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ktbxter's reviews
173 reviews
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Characters - 4.5
Writing - 3.5
Plot - 4
Enjoyed reading the story instead of watching it. Being inside Bellla's head is very interesting!
Meyer did an excellent job showing Bella's depression and the passing of time was genius.
Watching her friendship with Jacob blossom was lovely and the ending was so tense. The anticipation was intense!
Writing - 3.5
Plot - 4
Enjoyed reading the story instead of watching it. Being inside Bellla's head is very interesting!
Watching her friendship with Jacob blossom was lovely and the ending was so tense. The anticipation was intense!
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Characters - 4.5
Writing - 4
Plot - 4
It's so cliche and bad that it's good.
I went into reading this after finishing rewatching the film for the 10th time.
I enjoyed reading the story and seeing more into Bella's mind throughout the events and also seeing parts that were removed from the film. I'll probably read the rest of the series next!
The writing was OK and the storyline was alright, but the characters are what made me love the book. It felt like teen fanfiction but in the best way. It was exactly what I needed to read right now whilst I'm in a rough patch in life.
Writing - 4
Plot - 4
It's so cliche and bad that it's good.
I went into reading this after finishing rewatching the film for the 10th time.
I enjoyed reading the story and seeing more into Bella's mind throughout the events and also seeing parts that were removed from the film. I'll probably read the rest of the series next!
The writing was OK and the storyline was alright, but the characters are what made me love the book. It felt like teen fanfiction but in the best way. It was exactly what I needed to read right now whilst I'm in a rough patch in life.
Armada by Ernest Cline
3.0
Took a while to get to into but enjoyed it once I did
I found the concept of video games training civilians to be somewhat plausible and made me invested in the story more.
It did take a long while for the fight to actually begin though. I understand why, but yeah, it dragged a fair bit.
The epilogue felt so rushed and tried to hard to make everything better in the end. Or, not better but tried too hard so complete the story.
i was a little annoyed it wasn't a sad ending for Earth. That was where it felt like it was heading.
I found the concept of video games training civilians to be somewhat plausible and made me invested in the story more.
It did take a long while for the fight to actually begin though. I understand why, but yeah, it dragged a fair bit.
The epilogue felt so rushed and tried to hard to make everything better in the end. Or, not better but tried too hard so complete the story.
The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
5.0
Really enjoyed listening to this during my commute. John writes the way he speaks and having him narrate was the cherry on top.
I tried reading the physical copy of this a couple of years ago but struggled as I've never really read non-fiction before. But hearing the essays read to me made all the difference.
I loved having an insight into John's mind and see how he sees the world.
I tried reading the physical copy of this a couple of years ago but struggled as I've never really read non-fiction before. But hearing the essays read to me made all the difference.
I loved having an insight into John's mind and see how he sees the world.
Point Blanc by Anthony Horowitz
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Not really feeling it. Thought I'd be more invested after liking the first book, but it feels stretched
Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing: 'Funny, Fascinating and Compelling' the Times by Matthew Perry
5.0
I find it really difficult to rate memoirs because how can you rate how someone talking about their life entertained you? Either way, 5 stars.
It was almost fascinating reading about Matthew Perry's life and his struggles. I truly had no idea the extent of it.
When I was reading it was as if Matthew nas narrating it in my head. It was written in the way I'd imagine he talks and how his brain flowed.
I liked the spacing of the deeper chapters being separated by the interludes talking about somehow even deeper subjects. It just worked.
It was almost fascinating reading about Matthew Perry's life and his struggles. I truly had no idea the extent of it.
When I was reading it was as if Matthew nas narrating it in my head. It was written in the way I'd imagine he talks and how his brain flowed.
I liked the spacing of the deeper chapters being separated by the interludes talking about somehow even deeper subjects. It just worked.
Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
4.0
A fun middlegrade book about a teenage James Bond forced into spy-hood.
Alex is a brave character that is likeable because of how he throws himself into the task at hand - being a spy.
A gripping story and "new" technology. I'd read the rest of the series if I found them at the library.
Alex is a brave character that is likeable because of how he throws himself into the task at hand - being a spy.
A gripping story and "new" technology. I'd read the rest of the series if I found them at the library.
The Beach Read Book Club by Kathryn Freeman
3.5
A nice easy romance about books. What's not to like?
Lottie is a fun outgoing character that I loved instantly. Matt was uptight and moody but quickly opened up.
I loved the idea of the Beach Read Book Club and loved the members from all walks of life. It's made me want to join a book club myself!
Lottie is a fun outgoing character that I loved instantly. Matt was uptight and moody but quickly opened up.
I loved the idea of the Beach Read Book Club and loved the members from all walks of life. It's made me want to join a book club myself!
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
5.0
Spoiler wrapping the whole review because I know I'll talk about the plot.
The final installment of my Hunger Games re-read.
This book is the perfect example of demonstrating an unreliable narrator. We only see Snow's actions through his own eyes and only know how he feels about them.
He's a cunning and manipulative person who continually gets away with being in the wrong because of his charm and his name.
Lucy-Gray was an excellent character that was fleshed out and had a history expanding the content of the book. She was loveable and Collins really made me want her to survive.
Seeing the early stages of the Hunger Games, especially the first year that Mentors were introduced, allowed the reader to have a better understanding of how the Games in the original trilogy became what they are. Seeing them from a Captiol point of view instead of a contestant point of view also made for an interesting read. It's made me wonder if perhaps the next prequel will be from a District person's POV for the 50th Games?
Seeing Snow's personality change from when he's in the Capitol to the end of the book is eye opening. Especially because hindsight really sort of shows the reader that he didn't change at all. He was always the way that he ended up being. He just hid and masked it depending on his feelings about the person or people he was around. Lucy-Gray was desirable and a prize that he claimed after she won the Games. Which was an excellent consolation given he was exhiled to the Districts. It was always about power and status for Snow. That's why the ending feels so sudden. Because he has the opportunity for power and status given back to him when he passes the Officiers exam. Lucy-Gray isn't the top prize any more so he wants to discard her and make sure no one else can have her and ensure she can't get in his way.
It's a brilliant addition to the original trilogy and I applaud Collins for writing it in such a way that ultimately throughout the book, the reader feels sorry for President Snow.
The final installment of my Hunger Games re-read.
This book is the perfect example of demonstrating an unreliable narrator. We only see Snow's actions through his own eyes and only know how he feels about them.
He's a cunning and manipulative person who continually gets away with being in the wrong because of his charm and his name.
Lucy-Gray was an excellent character that was fleshed out and had a history expanding the content of the book. She was loveable and Collins really made me want her to survive.
Seeing the early stages of the Hunger Games, especially the first year that Mentors were introduced, allowed the reader to have a better understanding of how the Games in the original trilogy became what they are. Seeing them from a Captiol point of view instead of a contestant point of view also made for an interesting read. It's made me wonder if perhaps the next prequel will be from a District person's POV for the 50th Games?
Seeing Snow's personality change from when he's in the Capitol to the end of the book is eye opening. Especially because hindsight really sort of shows the reader that he didn't change at all. He was always the way that he ended up being. He just hid and masked it depending on his feelings about the person or people he was around. Lucy-Gray was desirable and a prize that he claimed after she won the Games. Which was an excellent consolation given he was exhiled to the Districts. It was always about power and status for Snow. That's why the ending feels so sudden. Because he has the opportunity for power and status given back to him when he passes the Officiers exam. Lucy-Gray isn't the top prize any more so he wants to discard her and make sure no one else can have her and ensure she can't get in his way.
It's a brilliant addition to the original trilogy and I applaud Collins for writing it in such a way that ultimately throughout the book, the reader feels sorry for President Snow.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4.5
As mentioned with thw previous 2 books, this reread was eye opening.
Katniss is clearly not okay throughout the duration of this book and yet we see her forced into making decision and being the face of a rebellion she doesn't even really understand, all because the ADULTS in her life decided it was what she was doing when she was just trying to survive in the first 2 books.
The lead up to the actual war was slow, but it built anticipation for what was coming. I hated Coin throughout, but was probably biased from previous reads of the book.
When Peeta came to 13 I felt genuine heartbreak for Katniss and for him. He'd become part of the games; which he'd literally said he didn't want to be during book 1.
I felt emotional that Katniss wS trusted by her group during the war, despite the fact they all knew she had made up her own mission. It spoke volumes for how her team viewed her, even when she was clearly not always in the right frame of mind.
I cried when Prim died and felt it wasn't fair, but ultimately it was going to happen right?
I also cried during the epilogue. So so glad to Katniss and Peeta could live in a world where they felt safe to have a family and be free from the trauma of their teenage years.
Katniss is clearly not okay throughout the duration of this book and yet we see her forced into making decision and being the face of a rebellion she doesn't even really understand, all because the ADULTS in her life decided it was what she was doing when she was just trying to survive in the first 2 books.
The lead up to the actual war was slow, but it built anticipation for what was coming. I hated Coin throughout, but was probably biased from previous reads of the book.
When Peeta came to 13 I felt genuine heartbreak for Katniss and for him. He'd become part of the games; which he'd literally said he didn't want to be during book 1.
I felt emotional that Katniss wS trusted by her group during the war, despite the fact they all knew she had made up her own mission. It spoke volumes for how her team viewed her, even when she was clearly not always in the right frame of mind.
I cried when Prim died and felt it wasn't fair, but ultimately it was going to happen right?
I also cried during the epilogue. So so glad to Katniss and Peeta could live in a world where they felt safe to have a family and be free from the trauma of their teenage years.