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lizbethandthelifeinbetween's reviews
630 reviews
Lore by Alexandra Bracken
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was so good! Took me such a long time to get through it because I wanted to make sure that I was able to sit down and properly enjoy what was happening.
This book was so satisfying, everything was tight and gripping from the start. There was a moment where a few plot points felt very plot convenient in the beginning. I was pleasantly surprised to see that these points got addressed later on in the book! Alexandra Bracken is a thorough author and I am excited to start reading more of her works. This is definitely going into the pile of books rotating through my friend group because it is that good.
This book was so satisfying, everything was tight and gripping from the start. There was a moment where a few plot points felt very plot convenient in the beginning. I was pleasantly surprised to see that these points got addressed later on in the book! Alexandra Bracken is a thorough author and I am excited to start reading more of her works. This is definitely going into the pile of books rotating through my friend group because it is that good.
The Fundamentals of Political Science Research by Guy Whitten, Paul Kellstedt
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Honestly, one of the better textbooks I have read. The information is easy to synthesize and understand. I was always shocked going to class with a good understanding of the concept instead of being confused.
Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time by Jeff Speck
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Just Stab Me Now by Jill Bearup
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-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
I thought this was very well done considering that it was built off a web series and this is the author's first book. The plot is well thought out, and the worldbuilding and characters feel very real.
My only issue with this book is that the narration style is a bit hard. The gimmick is fun and unique, which leads to an interesting reading experience, however, there is a lot of narration and telling happening. This is in line with the web series that I loved, but it made it hard to fall into the book and get immersed in the world the way I do with other reads. Honestly, I don't know any other way to pull it off and keep the original tone of the web series.
Adaptation-wise, this is the same as the series, keeping all the aspects and building up things that need to be fleshed out for a book. If you loved the series you will love this.
My only issue with this book is that the narration style is a bit hard. The gimmick is fun and unique, which leads to an interesting reading experience, however, there is a lot of narration and telling happening. This is in line with the web series that I loved, but it made it hard to fall into the book and get immersed in the world the way I do with other reads. Honestly, I don't know any other way to pull it off and keep the original tone of the web series.
Adaptation-wise, this is the same as the series, keeping all the aspects and building up things that need to be fleshed out for a book. If you loved the series you will love this.
Crochet Impkins: Over a Million Possible Combinations! Yes, Really! by Megan Lapp
5.0
Amazing customizability!
In the Serpent's Wake by Rachel Hartman
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This book failed to capture me and keep me interested, making it hard to get through. I felt no desire to pick it up and read it most of the time, and when i did, it was usually motivated by a feeling of needing to finishing the book.
There was something about Hartman's writing style that never truly worked for me in "Seraphina" and "Shadow Scale". The matter-of-fact nature and academic tone helped to build a world from Seraphina's point of view, as being half-dragon (they have their own word for it, and while I never questioned it before, the amount of new worlds for things we already say started to feel more tedious than interesting world-building in this novel) made her much more of a clinical thinker. This does not work for Tess, who is human.
Beyond the writing and style, what bugged me the most was the lack of adventure in the sea-faring, world-exploring novel. I know the author is capable of thrilling adventure; I was enthralled with "Tess of the Road". This book spent too much time on politics which was not explored enough in the first three books. That meant that where we were being promised a thrilling sea-faring novel, we spent a lot of time on the politics of the matter, with locations we don't care about and have never visited and have no emotional connection with beyond what the characters are learning about in the books.
Reading this after Kristin Cashore's "Seasparrow" was not helpful, as these books have a lot of similar ideas and themes, but Cashore's was executed so much better (Go read that book instead if you're interested in "In the Serpant's Wake" it's written as a stand-alone so you don't need to catch up on the entire series!). The stakes of the political conflicts were something that anyone could care about, as they mirrored issues I'm sure most have been exposed to before. In addition, they did not overshadow the adventure and survival aspects of the story. Both books have a long ship journey. Both have queens who the main character is loyal to having to deal with political issues. One managed to make the ship a character in its own right, the other could have been taking place in a grey-walled room.
There was something about Hartman's writing style that never truly worked for me in "Seraphina" and "Shadow Scale". The matter-of-fact nature and academic tone helped to build a world from Seraphina's point of view, as being half-dragon (they have their own word for it, and while I never questioned it before, the amount of new worlds for things we already say started to feel more tedious than interesting world-building in this novel) made her much more of a clinical thinker. This does not work for Tess, who is human.
Beyond the writing and style, what bugged me the most was the lack of adventure in the sea-faring, world-exploring novel. I know the author is capable of thrilling adventure; I was enthralled with "Tess of the Road". This book spent too much time on politics which was not explored enough in the first three books. That meant that where we were being promised a thrilling sea-faring novel, we spent a lot of time on the politics of the matter, with locations we don't care about and have never visited and have no emotional connection with beyond what the characters are learning about in the books.
Reading this after Kristin Cashore's "Seasparrow" was not helpful, as these books have a lot of similar ideas and themes, but Cashore's was executed so much better (Go read that book instead if you're interested in "In the Serpant's Wake" it's written as a stand-alone so you don't need to catch up on the entire series!). The stakes of the political conflicts were something that anyone could care about, as they mirrored issues I'm sure most have been exposed to before. In addition, they did not overshadow the adventure and survival aspects of the story. Both books have a long ship journey. Both have queens who the main character is loyal to having to deal with political issues. One managed to make the ship a character in its own right, the other could have been taking place in a grey-walled room.
Disney Frozen Crochet: 12 Projects Featuring Characters from Disney Frozen by Kati Galusz
4.0
Wish they stated the yarn that was used in the kit so that all the characters can match.
I liked that some characters you don't commonly see in other patterns were included, but especially for Anna and Elsa, you can find prettier patterns for free online.
I liked that some characters you don't commonly see in other patterns were included, but especially for Anna and Elsa, you can find prettier patterns for free online.
The Fear Trials by Lindsay Cummings
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
At first, reading this made me question myself for liking the original series. The whole thing felt off.
Then I read the excerpt from the first book. It's better written than this. Much better. I'm not sure what happened here, but I don't reccomend it.
Then I read the excerpt from the first book. It's better written than this. Much better. I'm not sure what happened here, but I don't reccomend it.
Seasparrow by Kristin Cashore
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I always say that Cashore's works feel more like art than books.
Again, another book that had me glued to my spot unable to move until I had finished reading it. I have so much to say and all of it is good. Loved this much more than Winterkeep, however, I am not quite sure I was in the right headspace to truly enjoy it so I must revisit it one day.
I have always loved the Graceling Realm. The books feel so different from anything that is out there, from how every book is unique as a standalone yet they work together as a series to build up this new world. I love how we get introduced to new places with new magic and it raises new questions and themes that get explored. Most series have an overarching goal and plot, with each installment further servicing that overarching goal. But not these books and that's what stand out so much for me. It's a long way away from Graceling and the 'story' has gone in a wild direction that was 'unpredictable' but it feels more like life and art that way. They are constantly evolving with the characters, audience, and author and I adore all of it.
Hava is a strong lead and her characterization was phenomenal. I was a bit worried after Winterkeep, but this book addressed all of the concerns I had reading the previous book. Hava's voice was so strong from page one and it sucked me right into this book.
This gave me more of the politics I was craving from the first book even if it is at heart a disaster and survival story. All the elements were very well balanced and nothing overstayed their welcome.
I'm so sick of books that try to trick the reader by having no foreshadowing or anything of that sort, and while this book keeps you guessing, you've been provided with a real target to aim for.
I don't know if there will be another installment in this series, but the unique nature of this series lends itself very well to new sequels years later. I may not be holding my breath, but I will certainly be first in line for anything else to come out of this interesting world.
Again, another book that had me glued to my spot unable to move until I had finished reading it. I have so much to say and all of it is good. Loved this much more than Winterkeep, however, I am not quite sure I was in the right headspace to truly enjoy it so I must revisit it one day.
I have always loved the Graceling Realm. The books feel so different from anything that is out there, from how every book is unique as a standalone yet they work together as a series to build up this new world. I love how we get introduced to new places with new magic and it raises new questions and themes that get explored. Most series have an overarching goal and plot, with each installment further servicing that overarching goal. But not these books and that's what stand out so much for me. It's a long way away from Graceling and the 'story' has gone in a wild direction that was 'unpredictable' but it feels more like life and art that way. They are constantly evolving with the characters, audience, and author and I adore all of it.
Hava is a strong lead and her characterization was phenomenal. I was a bit worried after Winterkeep, but this book addressed all of the concerns I had reading the previous book. Hava's voice was so strong from page one and it sucked me right into this book.
This gave me more of the politics I was craving from the first book even if it is at heart a disaster and survival story. All the elements were very well balanced and nothing overstayed their welcome.
I'm so sick of books that try to trick the reader by having no foreshadowing or anything of that sort, and while this book keeps you guessing, you've been provided with a real target to aim for.
I don't know if there will be another installment in this series, but the unique nature of this series lends itself very well to new sequels years later. I may not be holding my breath, but I will certainly be first in line for anything else to come out of this interesting world.