rolandranch's reviews
103 reviews

The Frugal Wizard's Handbook For Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I enjoyed this book! It was funny, compelling, and unique! It was pretty light hearted and easy to read. It was a neat little package that wrapped up clean and was overall just and enjoyable book.

I think a lot of these reviews reflect people's love of Brandon Sanderson and their expectations of his writing style verse judging the book on its own merit.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

It's just a well written whimsical classic fantasy novel. It is truly an adventurous journey of self-discovery for a likable little hobbit.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

lighthearted sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Well written with excellent character development. The octopus is by far the best part! The author is skilled at descriptions and details. There is a lot of build up that doesn't feel like it wraps up in a way that I felt satisfied. The plot is a little predictable and at times a little dull but overall a solid read.

The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth by Sam Quinones

informative slow-paced

2.75

Interesting and informative but got a bit long and repetitive. Provides solid background information to the opioid crisis and methamphetamine issue using real life stories of how people became addicted. It's good information for everyone to know and understand about our society but the stories definitely get a bit redundant. Someone gets prescribed pain meds, gets addicted, and eventually it ruins their life or kills them. Learning about the difference between new methamphetamine and the impacts was super interesting just got a bit long.

The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

These books are just a delight. Easy to follow but still engaging. Tamora Pierce through and through.

Direbound: A Dark Romantasy by Sable Sorensen

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

5.0

ARC review: From start to finish this book was addicting and engrossing. The pacing was just right and I never found myself wishing it was faster or slower. IT was extremely hard to put down and I found myself staying up until I fell asleep involuntarily multiple times. Descriptive world building and solid overarching story. The FMC is badass and well written with a great story arch/character development. Plot twists throughout definitely caught me off guard multiple times. There's definitely themes/tropes but they're well done and not super predictable. lt's a unique take on the classic
wolves vs. vampire story. 

If you liked fourthwing, this is a similar vibe but a little darker and better written with giant direwolves instead of dragons. This book is absolutely worth the read and is one of the best books I've read in a very long time. I liked it so much I bought a physical copy after completing my read. It really is that good! Go get it and come back to tell me how much you loved it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, Murder

Minor: Child death

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Whimsical, well written, and fun adventure. Enjoyed it thoroughly! Pirates, friendship, bravery, and a talking rat. Just an all around solid fairy tale with a female lead coming into her own making friends along the way.

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous inspiring 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

Absolutely creative and wonderful! Solid character development and unique compelling world building. One of the best books I've ever read.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

adventurous slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

Classic and well written but a little boring and drawn out for me. Characters lacked depth but the story is unique.

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Cute and adventurous little story about a wild robot.