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spootilious's reviews
143 reviews
The Snow Thief by Alice Hemming
Review:
Giving the same review as The Leaf Thief! A+++
The illustrations are FANTASTIC! They are humorous but not over the top, beautiful without being too elegant. It’s truly a wonderful balance.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Read: December 5, 2024
Title: The Snow Thief
Series: Squirrel and Bird
Author: Alice Hemming
Illustrator: Nicola Slater
Genre: Picture Book
Rating: 3/5
Review:
Giving the same review as The Leaf Thief! A+++
The illustrations are FANTASTIC! They are humorous but not over the top, beautiful without being too elegant. It’s truly a wonderful balance.
The story is fun without being too simplistic, so children can expand their vocabulary. It has a wonderful moral that comes across in a fun and affectionate way and teaches about the seasons.
One of my favorite picture books of the year.
QUOTES: NA
The Most Boring Book Ever by Brandon Sanderson
Review:
I went into this book knowing what it was supposed to be and yet I find it lacking.
I love Sanderson… and have no doubt he could write a good children’s book. This however is not it.
The premise is cute, but the title is correct. The writing is boring. In fact the only reason I know it’s Sanderson is the name on the front. But this could be written by ANYONE.
Kibuishi is the one that makes this book. Their illustrations are beautiful. Still they weren’t unique enough to pull off the satire that this book was supposed to be.
Still I didn’t struggle to get through it. So, two stars for Kibuishi’s wonderful work!
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
Read: December 3, 2024
Title: The Most Boring Book Ever
Author: Bandon Sanderson
Illustrator: Kazu Kibuishi
Genre: Picture Book
Rating: 2/5
Review:
I went into this book knowing what it was supposed to be and yet I find it lacking.
I love Sanderson… and have no doubt he could write a good children’s book. This however is not it.
The premise is cute, but the title is correct. The writing is boring. In fact the only reason I know it’s Sanderson is the name on the front. But this could be written by ANYONE.
Kibuishi is the one that makes this book. Their illustrations are beautiful. Still they weren’t unique enough to pull off the satire that this book was supposed to be.
Still I didn’t struggle to get through it. So, two stars for Kibuishi’s wonderful work!
QUOTES: NA
Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson
Review:
It's great to get to read a new story right before book 5 comes out. I’ve been rereading Stormlight in preparation but had originally skipped over the novellas. Reading them now provides a really nice break up between this marathon I have thrust upon myself.
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Read: November 21, 2024
Title: Dawnshard
Series: The Stormlight Archive # 3.5
Author: Bandon Sanderson
Genre: High Fantasy
Rating: 4/5
Review:
It's great to get to read a new story right before book 5 comes out. I’ve been rereading Stormlight in preparation but had originally skipped over the novellas. Reading them now provides a really nice break up between this marathon I have thrust upon myself.
That being said, I really enjoyed this one. It certainly isn’t my favorite but Sanderson can’t seem to miss. However, when a nice painting is hung next to masterpieces, it will always fall a bit flat as this one did for me.
Still I cannot find any real faults with the novel. Sanderson’s characters and worldbuilding is always astounding and the nuances and dimensions to each is just A++, and I always love a sprinkle of representation!
The pacing was a bit off compared to the rest of the series but wasn’t too noticeable and it didn’t feel like it was quite his ‘signature’ ending but in 200 pages what do you expect?
Love, Love, Love! (To no one’s surprise I’m sure.)
Love, Love, Love! (To no one’s surprise I’m sure.)
QUOTES: NA
The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Read: October 31, 2024
Title: The Leaf Thief
Author: Alice Hemming
Illustrator: Nicola Slater
Title: The Leaf Thief
Author: Alice Hemming
Illustrator: Nicola Slater
Genre: Picture Book
Rating: 3.5/5
Review:
I adored this book!
The illustrations are FANTASTIC! They are humorous but not over the top, beautiful without being too elegant. It’s truly a wonderful balance.
Review:
I adored this book!
The illustrations are FANTASTIC! They are humorous but not over the top, beautiful without being too elegant. It’s truly a wonderful balance.
The story is fun without being too simplistic, so children can expand their vocabulary. There is conflict without being aggressive or violent. It has a wonderful moral that comes across in a fun and affectionate way and teaches about the seasons.
One of my favorite picture books of the year.
QUOTES: NA
Magic by Jed Mackay
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
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
3.0
Read: November 1, 2024
Title: Magic Book 1
Author: Jed MacKay, Ig Guara
Genre: Graphic Novel
Rating: 3/5
Review:
Having read some of the MTG novels, I have never been impressed with the writing or storylines. I think, because of this, I was surprised to enjoy this novel as much as I have.
The artwork is fantastic and the story has a good pace and hook. Though the lines tend to be a bit corny. The characters are great, each with a unique voice and feel.
I will say that the biggest critique I have is that for anyone who is reading the novel without knowing at least some MTG lore will be very lost. The story is enjoyable regardless of MTG knowledge.
Heartbreaking, exciting, and adorable all at the same time.
QUOTES: NA
Edgedancer by Brandon Sanderson
That said, it still delivers Sanderson’s signature elements: amazing characters, breathtaking worldbuilding, and vivid imagery. But compared to his other books, this one doesn’t quite grab you in the same way. The ending, while fine, lacks the usual dramatic flair that leaves you on the edge of your seat. Instead, it’s a simpler story about a seemingly simple girl, which feels much smaller in scope than the grander tales Sanderson is known for.
Despite all this, I really enjoyed it. If I hadn’t read Edgedancer sandwiched between some of his larger works, I probably wouldn’t be so critical. With that bias in mind, I’ve bumped my initial rating up to a 3. It’s a solid read, just not on par with Sanderson’s best.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Read: October 19, 2024
Title: Edgedancer
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Title: Edgedancer
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 3/5
Review:
Brandon Sanderson is famous for his long novels and epic, nail-biting endings, but Edgedancer doesn't quite fit either of those descriptions. It’s not a bad book—far from it—but in a series packed with masterpieces, this slightly above-average novella just doesn’t stand out as much. Maybe it’s because it was written earlier in Sanderson’s career, or perhaps the short format isn't where he truly shines. Either way, something about Edgedancer feels different from his other works.
Review:
Brandon Sanderson is famous for his long novels and epic, nail-biting endings, but Edgedancer doesn't quite fit either of those descriptions. It’s not a bad book—far from it—but in a series packed with masterpieces, this slightly above-average novella just doesn’t stand out as much. Maybe it’s because it was written earlier in Sanderson’s career, or perhaps the short format isn't where he truly shines. Either way, something about Edgedancer feels different from his other works.
That said, it still delivers Sanderson’s signature elements: amazing characters, breathtaking worldbuilding, and vivid imagery. But compared to his other books, this one doesn’t quite grab you in the same way. The ending, while fine, lacks the usual dramatic flair that leaves you on the edge of your seat. Instead, it’s a simpler story about a seemingly simple girl, which feels much smaller in scope than the grander tales Sanderson is known for.
Despite all this, I really enjoyed it. If I hadn’t read Edgedancer sandwiched between some of his larger works, I probably wouldn’t be so critical. With that bias in mind, I’ve bumped my initial rating up to a 3. It’s a solid read, just not on par with Sanderson’s best.
QUOTES: N/A
“The world ends tomorrow, but the day after that, people are going to ask what’s for breakfast.”
“What if everybody is frightened, and nobody has the answers?”
TW: Orphans, parental death, murder, skewed justice, paperwork, cursing, blood, war, physical impairments, fatphobic remarks, gluttony.
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Read: October 18, 2024
Title: We Need To Talk ABout Kevin
Author: Lionel Shriver
Title: We Need To Talk ABout Kevin
Author: Lionel Shriver
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 3/5
Review:
I absolutely hated reading this book. From start to finish, it was a struggle. The writing itself is decent, but the entire narrative felt like a self-righteous woman complaining about motherhood and blaming her child for everything. Sure, her son turned out to be a terrible person, but was it entirely his fault? Who knows. Either way, she certainly didn’t help.
Review:
I absolutely hated reading this book. From start to finish, it was a struggle. The writing itself is decent, but the entire narrative felt like a self-righteous woman complaining about motherhood and blaming her child for everything. Sure, her son turned out to be a terrible person, but was it entirely his fault? Who knows. Either way, she certainly didn’t help.
I get that the book was meant to provoke thought, and it did. But just because it makes you think doesn’t mean you have to like it. In fact, it seems like this book was intentionally written to provoke strong reactions, and it succeeded.
I couldn’t find a single character to root for, relate to, or even like. The main character, who isn’t Kevin, is a whiny, middle-aged rich woman who spends so much time bashing America that it becomes exhausting. Her daughter seemed to be there just to humanize her, but even that didn’t work. The way Shriver tries to normalize everything just made it all feel so over-the-top and unbelievable, like watching a poorly written high school play. Eva is obviously a narcissist, and her husband is so emotionally abusive that they both come across as psychotic.
On the other hand, I do have to give Shriver credit for the audacity to drag so many taboo subjects into the light. The book forces you to examine tough topics like motherhood, violence, and the boundaries of love. And it all revolves around one central question: Why?
To clarify my feelings: I hated this book, and I still do. I never want to read anything like it again—it was torture. But because it provoked such strong emotions, I think it’s a must-read for those who enjoy disturbing, thought-provoking commentaries on tough issues.
Note: While I may not personally enjoy certain works, I can still recognize and appreciate their value as significant literature.
QUOTES: N/A
TW: School shootings, sexual content, sexual assault, alledged sexual assault, premeditation, murder, mass murder, child abuse, torture, gaslighting, anti-motherhood, child death, pregnancy, manipulation, violence, police, political content, xenophobia.
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Read: September 30, 2024
Title: Practical Magic
Author: Alice Hoffman
Title: Practical Magic
Author: Alice Hoffman
Series : Practical Magic #1
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 2/5
Review:
Review:
I really really wanted to love this book but I really really hated it.
The things I did like were worldbuilding as a friend of mine said “You can definitely get the Gilmore Girl vibes from the book.” The novel was whimsical and the characters were well rounded.
However, Hoffman is obviously a technical writer which there is nothing wrong with if the author is able to use it to her advantage and make her sentences and paragraphs more visually diverse to allow the reader’s eyes to feast, as much as the mind does. Practical Magic, however, is just wall after wall of text, almost forcing the gaze to skim rather than to read.
This doesn’t help when most of the text is just lists…. So many lists.
She also goes on a lot of tangents pulling the reader this way and that leaves the story spinning and the reader struggling to reorient, or maybe that's just me?
There really aren't any characters to root for. All of them (minus a couple of the supporting male characters that don’t really add anything to the story) are terrible or problematic.
The writing felt like it was Young Adult with Adult themes.
There wasn’t really any plot to be seen.
Honestly most of the characters (and about 60% of the story) could be removed and the novel wouldn’t really suffer for it.
The sheer amount of weight put on physical appearance and insta-love….
I can definitely see why there are people that love this book and I will definitely recommend it to those that would probably like it but it wasn’t the right novel for me.
QUOTES: N/A