toreadistovoyage's reviews
1440 reviews

Red Pizzas for a Blue Count by Geronimo Stilton

2.0

This was seriously lacking. The plot is weak, the pacing is rushed, the characters are so one-dimensional. Geronimo Stilton is such a doormat. I just don’t get it. And I really don’t get how my son enjoyed this book. 

Thunder Song by Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe

5.0

A fantastic essay collection. This was candid and raw, thoughtful and reflective. LaPointe explores being indigenous and the lasting impact of colonialism and generational trauma, as well as sexuality, veganism, family, relationships, abuse, miscarriage, and more. Despite how heavy some of the topics were, LaPointe interspersed stories about her grandmother, her connection to nature, and art/music, which helped level out the intensity. 

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

4.0

There is a lot to like about this one: it’s action packed, has a feisty main character, and if centered around Egypt and archaeology. While some parts were predictable, there were also a few surprises. This is one of those books where you cannot trust anyone. The ending is one massive cliffhanger…I will definitely read the second book later this year. 

Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor

4.25

What a sprawling epic. Full of richly developed characters, layered storylines, intricate histories. The last 1/5 or 1/6 seemed…rushed? less focused? chaotic? Whatever the case may be, it didn’t lessen my enjoyment of this book. 

West Heart Kill by Dann McDorman

3.5

I wouldn’t say that this was an inventive mystery. However, I would say that this was extremely interesting structurally and narratively. Structurally, it was sort of unlike anything I have read before - part standard storytelling, part dramatic script, part informational text, and sometimes something else altogether. Additionally, the narrative perspective switches frequently, using first, second, and third person. The constantly changing story drew me in, but I would understand why some readers would not like this. 

The Phantom Bandit by Geronimo Stilton

2.5

I feel like this had a good concept but needed better execution. The pacing felt especially off. My son enjoyed this one, especially trying to solve the “mystery”.

The Moon That Turns You Back by Hala Alyan

4.0

This collection was about displacement, grief, nostalgia, and loss (TW: miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies, among others). Many of the poems worked for me. I listened to the audiobook, which was read by the author. I love hearing poetry read by the author, but I feel as though this would be better read in book form. There seemed to be some creativity with form that doesn’t translate as well read aloud.

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

5.0

What a beautiful, gut-wrenching, heart-breaking book. This should be required reading. 

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

4.0

I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. I reread this as it was on my curriculum this year (thank a move to 10th grade for that). This was much more dramatic than I remember. The first three acts are so good. The last two are okay.

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

4.5

I would never have picked this book up if it hadn't been recommended by a friend for a reading challenge.

This book was so good! And completely mismarketed. This is sci-fi, sure. And the characters are 17 and there is some romance.  BUT....I don't know that I would call this YA. And I wouldn't call it a romance.  

This book had a few twists that I did NOT see coming. It was unlike anything I have read. And the audiobook was so well done.