You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
the_midwest_library's Reviews (796)
adventurous
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this, this is my second book by Hannah, the other I've read being The Great Alone. I enjoyed this more, the MC was really great to read from, the plot felt very realistic. I don't typically enjoy historical fiction but this was really solid. It's an unheard story of The Vietnam War from the perspective of female nurses. Overall a really solid pick!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a great installment in this world, but not without a few small flaws. Book one was just so fantastic I think some of the changes in book two weren't my fav. The first of those was the additional POV(s), while in the end I understand why we had them, I like Gabriel too much to be stuck with someone else's narration lol.
The middle of this book dragged, the pacing, around the time of the first.major POV shift was just a brick wall of plot progression for me. Now it did pick back up but the 40-60% of this book was a drag for me.
I loved some of the arcs we saw with Gabriel this book, forgiveness, betrayal, healing but ultimately Gabriel has been insufferable because he's always right and knows you'll always get "fucked in the face' (iykyk) regardless of what you do.
Great installment, not quite up to the 5 stars I gave book 1 but sooo close....maybe it's a 4.5/5 lol 😆
The middle of this book dragged, the pacing, around the time of the first.major POV shift was just a brick wall of plot progression for me. Now it did pick back up but the 40-60% of this book was a drag for me.
I loved some of the arcs we saw with Gabriel this book, forgiveness, betrayal, healing but ultimately Gabriel has been insufferable because he's always right and knows you'll always get "fucked in the face' (iykyk) regardless of what you do.
Great installment, not quite up to the 5 stars I gave book 1 but sooo close....maybe it's a 4.5/5 lol 😆
Hmmmmm if I read this like 5 or 6 years ago I probably wouldhave had a fun time and wanted to continue in thisworld. But current Cassandra wasn't as impressed.The worldbuilding is confusing. I still couldn't tellyou what level of technology is truly used....orwhat these cities look like. I wasn't a huge fan ofthe MC she was pretty dumb sometimes but theending was fun albeit a bit crazy pacing wise.
I won't be continuing on but it was a fun ride.
I won't be continuing on but it was a fun ride.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What to say about this one, firstly it's a solid debut. The characters were interesting, but not without flaws, the story itself is interesting and the overall concept of the world I enjoyed.
But what holds this book back from being excellent is the prose and narration style. The characters are CONSTANTLY having conversations where they explain the plot over and over where we should have been shown that plot through more robust worldbuilding. The characters also have some dialogue that is....cringey? Almost tropey. I think it's because the characters aren't developed enough so the emotional impact moments just didn't hit the way the author intended at times.
All that said, I did enjoy this. I think there is great potential here in this world and I can see a lot of people really loving this!
But what holds this book back from being excellent is the prose and narration style. The characters are CONSTANTLY having conversations where they explain the plot over and over where we should have been shown that plot through more robust worldbuilding. The characters also have some dialogue that is....cringey? Almost tropey. I think it's because the characters aren't developed enough so the emotional impact moments just didn't hit the way the author intended at times.
All that said, I did enjoy this. I think there is great potential here in this world and I can see a lot of people really loving this!
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Okay so I finished the series, and I have thoughts. Book 4 is the weakest for me but unlike some other reviewers I don't hate it. I do think the pacing is awful in this edition and we spend too long with characters and arcs that in the grand scheme of things are less meaningful. I also felt like the author was over this story a bit and wanted to setup more for maybe something else to come in this world?? Idk, it was solid enough that I would still recommend the series to others but I would warn them that the ending might not be as satisfactory as desired. Especially for Senlin who I feel like took a back seat to his own story along the way.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Another great installment, I am not going to lie, I thought I was going to have to fight Josiah for a hot second there around the middle of the book but he didn't do me dirty!!! I also ADORED how we basically focused on a single like 15-30min moment in time where all the stories come together.
It's a really funky story. It's literally a dystopian adventure to a fun house tower that Bilbo gets lost on and I truly can't explain the story any other way 😂😂
It's a really funky story. It's literally a dystopian adventure to a fun house tower that Bilbo gets lost on and I truly can't explain the story any other way 😂😂
fast-paced
Really nice break from my typical reading lineup. Short but purposeful exploration of love. The first poem was my favorite.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
I quite enjoyed this continued journey of our dear friend Senlin as he hunts to find his wife. The character development especially for some of the female MCs was great. I won't give spoilers here, but it was really fantastic to see those characters grow and have such an impact on the plot.
I think the pacing on this one was slowwww especially for the length of the book, this isn't super long but it dragged a bit in the middle. Begining and end were great though!
One day we will find our wife hahahaha 😂😂😂
I think the pacing on this one was slowwww especially for the length of the book, this isn't super long but it dragged a bit in the middle. Begining and end were great though!
One day we will find our wife hahahaha 😂😂😂
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this, the only comparable series I can think of is the Mirror Visitor series, which while not so cruel, has a mysterious fantastical tower where the characters traverse and uncover its mysteries.
The characters were really interesting. Senlin is so useless while also being so resourceful and tenacious. I find him entertaining to read about. I do think we lost the plot a bit in the second half when suddenly we were all cosplaying as logistics workers and pirates haha but I'm really into this series and excited to see if we ever find our damn wife!
The characters were really interesting. Senlin is so useless while also being so resourceful and tenacious. I find him entertaining to read about. I do think we lost the plot a bit in the second half when suddenly we were all cosplaying as logistics workers and pirates haha but I'm really into this series and excited to see if we ever find our damn wife!
informative
fast-paced
So I read and really enjoyed Cultish. I was excited to see what else this author was going to do ..and I think this book needed more time in the oven. The ideas, while interesting, just kinda felt like a very casual high level chit chat on these larger ideas. Compared to Cultish the thesis just wasn't as strong here. It was good, entertaining, and interesting but it just wasn't enough.
I think if you are new to nonfiction this author is the way to go. These are great books for those just dipping their toes into reading nonfiction and the prose is compelling!
I think if you are new to nonfiction this author is the way to go. These are great books for those just dipping their toes into reading nonfiction and the prose is compelling!