nincrony1's reviews
62 reviews

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

challenging dark sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

4.75

I first came to the world of A Clockwork Orange via the film adaptation. I really like the film but I have cooled towards it over the years because 1) I think Kubrick made better films afterwards and 2) I read the book, which I ultimately prefer. I’m not a “book is inherently better than the film adaptation” kind of person but I think across the novel Burgess is able to more actively explore the themes, the language and actions of Alex in a more nuanced way. I know some bemoan the lack of the final chapter not being in the film but I feel both end on equally ambiguous, yet slightly different, notes; in the book, there’s something terrifying for me about someone like Alex and his ex-droogs becoming part of society. It’s a hard nut to crack, particularly if you haven’t seen the film version first as that acts somewhat as a primer to the dense invented language, but after a while you become acclimatised to it, real horrorshow.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Murder

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous dark emotional slow-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

A pretty spectacular start to what promises to be an epic 10-volume saga. Sanderson’s somewhat plain prose is actually rather effective here in helping to tell this epic story which puts plot and character at the forefront. I gasped, I applauded, I was riveted for the majority (Part 2 of 5 is a little bit of a drag), and I’m looking forward to where it all goes next. Kaladin’s backstory was indeed the highlight but I also loved Dalinar’s struggles with trying to be a respectable principled man in a corrupt world. Shallan’s journey is also equally riveting, the war antics replaced by a war of words. The world-building as well is top-notch, of course.