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marthmuffins's reviews
304 reviews
The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
5.0
What a book.
A warning before you read this, do not expect a story or at least don't expect a story in the sense of Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit. This is a history book, it chronicles the creation of Arda (the world), the birth of Elves, Dwarves and Men and their struggles against the first Dark Lord Morgoth/Melkor for the 3 great jewels called the Silmarils. It also tells the story of the fall of Numenor and has an overview of the events of the Third Age leading up to LotR.
Again this book is not for everyone. Lovers of a plot or characters you can really get 'into' will not like this. Neither will people who don't like writing full of fancy techniques.
However I loved it. The initial happiness of the Elves beening shattered by Morgoth and the unwinnable struggle the Noldor take up against him, the terrible deeds carried out by Feanor and his sons, the love between Beren and Luthien being tests again and again, the tragic story of Hurin's children and the eventual fall of Gondolin and the remaking of the world.
Not your typical book, but not a bad one either.
A warning before you read this, do not expect a story or at least don't expect a story in the sense of Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit. This is a history book, it chronicles the creation of Arda (the world), the birth of Elves, Dwarves and Men and their struggles against the first Dark Lord Morgoth/Melkor for the 3 great jewels called the Silmarils. It also tells the story of the fall of Numenor and has an overview of the events of the Third Age leading up to LotR.
Again this book is not for everyone. Lovers of a plot or characters you can really get 'into' will not like this. Neither will people who don't like writing full of fancy techniques.
However I loved it. The initial happiness of the Elves beening shattered by Morgoth and the unwinnable struggle the Noldor take up against him, the terrible deeds carried out by Feanor and his sons, the love between Beren and Luthien being tests again and again, the tragic story of Hurin's children and the eventual fall of Gondolin and the remaking of the world.
Not your typical book, but not a bad one either.
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
3.0
A fun, interesting and engaging book. The 'world'-building was great with the different conflicts between Earth, Mars and The Belt creating an interesting story and (without giving anything away) them having to work together leads to some fun clashes.
The only think that really threw me off where the characters and dialogue. The characters were very standard, a hard-boiled detective and an idealistic naive yong ship captain. They are interesting enough but nothing all too new (not that that's a complete negative of course). What really threw me was the dialogue. The writers try so hard to make the dialogue feel 'natural' that it does a bit of a 180 in certain instances coming off as weird and strange like refering to Daddy Warbucks for example.
Apart form that I really enjoyed his book's fast paced plot, great world building and good action.
A large number out of 10.
The only think that really threw me off where the characters and dialogue. The characters were very standard, a hard-boiled detective and an idealistic naive yong ship captain. They are interesting enough but nothing all too new (not that that's a complete negative of course). What really threw me was the dialogue. The writers try so hard to make the dialogue feel 'natural' that it does a bit of a 180 in certain instances coming off as weird and strange like refering to Daddy Warbucks for example.
Apart form that I really enjoyed his book's fast paced plot, great world building and good action.
A large number out of 10.
The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin
5.0
Read in the Earthsea Quartet collection.
This story is amazing. A story of a girl learning to free herself from the controlling grasp of the priesthood she has been forced to join with the help of Sparrowhawk, The Tombs of Atuan is very introspective. The main character Arha/Tenar spends much of her time questioning herself and her life and whether she really is reborn to serve the Eaten Ones.
A story that is good for all, unless you like a lot of action. If that's the case you might find this slow and boring to read.
Overall a solid maze out of 5.
This story is amazing. A story of a girl learning to free herself from the controlling grasp of the priesthood she has been forced to join with the help of Sparrowhawk, The Tombs of Atuan is very introspective. The main character Arha/Tenar spends much of her time questioning herself and her life and whether she really is reborn to serve the Eaten Ones.
A story that is good for all, unless you like a lot of action. If that's the case you might find this slow and boring to read.
Overall a solid maze out of 5.
Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke
5.0
Philosophical sci-fi at it's best. Explores interesting ideas about humanity, individuality and connections. Great, thought provoking read which, even if you disagree with this book, gives the reader plenty to consider going forward.
Hellboy Omnibus Volume 1: Seed of Destruction by John Byrne, Mike Mignola
4.0
Seed of Destruction
****
The introduction to Hellboy and his universe. Fun and engaging while being a lot more wordy then what Mike Mignola usually writes (due to John Byrne's scripting the first 4 issues). Contains the origin of Hellboy and introduces the first main villian, Rasputin.
The Wolves of Saint August
*****
An incredible and creepy story with a great villian and disturbing atmosphere. Mignola takes full control and you can tell as there is a lot less dialogue and far more 'silent' atmosphere building panels that show rather than tell the reader what is happening which I think is an improvement. Introduces Kate Corrigan.
The Chained Coffin
*****
Reveals how Hellboy was created in a short, ten page comic. Interesting and engaging with a fun framing device in a letter from Hellboy to Abe.
Wake The Devil
*****
Hellboy fully comes into its own. A tense, atmospheric vampire tale with a whole load of foreshadowing of later events. Cool fights and great dialogue and art, Mignola really shows what Hellboy can (and will) become.
Almost Colossus
*****
The Homunculus(now named Roger) from Wake The Devil is still on the loose and Liz Sherman is dying after giving it her power. Frankenstien style story with Roger and his brother with their different views on humanity. Crazy giant fight at the end as well.
Overall an incredible collection. Recommended to any comic fans and lovers of folklore or paranormal investigations.
****
The introduction to Hellboy and his universe. Fun and engaging while being a lot more wordy then what Mike Mignola usually writes (due to John Byrne's scripting the first 4 issues). Contains the origin of Hellboy and introduces the first main villian, Rasputin.
The Wolves of Saint August
*****
An incredible and creepy story with a great villian and disturbing atmosphere. Mignola takes full control and you can tell as there is a lot less dialogue and far more 'silent' atmosphere building panels that show rather than tell the reader what is happening which I think is an improvement. Introduces Kate Corrigan.
The Chained Coffin
*****
Reveals how Hellboy was created in a short, ten page comic. Interesting and engaging with a fun framing device in a letter from Hellboy to Abe.
Wake The Devil
*****
Hellboy fully comes into its own. A tense, atmospheric vampire tale with a whole load of foreshadowing of later events. Cool fights and great dialogue and art, Mignola really shows what Hellboy can (and will) become.
Almost Colossus
*****
The Homunculus(now named Roger) from Wake The Devil is still on the loose and Liz Sherman is dying after giving it her power. Frankenstien style story with Roger and his brother with their different views on humanity. Crazy giant fight at the end as well.
Overall an incredible collection. Recommended to any comic fans and lovers of folklore or paranormal investigations.