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slowreaderpeter's Reviews (208)
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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:
Complicated
I really didn’t know what to expect going into The Galaxy, and the Ground Within. I had a vague idea based on the rest of the Wayfarers series, but the back of book description gave nothing away.
There truly is something remarkably comforting in Becky Chambers’ writing. I just feel so at home in her words, in her characters, and in the worlds she creates. I am sad to know this is the final Wayfarers book, but am glad she’s finishing it both as she wants, and in a worthy way. This book is about community, home, and the friends you meet along the way. And I cannot recommend it enough.
There truly is something remarkably comforting in Becky Chambers’ writing. I just feel so at home in her words, in her characters, and in the worlds she creates. I am sad to know this is the final Wayfarers book, but am glad she’s finishing it both as she wants, and in a worthy way. This book is about community, home, and the friends you meet along the way. And I cannot recommend it enough.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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:
Yes
Okay, not gonna lie, but I passed over this book numerous times at the store. The cover looked very generic to me. Not sure why, but it just didn’t grab me at all. But after checking a couple reviews, I finally picked it up, and I was not disappointed at all.
If you’re looking for a comparison, it gave me similar-ish vibes to the Daevabad Trilogy. But while in those books the relationships, the primary love triangle, felt forced (which was my biggest gripe with that whole series), The Jasmine Throne did not have that problem at all. The characters and their developments and the various relationships all felt natural, intentional. Tasha Suri really nailed that.
The story, the politics and the scheming, the religious zealots and the despot emperor, all were incredibly compelling. The two leads, Priya and Malini, we’re fascinating and wonderful characters. They were powerful and unique, each in their own ways. All of the women in this story shone. No one was sacrificed or made a joke.
Even more, the use of magic and it’s entire existence in this world felt completely fresh. It had me enthralled. I do love a good magic system. And it also felt very natural to the world. It made sense.
To be short: we need more fantasy like this!
If you’re looking for a comparison, it gave me similar-ish vibes to the Daevabad Trilogy. But while in those books the relationships, the primary love triangle, felt forced (which was my biggest gripe with that whole series), The Jasmine Throne did not have that problem at all. The characters and their developments and the various relationships all felt natural, intentional. Tasha Suri really nailed that.
The story, the politics and the scheming, the religious zealots and the despot emperor, all were incredibly compelling. The two leads, Priya and Malini, we’re fascinating and wonderful characters. They were powerful and unique, each in their own ways. All of the women in this story shone. No one was sacrificed or made a joke.
Even more, the use of magic and it’s entire existence in this world felt completely fresh. It had me enthralled. I do love a good magic system. And it also felt very natural to the world. It made sense.
To be short: we need more fantasy like this!
adventurous
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I wanted so badly to like this book, to love it. My expectations were so high after All The Light We Cannot See. But Doerr just bit off too much with this story. Trying to tell 3 different stories in ancient Constantinople (from two perspectives), in modern/contemporary Idaho (1940s to present, again from multiple perspectives), and from some futuristic generation spaceship taking humans to a new planet, all tied together through an obscure story by an Ancient Greek philosopher, and while also having noticeable pros changes between each of the timelines was just…a lot. I’m not going to say it isn’t written well, but it was definitely too much for this story, and the book ended up getting in its own way.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
I absolutely adored Light from Uncommon Stars! Inside the book jacket it’s described as “Good Omens meets The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet,” and honestly that’s a pretty spot-on description.
This book is a joy. It’s bursting with heart. Ryka Aoki’s ability to present so many different characters and have you connect with, empathize with, and fall utterly in love with all of them is a treasure. She completely knocked this one out of the park.
I will say, her writing style, the way she has passages or small sections broken up is a bit odd. Not bad by any stretch. But it’s a bit different and took me a minute to get used to. However, any part of me that might want to critique it honestly cannot come up with a better way to have done it. Just know that at first glance it will probably look odd, but you should get used to it quickly. And really, it makes a lot of sense once you get acclimated.
I fully recommend this book! It’s wonderful and unique. Heartfelt, fun, and at moments utterly devastating. But it’s all worth it for this beautiful story.
This book is a joy. It’s bursting with heart. Ryka Aoki’s ability to present so many different characters and have you connect with, empathize with, and fall utterly in love with all of them is a treasure. She completely knocked this one out of the park.
I will say, her writing style, the way she has passages or small sections broken up is a bit odd. Not bad by any stretch. But it’s a bit different and took me a minute to get used to. However, any part of me that might want to critique it honestly cannot come up with a better way to have done it. Just know that at first glance it will probably look odd, but you should get used to it quickly. And really, it makes a lot of sense once you get acclimated.
I fully recommend this book! It’s wonderful and unique. Heartfelt, fun, and at moments utterly devastating. But it’s all worth it for this beautiful story.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Elatsoe is definitely one of the more fun books I’ve read recently. It’s got a great and pointed sense of humor, and immensely clever in so many ways. The characters are a joy and it’s very easy to feel at home with them, to relate to them. While the mystery itself isn’t the most complex, the way the story unravels keeps you engaged and enthralled the whole time. Seriously, read this. You will have a lot of fun and won’t regret it.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Solid, excellent book. I enjoyed Vengeful as much or almost as much as I did Vicious. Excellent writing, strong characters, and an intelligent and compelling story with a surprising amount of emotional depth to the characters. The amount of depth given to trauma as a central theme, and developed more so that it was in Vicious, was both significant and important. And as someone who didn’t think Vicious needed a sequel, this was a genuinely pleasant surprise.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes