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raisingself's reviews
505 reviews
Artemis by Andy Weir
3.0
The book is good.
The lead protagonist a skilled Saudi Arabian woman who has lived nearly all of her life on the moon and plays by her own rules. Jasmine "Jazz" Bashara doesn’t fall victim to the many tropes writers default to when writing for a female protagonist. She’s no damsel in distress. She’s not ridiculously focused on a love be interest in the middle of a major plot conflict. She is a very well developed character.
The plot is strong as well. Very little holes. But it’s so detailed and technical in terms of what and how the character execute some difficult task in space that I would become a little bored. I think this is specific to me. Another reader may find this rich and adds to the solidness of the story and plot. But for this reason I only find the book good and not great! I would not hesitate to read a sequel though.
The lead protagonist a skilled Saudi Arabian woman who has lived nearly all of her life on the moon and plays by her own rules. Jasmine "Jazz" Bashara doesn’t fall victim to the many tropes writers default to when writing for a female protagonist. She’s no damsel in distress. She’s not ridiculously focused on a love be interest in the middle of a major plot conflict. She is a very well developed character.
The plot is strong as well. Very little holes. But it’s so detailed and technical in terms of what and how the character execute some difficult task in space that I would become a little bored. I think this is specific to me. Another reader may find this rich and adds to the solidness of the story and plot. But for this reason I only find the book good and not great! I would not hesitate to read a sequel though.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
5.0
Believe. The. Hype.
This book plays no games! The Hate U Give is amazing, a gem in an over saturated market filled with reproductions. It's a Black Lives Matter book but it's so much more. It's a real and authentic voice. So many YA books are both forced and feels so fake, like the last time the writer was in a room with teenager or new adult, it was 1999. The same can not be said for this book.
I have not read a book that made me go yup, daaaaang, Yaaaaaasss, whhhaaaaaat so much in a span of a chapter or two in my entire bookworm life.
Thomas created a world filled with precise and intricate characters. The reader is invested and convinced. We aren't fed bull or whimsy.
Thomas writes with such style and grace. She's the real deal. Chick has legit talent and I'm here for all of it!
This book plays no games! The Hate U Give is amazing, a gem in an over saturated market filled with reproductions. It's a Black Lives Matter book but it's so much more. It's a real and authentic voice. So many YA books are both forced and feels so fake, like the last time the writer was in a room with teenager or new adult, it was 1999. The same can not be said for this book.
I have not read a book that made me go yup, daaaaang, Yaaaaaasss, whhhaaaaaat so much in a span of a chapter or two in my entire bookworm life.
Thomas created a world filled with precise and intricate characters. The reader is invested and convinced. We aren't fed bull or whimsy.
Thomas writes with such style and grace. She's the real deal. Chick has legit talent and I'm here for all of it!
The Fire Queen by Emily R. King
1.0
I received an early copy of this book to review. What can I say about this book other than the plot was underwhelming and the characterization weak. I forced my self to read each subsequent chapter after the first. The first book was good, the second is, for the most part, a failure in my opinion.
Requiem by Lauren Oliver
1.0
Too many issues to list but most of all ending is underwhelming and feels unfinished.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
4.0
Is multiverse sci-fi a genre, it really should be because I love it.
Dark Matter, a time travel/alternative reality novel by Blake Crouch, is a hard book to review because, well frankly, spoilers would ruin the adrenaline ride of the middle and end. The beginning is a slow build with many annoying things obvious to the reader but not so obvious to poor brilliant protagonist. But the beginning is a time to reflect, to think about the multitude of choices all man-kind is making at any given moment - from our spouse to our groceries - and how those choices impact reality.
At some point the book shifts from obvious to visceral. From predictable to edge of your seat "oh my GAWD let me Google Game Theory again” cray.
This book is goood science fiction mainly because it honors and seamlessly incorporates the human factor (thoughts, emotions, dreams and shortcomings). Give it a try and read it to the end and it will likely leave you shaken and (maybe even pleasantly) surprised.
Dark Matter, a time travel/alternative reality novel by Blake Crouch, is a hard book to review because, well frankly, spoilers would ruin the adrenaline ride of the middle and end. The beginning is a slow build with many annoying things obvious to the reader but not so obvious to poor brilliant protagonist. But the beginning is a time to reflect, to think about the multitude of choices all man-kind is making at any given moment - from our spouse to our groceries - and how those choices impact reality.
At some point the book shifts from obvious to visceral. From predictable to edge of your seat "oh my GAWD let me Google Game Theory again” cray.
This book is goood science fiction mainly because it honors and seamlessly incorporates the human factor (thoughts, emotions, dreams and shortcomings). Give it a try and read it to the end and it will likely leave you shaken and (maybe even pleasantly) surprised.
Still Me by Jojo Moyes
5.0
I am still shook by this book. It exceeded expectations, it was so good. Moyes out did herself. I love the adventure, the humor and emotions of this quiet beautiful book. I can’t fully describe it, but I did speed read in one day and finished at 3 AM and started reading again the next day so I could savor and enjoy the nuance of the comedy and banter!