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lucybbookstuff's Reviews (392)
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Wow. Above all else... what a deeply layered book.
I immersion read this and got through it very fast. It is definitely a compulsively readable book. But I already feel like I want to reread sometime and sit with more of the ideas for longer. Though I still feel that I have a decent handle on them after this first read.
I read Huck Finn in high school, probably 16 years ago now. I had been hoping to do a reread before this, but couldn't fit it in. Definitely didn't need to after all - though I am glad I read a summary of it beforehand. Huck Finn isn't a necessary read to enjoy this book, but I would 1000% recommend having some knowledge of the plot and/or critical context of it before diving into James.
Everett definitely played around with literary devices in this book. It is not a straightforward narrative. It's not entirely grounded in reality. It often reads like a madcap adventure story, parallel to Huck Finn, but with much more serious plot points and themes. Due to that, it strikes a pretty dissonant tone at times (in a very intentional way, I believe).
Some of these devices didn't completely work for me, as I can be a very literal person, and can get easily confused with even slightly-warped realities. I also was frequently thrown off by the narrative style of the step-by-step adventure mixed with moments of profound philosophy. However, these are definitely just personal preferences, and I think that these devices were very well-used by Everett. He is much smarter than me. 😅
I did enjoy the narrative overall and how it interrogated and diverged from the original. Retellings can be a tough sell for me, too. But this one served a very good purpose.
No matter what, I absolutely loved the theme work on display here. There were some fantastic musings on equality, hypocrisy, choice, and of course, slavery in general. But in particular, I LOVED the discussion throughout the book about language, as it relates to perceived intelligence, and the implications of that. Really fascinating stuff.
Highly recommend this book. I definitely will do that reread one day. And I think I will also do the Huck Finn reread at that time. Even though it's not necessary for full enjoyment and analysis, I am a nerd and I would like to see them side by side. 😁
I immersion read this and got through it very fast. It is definitely a compulsively readable book. But I already feel like I want to reread sometime and sit with more of the ideas for longer. Though I still feel that I have a decent handle on them after this first read.
I read Huck Finn in high school, probably 16 years ago now. I had been hoping to do a reread before this, but couldn't fit it in. Definitely didn't need to after all - though I am glad I read a summary of it beforehand. Huck Finn isn't a necessary read to enjoy this book, but I would 1000% recommend having some knowledge of the plot and/or critical context of it before diving into James.
Everett definitely played around with literary devices in this book. It is not a straightforward narrative. It's not entirely grounded in reality. It often reads like a madcap adventure story, parallel to Huck Finn, but with much more serious plot points and themes. Due to that, it strikes a pretty dissonant tone at times (in a very intentional way, I believe).
Some of these devices didn't completely work for me, as I can be a very literal person, and can get easily confused with even slightly-warped realities. I also was frequently thrown off by the narrative style of the step-by-step adventure mixed with moments of profound philosophy. However, these are definitely just personal preferences, and I think that these devices were very well-used by Everett. He is much smarter than me. 😅
I did enjoy the narrative overall and how it interrogated and diverged from the original. Retellings can be a tough sell for me, too. But this one served a very good purpose.
No matter what, I absolutely loved the theme work on display here. There were some fantastic musings on equality, hypocrisy, choice, and of course, slavery in general. But in particular, I LOVED the discussion throughout the book about language, as it relates to perceived intelligence, and the implications of that. Really fascinating stuff.
Highly recommend this book. I definitely will do that reread one day. And I think I will also do the Huck Finn reread at that time. Even though it's not necessary for full enjoyment and analysis, I am a nerd and I would like to see them side by side. 😁
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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
Reread 4 years later. Gonna keep its 5 stars. 😌
This read took me considerably longer than the first time around. A combination of my brain being in a bad place recently, and the book not being quite as page-turning since I knew/remembered most of the big plot points.
Still absolutely amazing. Some of the best characters ever. And the last couple hundred pages especially are SO GOOD. Worth 5 stars all on their own.
I may not be in the same place I was when I first read these. When they changed the game and my reading habits and my standards for good. But I'll always appreciate them for that and they'll always be incredible.
This read took me considerably longer than the first time around. A combination of my brain being in a bad place recently, and the book not being quite as page-turning since I knew/remembered most of the big plot points.
Still absolutely amazing. Some of the best characters ever. And the last couple hundred pages especially are SO GOOD. Worth 5 stars all on their own.
I may not be in the same place I was when I first read these. When they changed the game and my reading habits and my standards for good. But I'll always appreciate them for that and they'll always be incredible.
![The Awakening (Part 1 of 1) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Susanne Valenti, Caroline Peckham](https://cdn.thestorygraph.com/ttcsecfxkxfeg5gvk2vy9w9x0f5t)
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
LOL. Trust me, I had this nowhere near my TBR, but some friends have been chatting about it and giving me FOMO. Also life has been lifeing so hard, and it turned out I really needed some brain-off trash.
I have very little comment about the actual contents of this book lol. It was cringey and cliche and not very well-written. I can't say I care about anyone or anything that happened yet. But it was highly entertaining, and I needed that. And it's also honest about what it is, so I give it credit for that.
This was garbage that I sorely needed right now, and I will continue on, both for my mushy brain AND to see what all the fuss is about in the later books. 👀
I have very little comment about the actual contents of this book lol. It was cringey and cliche and not very well-written. I can't say I care about anyone or anything that happened yet. But it was highly entertaining, and I needed that. And it's also honest about what it is, so I give it credit for that.
This was garbage that I sorely needed right now, and I will continue on, both for my mushy brain AND to see what all the fuss is about in the later books. 👀
challenging
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Transcends a star rating.
My first nonfiction from Baldwin and it absolutely did not disappoint. He is capable not only of beautiful, timeless prose, but clearly imparting such critical wisdom about the state of the world.
It's amazing and frightening how relevant the thoughts and calls to action in this book still are today, 60 years later. And yet, I still get a sense of hope from it.
This should definitely be required reading for Americans.
My first nonfiction from Baldwin and it absolutely did not disappoint. He is capable not only of beautiful, timeless prose, but clearly imparting such critical wisdom about the state of the world.
It's amazing and frightening how relevant the thoughts and calls to action in this book still are today, 60 years later. And yet, I still get a sense of hope from it.
This should definitely be required reading for Americans.
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
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:
Complicated
Loved this one! The first book was fun and a great introduction. For some reason, I found this one so comforting.
Binti is just a calming presence on the page. And Okorafor brings this world to life so nicely without going into much detail at all.
It has high stakes but still manages to feel cozy, and I had no idea how much I needed that right now. 🥲
Definitely getting to book 3 soon!
Binti is just a calming presence on the page. And Okorafor brings this world to life so nicely without going into much detail at all.
It has high stakes but still manages to feel cozy, and I had no idea how much I needed that right now. 🥲
Definitely getting to book 3 soon!
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Very classic Backman, whimsically telling very human stories. Though this one was a little extra goofy in a way I didn't love. Got some good chuckles out of it, but was mostly annoyed. Leave the poor guy alone???
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-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
This book.
I laughed out loud.
I sobbed with my entire soul.
I cheered proudly.
I felt indescribable dread.
I fell in love.
I seethed with hatred.
I had my heart shattered over and over, but rebuilt every time, stronger than the last.
I had to put it down for a couple days and come back only when I was ready.
I ran out of 4 different tab colors marking my favorites of the endlessly beautiful passages.
As I was sitting outside, reading the last few pages, it started to rain. I live in the desert and it's been an alarmingly dry winter. We've been begging for rain. And it finally happened. I could instantly smell the creosote, blanketing the city in its earthy scent. I let it fall on the book. It felt right.
"The ripples have weakened. But the waters will never be still."
I laughed out loud.
I sobbed with my entire soul.
I cheered proudly.
I felt indescribable dread.
I fell in love.
I seethed with hatred.
I had my heart shattered over and over, but rebuilt every time, stronger than the last.
I had to put it down for a couple days and come back only when I was ready.
I ran out of 4 different tab colors marking my favorites of the endlessly beautiful passages.
As I was sitting outside, reading the last few pages, it started to rain. I live in the desert and it's been an alarmingly dry winter. We've been begging for rain. And it finally happened. I could instantly smell the creosote, blanketing the city in its earthy scent. I let it fall on the book. It felt right.
"The ripples have weakened. But the waters will never be still."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book wasn't bad, but
1) it read like it was written for the express purpose of becoming a Hulu miniseries, and
2) I read this at the same time as Betty by Tiffany McDaniel, and that was just cruel to this book lol.
This book just lacked some of the emotional depth and strong character work that I want from literary fiction. There were a few poignant moments that had me misty-eyed, but overall, I just didn't connect with or root for these characters much and I found the book pretty boring. Most of it felt trite and generic to me.
To be fair, I do not have sisters, and I thankfully haven't had to deal with addiction in any of my closest family/friends. So I lacked opportunities for real connection with the book. I did somewhat connect with the grief part. But I generally don't think the writing style lent itself to getting me invested.
I do appreciate the endometriosis rep. And I have to imagine a lot of the addiction rep was pretty accurate as well.
Some specific things that irked me werethe love story between mentor/student since she was 15 when they first met, the portrayal of non-white/American/straight people, and the somewhat Hallmark happy ending.
I can totally see the appeal of this book. And if it's ever turned into a tv series, I think I'd enjoy that much more. But yeah, not for me in book form.
1) it read like it was written for the express purpose of becoming a Hulu miniseries, and
2) I read this at the same time as Betty by Tiffany McDaniel, and that was just cruel to this book lol.
This book just lacked some of the emotional depth and strong character work that I want from literary fiction. There were a few poignant moments that had me misty-eyed, but overall, I just didn't connect with or root for these characters much and I found the book pretty boring. Most of it felt trite and generic to me.
To be fair, I do not have sisters, and I thankfully haven't had to deal with addiction in any of my closest family/friends. So I lacked opportunities for real connection with the book. I did somewhat connect with the grief part. But I generally don't think the writing style lent itself to getting me invested.
I do appreciate the endometriosis rep. And I have to imagine a lot of the addiction rep was pretty accurate as well.
Some specific things that irked me were
I can totally see the appeal of this book. And if it's ever turned into a tv series, I think I'd enjoy that much more. But yeah, not for me in book form.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
A reread 4 years later, and it's gonna stay at 5 stars. 🤌🏻
I rated it that very early in my reading renaissance, back when I gave 5s away pretty easily. For a bit, I thought I'd be okay downgrading this to 4.5. It really is quite a slow build, and I felt the pace creeping at times. But the last part!!! It just HITS, and I had forgotten so many details and it's just so good and has me so pumped to get into Crooked Kingdom.
I adore these characters SO MUCH. My precious children. Bardugo built them so well. I could never give them less than 5 stars.
Also, for good measure: the world is vivid, the magic is unique and simple, and the prose is beautiful. And once again these CHARACTERS and every single relationship between all of them. Love love love.
I rated it that very early in my reading renaissance, back when I gave 5s away pretty easily. For a bit, I thought I'd be okay downgrading this to 4.5. It really is quite a slow build, and I felt the pace creeping at times. But the last part!!! It just HITS, and I had forgotten so many details and it's just so good and has me so pumped to get into Crooked Kingdom.
I adore these characters SO MUCH. My precious children. Bardugo built them so well. I could never give them less than 5 stars.
Also, for good measure: the world is vivid, the magic is unique and simple, and the prose is beautiful. And once again these CHARACTERS and every single relationship between all of them. Love love love.
informative
slow-paced
Very informative, comprehensive, and helpful. Also infuriating. Quite dense, I zoned out more than I wish I did, but I never could have gotten through it in physical format. I own it on libro.fm, so I can always revisit it if I want a refresher.
Either way, I know a ton more about the conflict than I did before. Definitely should be required reading for the "Western world."
Either way, I know a ton more about the conflict than I did before. Definitely should be required reading for the "Western world."