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martuchi's reviews
164 reviews
La Maldición del Amor Verdadero by Stephanie Garber
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I mean, I understand why this book is not as loved as the other two. But it’s Sososososososo good in my opinion…, until we reach the ending. It’s too fast, too easy.
There were many questions left unanswered, which I didn’t like. It will keep me up at night, wondering if they will ever get solved for once. But I’m happy. My heart hurts from happiness, I guess. Maybe melancholy. My feelings are as contradictory as Jacks’ personality.
I love magic, I love love.
I want them to be happy together forever. I want another book about their adventures in the inn. I want so much more, as I knew this finale wouldn’t be enough to satisfy my Evajacks appetite.
Though, of course, the book has its flaws: too fast paced, the lost memory thing got weirdly solved in 2 pages, Luc’s absolute disappearance… it’s strange. Maybe the unsolved mysteries will have a resolution in later books. I know Spectacular is coming up later this year, I hope Jacks and Evangeline appear there, too, apart from the Caraval characters.
Needles to say, this is the superior trilogy out of the two. I am empty inside, and have nothing to live for now.
There were many questions left unanswered, which I didn’t like. It will keep me up at night, wondering if they will ever get solved for once. But I’m happy. My heart hurts from happiness, I guess. Maybe melancholy. My feelings are as contradictory as Jacks’ personality.
I love magic, I love love.
I want them to be happy together forever. I want another book about their adventures in the inn. I want so much more, as I knew this finale wouldn’t be enough to satisfy my Evajacks appetite.
Though, of course, the book has its flaws: too fast paced, the lost memory thing got weirdly solved in 2 pages, Luc’s absolute disappearance… it’s strange. Maybe the unsolved mysteries will have a resolution in later books. I know Spectacular is coming up later this year, I hope Jacks and Evangeline appear there, too, apart from the Caraval characters.
Needles to say, this is the superior trilogy out of the two. I am empty inside, and have nothing to live for now.
Lucía Miranda by Rosa Guerra
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Los elefantes pueden recordar by Agatha Christie
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Not my favorite novel from Miss Agatha Christie, but a good read nonetheless.
Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I love magic, and I’m pretty sure magic loves me.
This was the kind of wonder I was waiting for when I started these novels, yet, I found so difficult to find. But here I am: magic thundering my heart. Narnia is still as beautiful as I remember, not as cheerful but surely more developed.
The book hasn’t got the magic I was hoping for, though. As I have watched the movie, and can tell that they are both SO different from one another. The film is very much directed toward a teen or early-teen audience, and the book is more for a younger public. The movie is mature enough, serious enough, for an adult to, at least, enjoy. Of course, I am, in fact, an adult who enjoyed both, but once again, it’s because I love magic.
Still, I’m glad they are different in their own ways…, because you can experience peculiar wonder and fascination in similar, yet not exactly the same, way. Two stories full of magical adventures.
Truly adored this book.
This was the kind of wonder I was waiting for when I started these novels, yet, I found so difficult to find. But here I am: magic thundering my heart. Narnia is still as beautiful as I remember, not as cheerful but surely more developed.
The book hasn’t got the magic I was hoping for, though. As I have watched the movie, and can tell that they are both SO different from one another. The film is very much directed toward a teen or early-teen audience, and the book is more for a younger public. The movie is mature enough, serious enough, for an adult to, at least, enjoy. Of course, I am, in fact, an adult who enjoyed both, but once again, it’s because I love magic.
Still, I’m glad they are different in their own ways…, because you can experience peculiar wonder and fascination in similar, yet not exactly the same, way. Two stories full of magical adventures.
Truly adored this book.
La ciudad ausente by Ricardo Piglia
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.25
La complejidad no es sinónimo de calidad.
Ricardo Piglia es el perfecto ejemplo del típico escritor argentino que quiere ser Borges y escribir “difícil”, cuando Borges jamás lo hizo así; su lector modelo era alguien instruido que tenía mucha cultura literaria, por eso todo lo que escribió tenía referencias a otras obras (de ahí, la complejidad de sus textos).
Piglia, en cambio, creó un absurdo metatexto y una cantidad terrible de intertextualidades para generar aún más confusión en el lector y luego insinuar que todo lo que se leyó fue meramente una invención de la máquina (o no). Leer esta novela por placer trajo más incomodidad (de una mala manera; no relacionada a la inconformidad en lo absoluto, sino más bien a un aburrimiento) que disfrute.
Por momentos me gustaba bastante lo que leía, pero luego se caía en picada: la verborragia en esta novela es un crimen total; es fácil perderse en la lectura; peor aun, es más aburrida que interesante.
En palabras de Piglia: “la literatura es una forma de decir la verdad.” Pero ¿qué verdades se están diciendo en esta historia? (o conjunto de historias, por donde lo veas). No se entiende ni la mitad de lo que se quiere comunicar. Por ende, Piglia traiciona sus propias palabras en su propio texto.
Recomiendo la ópera muchísimo más; que, si bien se entiende tanto (o tal vez menos) que esta novela, por lo menos se disfruta —y tiene excelentes actores y cantantes.
Ricardo Piglia es el perfecto ejemplo del típico escritor argentino que quiere ser Borges y escribir “difícil”, cuando Borges jamás lo hizo así; su lector modelo era alguien instruido que tenía mucha cultura literaria, por eso todo lo que escribió tenía referencias a otras obras (de ahí, la complejidad de sus textos).
Piglia, en cambio, creó un absurdo metatexto y una cantidad terrible de intertextualidades para generar aún más confusión en el lector y luego insinuar que todo lo que se leyó fue meramente una invención de la máquina (o no). Leer esta novela por placer trajo más incomodidad (de una mala manera; no relacionada a la inconformidad en lo absoluto, sino más bien a un aburrimiento) que disfrute.
Por momentos me gustaba bastante lo que leía, pero luego se caía en picada: la verborragia en esta novela es un crimen total; es fácil perderse en la lectura; peor aun, es más aburrida que interesante.
En palabras de Piglia: “la literatura es una forma de decir la verdad.” Pero ¿qué verdades se están diciendo en esta historia? (o conjunto de historias, por donde lo veas). No se entiende ni la mitad de lo que se quiere comunicar. Por ende, Piglia traiciona sus propias palabras en su propio texto.
Recomiendo la ópera muchísimo más; que, si bien se entiende tanto (o tal vez menos) que esta novela, por lo menos se disfruta —y tiene excelentes actores y cantantes.
El puente de las almas by V.E. Schwab
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Well, I’ve finally finished this trilogy. It took me longer than expected, but it was only a matter of time.
I believe that the plot in this book was by far the best out of the three, however, its ending was the worst, as well. It was too rushed, too easy. But I understand, this is a middle grade novel. Plus, it made me remember Cassidy is 12… like what?! I’m sure twelve year olds do not speak like her (nor, obviously, like Lara) at all. But anyway, I’ll accept it.
It genuinely made me afraid from time to time. Good enough.
I believe that the plot in this book was by far the best out of the three, however, its ending was the worst, as well. It was too rushed, too easy. But I understand, this is a middle grade novel. Plus, it made me remember Cassidy is 12… like what?! I’m sure twelve year olds do not speak like her (nor, obviously, like Lara) at all. But anyway, I’ll accept it.
It genuinely made me afraid from time to time. Good enough.
Fleabag: The Scriptures by Phoebe Waller-Bridge
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I mean, the show itself is a masterpiece. One can only expect for this to be a masterpiece as well… and of course, one might never be wrong.
My love for this show and characters won’t pass.
My love for this show and characters won’t pass.
Seremos el huracán by Selene M. Pascual, Iria G. Parente
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
La novela es excelente, no hay manera de negarlo. Sin embargo, también creo que es demasiado larga sin necesidad de serlo; lo que torna la historia bastante repetitiva. El duelo (ya sea por la muerte de un familiar o el cambio que conlleva una transición) es muy difícil de expresar en meras palabras, y si bien creo que ambos ejemplos fueron descriptos de manera espectacular, siento que al mismo tiempo se volvieron insuficientes al ser repetidos los mismos conflictos una y otra vez.
La longitud de la novela es su mayor problema. Si no hubiesen alargado tanto los problemas insignificantes y mantenido un ritmo más exacto, la lectura hubiese sido muchísimo más amena.
Disfrute mucho la lectura, igualmente. Ambas autoras tienen distintas formas de escritura y son evidentes, cuando vas leyendo, los diferentes puntos de vista de los personajes. La narración hace que podamos distinguir de manera fácil a los personajes, y que puedas meterte en sus cabezas más y más cada vez. Aunque mi crítica en este sentido es que Raven (mi personaje favorito) fue el menos desarrollado, y el que más tenía para desarrollar; fue un desperdicio, la verdad.
En cuanto a los romances, (aunque me parecieron un tanto forzados) me gustaron bastante. Sin embargo, creo que las revelaciones de dichos, al final de la novela, me generaron una vergüenza ajena absoluta —además de incredulidad: fueron tan alejados a la realidad…. Los sentí, además, bastante infantiles en muchas partes (por eso la escena un tanto subida de tono me tomo desprevenida).
Sería hermoso pensar que el amor es tan fácil, y más siendo parte de la comunidad LGBTQ+, pero en la vida real no es así. Aunque esto es ficción, así que tengo que aceptarlo sin dudas.
Buena novela, no me gustó el final (es demasiado cursi y termina demasiado “bien”). Súper recomendada igualmente.
La longitud de la novela es su mayor problema. Si no hubiesen alargado tanto los problemas insignificantes y mantenido un ritmo más exacto, la lectura hubiese sido muchísimo más amena.
Disfrute mucho la lectura, igualmente. Ambas autoras tienen distintas formas de escritura y son evidentes, cuando vas leyendo, los diferentes puntos de vista de los personajes. La narración hace que podamos distinguir de manera fácil a los personajes, y que puedas meterte en sus cabezas más y más cada vez. Aunque mi crítica en este sentido es que Raven (mi personaje favorito) fue el menos desarrollado, y el que más tenía para desarrollar; fue un desperdicio, la verdad.
En cuanto a los romances, (aunque me parecieron un tanto forzados) me gustaron bastante. Sin embargo, creo que las revelaciones de dichos, al final de la novela, me generaron una vergüenza ajena absoluta —además de incredulidad: fueron tan alejados a la realidad…. Los sentí, además, bastante infantiles en muchas partes (por eso la escena un tanto subida de tono me tomo desprevenida).
Sería hermoso pensar que el amor es tan fácil, y más siendo parte de la comunidad LGBTQ+, pero en la vida real no es así. Aunque esto es ficción, así que tengo que aceptarlo sin dudas.
Buena novela, no me gustó el final (es demasiado cursi y termina demasiado “bien”). Súper recomendada igualmente.
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Soul crusher, dream taker, heart broker.
It was definitely much better than the first book. Finally, we have a love triangle as I was asking before, yet I think I kinda regret it because it made me sob!
I have few complaints of this book, but the one that strikes me the most is Tessa’s personality. She was annoying, I couldn’t stand her most of the time. She was so dumb from time to time, with unusual remarks that didn’t fit her persona (comparing this Tessa with the Tessa from the previous novel).
And I hate what Cassandra Clare did to Jessamine. I wonder if she will have her comeback era in the last book of the trilogy.
I really like Jem, too. It pains my heart to see him suffer, but Will… Oh, Will. He owns my heart as much as Tessa owns his.
It was definitely much better than the first book. Finally, we have a love triangle as I was asking before, yet I think I kinda regret it because it made me sob!
I have few complaints of this book, but the one that strikes me the most is Tessa’s personality. She was annoying, I couldn’t stand her most of the time. She was so dumb from time to time, with unusual remarks that didn’t fit her persona (comparing this Tessa with the Tessa from the previous novel).
And I hate what Cassandra Clare did to Jessamine. I wonder if she will have her comeback era in the last book of the trilogy.
I really like Jem, too. It pains my heart to see him suffer, but Will… Oh, Will. He owns my heart as much as Tessa owns his.