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theravenkingx's reviews
326 reviews
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
adventurous
2.0
I don't think H.G. Wells is for me. While I admire his imaginative concepts, his execution often falls short. His overly descriptive world-building, though detailed, tends to lead to endings that feel lackluster and underwhelming.
The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War by Ben Macintyre
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
The book The Spy and The Traitor brilliantly illustrates how perspectives shape our perception of heroism and villainy. One of its major takeaways (at least for me) is that a person can be both a hero and a villain, depending on who is telling the story and from which angle the story is being observed. Oleg Gordievsky is celebrated as a hero for his espionage against his own country, yet he is condemned as a traitor by Russian patriots who view his actions as an unforgivable betrayal to the motherland.
Additionally, the book contrasts Oleg Gordievsky with Aldrich Ames, who also betrayed his country but is perceived through a more critical lens. Ames is portrayed as Oleg's antithesis. Both Oleg and Ames committed acts of treachery—Oleg deceived the Soviet Union, while Ames fed classified U.S. information to the Soviets. The juxtaposition between the two is primarily a matter of perspective: Oleg is hailed as a hero in the West for his contributions to Cold War victory, while Ames is imprisoned and vilified as a villain.
In reality, the key difference between the two lies in their motivations. Oleg is portrayed to be driven by his idealism, while Ames is fueled by his insatiable desire for wealth and recognition. But who is to say Ames didn't have his own ideological motivations, no matter how wrong or misguided they may seem?
As the saying goes, history is often written by the winners. This book should serve as a reminder that the morality of actions is frequently overshadowed by their alignment—or misalignment—with the prevailing values and power structures of the time. The narratives are often crafted by the winners, influencing how we view certain events and individuals. Without realizing it, we sometimes fall victim to a "you vs. me" mentality, seeing the world in stark black and white rather than as shades of gray - a combination of the two that represents our shared humanity.
What makes this book truly remarkable is that it reads more like a gripping spy novel than non-fiction, especially in the intensely gripping final 100 pages. It's one of the best non-fiction books I have read in a while.
Additionally, the book contrasts Oleg Gordievsky with Aldrich Ames, who also betrayed his country but is perceived through a more critical lens. Ames is portrayed as Oleg's antithesis. Both Oleg and Ames committed acts of treachery—Oleg deceived the Soviet Union, while Ames fed classified U.S. information to the Soviets. The juxtaposition between the two is primarily a matter of perspective: Oleg is hailed as a hero in the West for his contributions to Cold War victory, while Ames is imprisoned and vilified as a villain.
In reality, the key difference between the two lies in their motivations. Oleg is portrayed to be driven by his idealism, while Ames is fueled by his insatiable desire for wealth and recognition. But who is to say Ames didn't have his own ideological motivations, no matter how wrong or misguided they may seem?
As the saying goes, history is often written by the winners. This book should serve as a reminder that the morality of actions is frequently overshadowed by their alignment—or misalignment—with the prevailing values and power structures of the time. The narratives are often crafted by the winners, influencing how we view certain events and individuals. Without realizing it, we sometimes fall victim to a "you vs. me" mentality, seeing the world in stark black and white rather than as shades of gray - a combination of the two that represents our shared humanity.
What makes this book truly remarkable is that it reads more like a gripping spy novel than non-fiction, especially in the intensely gripping final 100 pages. It's one of the best non-fiction books I have read in a while.
Wrath by John Gwynne
A triumphant and rewarding conclusion to an epic heroic adventure. This book exceeded every expectation I had and more. We lost some cherished companions along the way, but the journey was undeniably worth it. John Gwynne is merciless and doesn't shy away from killing off his characters for plot progression. I have become so accustomed to authors bringing dead characters back that, with every death in this book, I found myself thinking, ‘This can’t be it. They’ll return soon.’ But John Gwynne doesn’t hold back. He keeps you in denial, only to eventually make you face the truth, accept it, and grieve deeply.
This is the kind of ending I had hoped for from the Game of Thrones series. It wasn’t all triumphs—there were plenty of losses, with several beloved characters meeting tragic fates. My advice? Don’t get too attached to anyone, or you’ll find yourself sobbing throughout the journey.
My only complaint is that some of the characters didn’t deserve a redemption arc. Additionally, we missed out on POVs from characters who felt important in the last book, like Halion. I really enjoyed his role in the previous books and was hoping to see more of him. As for Asroth, I didn’t find him to be a particularly worthy enemy. I was also expecting more from storm and shield.
John Gwynne is a master of writing battles. He has become one of my all time favorite authors and I can't wait to check out more of his work.
My favorite book in the series is the second book "Valour" and second favorite is "Wrath"
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
A triumphant and rewarding conclusion to an epic heroic adventure. This book exceeded every expectation I had and more. We lost some cherished companions along the way, but the journey was undeniably worth it. John Gwynne is merciless and doesn't shy away from killing off his characters for plot progression. I have become so accustomed to authors bringing dead characters back that, with every death in this book, I found myself thinking, ‘This can’t be it. They’ll return soon.’ But John Gwynne doesn’t hold back. He keeps you in denial, only to eventually make you face the truth, accept it, and grieve deeply.
This is the kind of ending I had hoped for from the Game of Thrones series. It wasn’t all triumphs—there were plenty of losses, with several beloved characters meeting tragic fates. My advice? Don’t get too attached to anyone, or you’ll find yourself sobbing throughout the journey.
My only complaint is that some of the characters didn’t deserve a redemption arc. Additionally, we missed out on POVs from characters who felt important in the last book, like Halion. I really enjoyed his role in the previous books and was hoping to see more of him. As for Asroth, I didn’t find him to be a particularly worthy enemy. I was also expecting more from storm and shield.
John Gwynne is a master of writing battles. He has become one of my all time favorite authors and I can't wait to check out more of his work.
My favorite book in the series is the second book "Valour" and second favorite is "Wrath"
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
My expectation: fightening monster
What I got: depressed and lonely monster.
Frankenstein is not a great book, but it's not terrible either. I'd recommend watching the movie instead. This book is very different from the Hollywood version of Frankenstein's monster. It is extremely slow, dull, and kind of boring. It is filled with unrealistic situations and overly explained details, leaving nothing to the reader's imagination. The mystery wasn't really a mystery, but it took Victor ages to understand it, and by then, it was too late. The philosophical and metaphorical elements of this book are great, but the writing felt overly elaborate and speech-like, almost like a panegyric, with too much over-explanation.
The book essentially serves as a metaphor, examining the relationship between humans and God. It explores how God created us and left us in the world to find our path. For some, that path leads to enlightenment, while for others, it leads to true destruction
What I got: depressed and lonely monster.
Frankenstein is not a great book, but it's not terrible either. I'd recommend watching the movie instead. This book is very different from the Hollywood version of Frankenstein's monster. It is extremely slow, dull, and kind of boring. It is filled with unrealistic situations and overly explained details, leaving nothing to the reader's imagination. The mystery wasn't really a mystery, but it took Victor ages to understand it, and by then, it was too late. The philosophical and metaphorical elements of this book are great, but the writing felt overly elaborate and speech-like, almost like a panegyric, with too much over-explanation.
The book essentially serves as a metaphor, examining the relationship between humans and God. It explores how God created us and left us in the world to find our path. For some, that path leads to enlightenment, while for others, it leads to true destruction
Human Acts by Han Kang
A profoundly challenging book that delves into the depths of the human condition and the evil humans are capable of inflicting on each other. The narrative features a unique format, with each chapter offering a different point of view and its own distinctive writing style. I was particularly struck by the chapter where a girl attempts to forget the seven slaps she received, one day at a time, with her story covering the course of those seven days.
dark
emotional
slow-paced
4.0
A profoundly challenging book that delves into the depths of the human condition and the evil humans are capable of inflicting on each other. The narrative features a unique format, with each chapter offering a different point of view and its own distinctive writing style. I was particularly struck by the chapter where a girl attempts to forget the seven slaps she received, one day at a time, with her story covering the course of those seven days.
Ruin by John Gwynne
adventurous
dark
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? N/A
4.5
No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
dark
slow-paced
3.0
I thought this book was fantastic until the major plot twist; from that point on, it went downhill. It became too philosophical and boring to the point where I just couldn't care anymore. I was never interested in reading about Bell. I was more invested in the cat-and-mouse game between Moss and Chigurh. This book wasn't as thought-provoking as it pretended to be. It went from a gripping thriller to a philosophical mess. The writing was confusing—Cormac McCarthy doesn't use quotations or clearly indicate who is speaking to whom. It was frustrating, to say the least.
Overall, it's an okay book, but I definitely enjoyed "The Road" more.
Overall, it's an okay book, but I definitely enjoyed "The Road" more.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
The Count of Monte Cristo is an epic tale of revenge and redemption, set against the backdrop of napoleon's anti-royalist sentiments. It sets the stage for a battlefield between good and evil, where faith in the higher power becomes the vessel through which justice is delivered, cloaked in the guise of vengeance. It tells the story of Edmond Dantès, who is betrayed by those he trusted and wrongfully imprisoned in isolation. In prison, he is reborn as a mastermind, orchestrating the downfall of the people he once assumed to be his friends. His return to the world is full of scheming and vengeance. It's a book where you root for the good guy and scream in joy whenever he outsmarts his enemies.
This meticulously crafted revenge story spans over 1,300 pages. The length allows for in-depth character development, giving readers a bird's-eye view of the entire situation. There wasn't a single moment where I felt bored. It is undoubtedly one of the best revenge stories ever written. It's not too dark or heavy in themes, but it's incredibly engaging. The writing is accessible, so don't let the length intimidate you—this masterpiece is well worth the read.
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
"I have come from a planet called sorrow."
The Count of Monte Cristo is an epic tale of revenge and redemption, set against the backdrop of napoleon's anti-royalist sentiments. It sets the stage for a battlefield between good and evil, where faith in the higher power becomes the vessel through which justice is delivered, cloaked in the guise of vengeance. It tells the story of Edmond Dantès, who is betrayed by those he trusted and wrongfully imprisoned in isolation. In prison, he is reborn as a mastermind, orchestrating the downfall of the people he once assumed to be his friends. His return to the world is full of scheming and vengeance. It's a book where you root for the good guy and scream in joy whenever he outsmarts his enemies.
This meticulously crafted revenge story spans over 1,300 pages. The length allows for in-depth character development, giving readers a bird's-eye view of the entire situation. There wasn't a single moment where I felt bored. It is undoubtedly one of the best revenge stories ever written. It's not too dark or heavy in themes, but it's incredibly engaging. The writing is accessible, so don't let the length intimidate you—this masterpiece is well worth the read.
Valour by John Gwynne
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
And the reader releases a breath he didn't know he was holding. (Yes, I have never related more to this line before-I think finally understood the feeling.)
If 'Malice' is a cozy, character-driven tale of a chosen one, then 'Valour' is an adrenaline-fueled sequel that leaves you gasping for air. It cranks up the stakes and delivers an action packed plot, giving you barely a moment to breathe!
Reading this book felt like speeding at 90 on a 60 mph road. I had to focus to soak in all the details and keep up with the relentless pace. But wow, what a ride!
So much was happening in this book-it felt like one gut punch after another. Every single page was packed with action, betrayal, and high-stakes drama. I barely had a moment to process the gravity of what was unfolding; it was only after finishing the book that I could finally breathe and reflect. While this made the reading experience incredibly addictive, it also left me feeling like I was robbed of the chance to fully cherish and mourn certain events. I wish the pacing had been slightly slower to allow the emotional impact to truly land as the events unfolded. That is my only critique.
The sequel excelled at expanding on the richness and complexities of this world. The character development and plot progression combined to create an immersive and addictive experience. While it toys with familiar tropes and much of it is predictable, it ignites strong emotions because it is so well written and plotted. The author knows how to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
This installment introduced even more POVs, with several side characters truly shining. Nathair's mother and Cwyen had particularly epic development arcs, leaving me excited to see what’s next for them. Maquin (Kastell's companion) is another character that stood out but his chapters became somewhat repetitive and less engaging as the story progressed. That said, the majority of the characters' journeys were highly enjoyable, and I found myself unable to put the book down during the final 25%. The intensity of those last chapters was absolutely gripping.
Overall, it's a solid sequel, and this series is quickly becoming my all-time favorite
If 'Malice' is a cozy, character-driven tale of a chosen one, then 'Valour' is an adrenaline-fueled sequel that leaves you gasping for air. It cranks up the stakes and delivers an action packed plot, giving you barely a moment to breathe!
Reading this book felt like speeding at 90 on a 60 mph road. I had to focus to soak in all the details and keep up with the relentless pace. But wow, what a ride!
So much was happening in this book-it felt like one gut punch after another. Every single page was packed with action, betrayal, and high-stakes drama. I barely had a moment to process the gravity of what was unfolding; it was only after finishing the book that I could finally breathe and reflect. While this made the reading experience incredibly addictive, it also left me feeling like I was robbed of the chance to fully cherish and mourn certain events. I wish the pacing had been slightly slower to allow the emotional impact to truly land as the events unfolded. That is my only critique.
The sequel excelled at expanding on the richness and complexities of this world. The character development and plot progression combined to create an immersive and addictive experience. While it toys with familiar tropes and much of it is predictable, it ignites strong emotions because it is so well written and plotted. The author knows how to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
This installment introduced even more POVs, with several side characters truly shining. Nathair's mother and Cwyen had particularly epic development arcs, leaving me excited to see what’s next for them. Maquin (Kastell's companion) is another character that stood out but his chapters became somewhat repetitive and less engaging as the story progressed. That said, the majority of the characters' journeys were highly enjoyable, and I found myself unable to put the book down during the final 25%. The intensity of those last chapters was absolutely gripping.
Overall, it's a solid sequel, and this series is quickly becoming my all-time favorite