nincrony1's reviews
55 reviews

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

adventurous inspiring reflective 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

4.0

Ursula Le Guin’s first Earthasea book is still a joy. I first read it about 5 years ago and returning to it, with the intention of reading the entire series (I got to Atuan last time), is like seeing an old friend again. Guin’s prose is so crisp and sharp; I love that in such a short book, she fits in this feeling of deep history and this being a lived in universe. It’s direct in its approach; Ged’s journey is clear and understandable giving the book a universality. It might not be as viscerally exciting as modern fantasy but Guin’s approach is careful and delicate; Earthsea just feels so alive.  

All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy

dark emotional reflective 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

4.0

A simmering tale that beautifully shows off McCarthy’s prose even if it’s not the most provocative of his works.  “Death of the Old West” is one of my favourite themes so the band of John Grady, Lacey Rawlins, and Jimmy Blevins trying to seek adventure in a Western frontier that is very much dying, and very much failing, is an appealing one. No one gets what they want. It’s a haunting little book. 

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.75

Stirring, riveting, intriguing; the prototypical sort of book you can get lost in on a rainy day, exploring its mysteries and revelling in its modern gothic atmosphere. 

Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous emotional inspiring tense slow-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

4.75

Sanderson certainly nails epic fantasy for bored geeks such as me to wile a summer away. More of a slow burn than Way of Kings, Words of Radiance richly rewards with a wider expansion of its world and characters. This is the one where I really fell in love with the extended cast; Adolin and Shallan in particular. Kaladin’s arc continued to the absolute highlight though; his stride combatting depression and how Sanderson communicates this is endlessly excellent. So many amazing moments, lots to take in, whatever can happen next!

Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

4.25

Another cracking Watch book and perhaps the first one I’ve come across in the first half of the series where Pratchett realised he could do anything in this world, Feet of Clay being an autumnal mist-soaked whodunnit mystery. It’s always fun hanging out with the loveable fools of The Watch but there are some great new characters as well; Cheery Littlebottom being the standout. Just prime Pratchett and a pure joy to read. 

Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad 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

4.25

Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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

5.0

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad 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

4.5

Oliver Twist by Gerald Dickens, Charles Dickens, Philip Horne

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It’s hard to argue with the status of Oliver Twist and its wide ranging influence. I can only really report back on how I felt about reading it in 2023. The first two thirds I really enjoyed but personally I felt when Oliver was no longer the focus of the story I sort of lost interest, his storyline resolving too neatly and too early. That aside, as a chronicle of the terrible state of the working class in 1800s London, it’s still devastatingly cruel and difficult to read even now. 

Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.5