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lucybbookstuff's Reviews (376)
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Knocked down from 5 only because it felt quite dense (though that's probably more my problem than the book's) and I'm not sure how I feel about the way it was written (first-person account but ultimately written by someone else).
But other than those small qualms... wow. What a fascinating man. Incredibly smart and logical - even though I disagree with him on some things (mainly some religious and misogynistic thoughts), I must say that I see the logic and wholeheartedly agree on most of his racial thoughts.
I was also struck by how self-aware and self-reflective he was. The first two thirds or so were very interesting to learn about his progression from troubled youth to street hustling to prison to the Nation of Islam. But the last handful of chapters were the most fascinating part - witnessing someone learn and grow and change their perspective in real time. It's such a shame and a tragedy that his life was ended right in the middle of that process. No telling how far he could have gone as a thinker and leader.
But other than those small qualms... wow. What a fascinating man. Incredibly smart and logical - even though I disagree with him on some things (mainly some religious and misogynistic thoughts), I must say that I see the logic and wholeheartedly agree on most of his racial thoughts.
I was also struck by how self-aware and self-reflective he was. The first two thirds or so were very interesting to learn about his progression from troubled youth to street hustling to prison to the Nation of Islam. But the last handful of chapters were the most fascinating part - witnessing someone learn and grow and change their perspective in real time. It's such a shame and a tragedy that his life was ended right in the middle of that process. No telling how far he could have gone as a thinker and leader.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't even know what to say?? Just so glad I read these and so glad I didn't listen to the weirdos who didn't like it. Not everything needs to be romance first, making sense second. Some things can be intense political intrigue and interesting interpersonal relationships between very dynamic characters, with a romance on the side that is such a glorious slow burn that you think you might die before it comes to fruition. Boy, was it worth it.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one started off slow, but DAMN DID IT MAKE UP FOR IT. Some reeeaaaal good stuff in here. I'd die for these characters even though they'd kill me in a heartbeat. 😂
And now the ending has left me so frustrated, I have no choice but to jump right into book 3. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And now the ending has left me so frustrated, I have no choice but to jump right into book 3. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I NEEDED THIS!!! November was a string of super underwhelming reads and I really needed something impressive and exciting and this absolutely delivered!!!
I don't know what I was expecting from this beyond a lot of politics and a little romance. But it certainly gave me more than I bargained for.
I LOVE the characters and how dynamic and non-cookie-cutter they are! Especially for YA fantasy! They aren't simply loveable, either. I felt a range of emotions from love to frustration to suspicion to pity to cheering on to extreme dislike, and more. There has been barely any romance yet, but I am fully prepared to go down with this toxic as fuck ship. 🤣
My only criticism is that the pacing felt a little extra fast and almost forced at times, but I can forgive that because the story and characters delivered totally won me over.
Absolutely loved this book, and I may or may not be trying to finish the trilogy in the next 5 days. 😅
I don't know what I was expecting from this beyond a lot of politics and a little romance. But it certainly gave me more than I bargained for.
I LOVE the characters and how dynamic and non-cookie-cutter they are! Especially for YA fantasy! They aren't simply loveable, either. I felt a range of emotions from love to frustration to suspicion to pity to cheering on to extreme dislike, and more. There has been barely any romance yet, but I am fully prepared to go down with this toxic as fuck ship. 🤣
My only criticism is that the pacing felt a little extra fast and almost forced at times, but I can forgive that because the story and characters delivered totally won me over.
Absolutely loved this book, and I may or may not be trying to finish the trilogy in the next 5 days. 😅
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
I love this man and will forever read anything he writes. I definitely enjoyed this addition to his canon of humorous but earnest personal musings.
However, I do agree with some other reviewers that it skewed a bit more political than I was expecting or wanting. Of course, the outdoors in the USA *is* political, and I didn't mind some of those thoughts, but I felt it often went off topic in an effort to be relevant to the times. When it didn't really need to be.
That said, still very enjoyable. And I was particularly tickled by his appreciation of my home of Tucson, Arizona. :)
However, I do agree with some other reviewers that it skewed a bit more political than I was expecting or wanting. Of course, the outdoors in the USA *is* political, and I didn't mind some of those thoughts, but I felt it often went off topic in an effort to be relevant to the times. When it didn't really need to be.
That said, still very enjoyable. And I was particularly tickled by his appreciation of my home of Tucson, Arizona. :)
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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:
Complicated
A lovely story. Not a favorite or anything, but very sweet and poignant and educational.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Hmmmm. A fun story, for sure, I liked it and I enjoyed myself and I'll definitely read book 2. But the writing felt very... surface level? For lack of a better phrase. The magic system was interesting, I like the MC (when she's not being painfully obtuse), and the romance was cute. Just none of it was explored very deeply, when it really could have benefited from it. I also was excited to read this highly-praised NOT young/new adult fantasy book, but it did still feel very YA unfortunately. I also felt the pacing was off, but it didn't bother me toooo much.
It was a nice introduction, though, and I've especially heard great things about Two Twisted Crowns, so I am looking forward to it! Hopefully it'll dig a little deeper. 🤞🏻
ETA a couple months later: The more I think about it, the more disappointe I am with this series. I was being too nice giving it 4 stars lol. Knocked it down a half.
It was a nice introduction, though, and I've especially heard great things about Two Twisted Crowns, so I am looking forward to it! Hopefully it'll dig a little deeper. 🤞🏻
ETA a couple months later: The more I think about it, the more disappointe I am with this series. I was being too nice giving it 4 stars lol. Knocked it down a half.
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
I don't know if I'm just burnt out on reading/audiobooks/memoir/all of the above, or if I just wasn't in the mood for something so completely sad, or what... but this didn't really hit the way everyone said it would.
It was good, I can recognize that. She's a good writer and artist, and it's a story worth telling. But I kind of used it as a time filler and I wish I hadn't. Should have just switched to podcasts and music for a bit. Oh, well.
I don't have much to say about it. It's another one that I'll give another try some other time, perhaps in physical book form.
It was good, I can recognize that. She's a good writer and artist, and it's a story worth telling. But I kind of used it as a time filler and I wish I hadn't. Should have just switched to podcasts and music for a bit. Oh, well.
I don't have much to say about it. It's another one that I'll give another try some other time, perhaps in physical book form.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Beautifully written, but very slow and a bit too atmospheric for my tastes. I could have done without the diamond subplot. I think almost the same story could have been written without that and lost nothing.
I liked the MCs and the ways in which their paths collided.
I liked this, but I thought I would like it a lot more. I believe it was just a combination of 1) too much atmosphere/too little action and 2) me not being in the right headspace for historical fiction at the moment.
Maybe I'll appreciate it more on a reread sometime in the next few years.
I liked the MCs and the ways in which their paths collided.
I liked this, but I thought I would like it a lot more. I believe it was just a combination of 1) too much atmosphere/too little action and 2) me not being in the right headspace for historical fiction at the moment.
Maybe I'll appreciate it more on a reread sometime in the next few years.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
A good listen, really enjoyed his delivery. Fun to hear about his journey and he had some good nuggets of wisdom to share from all he's learned.