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thatpetra's reviews
334 reviews
Fabled by Vanessa K. Eccles
3.0
This book had a good and wicked twist on the famous fairytales by the Grimm brothers, which was very fun and interesting to read about. I really liked how the Grimm brothers fit into the story with their podcast which added a connection between the normal world and Mezzanine. I also really enjoyed their story on how they arrived in Mezzanine and how that was told. To be honest, the brothers were probably my favourite characters in the book, and a point-of-view from them would have been amazing to read about.
I liked how the story started in the real world and how Rowena found herself in the fairy world, Mezzanine. I really like Rowena in the first chapters but sadly, I gradually started to dislike her as the story progressed. I didn’t like the choices she made and how easily she got emotions for people - and change her emotions about them. I also didn’t feel connected to her or her story as it progressed. It felt as if I was just reading about it, like reading a boring biography. I didn’t feel scared when they were scared or worried when they were in danger. I would honestly not even feel sad if a character died more than for a short moment before turning the page and continue the story. This is really sad because I love to feel sucked into a story and really live the plot amongst the characters. It’s also sad because the plot itself was really really good, which was probably why it even got three stars.
I really liked the parts that took place in the real world, and I wish there would have been more of those. I feel like the writing style in those chapters were better in some ways and had a better flow.
I didn’t like the ending, it felt rushed and confusing. It was an open ending, which I liked, but it felt like she left everything that happened to her too quickly. I would have wanted one or two more chapters, just to drag out the ending a bit and catch up since everything happened so fast and suddenly the story was over. It was really obvious that this was the first book in a series.
In conclusion, I liked the way the author combined such great fairy tales and fables with the real world. I also liked the plot, but it honestly didn’t really get to me. I don’t think this book will occupy my mind for long, which really good books tends to do. It was good, but nothing exceptional or life changing. I would still like to read the second book, though!
I liked how the story started in the real world and how Rowena found herself in the fairy world, Mezzanine. I really like Rowena in the first chapters but sadly, I gradually started to dislike her as the story progressed. I didn’t like the choices she made and how easily she got emotions for people - and change her emotions about them. I also didn’t feel connected to her or her story as it progressed. It felt as if I was just reading about it, like reading a boring biography. I didn’t feel scared when they were scared or worried when they were in danger. I would honestly not even feel sad if a character died more than for a short moment before turning the page and continue the story. This is really sad because I love to feel sucked into a story and really live the plot amongst the characters. It’s also sad because the plot itself was really really good, which was probably why it even got three stars.
I really liked the parts that took place in the real world, and I wish there would have been more of those. I feel like the writing style in those chapters were better in some ways and had a better flow.
I didn’t like the ending, it felt rushed and confusing. It was an open ending, which I liked, but it felt like she left everything that happened to her too quickly. I would have wanted one or two more chapters, just to drag out the ending a bit and catch up since everything happened so fast and suddenly the story was over. It was really obvious that this was the first book in a series.
In conclusion, I liked the way the author combined such great fairy tales and fables with the real world. I also liked the plot, but it honestly didn’t really get to me. I don’t think this book will occupy my mind for long, which really good books tends to do. It was good, but nothing exceptional or life changing. I would still like to read the second book, though!
Holes in the Plan by Kate Petty
4.0
First of, this book makes you wanna eat donuts. Like, a lot of them. Second, this book was really inspiring. I don’t think I have ever read a book like it, a book so different and real. It’s not about a romantic relationship, it’s about family. It’s not about bravery where you go and slay a dragon and save the town, it’s a book about bravery when it comes to choose either a safe and secure - but quite boring - path or a path that you’re passionate about but no one seems to believe is possible. This book did such a good job that now I want to start a Doughnut shop.
”Whatever it is that pulls at you and wakes you up. The things that make you feel like you’re actually living life, not just existing. That is a passion.”
Another thing I really liked about Kate’s book was her characters since I thought they were really realistic and honest. Kate did a really good job when it came to the writing of their inner monologues as well which made them even more interested to read about. The only thing that I didn’t like about the characters were how negative most of them were, mostly Daniel and the people at his workplace. It’s safe to say that Lola definitely was my favourite character, a character that brought life and energy into the book and always made me smile.
”’I need to hold down a real job, not throw away a bunch of money I don’t have. Starting a bakery is what people do when they’re, like, old and financially secure.’ She shook her head. ’That is not how it works.’ … ’I have a lot of friends with a lot of wonderful dreams,’ she continued. ’Many of them thought they would get to them later, after they saved some money. They found nice jobs and pretty apartments and sat down to wait for promotion or two so they could have enough money to quit. They got their promotions, and then they thought, This is very good money. I will wait for one more promotion. So they waited for another. And then they got married, traded their pretty apartments for pretty houses, and thought, I will save a little more money, and then I will follow my dreams. But then they had children and thought, I need to save money so my children can go to college one day. Do you understand?’”
The book was kind of slow paced, but I actually didn’t mind that at all, in fact, I liked it. I don’t think fast pace would suite this kind of book. This was another thing I was impressed with; how it could be so slow paced without getting boring. I’ll be honest, it wasn’t like I was all into the story all the time, unable to put it down, but it was absolutely not boring. If anything the slow pace made it even more realistic, if that makes any sense.
”You’ll spend more time at your job than you will anywhere else. You’ll be with your coworkers more than you will your friends, your family. Anyone. But we sign on for commitments like that so easily, don’t we?”
Basically, I liked this book. I didn’t really feel that it was missing something obvious, but it wasn’t the best book I have ever read either, hence the four stars. I definitely recommend this book, especially if you’re soon to finish University and are about to take a big leap out into the real world, or if you’re just a big fan of doughnuts.
”Whatever it is that pulls at you and wakes you up. The things that make you feel like you’re actually living life, not just existing. That is a passion.”
Another thing I really liked about Kate’s book was her characters since I thought they were really realistic and honest. Kate did a really good job when it came to the writing of their inner monologues as well which made them even more interested to read about. The only thing that I didn’t like about the characters were how negative most of them were, mostly Daniel and the people at his workplace. It’s safe to say that Lola definitely was my favourite character, a character that brought life and energy into the book and always made me smile.
”’I need to hold down a real job, not throw away a bunch of money I don’t have. Starting a bakery is what people do when they’re, like, old and financially secure.’ She shook her head. ’That is not how it works.’ … ’I have a lot of friends with a lot of wonderful dreams,’ she continued. ’Many of them thought they would get to them later, after they saved some money. They found nice jobs and pretty apartments and sat down to wait for promotion or two so they could have enough money to quit. They got their promotions, and then they thought, This is very good money. I will wait for one more promotion. So they waited for another. And then they got married, traded their pretty apartments for pretty houses, and thought, I will save a little more money, and then I will follow my dreams. But then they had children and thought, I need to save money so my children can go to college one day. Do you understand?’”
The book was kind of slow paced, but I actually didn’t mind that at all, in fact, I liked it. I don’t think fast pace would suite this kind of book. This was another thing I was impressed with; how it could be so slow paced without getting boring. I’ll be honest, it wasn’t like I was all into the story all the time, unable to put it down, but it was absolutely not boring. If anything the slow pace made it even more realistic, if that makes any sense.
”You’ll spend more time at your job than you will anywhere else. You’ll be with your coworkers more than you will your friends, your family. Anyone. But we sign on for commitments like that so easily, don’t we?”
Basically, I liked this book. I didn’t really feel that it was missing something obvious, but it wasn’t the best book I have ever read either, hence the four stars. I definitely recommend this book, especially if you’re soon to finish University and are about to take a big leap out into the real world, or if you’re just a big fan of doughnuts.
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
5.0
omg. I don't even know what to say. I cried my eyes out during the last 40-or-so pages, and I don't usually cry that much over books. Wow. This book is remarkable.