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omnombailey's Reviews (111)
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
Beautifully written. It reminded me of a way better version of Fangirl and it definitely benefited from the two central characters staying as friends (there ARE romance elements in the story, but they are secondary). Everything flowed really well and I resonated so much with Frances and Aled that I couldn't put this book down. That said, the conclusion didn't stick the landing for me; it was good, but the execution was really odd and felt a bit too melodramatic/unbelievable for my tastes. Still, I genuinely loved this book.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wasn't sure if I'd like this book when I first got into it. The initial 20% was pretty rough, especially when Spensa's petulance was the main focus. I get that it's a YA book with a teen protagonist, but the YA-ness of the setup plus the prose felt a bit hamfisted. But I kept reading bc the prose does flow very well, making it easy to read, and you hit a point in the narrative where it takes a left turn off a bridge in the best way possible. I couldn't put the book down after that. I teared up so many times and also laughed just as often. Are some of the reveals predictable? Sure, but it never felt bland; it all felt appropriate for the story and well-earned. I couldn't stand Spensa when I started and ended up loving her coming-of-age arc and learning to grow. All the interactions were magnificent, too. Just genuinely loved this book by the end, despite being frustrated with the beginning.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm not a 40k fan and all I know about it is based on memes my bf (who is a 40k fan and bought me this book) has shared with me. I was able to follow the book mostly fine, but a ton of hyper-specific details and Easter Eggs went right over my head. It was still a fun read and I came to really enjoy Beta and Renner by the end. There were a few plot points I wasn't a fan of (really didn't like how nothing was done with Judika and then he's killed off ) and I skimmed 80% of the fight scenes bc they dragged on too long and read like bad shonen anime action scenes. The story really shines with it's conversations and quieter moments. I couldn't put the book down during those bits. Definitely enjoyed it overall, but I also just... couldn't really say what it was about due to the details washing over and not sinking in. Just "local girl is on the run and bad shit happens, plus tired guy has to wrangle her like a cat and fails a lot - more at 11". Would probably rate higher if I actually understood and loved 40k, but it's still a decent book in general.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There were a lot of interesting worldbuilding nuggets along with individual moments, especially with how the narrative weaves in and out of the present and past, but I was really bored for most of the book. I kept with it because it was only 100~ pages, but it felt like a chore, which is a shame because the book had great ideas.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was A Trip (affectionate and derogatory). It was an easy read, and much needed after the last book I read, but it also felt super hamfisted in its depictions of someone dealing with her comphet. At times, the messiness was refreshing and I appreciated seeing adults tackle their sexuality, but other times it was uh... pretty offensive. The first 25% was really hard to get into bc Katie is NOT a likeable character. The middle is definitely my favorite part, but then then last 20% felt so incredibly rushed with a bunch of plot threads left loose. Not terrible, but not amazing. If you want wholesome non-problematic gay people, this ain't the book for you. If you want something with any level of depth, this also isn't for you. But if you want a mindless quick read, then sure why not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Alcohol
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found the first and last 20% to be really enjoyable and compelling, but the middle was such a tedious drag. Would've finished the book a lot sooner otherwise. At least the prose is gorgeous. Don't think I'll check out the rest of the series tho
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault
The sexual assault is an attempt and very brief.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first 30% is a slog, but when things pick up, it was hard to put down. Prose is a bit convoluted, though highlights were the character interactions and seeing all the narrative beats from early on finally connect at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Animal death, Rape, Sexual assault
The rape mention is literally a single sentence of something that already happened. There are two instances of attempted sexual assault (one brief, the other not so much) and while nothing happens, it was still a lot to take in. Thankfully, the men involved are murdered by ladies.
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While Old Man's War brought very little to the table in terms of new ideas to the sci-fi genre, it executed tropes well enough to remain enjoyable. The plot was a touch predictable, thanks to the numerous info dumps meant to hold your hand throughout the narrative, but the wit in the prose continued to hook me again and again.
If you are giving this book a shot and find yourself struggling in the beginning, the story drags its feet (imo) until about 60% into the story. Then it actually gets interesting beyond the whole training montage sequence the story is up until then. At the same time, the fact it took THAT long for me to finally not put the book down isn't great, either.
There's more to this series, but I'm not really jumping to find out what's next. Maybe I will someday. For now, I'm content with what I read and shall move along.
If you are giving this book a shot and find yourself struggling in the beginning, the story drags its feet (imo) until about 60% into the story. Then it actually gets interesting beyond the whole training montage sequence the story is up until then. At the same time, the fact it took THAT long for me to finally not put the book down isn't great, either.
There's more to this series, but I'm not really jumping to find out what's next. Maybe I will someday. For now, I'm content with what I read and shall move along.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Medical content
Moderate: Sexual content
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
What a lovely continuation of the first novella. The pacing was much better in this one, in that it doesn't span the length of several decades, but focuses on several days. The shift from Akeha to Mokoya had be apprehensive initially, but watching her development, from processing her daughter's death to learning to trust and love a stranger again, was exactly what the narrative needed. Also yay for a non-binary character who is juggling a chronic illness *chef kiss* just a delight to read. Can't wait to dive into more of this series.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The fact it took me almost a week to read a novella should be enough of a review, tbh.
I had WAY too high expectations for this. With all the praise my friends gave it, I legit worried I was reading the wrong book. Between the vague attempts at worldbuilding and mystery, the repetitive sentence structures and lack of description of anything, I just... didn't care. Yeah, the POV character's voice was strong and interesting (I too just want to watch downloaded shows while on the job and avoid all human contact), but a personality isn't a plot.
The only reason I finished was because it was short. I don't understand what is oh-so-amazing about this book that brings so little to the table.
I had WAY too high expectations for this. With all the praise my friends gave it, I legit worried I was reading the wrong book. Between the vague attempts at worldbuilding and mystery, the repetitive sentence structures and lack of description of anything, I just... didn't care. Yeah, the POV character's voice was strong and interesting (I too just want to watch downloaded shows while on the job and avoid all human contact), but a personality isn't a plot.
The only reason I finished was because it was short. I don't understand what is oh-so-amazing about this book that brings so little to the table.