promisedlostboy's reviews
83 reviews

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective

Erin Morgenstern has a way of writing where I am able to exist within her worlds in a way that I can't even in the real world. Despite being confused and feeling like I actively have to solve puzzles, I read on because I adore her style of writing and she has a way of weaving narratives that is an absolute pleasure to watch unfold. 

I am still able to revisit the night circus with just a thought, and I imagine I'll be able to conjure up the smell, sight and feeling of the Starless Sea, in the blink of an eye.

At this point, I will read anything she writes.

The Complete Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

The way indigenous people were depicted made me uncomfortable

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

I feel this is the weakest installment, but definitely surpasses its movie. 

I did not expect to enjoy the trilogy as much as I did, especially considering I already had preconceived notions about the franchise from the movies.

Overall I feel the 1st book is my favourite book, But the 2nd movie is my favourite from the whole hunger games canon

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

adventurous fast-paced

I think the mockingjay movies make a bit more sense now.... Maybe,, I'm not sure. 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

medium-paced

It's nice, being thrown into a familiar story, But instead of reliving the whole movie,, I get to flesh out parts of the world and story that I didn't know about.

I do like reading a book before the movie but it can only be a disappointing experience because 90% of the time the adaptation is bad but if you read the book after the adaptation then you get to experience the world on the whole different level and it's generally a happy/good experience

And if you read the book after the movie, you aren't disappointed by the movie as much, you see the differences yes but you don't have expectations about the movie so you go in excited and a bit naive but it's a good naive
And when you read the book, and understand the difference and why some of the differences are there, you kinda appreciate the movie because it led you to a book that you really enjoy

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

For the most part, 'Elanor Oliphant is completely fine', is completely fine. Aside from Elanor, none of the characters are very memorable and for a large portion of the book, Elanor isn't very likable. She is however, compelling enough to keep me reading. 

Raymond, is supposed to be Elanor's anchor and bring some warmth into the story, but doesn't do a very good job at that. He has almost no personality and allows for the tired trope of an exceptional woman falling for a mediocre man

(even though they don't really get together)

 

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

You know, I started reading this book a couple months ago, only to put it down, because I was overwhelmed by the writing style. This time around I took turns switching between the audio and print 

I realise now how much I love this book. Throughout the whole book there is this soft quiet atmosphere that carries you through the story, and the first half really has you questioning so much about this world and very much gives off Promised Neverland vibes (I wouldn't be surprised if the manga was partially inspired by this book). 
Eventually though, you reach a point where the answers don't really matter anymore, and you just want to see events play out. It doesn't really matter if there are questions left unanswered, because our characters exist in this world, and they don't need to know everything about the specifics of the world. The same way we're characters in our world, and don't know everything about the specifics of our existence. 

Both the readers and the characters, exist in their respective worlds, and that is enough.  

Lovely War by Julie Berry

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

This is supposed to be a love story worthy of Aphrodite, and yes it has a pretty satisfying ending that tied a nice bow on everything, but that ending  doesn't really feel earned when the first two thirds of of the love story isn't even the best one in it's own book.

For a majority of the book Hazel and James don't stand out in any way that would be worth the attention of a Goddess, let alone the Goddess of love.

 

Hazel is a quick witted Pianist who catches the attention of would be architect James, The pair are immediately smitten with one another, and throughout the book grow closer in spite of the on going war. For the life of me, I couldn't understand why Aphrodite was so invested in this romance, Especially since Colette and Aubrey are by far a more interesting duo and if given more attention, probably could have had a better romance. I understand that the author wanted the parallel of James/Hazel and Aphrodite/Hephaestus, I do however feel that the story suffers because of this.

Unless that's another point the author is trying to make, That Aphrodite's perfect love story isn't the love story that is the most engaging, It's the love story that just is, because that's all she wants. If that's the case, then sure... But it doesn't make for a very good book.

I feel I may have been a bit harsh on this book, I want to reiterate that there is quite a lot about this book that I enjoy, especially in the last 150 pages, and everything with Aubrey and Colette. 

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

emotional lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0