rperce's reviews
34 reviews

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

dark inspiring fast-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

4.0

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

3.5

The first third or half of the book is... well, it's an early book, and it's clear that Sanderson hadn't yet found his stride. Even by the end of just this, though, he's in much better form: worth reading, to get a fullness of the Cosmere, but not where to start.

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Playing Hearts by W.R. Gingell

dark lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

A delightfully dark little re-imagining of the classic Wonderland story! Easily could have been twice the length with character development in Mabel's Overland life, but I don't think that was at all *necessary* — this length leaves it a very fun evening read without getting too bogged down in exposition. 

The Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The first 70% of the book was... fine. Slower than I wanted it to be, and very much just a light fiction wrapper around the inside of John's head. Indulgent and a little exhausting. Would probably land much better if I hadn't heard so many details and anxieties and anecdotes through Dear Hank and John and vlogbrothers. 

The last 20-30%, though, picks up suddenly to a whirlwind pace, everything happens, the closure is satisfying and a little sad, and my rating gains an extra star. 

I think this book is actually pretty good, I'm just not the target audience. If you like character-driven YA and *don't* already consume vast amounts of John Green output, you'll probably like it a fair bit. 

The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin

5.0

beautiful resolution, tying up loose ends very nicely. 

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

adventurous reflective 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

5.0

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini

adventurous tense 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

3.5

Water, Wood, and Wild Things: Learning Craft and Cultivation in a Japanese Mountain Town by Hannah Kirshner

informative inspiring slow-paced

3.5