Take a photo of a barcode or cover
reading_rhapsody's reviews
171 reviews
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Man, this book took me on an emotional rollercoaster, but I have to admit, I was a little disappointed. People kept comparing The Sword of Kaigen to The Poppy War and Avatar: The Last Airbender, so I went in with preconceptions that kind of ruined the experience for me. I wish I had gone into it completely blind.
That said, this book is the first fiction novel that actually made me tear up. Chapter 27 is hands down my favorite chapter I’ve ever read. The way it was executed was pure perfection—chef’s kiss! The emotional intensity of that chapter had me in a chokehold.
I was left with so many emotions because of the incredible character development, especially with Misaki and her husband, Takeru. Their relationship had my jaw on the floor. I also loved the worldbuilding and the elemental power system, though it wasn’t entirely new to me.
What really stood out for me was the relationships between the characters. That was my favorite part of the book. I’m so sad that M.L. Wang has discontinued the Theonite universe because there are still so many questions I have and things I want to explore in that world. The Sword of Kaigen is easily one of my favorite books of the year.
This book delivered the character development I had hoped for in The Poppy War and, in my opinion, did a much better job with it. Wang also handled the war aspects well without making them overly graphic like The Poppy War. Even though I rated it 5 stars, The Sword of Kaigen did lack some action elements I expected, especially compared to The Poppy War. But overall, it was more aligned with what I prefer.
I'm still bummed there won’t be any more books in this universe though!
Barack Obama Vs the Black Hebrew Israelites: Introduction to the History & Beliefs of 1west Hebrew Israelism by Vocab Malone
informative
fast-paced
4.0
*What I Liked:*
The book explains who the 1West Hebrew Israelites are and what they believe in a simple way. It’s short and gives a good basic idea of the topic. The extra resources and websites it lists are great for learning more.
*What I Disliked:*
The book was a bit confusing because it assumes you already know a lot about the subject. Some parts were hard to understand, and it felt like it needed more work and details to be clearer.
Overall, it’s a good start, but I wish it had more information and was easier to follow.
The book explains who the 1West Hebrew Israelites are and what they believe in a simple way. It’s short and gives a good basic idea of the topic. The extra resources and websites it lists are great for learning more.
*What I Disliked:*
The book was a bit confusing because it assumes you already know a lot about the subject. Some parts were hard to understand, and it felt like it needed more work and details to be clearer.
Overall, it’s a good start, but I wish it had more information and was easier to follow.
Has the Tribulation Begun?: Avoiding Confusion and Redeeming the Time in These Last Days by Amir Tsarfati, Amir Tsarfati
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
not in mood will resume nither time
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
slow-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
5.0
After some time of pondering on this book I feel I can review it with some level of coherence lol
First off: Brando Sando! I feel like we’re on a nickname basis now because I’ve officially joined the fan club. Seriously, thanks for writing one of my favorite characters of all time!
Now, onto the book. I’m not sure why I chose The Way of Kings as my starting point in the Cosmere universe, but I’m glad I did. This was my first Brandon Sanderson book, and I jumped right in.
I’ve been amazed by how Sanderson manages to remember every detail and tie everything together so perfectly. I learned about something called the "Sanderlanche," and now it all makes sense. Here are some things that really stood out to me:
The world-building is exceptional—it's detailed and sucks you into the world of Roshar. I also appreciate all the extra information and pictures in the edition I bought.
The diverse cast of characters is engaging and keeps you invested in the story.
The foreshadowing is done so well that when the big moments finally happen, they feel earned and satisfying.
But I have to be honest, the book is long, and at times, the pacing is slow. There were moments when I needed to take breaks because it felt like the story was dragging. However, looking back, I can see why it needed to be this length. The slow build allowed for deeper world-building, more complex plot development, and richer character growth. Those last 300 pages really brought everything together, making it all worth the journey.
My favorite characters are Kaladin and Dalinar, and I’m excited to see where their stories go next!
First off: Brando Sando! I feel like we’re on a nickname basis now because I’ve officially joined the fan club. Seriously, thanks for writing one of my favorite characters of all time!
Now, onto the book. I’m not sure why I chose The Way of Kings as my starting point in the Cosmere universe, but I’m glad I did. This was my first Brandon Sanderson book, and I jumped right in.
I’ve been amazed by how Sanderson manages to remember every detail and tie everything together so perfectly. I learned about something called the "Sanderlanche," and now it all makes sense. Here are some things that really stood out to me:
The world-building is exceptional—it's detailed and sucks you into the world of Roshar. I also appreciate all the extra information and pictures in the edition I bought.
The diverse cast of characters is engaging and keeps you invested in the story.
The foreshadowing is done so well that when the big moments finally happen, they feel earned and satisfying.
But I have to be honest, the book is long, and at times, the pacing is slow. There were moments when I needed to take breaks because it felt like the story was dragging. However, looking back, I can see why it needed to be this length. The slow build allowed for deeper world-building, more complex plot development, and richer character growth. Those last 300 pages really brought everything together, making it all worth the journey.
My favorite characters are Kaladin and Dalinar, and I’m excited to see where their stories go next!
Who Am I?: Identity in Christ by Jerry Bridges
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
"Who Am I?" by Jerry Bridges is a straightforward and accessible book that helps readers understand their identity in Christ. Bridges uses simple language to explain that a Christian’s true identity comes from their relationship with Jesus, not from what they do or how others see them. The book offers practical insights and uses Bible verses to show that being a child of God is the most important aspect of who they are. It's a great read for anyone looking to understand their worth and purpose from a Christian perspective.
Messy Beautiful Friendship: Finding and Nurturing Deep and Lasting Relationships by Christine Hoover
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
I appreciated the book's honesty and practical advice. Hoover openly talks about insecurities and conflicts in friendships, making her tips easy to apply in everyday life.
Her personal stories are relatable, and she includes her friend's perspective (Aimee), which adds depth to the book.
Chapter 6 was by far my favorite part of the book. Reading Christine and Aimee go back and forth on their perspectives shows how women can see the same situation differently, highlighting how misunderstandings and conflicts can arise.
It was eye-opening to see why a friendship might not work out from both sides, providing a fuller understanding of relational dynamics. It was refreshing to see how God helped them deal with eachother's hurt. But what stood out is that they were able to see how they contributed to the problems in their friendship as well. The transparency was definitely a highlight! :)
I will highlight a part in this chapter that impacted my heart posture.
"We allow broken friendships to drift us apart rather than doing the work of restorative sanctification. Thoughts are allowed to run wild than taken captive. Differences are seen as insurmountable obstacles. Wounds are nursed rather than forgiven. And in all of it, we don't want to acknowledge how we are playing a part in hurting or hindering our friendships. "
there is plenty other quotes that hit home but this one def struck a chord lol
"God didn't design friendship to be our all in all. In fact , any time we try to hold up friendship as a guarantee or a necessity. God will tear down that idol."
Highly recommend!
Her personal stories are relatable, and she includes her friend's perspective (Aimee), which adds depth to the book.
Chapter 6 was by far my favorite part of the book. Reading Christine and Aimee go back and forth on their perspectives shows how women can see the same situation differently, highlighting how misunderstandings and conflicts can arise.
It was eye-opening to see why a friendship might not work out from both sides, providing a fuller understanding of relational dynamics. It was refreshing to see how God helped them deal with eachother's hurt. But what stood out is that they were able to see how they contributed to the problems in their friendship as well. The transparency was definitely a highlight! :)
I will highlight a part in this chapter that impacted my heart posture.
"We allow broken friendships to drift us apart rather than doing the work of restorative sanctification. Thoughts are allowed to run wild than taken captive. Differences are seen as insurmountable obstacles. Wounds are nursed rather than forgiven. And in all of it, we don't want to acknowledge how we are playing a part in hurting or hindering our friendships. "
there is plenty other quotes that hit home but this one def struck a chord lol
"God didn't design friendship to be our all in all. In fact , any time we try to hold up friendship as a guarantee or a necessity. God will tear down that idol."
Highly recommend!
Bible Prophecy: The Essentials: What We Need to Know About the Last Days by Amir Tsarfati
Conclusion:
"Bible Prophecy: The Essentials: What We Need to Know About the Last Days" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding biblical prophecies about the end times. Tsarfati and Stagner provide a well-rounded introduction that is both accessible and thought-provoking, making it a worthwhile read for Christians seeking to deepen their understanding of eschatological teachings.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
The book guides readers through key prophetic passages in the Bible, including those in the Old Testament books of Daniel and Ezekiel, as well as the New Testament, especially the Book of Revelation. Tsarfati and Stagner focus on making these often complex and symbolic scriptures easy to understand, breaking them down into simple insights.
A big theme of the book is the current relevance of Bible prophecy. The authors stress the importance of understanding prophecy in the context of today's world events, showing how current world events may match up with Bible predictions. They encourage readers to stay alert and spiritually ready for the second coming of Christ.
Strengths:
- Clarity and Accessibility: The authors succeed in simplifying complex theological concepts without losing their meaning, making the book suitable for both seasoned Bible students and those new to prophecy.
- Engaging Style: Tsarfati’s engaging writing style, along with Stagner’s intellectual approach, ensures that the book is both informative and
interesting
- Relevance: The connection of ancient prophecies with modern events is thought-provoking, urging me to reflect on my life and faith.
Critique:
- Interpretation: As with any work on Bible prophecy, the interpretations presented are open to debate.
- Scope: While the book covers a wide range of topics, the brevity of each section might leave readers wanting more in-depth analysis on certain points.
A big theme of the book is the current relevance of Bible prophecy. The authors stress the importance of understanding prophecy in the context of today's world events, showing how current world events may match up with Bible predictions. They encourage readers to stay alert and spiritually ready for the second coming of Christ.
Strengths:
- Clarity and Accessibility: The authors succeed in simplifying complex theological concepts without losing their meaning, making the book suitable for both seasoned Bible students and those new to prophecy.
- Engaging Style: Tsarfati’s engaging writing style, along with Stagner’s intellectual approach, ensures that the book is both informative and
interesting
- Relevance: The connection of ancient prophecies with modern events is thought-provoking, urging me to reflect on my life and faith.
Critique:
- Interpretation: As with any work on Bible prophecy, the interpretations presented are open to debate.
- Scope: While the book covers a wide range of topics, the brevity of each section might leave readers wanting more in-depth analysis on certain points.
Conclusion:
"Bible Prophecy: The Essentials: What We Need to Know About the Last Days" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding biblical prophecies about the end times. Tsarfati and Stagner provide a well-rounded introduction that is both accessible and thought-provoking, making it a worthwhile read for Christians seeking to deepen their understanding of eschatological teachings.
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
not in mood come back later