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lucybbookstuff's Reviews (376)
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This woman can WRITE. One of many reasons I loved the film Women Talking so much. Her talent is all the more clear to me now.
Usually with audiobooks, I just have them around for road trips and such, but I found myself actually wanting to sit and listen to this one even without a multitasking activity (okay, I did listen to most of it on a road trip still, but I was eager for it).
It's incredible how much she's been through and how eloquently she can describe it and reflect on it. I teared up multiple times. The message of the book is honestly one I needed.
Really excellent read, and I highly recommend the audiobook.
Usually with audiobooks, I just have them around for road trips and such, but I found myself actually wanting to sit and listen to this one even without a multitasking activity (okay, I did listen to most of it on a road trip still, but I was eager for it).
It's incredible how much she's been through and how eloquently she can describe it and reflect on it. I teared up multiple times. The message of the book is honestly one I needed.
Really excellent read, and I highly recommend the audiobook.
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I thought this book was very good, for the most part, however, I wish it weren't marketed as fiction. I understand some of the specific events have been imagined/fictionalized. But it was very much a true story and felt more like a slightly more flowery Erik Larson book. Also not the gripping mystery it was described as (though still plenty interesting).
This discrepancy in description vs. reality made it hard for me to get into it at the start, but once I started viewing it as nonfiction and recategorized it in my brain, it got easier to read.
It's truly amazing the amount of research this must have taken, by the author and her mother. And it's extra amazing how influential the individual members of their family were, to have been mentioned throughout history in various accounts.
It was very emotional at times and engrossing. I didn't always love the way it was broken up, but didn't dislike it enough to really affect my reading experience.
Generally, I think this is a very good and important work (and must have been so cathartic for the author and her family) and is a worthwhile addition to the well-known canon of Holocaust literature.
This discrepancy in description vs. reality made it hard for me to get into it at the start, but once I started viewing it as nonfiction and recategorized it in my brain, it got easier to read.
It's truly amazing the amount of research this must have taken, by the author and her mother. And it's extra amazing how influential the individual members of their family were, to have been mentioned throughout history in various accounts.
It was very emotional at times and engrossing. I didn't always love the way it was broken up, but didn't dislike it enough to really affect my reading experience.
Generally, I think this is a very good and important work (and must have been so cathartic for the author and her family) and is a worthwhile addition to the well-known canon of Holocaust literature.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Yayyyyy back to good Bridgerton books. 😊 The last two have been less than fantastic, but this one is once again on par with Polin and Benophie (I love that silly ship name lol).
Finally a couple that actually talks to each other and expresses their love. And who are just so fun and hilarious to boot. Hyacinth might be my favorite Bridgerton sibling, or at least tied with Eloise.
One book to go!!
Finally a couple that actually talks to each other and expresses their love. And who are just so fun and hilarious to boot. Hyacinth might be my favorite Bridgerton sibling, or at least tied with Eloise.
One book to go!!
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
I can already feel the hangover forming. 😩
Some slight pacing issues and a couple eye rolls, but otherwise perfection. That is all I can manage to say for now.
ETA: I do think some plot points could have been handled differently.Gavriel's death was unnecessary and didn't hit nearly as hard as it was supposed to. Erawan's death was quite anticlimactic. Dorian should have done more to hurt Maeve when he destroyed Morath. The arrival of the Terrasen fae felt shoe-horned. They should have opened a portal to move the khagan army to Terrasen. And other such things. But I am willing to overlook those things for the grander story. Thinking back to the arrogant, scared assassin I first met, it brings me to tears thinking about how far she came.
Also, one thing I don't see nearly enough people talking about with these books is the STACKED cast of POWERHOUSE women!!! Like yes, people talk about the characters. But to me, this entire story is about the unbelievable power of WOMEN. The men are great, but it's not about them. They are secondary to this incredible group of badass ladies.
Some slight pacing issues and a couple eye rolls, but otherwise perfection. That is all I can manage to say for now.
ETA: I do think some plot points could have been handled differently.
Also, one thing I don't see nearly enough people talking about with these books is the STACKED cast of POWERHOUSE women!!! Like yes, people talk about the characters. But to me, this entire story is about the unbelievable power of WOMEN. The men are great, but it's not about them. They are secondary to this incredible group of badass ladies.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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:
No
I'm always talking about how much I love Chicago media, and media that portrays Chicago with love and care. But the truth about all that is I'm mainly talking about the Chicago I have experienced. There is a huge portion of the population experiencing an entirely different place. No less loveable a city, and certainly still deserving of criticism as well, but very different. So it is good for me to hear these stories as well. I could tell that it truly came from the heart and experiences of the author, which always adds a little extra something. It was also very well-narrated and immersive.
I just wish it did a bit more showing-not-telling. It was very much a predictable, linear narrative. There is nothing at all wrong with that, I'm just personally looking for something a bit more challenging in my contemporary fiction reads.
I just wish it did a bit more showing-not-telling. It was very much a predictable, linear narrative. There is nothing at all wrong with that, I'm just personally looking for something a bit more challenging in my contemporary fiction reads.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Definitely tied for last place with The Duke and I (so far, at least).
Three main flaws:
1. It was *extremely* repetitive. Both in a more grand scheme sense and also occasionally from page to page. It got very tiresome.
2. Missed a great opportunity to go beyond the surface level. To have the characters really get introspective, even for a moment. Totally wasted. Just came down to seduction and confusion. Missed a chance for a very needed emotional talk between the two MCs.
3. Francesca barely appeared in the last 5 books and made little to no impression, so I felt zero connection to her. I didn't *love* Eloise's story, but at least I loved Eloise from the start. The same cannot be said here.
This one had the potential to be one of my favorites. I had that thought at the beginning, thinking about how sweet and gentle (don't mistake me, that doesn't mean devoid of spice) a love story it could be, and it just did not deliver. Oh well.
Three main flaws:
1. It was *extremely* repetitive. Both in a more grand scheme sense and also occasionally from page to page. It got very tiresome.
2. Missed a great opportunity to go beyond the surface level. To have the characters really get introspective, even for a moment. Totally wasted. Just came down to seduction and confusion. Missed a chance for a very needed emotional talk between the two MCs.
3. Francesca barely appeared in the last 5 books and made little to no impression, so I felt zero connection to her. I didn't *love* Eloise's story, but at least I loved Eloise from the start. The same cannot be said here.
This one had the potential to be one of my favorites. I had that thought at the beginning, thinking about how sweet and gentle (don't mistake me, that doesn't mean devoid of spice) a love story it could be, and it just did not deliver. Oh well.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes
Not quite as thrilling as Empire of Storms, but I still very much enjoyed it. Very happy with Chaol's character development, and Yrene coming back into play! Also, I've had a lot spoiled for me, but the romance between Chaol and Yrene was such a lovely surprise. And the new royal family provided a lot of fun and intrigue.
I didn't love the ending tbhprobably because they went through so much to heal Chaol, just for it to almost get taken away, I was so over it, and I find their life-bond kind of stupid. But oh well. I still love them.
I didn't love the ending tbh
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am DEPLETED. I may come back and write more later. Especially after finishing Tower of Dawn (tandem read for the win). But damn. Damn damn damn. What a saga. I'm gobsmacked. To say the least.
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay, I didn't actually read them all in one volume. I just didn't want each separate one to count towards my reading numbers. That's not a comment on the value of graphic novels, just a personal decision. As a webtoon, these have fewer words than a lot of graphic novels, and I personally didn't want to count something I could read in 2 hours. So I went with a one-volume version on here to still give them their due and add them to my list for the year in some way! (As for when the next volumes come out... I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.)
I couldn't think of any reason not to give this series 5 stars. So unbelievably sweet and pure. Wonderfully diverse, and the queer joy is just delightful. All while not shying away from tough topics, but showing them in a realistic and hopeful way.
So glad the author writes the show as well, because it's one of the most beautiful and faithful adaptations I've ever seen.
I couldn't think of any reason not to give this series 5 stars. So unbelievably sweet and pure. Wonderfully diverse, and the queer joy is just delightful. All while not shying away from tough topics, but showing them in a realistic and hopeful way.
So glad the author writes the show as well, because it's one of the most beautiful and faithful adaptations I've ever seen.
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Very very good multigenerational family drama, that deeply explores themes of identity, culture, and... for lack of a more sophisticated term, stubbornness. At least, I found that to be a pretty central theme.
Half point off because I didn't love some of the vagueness throughout the book, and I also think it was tied up a little extra neatly at the end for real life lol, but fiction will do that sometimes. But overall, I thought it was very well-written, educational, and really made me care for most of the characters.
Half point off because I didn't love some of the vagueness throughout the book, and I also think it was tied up a little extra neatly at the end for real life lol, but fiction will do that sometimes. But overall, I thought it was very well-written, educational, and really made me care for most of the characters.