun twists. It was a little slow starting out, but overall the plot was intriguing and fun. The characters were fun, although the main boy, Seth, was quite consistently annoying. Pretty realistic for an 11-year-old boy lol but some of his actions didn't feel realistic. There were quite a few things that he did after a point at which I felt he should have learned from his past mistakes already.
As a Christian book reviewer myself, I have to add: I wouldn't suggest this book to most young Christian readers. I can fairly confidently say that many Christian parents wouldn't be comfortable with some of the elements included (witches, demons, dark magic, etc.). However, if those are elements that don't bother you, go for it! It didn't promote any bad morals, in my opinion, and had strong themes of family, learning to listen to authority figures, and taking responsibility for your mistakes.
Again, I really enjoyed this! I'm glad I got the chance to finally read it βΊοΈ
Content Warnings
Warnings for Christian Readers:
contains witches, demons, dark magic, and other things that might make Christian readers uncomfortable
Successful Self-Publishing: How to self-publish and market your book in ebook and print by Joanna Penn
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
A really good example of a simple, straightforward and easy to understand book on self-publishing. I enjoyed it, even though I was reading it for a college course (which is big praise, because it's harder to focus on books for school!). I'd heard a some of the advice but definitely not all of it before, and would for sure recommend it to any writer friend looking to self-publish.
The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
I got it from the library to listen to on audiobook and then forgot that I got it π
I'll try reading it again sometime, because it is a cool concept.
Services Marketing: Concepts, Strategies, & Cases by John E.G. Bateson, K. Douglas Hoffman
informative
3.0
It's a school book, so it can't really be all that inspiring or fun. But it got the information across as needed and it helped me finish my assignments lol.
Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Great read for fiction writers as well as screenwriters! Good look at story and how it works overall.
Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand
mysterious
slow-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
3.0
I neither loved nor hated this book. I think it honestly just wasn't my thing. It was well written and I would say objectively decent story-telling and character development, but I felt it didn't deliver on what it promised in the description. It claimed to be a fantasy novel and was not. So in that, it was disappointing. But I think, again, that that's about me rather than the writer. It just wasn't my thing, but it wasn't bad.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
The Underland Chronicles #5: Gregor and the Code of Claw by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Gosh, this book is heartbreaking and wonderful all in one. Re-reading it as an adult opens your eyes to so much depth you can only understand a little bit when you're younger. It's amazing in every way, challenging, and it makes you think.
I laughed, I cried, it moved me, Bob.
I laughed, I cried, it moved me, Bob.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Animal death, Child death, Death, War, and Violence
Minor: Vomit
Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such a heartbreaking read - and even more so, now that I read it as an adult. This book handles some really, seriously heavy topics (like the pain of war, the injustice of murder, and the heartbreak of losing people close to you). An amazing read that made me both laugh and tear up at different times. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, War, Animal death, Child death, and Genocide
Moderate: Torture and Kidnapping
Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love this book and this series so much. The political intrigue is absolutely fantastic, and something I'm getting to appreciate more as in reading this as a 21-year-old instead of the 11-year-old i was when I first read them. The characters are amazing, the scenes are intense, and the story never stops moving for a moment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, Animal death, and Violence