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sam_anker_'s reviews
79 reviews
So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book feels like if Percy Jackson was allowed to swear? Like it’s fine, entertaining enough, but the writing and subject matter felt disconnected, like if there hadn’t been all the swearing and NONSTOP MENTIONS OF BONERS it easily could have been a book for 5-7th grade, not teens.
Again, entertaining, but the book relied so heavily on tropes that I pretty much knew how every chapter was going to end once I got past the first couple of paragraphs. At one point one of the characters even mentions that the main character is going through romance tropes? Also they talk about boners a lot.
I hate that the kingdom was called Chickpea. Also the miscommunication trope. Also the NONSTOP MENTION OF BONERS??? Have I mentioned that yet?????
It had good representation, and I’m not gonna lie I teared up a little at the end, so the writing got me there. I think there was literally yet another mention of boners in the last chapter
Again, entertaining, but the book relied so heavily on tropes that I pretty much knew how every chapter was going to end once I got past the first couple of paragraphs. At one point one of the characters even mentions that the main character is going through romance tropes? Also they talk about boners a lot.
I hate that the kingdom was called Chickpea. Also the miscommunication trope. Also the NONSTOP MENTION OF BONERS??? Have I mentioned that yet?????
It had good representation, and I’m not gonna lie I teared up a little at the end, so the writing got me there. I think there was literally yet another mention of boners in the last chapter
A Thousand Steps into Night by Traci Chee
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? No
5.0
Ooooooooooh hooo hooooo this was so good this was so good
The Adventure Zone: The Eleventh Hour by Griffin McElroy, Clint McElroy, Carey Pietsch
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Screaming screeching crying weeping etc
This arc was probably the most convoluted in the podcast, and when I think Griffin finally fully figured out the plot of the story, so I was interested in how they’d translate it into the novelization.
The storytelling in this one was AMAZING!!!!! Multiple loops were cut out and condensed, but in a way that kept the flow going without spending too long on any of the subplots. I’m sad the skeleton boy was cut out, but if I hadn’t of known he was in it I wouldn’t have even noticed something felt off. The foreshadowing in this one was amazing as well, with clips of magnus in looking like he was saying things from isaac’s diary, townsfolk almost recognizing/being charmed by him, etc.
The way that the lunar interludes were included in between each loop was perfect, a great balance of narrative building and character development that we miss with the usual lunar interlude exclusions.
The chalice scenes??? The chalice scenes???? Merle’s was amazing, and I think was done much better than the podcast’s scene. Knowing that he was missing something (his starblaster crew) and choosing to leave his family was well done, better than just the easy deadbeat dad storyline. Taako’s story benefited from seeing it visually, and magnus’ made me CRY
ALSO!!!! You’re going to be amazing my heart my HEART
This arc was probably the most convoluted in the podcast, and when I think Griffin finally fully figured out the plot of the story, so I was interested in how they’d translate it into the novelization.
The storytelling in this one was AMAZING!!!!! Multiple loops were cut out and condensed, but in a way that kept the flow going without spending too long on any of the subplots.
The way that the lunar interludes were included in between each loop was perfect, a great balance of narrative building and character development that we miss with the usual lunar interlude exclusions.
ALSO!!!! You’re going to be amazing my heart my HEART
Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Very funny, has a lot of the same charm as the first book. Charmain is an unlikeable person, but written well enough that you still root for her. Just because she’s a bad person doesn’t mean she’s a bad character!
My biggest issue with this is just that the end happens? Like it wraps up all of the plot points, but like, incredibly abruptly. Final 5 pages everything’s good! The conclusion just feels rushed; it’s ended, better times have come, but you just don’t feel satisfied with it. More of a “I guess?” Feeling. Still liked the book though
My biggest issue with this is just that the end happens? Like it wraps up all of the plot points, but like, incredibly abruptly. Final 5 pages everything’s good! The conclusion just feels rushed; it’s ended, better times have come, but you just don’t feel satisfied with it. More of a “I guess?” Feeling. Still liked the book though