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ketreads's reviews
309 reviews
Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
2.0
This book is one I'd passed many a time in a bookstore. The cover is gorgeous and the concept of a fabled tower (Babel) being repurposed in a colonial society had me intrigued.
In short: this book wasn't it. At least, for me. It had all the trappings of what could have been a fantastic book, but fell short in both its pacing and choice of narrative style.
We follow our main character of Robin a child taken from his home land of China and bought up as a scholar of languages to benefit the tower of Babel. A tower rebuilt in England, where this world's magical source (bars of silver) are created. I loved the uniqueness of the magic system, especially how well language and it's uses fitted in well to the story Kuang wanted to tell.
My main issues started with how Kuang decided to tell this story. At key moments throughout the book, we'd often have an interruption of context from a voice outside of the main story. At first, this context was much appreciated, but wore on me the further we got into the story. I'm not sure how it's presented in the book, but this interruption could happen MULTIPLE times throughout a single conversation. While I understand and appreciate the context in Kuang's world, I feel like this information could have been better presented outside of "lore dump". Which is a very generous assessment seeing as it wasn't even weaved into character dialogue more then literally dumped on the page regardless of current happenings.
A similar narrative technique I didn't enjoy was having us stop mid-climatic scene to have the narrator tell us the outcome of events & it's impact in years to come.
Overall, while the I did appreciate and enjoy the ending, I felt the journey there both a drag (for the first half) and then rushed (the second half). We ended up with a pretty predictable story, even if the elements surrounding it felt unique in their own ways.
A bit disappointing. :(
In short: this book wasn't it. At least, for me. It had all the trappings of what could have been a fantastic book, but fell short in both its pacing and choice of narrative style.
We follow our main character of Robin a child taken from his home land of China and bought up as a scholar of languages to benefit the tower of Babel. A tower rebuilt in England, where this world's magical source (bars of silver) are created. I loved the uniqueness of the magic system, especially how well language and it's uses fitted in well to the story Kuang wanted to tell.
My main issues started with how Kuang decided to tell this story. At key moments throughout the book, we'd often have an interruption of context from a voice outside of the main story. At first, this context was much appreciated, but wore on me the further we got into the story. I'm not sure how it's presented in the book, but this interruption could happen MULTIPLE times throughout a single conversation. While I understand and appreciate the context in Kuang's world, I feel like this information could have been better presented outside of "lore dump". Which is a very generous assessment seeing as it wasn't even weaved into character dialogue more then literally dumped on the page regardless of current happenings.
A similar narrative technique I didn't enjoy was having us stop mid-climatic scene to have the narrator tell us the outcome of events & it's impact in years to come.
Overall, while the I did appreciate and enjoy the ending, I felt the journey there both a drag (for the first half) and then rushed (the second half). We ended up with a pretty predictable story, even if the elements surrounding it felt unique in their own ways.
A bit disappointing. :(
Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
hopeful
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Once again, Becky Chambers takes my heart, holds it close and then crushes it slightly.
Weird analogy but I'm sure you get the picture!
Chambers has such a fantastic way of writing a mundane yet compelling look at the far flung future and humanities place within it. This installment is a tale following the humans who fled earth when the ecosystem finally collapsed. Becky Chambers manages to capture the core good side of humanity and make you feel as though all are connected through a long grown cultural core.
I can't but love every character she introduces. Every character feels real, complex, and easy to sympathise with making the whole story such an emotional ride.
I can't recommend her wayfarers series enough, but if you want a cosy, found family, and easy to read scifi world: a long way to a small angry planet (her first book) is made for you.
Weird analogy but I'm sure you get the picture!
Chambers has such a fantastic way of writing a mundane yet compelling look at the far flung future and humanities place within it. This installment is a tale following the humans who fled earth when the ecosystem finally collapsed. Becky Chambers manages to capture the core good side of humanity and make you feel as though all are connected through a long grown cultural core.
I can't but love every character she introduces. Every character feels real, complex, and easy to sympathise with making the whole story such an emotional ride.
I can't recommend her wayfarers series enough, but if you want a cosy, found family, and easy to read scifi world: a long way to a small angry planet (her first book) is made for you.
Hogfather by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
mysterious
2.5
Another Pratchett classic that didn't quite hit the mark for me.
I recently got into reading Pratchett's works so reserved this copy on libby as hey, it's Christmas! It came in right on time and I loved the premise of the book.
It starts strong and, as always, I really enjoyed Pratchett's use of mystery, humour, and intrigue but the further I got into this the more I felt it didn't quite hit the mark for me.
I enjoyed each individual element, but the way they're woven together came across as uncompelling and, in some cases, a bit hard to follow.
The more I read of Pratchett, the more I find myself expecting to like his work more than I do. I wonder if maybe his books just aren't for me but I can't put into text why.
Overall, not a book I'd reccomend but it wasn't too offensively bad or overly long.
I recently got into reading Pratchett's works so reserved this copy on libby as hey, it's Christmas! It came in right on time and I loved the premise of the book.
It starts strong and, as always, I really enjoyed Pratchett's use of mystery, humour, and intrigue but the further I got into this the more I felt it didn't quite hit the mark for me.
I enjoyed each individual element, but the way they're woven together came across as uncompelling and, in some cases, a bit hard to follow.
The more I read of Pratchett, the more I find myself expecting to like his work more than I do. I wonder if maybe his books just aren't for me but I can't put into text why.
Overall, not a book I'd reccomend but it wasn't too offensively bad or overly long.
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
On paper, I shouldn't have enjoyed this. A Knives Out rip-off that, instead of featuring a cast of adult suspects, is run by 4 teens in a trench coat. (Not literally)
I honestly just had so much fun.
It has perfectly captured both the wishfufillment and modern fears or consequences that comes with massive piles of money. I very much enjoyed watching the change of Avery's day to day and the challenges that came with her coming to terms with those changes. The mystery aspect was compelling enough to keep me curious, but wasn't too overwhelming that I found no enjoyment in anything outside of it.
Avery and her sister were a refreshingly good main characters to follow. While I didn't LOVE the Hawthorne brothers and Avery's chemistry (or lack there of) with them, I did enjoy the critique of the overly wealthy the book made. I'm surprised it went to far as to be nuanced, though it does often hold back when talking about the poor rich boys trauma.
Overall, a fun and easy read. It was fast paced to keep me invested, but slow enough to give Avery time to develop. It's a yay from me.
I honestly just had so much fun.
It has perfectly captured both the wishfufillment and modern fears or consequences that comes with massive piles of money. I very much enjoyed watching the change of Avery's day to day and the challenges that came with her coming to terms with those changes. The mystery aspect was compelling enough to keep me curious, but wasn't too overwhelming that I found no enjoyment in anything outside of it.
Avery and her sister were a refreshingly good main characters to follow. While I didn't LOVE the Hawthorne brothers and Avery's chemistry (or lack there of) with them, I did enjoy the critique of the overly wealthy the book made. I'm surprised it went to far as to be nuanced, though it does often hold back when talking about the poor rich boys trauma.
Overall, a fun and easy read. It was fast paced to keep me invested, but slow enough to give Avery time to develop. It's a yay from me.
Stones of Light by Zack Argyle
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
1.5
I really did not enjoy this.
I hate being so harsh about indie authors works but I can't quite fully put into words what didn't work for me.
I enjoyed the premise of the first book but felt this one went so far off the initial blurb that sold the series for me that I have virtually no interest in finishing the series.
This book focuses on all the characters I didn't love from book 1 and side lines further the ones I did enjoy and hoped to see more of.
The whole over arching plot is a confusing mess. I think the format I read it in (audio form) didn't help this area either. I found myself confused at alliances and character motivations even quite far into the book.
The constant story favouritism of my least favourite character, Laurel, was probably what did me in the end. There's something about Laurel's character that on paper sounds like an amazing and complex character arch, but in practice just falls flat.
Overall, I had moments of genuine enjoyment but they were few and far between for this to be anything higher. This just wasn't for me.
I hate being so harsh about indie authors works but I can't quite fully put into words what didn't work for me.
I enjoyed the premise of the first book but felt this one went so far off the initial blurb that sold the series for me that I have virtually no interest in finishing the series.
This book focuses on all the characters I didn't love from book 1 and side lines further the ones I did enjoy and hoped to see more of.
The whole over arching plot is a confusing mess. I think the format I read it in (audio form) didn't help this area either. I found myself confused at alliances and character motivations even quite far into the book.
The constant story favouritism of my least favourite character, Laurel, was probably what did me in the end. There's something about Laurel's character that on paper sounds like an amazing and complex character arch, but in practice just falls flat.
Overall, I had moments of genuine enjoyment but they were few and far between for this to be anything higher. This just wasn't for me.
Bunny by Mona Awad
mysterious
fast-paced
2.5
This is what The Maidens should have been.
I'm so genuienly confused on my feelings of this book, even after giving myself a few days to think about it but I think I liked it!
In some ways, it's such a fantastic depiction of female rage and loneliness. In others, it's a batshit crazy take on the Mean Girls trope.
I kept finding myself absolutely confused out of my mind, and I kind of enjoyed it. The book manages to balance the right amount of "is this even real?" and "this is too real" moments that it kept me invested until the end.
The book did drag a little bit in the middle, for me personally, but the ending made it all the more worth it. I ended the book, put it down and just stared at the wall not even sure if I loved or hated that ending. Looking back, I can confirm I liked it a lot.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend it as a short but mysterious look at a university clique that really goes off the rails.
I'm so genuienly confused on my feelings of this book, even after giving myself a few days to think about it but I think I liked it!
In some ways, it's such a fantastic depiction of female rage and loneliness. In others, it's a batshit crazy take on the Mean Girls trope.
I kept finding myself absolutely confused out of my mind, and I kind of enjoyed it. The book manages to balance the right amount of "is this even real?" and "this is too real" moments that it kept me invested until the end.
The book did drag a little bit in the middle, for me personally, but the ending made it all the more worth it. I ended the book, put it down and just stared at the wall not even sure if I loved or hated that ending. Looking back, I can confirm I liked it a lot.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend it as a short but mysterious look at a university clique that really goes off the rails.
Going Postal by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
Another Terry Pratchett hit!
This book came highly recommended from my brother, a very well-read Terry Pratchett lover. So, when I saw this gorgeous edition in my local Waterstones for a ✨️STEAL✨️, I couldn't help but buy it.
As always with Pratchett's work, I loved the humour. He has such a fantastic method of weaving dialogue and descriptions to humourise the mundane to the ridiculous. As a big fan of wit and word-play in comedy, his humour is always well received. Though, in this book, at least, it had the added downside of often making confusing and one-off characters / events confusing to follow. I'd often be unsure of what reality was and what was over the top for humours sake until the joke was complete. This had a few moments of importance fall flat for me.
Overall, I loved the character of Moist and the setting of the library. I only wish we had more time with the letters and their actual DELIVERY rather than the shinnanigans surrounding them. This ended up with me loving the premise more so than I loved the book itself. It doesn't help that the ending is extremely anticlimactic, which was a bit of a disappointment. It's all round, a fun read but not one I LOVED personally.
This book came highly recommended from my brother, a very well-read Terry Pratchett lover. So, when I saw this gorgeous edition in my local Waterstones for a ✨️STEAL✨️, I couldn't help but buy it.
As always with Pratchett's work, I loved the humour. He has such a fantastic method of weaving dialogue and descriptions to humourise the mundane to the ridiculous. As a big fan of wit and word-play in comedy, his humour is always well received. Though, in this book, at least, it had the added downside of often making confusing and one-off characters / events confusing to follow. I'd often be unsure of what reality was and what was over the top for humours sake until the joke was complete. This had a few moments of importance fall flat for me.
Overall, I loved the character of Moist and the setting of the library. I only wish we had more time with the letters and their actual DELIVERY rather than the shinnanigans surrounding them. This ended up with me loving the premise more so than I loved the book itself. It doesn't help that the ending is extremely anticlimactic, which was a bit of a disappointment. It's all round, a fun read but not one I LOVED personally.
Into the Wild by Erin Hunter
adventurous
medium-paced
3.5
SPOILER FREE REVIEW:
I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this!
I've always been very familiar with the fan base of Warrior Cats through YouTube AMVs (animated music videos) and have always wanted to read the series for myself.
We follow the story of a Rusty, a domesticated cat who is used effectively as our audience stand-in. Rusty, and thus, us as a reader are introduced to the world of Warrior Cats and the 4 clans that live in their own respective territories. The conflict is fast-paced but with the right amount of character development on Rustys' part. I really enjoyed his inner dialogue and struggles, and more often, joy with his new life.
Overall, I really enjoyed the mystery and conflict surrounding the clans. I'm very excited to continue with the series to see where it goes.
I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this!
I've always been very familiar with the fan base of Warrior Cats through YouTube AMVs (animated music videos) and have always wanted to read the series for myself.
We follow the story of a Rusty, a domesticated cat who is used effectively as our audience stand-in. Rusty, and thus, us as a reader are introduced to the world of Warrior Cats and the 4 clans that live in their own respective territories. The conflict is fast-paced but with the right amount of character development on Rustys' part. I really enjoyed his inner dialogue and struggles, and more often, joy with his new life.
Overall, I really enjoyed the mystery and conflict surrounding the clans. I'm very excited to continue with the series to see where it goes.
Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
3.5
Another Wheel of Time entry I loved every second of.
These reviews get a little harder to keep spoiler free the further I get into the series but I'll give it a go!
This book continues on right after the last one finishes, though once again changes main characters to Elaine and Rand. I love the characters surrounding Elaine, and love Rand, so I have little to complain about. This book manages to further our understanding and plots surrounding both the tower, the black tower, and the seanchan. The latter is one of my lesser enjoyed aspects of the books, but by now I've learnt to trust Jordans process as the last 3 books have managed to even make that fascinating to me. I continue to have no clue where the series will end up, but loving every moment of it.
Both Rand and Egwene continue to be my favourites of the series, though I hear that's a controversial opinion the further I get into the series. Nynaeve and Lan aren't far behind those two, but I'd be lying if I didn't say how there continues to be countless characters I love seeing on page.
I realise this is the last book Jordan himself wrote, but I'm pretty optimistic on the amount of notes poor Sanderson must have had to read to continue this series for him. Fingers crossed I enjoy where he takes the series!
These reviews get a little harder to keep spoiler free the further I get into the series but I'll give it a go!
This book continues on right after the last one finishes, though once again changes main characters to Elaine and Rand. I love the characters surrounding Elaine, and love Rand, so I have little to complain about. This book manages to further our understanding and plots surrounding both the tower, the black tower, and the seanchan. The latter is one of my lesser enjoyed aspects of the books, but by now I've learnt to trust Jordans process as the last 3 books have managed to even make that fascinating to me. I continue to have no clue where the series will end up, but loving every moment of it.
Both Rand and Egwene continue to be my favourites of the series, though I hear that's a controversial opinion the further I get into the series. Nynaeve and Lan aren't far behind those two, but I'd be lying if I didn't say how there continues to be countless characters I love seeing on page.
I realise this is the last book Jordan himself wrote, but I'm pretty optimistic on the amount of notes poor Sanderson must have had to read to continue this series for him. Fingers crossed I enjoy where he takes the series!
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
hopeful
slow-paced
2.0
This book did not do it for me.
Let's just hope it's middle book syndrome as this is the second book in Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse series, the first being Shadow and Bone (a book I was pleasantly surprised at enjoying so much).
(VERY MILD SPOILERS)
This book starts off exactly where we ended Shadow and Bone with the series being set in a Russian folklore inspired fantasy world. I loved the setting and I was very excited to see more of the world that was hinted at in the first book. While the book starts pretty strong, it became apparent almost immediately that Bardugo's plan was to completely undo the ending of book one. After what is probably my favourite part of book two where the character spend a small stint at sea for various reasons, we're then returned straight back to the little palace from book one and don't leave this setting until the epilogue. To say I was disappointed is a bit of an understatement. The world and story felt like it had been set up so perfectly to take a leap forward into the unknown and reveal more of the world and history surrounding it. Instead, we spend the book listening to the same characters whining about the same things, set ups to events/attacks/ the culmination of various story beats only to have them 'subverted' at the last minuet for what I presume is shock value. This cemented the book as not only unremarkable, but frustrating to read as there was so much potential in so many small details that have nothing done with them.
Over all, I'm very annoyed but will probably finish book 3 as my library has it in audio book form, too!
Let's just hope it's middle book syndrome as this is the second book in Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse series, the first being Shadow and Bone (a book I was pleasantly surprised at enjoying so much).
(VERY MILD SPOILERS)
This book starts off exactly where we ended Shadow and Bone with the series being set in a Russian folklore inspired fantasy world. I loved the setting and I was very excited to see more of the world that was hinted at in the first book. While the book starts pretty strong, it became apparent almost immediately that Bardugo's plan was to completely undo the ending of book one. After what is probably my favourite part of book two where the character spend a small stint at sea for various reasons, we're then returned straight back to the little palace from book one and don't leave this setting until the epilogue. To say I was disappointed is a bit of an understatement. The world and story felt like it had been set up so perfectly to take a leap forward into the unknown and reveal more of the world and history surrounding it. Instead, we spend the book listening to the same characters whining about the same things, set ups to events/attacks/ the culmination of various story beats only to have them 'subverted' at the last minuet for what I presume is shock value. This cemented the book as not only unremarkable, but frustrating to read as there was so much potential in so many small details that have nothing done with them.
Over all, I'm very annoyed but will probably finish book 3 as my library has it in audio book form, too!