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toasty_boyo's reviews
23 reviews
The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure by William Goldman
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Oh my god I finally got around to this book - I adored the movie and was so surprised to find out it was a novel as well. I loved it, it is just as endearing as the movie which you don’t see much. I was confused but later very interested in how Goldman created this whole fake country and world and narrative around a fake author who wrote princess bride. Honestly it threw me for a loop but once I got used to it, it made the story funnier. I loved all the characters and to hear more about their backstories was so satisfying like learning Inigo Montoya’s training arc and Fezzik being this buff baby. Overall just a funny and entertaining novel that went by surprisingly fast. Was hoping and got delivered a novel in the same wheelhouse as Stardust. Now I’m going to rewatch the movie and enjoy this all over again. 💚
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is honestly one of the funniest books I’ve ever read - I laughed so fucking hard so many times. Not only that but it was such a fun and interesting read. I loved all the characters and how they interacted with one another and despite being robot they were so human. I hadn’t read anything by T.J Klune before but I am so glad I did so thank you mom for randomly selecting this book. And I’m so ready to go pick up more by this author. I mean seriously this book was gorgeous it sweet and funny and of course I cried. Every interaction between Rambo and Nurse Ratched was hilarious. And Victor and Hap were so cute together - I wish we had more time with these characters especially after they finally got together and Gio was so sweet what a cute old man. Basically I love this book absolutely adored it!!
Also the juxtaposition of man and robot and how some robots act so human and Victor seems so robotic sometimes is wonderful. The contradiction of being a human and everything in this book is just good!
The Black Phone: Stories by Joe Hill
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I rated each of the stories individually as follows:
- 4/5
- 3.25/5
- 5/5
- 4/5
- 3.5/5
- 2.5/5
- 5/5
- 3.75/5
- 3.5/5
- 4/5
- 2/5
- 3.25/5
- 3.75/5
- 5/5
- 5/5
Overall I did enjoy the book and clearly some more than others. The real horror and scary ones were obviously more favored. Some I felt weren’t scary and nothing really happened. Some were really gross and lewd and reminiscent of Stephen King’s writing. But oh man was fathers mask and black phone good - those are the ones I wish for more but also left me uneasy.
Dust by Hugh Howey
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Hugh Howey does a wonderful thing where he ends this story feeling hopeful and bittersweet and honestly left me in tears. He was a story of how humans destroyed the Earth and all the people living on it yet Juliette and her gang made me love what it means to be human and all the beautiful things we could make of life. This book was wonderful it truly was, but what really sold me was the ending - it left me full and satisfied. And I mean come on the entire series was an interesting topic and tied very well together. If you like Fallout or dystopian novels combine the two and you’ve got this series. Last thing I promise Juliette and Solo are badasses and deserve all the recognition.R.I.P Luke -> free my man he ain’t done nothing wrong and deserved to live. ALSO YOU BRING IN DARCY JUST TO KILL HIM OFF AHHH.
Shift by Hugh Howey
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Read it halfway stopped then reread it. Boy was this a good book, Hugh Howey certainly knows how to one up himself in terms of story telling. I absolutely loved the back and forth between narratives it made it more compelling and left me wanting to unravel the mystery of the silo. And omg the reveal that Donald and Troy were the same person was something I truly didn’t expect probably my fav part of the entire series. The only thing missing is that I wish there was more Julia i absolutely adored her in the first book -> fingers crossed we see her in the third one. Another great perspective was Solo and how his story began it was terribly tragic all the trauma he had to go through and to see the dissolving of his sanity. Did love Shadow though what a great little guy!! Long story short loved it, scared of it , wanted more of it - so onwards to the next and final book. May it answer all my questions!!
Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I had to read this for class, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. It was a challenging read not in a word or writing style but the topic. The book was very sad but very informative on the history of the people of Palestine. And has helped to change my point of view on current events.
Wool by Hugh Howey
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I randomly picked this book up while I was looking for the Dune series and thank god I did. This book is a perfect blend of dystopian and enough science and engineering to be sci-fi. What also occurs is this creeping horror as you learn what has occurred to make humans live in a silo. Something I love about this book is how amazing the main character is she’s smart and hardworking very much Katniss if she was older and jaded. I loved how realistic everything in this book is as I could see our world turning into this one if we aren’t careful. I’m constantly wondering what’s happening and what’s going to happen next and thankfully I have the second book ready to go right next to me. This book is something I had wished I had read earlier and can’t wait to watch the TV series!
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I’m so glad I put this book on my to read list. It came to me as a random ad on Instagram and the cover of the book was so pretty I had to find out more. I then waited ages for it to be published in paperback. When I finally took it off my large stack of books I need to read I’m so thankful I did. This book is so so good. It’s more than that if you’ve ever enjoyed mystery and a little bit of wonder your in the right place. It’s like an Agatha Christie meets Narnia meets Dark Academia. The characters are smart and stupid and so lovable. I was hanging on the edge of my seat and had so many theories I must have looked insane when I was reading this. Definitely a book I’d come back to just to have some fun. I thought the ending was gonna ruin it but then it came back and made me happy and sad all over again. Definitely becoming my new book recommendation for all my friends!!! P.S I love seeing a main character that isn’t a teenager and is actually a full grown adult with adult problems!
A Boy and his Dog at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Me picking this book up was such a random choice I simply liked the cover and title of it. I am so glad I chose this book. It’s so real and reflective it made me think about the world about how much I have and how much I don’t know because if I was put into a situation where it’s survival of the fittest I don’t think I’d last. Griz is such a wonderful character that makes smart and dumb choices and learns from them just like any of us would. The plot thought different then I thought it would be was somehow darker and sadder than I could have imagined. Also I feel as though I learned so much about boats reading this. I want more thought I know the story is done I think it’s just the style and setting that’s so charming that I can’t wait for more work from Fletcher. This book like almost all books I’ve read is a must read but I truly mean it. The apocalypse where it’s calm and falling apart was a very different take than most where it’s war and evil creatures though I guess in this case humans are still menaces to the planet . Anyway loved it, want more of it, need more of it, and would recommend to anyone!
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is one work by Neil Gaiman that I wish and hope gets a movie or show adaptation. It’s something that I read for a book report and didn’t give it the thought or care that I should have. Now older and have reread it I can officially say this is a masterpiece. It’s creepy and funny and wonderful all at the same time. It’s a beautiful coming of age story with just the right amount of Gaiman’s fantasy. Bod and Silas have a wonderful relationship and the world building for this story is so good I wish there was more. I would love to know what comes next for Bod but there’s something about leaving it open that leaves everything to the imagination that’s wonderful. I cried reading this but that’s nothing new. I loved it and can’t wait to read more from Gaiman!