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raisingself's reviews
511 reviews
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
5.0
This book is amazing! I didn't think it possible for a modern writer to capture the magic of Austen or Bronte and yet and still give something completely unexpected/unique. I picked this book up blindly as a stress reliever and it left me hungry for something else, something greater in my own attempts at general generation of narrative and my own understanding of my autobiographical narrative.
Morning Star by Pierce Brown
5.0
I took a long time reading the first 3 books in the Red Rising Saga. The series was so intense for me. I often threw pillows and screamed as I read, so I would take breaks and read 1 or 12 books in between. I’ve finally finished and it is glorious.
How does one review what may one day be considered among the greatest science fiction series ever written. How? HOW!
I’b e to come back when I have the words…
How does one review what may one day be considered among the greatest science fiction series ever written. How? HOW!
I’b e to come back when I have the words…
Secondborn by Amy A. Bartol
3.0
The Good
Just finished Secondborn and all I can say is YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS!
I really enjoyed the Kricket Series by Amy Bartol, maybe too much, even with some of its occasional deficiencies (that are mostly redeemed with the 3rd book in the series); one thing was glaringly clear Ms. Bartol has a talent for storytelling. Her worlds are complex and lush, her protagonists real AF. You can see yourself in the lead, Roselle St. Sismode is strong and fallible, she gives herself the opportunity make mistakes and to fall in love (possibly more than once, like the real world), she has a strong sense of self-preservation while caring very deeply about the communities that need her. Ms. Bartol created a concise, fun and interesting world in Secondborn. I’d recommend it for anyone who enjoyed books like Red Rising and the Hunger Games. It hits the spot for the New Adult Fiction lover, I can not wait for the second installment.
The Bad
Some folks hate the pacing, which has its peaks and troughs, but I enjoyed the variation and think it added to the story and kind of mirrors reality.
Bartol's propensity to make her female protagonists go between being understandably strong and then uncharacteristically codependent in a damsel in distress kind of way, while consistently creating overly stereotypical relationships fraught with chauvinism is annoying, to say the least. Unlike say Victoria Aveyard who is WOKE (go ahead and follow her on twitter) and can write worlds wrought with diversity and complex statements about gender roles and identity, Bartol struggles with this.
The reason I recommend
With that being said, I think that Bartol has a mind for creating complex and interesting worlds and narratives. I some of her work enjoyable and a welcome and relaxing distraction when one is needed.
Just finished Secondborn and all I can say is YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS!
I really enjoyed the Kricket Series by Amy Bartol, maybe too much, even with some of its occasional deficiencies (that are mostly redeemed with the 3rd book in the series); one thing was glaringly clear Ms. Bartol has a talent for storytelling. Her worlds are complex and lush, her protagonists real AF. You can see yourself in the lead, Roselle St. Sismode is strong and fallible, she gives herself the opportunity make mistakes and to fall in love (possibly more than once, like the real world), she has a strong sense of self-preservation while caring very deeply about the communities that need her. Ms. Bartol created a concise, fun and interesting world in Secondborn. I’d recommend it for anyone who enjoyed books like Red Rising and the Hunger Games. It hits the spot for the New Adult Fiction lover, I can not wait for the second installment.
The Bad
Some folks hate the pacing, which has its peaks and troughs, but I enjoyed the variation and think it added to the story and kind of mirrors reality.
Bartol's propensity to make her female protagonists go between being understandably strong and then uncharacteristically codependent in a damsel in distress kind of way, while consistently creating overly stereotypical relationships fraught with chauvinism is annoying, to say the least. Unlike say Victoria Aveyard who is WOKE (go ahead and follow her on twitter) and can write worlds wrought with diversity and complex statements about gender roles and identity, Bartol struggles with this.
The reason I recommend
With that being said, I think that Bartol has a mind for creating complex and interesting worlds and narratives. I some of her work enjoyable and a welcome and relaxing distraction when one is needed.
King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard
5.0
This series and this book is so freaking good there are no words.
The lead character is strong.
The universe rich and detailed.
This book takes a detour from the prior two by giving voice to two other female character with a very different perspective from Mare's and it is awesome. I love that Aveyard gives voice to marginalized characters, and that she is not afraid of pushing the character envelope.
The ending leaves you shook and thirsty for book 4. A deep sadness settles when you realize that you can't immediately pick it up and start reading.
The lead character is strong.
The universe rich and detailed.
This book takes a detour from the prior two by giving voice to two other female character with a very different perspective from Mare's and it is awesome. I love that Aveyard gives voice to marginalized characters, and that she is not afraid of pushing the character envelope.
The ending leaves you shook and thirsty for book 4. A deep sadness settles when you realize that you can't immediately pick it up and start reading.