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powerpuffgoat's reviews
73 reviews
Последнее желание by Andrzej Sapkowski
4.0
Love the format of short stories weaved into the overall plot, and I especially love traditional folk tales being retold in a new way.
The Terror by Dan Simmons
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Ah yes, the real terror haunting the Arctic were the friends we made along the way.
I really enjoyed this. I listened to the audiobook, which maybe made it easier to digest such volume? I know it's slow, but I think that was necessary - it would be difficult to convey the misery of day after day after day of cold, starvation, fear, stink, disease, tension, and injuries.
The body horror elements were great, I thought, especially because stuff like scurvy and lead poisoning are grimmer than any amputation.
I couldn't help but feel sorry for these men, trapped on ice, fighting for their survival and taking care of the sick and injured even though everything around them suggested that these efforts are futile.
The main downside for me was Dan Simmons obsession with breasts. What was up with that?
I really enjoyed this. I listened to the audiobook, which maybe made it easier to digest such volume? I know it's slow, but I think that was necessary - it would be difficult to convey the misery of day after day after day of cold, starvation, fear, stink, disease, tension, and injuries.
The body horror elements were great, I thought, especially because stuff like scurvy and lead poisoning are grimmer than any amputation.
I couldn't help but feel sorry for these men, trapped on ice, fighting for their survival and taking care of the sick and injured even though everything around them suggested that these efforts are futile.
The main downside for me was Dan Simmons obsession with breasts. What was up with that?
The Lesser Dead by Christopher Buehlman
1.0
I did not enjoy this book at all. I was honestly questioning if I got duped and was somehow reading a different book - very surprised at the praise this novel received. It's a matter of taste I guess, but I didn't find anything particularly groundbreaking in terms of plot or characters, the main character's narrative voice was annoying, the twist about the kids was quite obvious to me, and the ending did not redeem the book. Actually, it annoyed me some more.
First of all, I am still unclear if the vampires are supposed to stay in the mindset of the age when they were turned or not? The evil children are putting on an act, yet our insufferable main character still sounds like a 14-year-old brat. And before anyone brings up the whole "this wasn't actually written by Joey" - well, you can excuse just about anything with that, which screams lazy to me. It's a work of fiction within a work of fiction, basically a version of "it was all a dream".
Finally, I have a niche complaint about the way the author says the word "niche" (I listened to the audiobook). It probably wouldn't bother me too much if I enjoyed the book overall, but that wasn't the case.
Finally, I have a niche complaint about the way the author says the word "niche" (I listened to the audiobook). It probably wouldn't bother me too much if I enjoyed the book overall, but that wasn't the case.
The Survivors by Jane Harper
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
I picked up this book as a recommendation for a thriller that captures Australian culture, and although I can only speak as an outsider, I thought the small-town atmosphere where everyone knows each other and everyone gossips and everyone is connected somehow was executed really well.
Frankly, I engaged less with the thriller and mystery than I did with the small-town vibes, shared trauma, worries of adulthood. Initially, I struggled to keep up with the cast of characters and how they are connected, particularly across two timelines. Overall, I think it was good though, somewhat sad.
Frankly, I engaged less with the thriller and mystery than I did with the small-town vibes, shared trauma, worries of adulthood. Initially, I struggled to keep up with the cast of characters and how they are connected, particularly across two timelines. Overall, I think it was good though, somewhat sad.
The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak
4.5
I loved this book, it surprised me in ways I didn't expect (as a consistent reader fo thrillers). I enjoyed Frank as the main character - so stoic and skeptical, with his disdain for ultra wealthy, his annoyance at annoying things (like your sister being late, and bringing a random kid along), his unwitting but unwaivering love for Maggie... For me, it was a nice change from many books I have read with female protagonists in my age bracket (early 30s) who spend a lot of time panicking and jumping to conclusions for the plot.
Honestly, middle-aged Frank was much closer to my heart, especially with how unimpressed he was by people with money and their blasé attitude toward using people. So often, a main character who encounters wealth is in awe (to be disillusioned by the end, of course). And yet, we got to see that even Frank has an idol of sorts, his own bias elevating the big dog of UPS to a respectable man, even though he likely did some shady things too.
Frank gets his own dose of disillusionment. It was heartbreaking. Even though the author gave us plenty of clues about Maggie's true nature, it was difficult to witness Frank's realization. To the very end, he couldn't let go, and he couldn't help it.
The accident and the following depression endeared Frank to me even more. My grandad is this type of person - he takes pride in his hard work, and if it all suddenly came to a halt, he would be devastated.
I liked the ending, too. It makes sense that Maggie was essentially a scapegoat in the end, and her boyfriend focused on saving his own skin first and foremost. Like Frank, I warmed up to Abigail by the end, and reading about Dad Frank was really sweet. I also enjoyed Vicky's character, and thankfully this book didn't focus on the romance aspect.
Honestly, middle-aged Frank was much closer to my heart, especially with how unimpressed he was by people with money and their blasé attitude toward using people. So often, a main character who encounters wealth is in awe (to be disillusioned by the end, of course). And yet, we got to see that even Frank has an idol of sorts, his own bias elevating the big dog of UPS to a respectable man, even though he likely did some shady things too.
Frank gets his own dose of disillusionment. It was heartbreaking. Even though the author gave us plenty of clues about Maggie's true nature, it was difficult to witness Frank's realization. To the very end, he couldn't let go, and he couldn't help it.
The accident and the following depression endeared Frank to me even more. My grandad is this type of person - he takes pride in his hard work, and if it all suddenly came to a halt, he would be devastated.
I liked the ending, too. It makes sense that Maggie was essentially a scapegoat in the end, and her boyfriend focused on saving his own skin first and foremost. Like Frank, I warmed up to Abigail by the end, and reading about Dad Frank was really sweet. I also enjoyed Vicky's character, and thankfully this book didn't focus on the romance aspect.
Меч Предназначения by Andrzej Sapkowski
adventurous
emotional
4.0
This book follows a similar format to the first one, short stories connected by a core cast of characters, inspired by folk tales (I especially love the Eastern European influences) but also weaved into the overall fabric of the Witcher world. Easy to read, sometimes amusing, sometimes surprisingly emotional. It's a brutal but beautiful universe that I am definitely going to return to.