You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
slowreaderpeter's Reviews (208)
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Disclaimer for review: I’m gonna be completely honest, I picked up Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief because I’d been searching for something to sort of replace that Harry Potter itch in my head. Every time J. K. Rowling opens her mouth to spew more petty hate, she taints the product and world she had created. I will always have a certain amount of nostalgia for Harry Potter, it’s what I grew up with adoring. But it’s hard to separate the author from the work when the author has made her entire existence in recent years about hate and attacking the most marginalized of society.
That said, I had heard great things and recognized people a strong passion for the world of Percy Jackson, but had always felt I had only just missed out on it growing up. It came out when I was entering high school, so I just missed it. But recently I had learned that the main character, Percy, was ADHD/neurodivergent. And as someone who has been diagnosed with ADHD multiple times and struggles a ton, and as someone who had a huge affinity to mythology growing up, I actually had some excitement going into reading this.
Within the first three chapters, I could safely say I felt I more strongly related to Percy Jackson than I ever did Harry Potter as a character. This was the neurodivergent character I needed growing up, the one I could see myself in. This book really did feel like it was written for me, and I felt fully immersed in it. Doesn’t matter that I read it at 31, I saw myself all through it. I fully plan on finishing the series and probably checking out more of Riordan’s works!
That said, I had heard great things and recognized people a strong passion for the world of Percy Jackson, but had always felt I had only just missed out on it growing up. It came out when I was entering high school, so I just missed it. But recently I had learned that the main character, Percy, was ADHD/neurodivergent. And as someone who has been diagnosed with ADHD multiple times and struggles a ton, and as someone who had a huge affinity to mythology growing up, I actually had some excitement going into reading this.
Within the first three chapters, I could safely say I felt I more strongly related to Percy Jackson than I ever did Harry Potter as a character. This was the neurodivergent character I needed growing up, the one I could see myself in. This book really did feel like it was written for me, and I felt fully immersed in it. Doesn’t matter that I read it at 31, I saw myself all through it. I fully plan on finishing the series and probably checking out more of Riordan’s works!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
I really, really wanted to like The Dawnhounds, and there certainly were parts of this book I enjoyed. Very unique world with an interesting city and location. But this whole story was pretty messy and it was hard to enjoy it like it was intended to be. First of all, it has 2 different “magic” systems, that seem almost at odds with each other? And while they both seem interesting, neither of them is actually explained, articulated, or demonstrated rather well or clearly. You’re left trying to piece it together the whole book. Second, the narrative and villain and end goal seemed to change about 3 times? But all very abruptly, like you’re watching an anime and all of the sudden a new villain pops out of nowhere to throw the audience off guard. I am curious if I would enjoy the presumed sequel more, but this book was definitely a disappointment.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Darcie Little Badger is one of the best and most unique voices in fiction right now. I have adored both of her books and find them to be flawless works of literature.
A Snake Falls to Earth is a wonderful tale that pulls from myth and ancient stories, while also working with modern themes, most notably climate change. It’s an important story.
While it is definitely YA, I’d say the age skews a smidge younger than Little Badger’s last book, Elatsoe. That is in no way a shot against the book. Just letting you know what to expect.
A Snake Falls to Earth is a wonderful tale that pulls from myth and ancient stories, while also working with modern themes, most notably climate change. It’s an important story.
While it is definitely YA, I’d say the age skews a smidge younger than Little Badger’s last book, Elatsoe. That is in no way a shot against the book. Just letting you know what to expect.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There are few things I find as comforting as a Becky Chambers book. Her words and themes, while often existential, are always a hug. A Prayer for the Crown-Shy is no different.
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Ancillary Justice was a bit of a frustrating read. Conceptually it was really cool and fascinating. Some of the things from a technical writing standpoint were really unique and innovative. But at the same time they were, on occasion, confusing and hampering to the narrative itself. Honestly, this probably would have worked better as a novella, though it was fine as a novel. I really am not sure how the author managed to stretch it into a trilogy though, and I do not think I’ll continue with the sequels.
adventurous
funny
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
I think of the entire Salvagers trilogy, this was my least favorite? Still quite enjoyable! A riot and a good time! But it didn’t quite resonate with me as much as the first two did. Narratively, the structure is most similar to the first book, and in some ways it felt like a retread? But overall, still a lot of fun and if you liked the first two you’ll enjoy this one as well!
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Sea of Tranquility is completely different than anything I’ve read lately. And it was a very welcome surprise. The writing was exceptional, the story itself was poignant, curious, and thoughtful. I would definitely recommend this book.
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Hollow Fires is a good, a very good. Not peak literature, but good. It’s also a VERY angry book. Samira Ahmed was angry when she wrote it. And rightfully so. Justifiably so. And it is not a subtle book, not at all! It is brash and flies right in your face, as it should.
It’s contemporary and prescient. It feels of the now. And it references plenty of contemporary events, while avoiding name-dropping specifically - so, like, it never named Trump, but it references some of his policies in office or his quote about being able to shoot someone in Times Square and not lose any voters. It also directly references things like the BLM protests and the murder of Breonna Taylor.
The format is really unique. It bounces around between perspectives of the main character, the ghost of the other main character, and various either news outlets or press releases or radio broadcasts, and trial hearings, or phone conversations and interviews.
It’s contemporary and prescient. It feels of the now. And it references plenty of contemporary events, while avoiding name-dropping specifically - so, like, it never named Trump, but it references some of his policies in office or his quote about being able to shoot someone in Times Square and not lose any voters. It also directly references things like the BLM protests and the murder of Breonna Taylor.
The format is really unique. It bounces around between perspectives of the main character, the ghost of the other main character, and various either news outlets or press releases or radio broadcasts, and trial hearings, or phone conversations and interviews.
I’ll be honest. I won an ARC of The First Binding. Early reviews for it were comparing it to The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, which for a lot of people would be a major plus. For me that was a warning. I found The Name of the Wind to be very well-written, but ultimately frustrating to read. I’m not a fan of the story-within-a-story format, and it honestly felt like a dragging 700 page prologue, rather than the first entry of a trilogy.
That’s basically how I felt about The First Binding. Generally well-written, but with the same story-within-a-story format as The Name of the Wind, and just felt like it was dragging. I also felt the magic system was super vague, though I’m sure that would have been elaborated on more later. Ultimately though, after 100 or so pages (of more than 800), most of which was exposition, I just couldn’t keep going.
That’s basically how I felt about The First Binding. Generally well-written, but with the same story-within-a-story format as The Name of the Wind, and just felt like it was dragging. I also felt the magic system was super vague, though I’m sure that would have been elaborated on more later. Ultimately though, after 100 or so pages (of more than 800), most of which was exposition, I just couldn’t keep going.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The Unbroken was a very interesting read, and also frustrating. I found myself less and less engaged as it went along, especially in the second half.
From the moment Touraine betrayed Luca, my interest waned. It was halfway through the book and it felt like the author was abandoning the spy aspect of the turncoat story. After that the character reactions and interactions became much more melodramatic and less interesting. Motivations changed quickly and regularly, what seemed every few chapters.
I won’t say I disliked the book. I found the themes important and largely well-executed. But it definitely let me down in the second half. What started as well-thought-out and meticulous ultimately became rushed and melodramatic. There’s a lot to like, but ultimately I’m unsure if I’ll continue with the sequel.
I won’t say I disliked the book. I found the themes important and largely well-executed. But it definitely let me down in the second half. What started as well-thought-out and meticulous ultimately became rushed and melodramatic. There’s a lot to like, but ultimately I’m unsure if I’ll continue with the sequel.