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tales_of_monika's reviews
175 reviews
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
5.0
The movie played a huge role in my childhood. I can't remember the amount of times I've watched it and I am still in love with it. So of course, when I heard that there is a book I had to add it to my own little library.
The book is a little different from the animation but that doesn't change the fact that it really draws you in and can make you laugh. Old Sophie is just amazing and so funny, although I wouldn't want to get in her way. Howl, on the other side, is more annoying (though still lovable) than in the movie. He is a king of drama and green slime.
I don't think enough attention was given to Calcifer. I love that demon and I just missed his witty comments and his presence overall.
I really liked that we got to learn more about where Howl comes from and about his family as well as Sophie's sisters. I learned a lot about Sophie herself too.
This was such a pleasant read and the ending was so cute! I loved it!
The book is a little different from the animation but that doesn't change the fact that it really draws you in and can make you laugh. Old Sophie is just amazing and so funny, although I wouldn't want to get in her way. Howl, on the other side, is more annoying (though still lovable) than in the movie. He is a king of drama and green slime.
I don't think enough attention was given to Calcifer. I love that demon and I just missed his witty comments and his presence overall.
I really liked that we got to learn more about where Howl comes from and about his family as well as Sophie's sisters. I learned a lot about Sophie herself too.
This was such a pleasant read and the ending was so cute! I loved it!
The Sound of the Earth Singing to Herself by Ricky Ray
5.0
It's been a while since I read any poetry and this collection was art in pure form.
The title itself - The Sound of the Earth Singing to Herself - is so poetic and there's just something magical about it.
The poems were very touching, beautiful, some disturbing yet brilliant. The struggles of living a difficult life so clearly outlined. The author describes the small joys that life brings and that we should enjoy, he describes life and death, clearly portraying the immense sadness and grief of losing a loved one.
What I enjoyed most is the presence of dogs throughout the collection of poems. At one point the dog is described as the boy's brother, which is a beautiful thought. I have never seen that much attention being given to dogs in poetry before, which is strange since they're a huge part of people's lives and sometimes their love is all we need to brighten our day.
The title itself - The Sound of the Earth Singing to Herself - is so poetic and there's just something magical about it.
The poems were very touching, beautiful, some disturbing yet brilliant. The struggles of living a difficult life so clearly outlined. The author describes the small joys that life brings and that we should enjoy, he describes life and death, clearly portraying the immense sadness and grief of losing a loved one.
What I enjoyed most is the presence of dogs throughout the collection of poems. At one point the dog is described as the boy's brother, which is a beautiful thought. I have never seen that much attention being given to dogs in poetry before, which is strange since they're a huge part of people's lives and sometimes their love is all we need to brighten our day.
Mirage by Somaiya Daud
4.0
This was a very enjoyable read. It's full of action from the very beginning and makes you want to know the when, the what and the why.
It kind of reminded me of John Carter at times
It kind of reminded me of John Carter at times
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
4.0
This is one of my favourite movies from my childhood, so naturally I had to read the book.
I was quite surprised. The book has roughly 500 pages and the movie only uses the first 200. I got to learn so many new things about Bastian and Atreyu and the other characters!
The story teaches about the importance of books - they encourage us to dream and create our own kindgdoms using our imagination. Without that, the world will turn gray and dull. It also shows the beauty of true friendship.
Overall the book is written in a very interesting and peculiar way. The author uses two different colours to tell us about the characters' adventures. I'm really happy that I got to find out more about Bastian. I didn't know he had so many adventures in Fantastica!
I was quite surprised. The book has roughly 500 pages and the movie only uses the first 200. I got to learn so many new things about Bastian and Atreyu and the other characters!
The story teaches about the importance of books - they encourage us to dream and create our own kindgdoms using our imagination. Without that, the world will turn gray and dull. It also shows the beauty of true friendship.
Overall the book is written in a very interesting and peculiar way. The author uses two different colours to tell us about the characters' adventures. I'm really happy that I got to find out more about Bastian. I didn't know he had so many adventures in Fantastica!
The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The story is about the adventures of a young girl, Ceony Twill (on a side note I really like her name. It's very elegant and melodic), who is practicing paper magic.
It is not your typical book about magic. It's unique and very pleasant to read. It definitely made a smile appear on my face.
The characters are also very likeable. And the fact that Ceony has a dog accompanying her during her adventures adds charm to the book.
It is not your typical book about magic. It's unique and very pleasant to read. It definitely made a smile appear on my face.
The characters are also very likeable. And the fact that Ceony has a dog accompanying her during her adventures adds charm to the book.
Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles
4.0
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2020.
I loved the circus-like setting of this book. The main character, Kallia is a fierce and fiery soul that will not stop until she gets what she wants. She is definitely another one of those brave and inspiring characters and I'm sure Aelin, Feyre, Emma Carstairs and others would love her.
What I liked about this book was that it was told from different points of view. The author created more tension and added to the mystery by writing short chapters that would give away bits of other characters' thoughts.
It wouldn't be an amazing book if it didn't have a great sidekick. Aaros is funny and witty, always making funny or (positively) sercastic comments on Kallia's relationships. He's a great little comic relief.
Overall I thought the book was dark and mysterious and I loved every bit of it. The ending left me wanting more and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
I loved the circus-like setting of this book. The main character, Kallia is a fierce and fiery soul that will not stop until she gets what she wants. She is definitely another one of those brave and inspiring characters and I'm sure Aelin, Feyre, Emma Carstairs and others would love her.
What I liked about this book was that it was told from different points of view. The author created more tension and added to the mystery by writing short chapters that would give away bits of other characters' thoughts.
It wouldn't be an amazing book if it didn't have a great sidekick. Aaros is funny and witty, always making funny or (positively) sercastic comments on Kallia's relationships. He's a great little comic relief.
Overall I thought the book was dark and mysterious and I loved every bit of it. The ending left me wanting more and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
4.0
I recently came across Me Before You on TV and it made me want to re-read the book. I never finished the trilogy (never got into the 2nd book for some reason).
I absolutely adore this book. It's a beautiful story and I love seeing the friendship and relationship develop between Louisa and Will. Although Will is a bit of an ass at times.
One thing that I noticed while re-reading this book was how much admiration I have for Louisa. She's a bubbly, chatty and overall positive person despite not having it easy at home. She's stuck in a little box room, has to provide for her family and has an annoying younger sister who feels entitled to everything. All of this doesn't stop her from having a smile on her face.
I'm really glad Will pushed her to try out new things. She's widened her horizons and opened many doors for herself. I'm looking forward to seeing how her journey progresses in the next books.
Obviously I am heartbroken because of Will. I will be in my bed crying for the rest of the night.
I absolutely adore this book. It's a beautiful story and I love seeing the friendship and relationship develop between Louisa and Will. Although Will is a bit of an ass at times.
One thing that I noticed while re-reading this book was how much admiration I have for Louisa. She's a bubbly, chatty and overall positive person despite not having it easy at home. She's stuck in a little box room, has to provide for her family and has an annoying younger sister who feels entitled to everything. All of this doesn't stop her from having a smile on her face.
I'm really glad Will pushed her to try out new things. She's widened her horizons and opened many doors for herself. I'm looking forward to seeing how her journey progresses in the next books.
Obviously I am heartbroken because of Will. I will be in my bed crying for the rest of the night.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
4.0
We chose it as our December book in book club.
I really liked the setting of the book. The wintery forest setting is always quite magical.
Sometimes I thought the book was quite slow and that it would never pick up the pace, but I didn't want to put it down nonetheless.
I adore the fairytale characters that play a huge role in the book. The main character did not let herself be broken by the people that kept telling her to stop believing in fairy tales and to grow up.
I think the second half of the book was much more interesting than the first. I thought I wouldn't like the book but I ended up really enjoying it. It took me back to my childhood. I'll definitely read the next book.
I really liked the setting of the book. The wintery forest setting is always quite magical.
Sometimes I thought the book was quite slow and that it would never pick up the pace, but I didn't want to put it down nonetheless.
I adore the fairytale characters that play a huge role in the book. The main character did not let herself be broken by the people that kept telling her to stop believing in fairy tales and to grow up.
I think the second half of the book was much more interesting than the first. I thought I wouldn't like the book but I ended up really enjoying it. It took me back to my childhood. I'll definitely read the next book.