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readingthestars's reviews
576 reviews
The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black
4.0
3 1/2 stars.
Enjoyable characters and plot. I thought the pacing was a bit off, but that may have also been because it took me a bit to get through around classes and I was reading an eBook version of it, which I'm not used to. While probably not the highest quality, I had fun reading and following the adventure. I do believe that some backstories/emotions/relationships should have been looked into a bit more (Severin and Ben, for example) because they were a bit quick and I would have liked to see more development/scenes discussing feelings and concerns.
Enjoyable characters and plot. I thought the pacing was a bit off, but that may have also been because it took me a bit to get through around classes and I was reading an eBook version of it, which I'm not used to. While probably not the highest quality, I had fun reading and following the adventure. I do believe that some backstories/emotions/relationships should have been looked into a bit more (Severin and Ben, for example) because they were a bit quick and I would have liked to see more development/scenes discussing feelings and concerns.
The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd-Jones
3.0
3.5 stars. I found this book to be entertaining and heart wrenching to read. That being said, while I enjoyed it I probably wouldn't have it as my favorite this year.
The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan
3.0
Slight spoilers.
3.5/5 stars.
I first started reading Rick Riordan's books in elementary school, some 9 or so years ago. I've grown up with a new release every year (or even two) so they're a big part of my life and perhaps always will. But I've noticed that I've become a more critical reader, and so while these books are still enjoyable and I would still recommend them to people, my own enjoyment has changed. I still love the characters and appreciate the plots, and I will continue to wait until the next book in the series. But it's hard to focus on the aspects I do like when I notice that emotions are swept away after a traumatic event (like a death), descriptions are minimal at best until the end when everything is tense, and how characters are just thrown in just to be there. (I love seeing my favorite past characters as much as the next person, but it seems as though the plot was just an excuse to get Piper and Jason in there to appease to old readers. Which is understandable, but still.)
I don't know, I think I've just gotten pickier and more critical over the years. I'm still going to continue reading Rick's books, but it does sadden me that I'm not getting the same satisfaction that I did got 9 years ago.
(I do acknowledge that this is a middle grade book, so why I feel this way is not be saying it's a bad book.)
3.5/5 stars.
I first started reading Rick Riordan's books in elementary school, some 9 or so years ago. I've grown up with a new release every year (or even two) so they're a big part of my life and perhaps always will. But I've noticed that I've become a more critical reader, and so while these books are still enjoyable and I would still recommend them to people, my own enjoyment has changed. I still love the characters and appreciate the plots, and I will continue to wait until the next book in the series. But it's hard to focus on the aspects I do like when I notice that emotions are swept away after a traumatic event (like a death), descriptions are minimal at best until the end when everything is tense, and how characters are just thrown in just to be there. (I love seeing my favorite past characters as much as the next person, but it seems as though the plot was just an excuse to get Piper and Jason in there to appease to old readers. Which is understandable, but still.)
I don't know, I think I've just gotten pickier and more critical over the years. I'm still going to continue reading Rick's books, but it does sadden me that I'm not getting the same satisfaction that I did got 9 years ago.
(I do acknowledge that this is a middle grade book, so why I feel this way is not be saying it's a bad book.)