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vermidian's reviews
1167 reviews
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
While the second book was my clear favorite so far in the series, this was still a lot of fun to read for me. This was probably the weakest so far for me in terms of how I felt the stories built up, but the character development was divine.
It was nice to get to see Adam push past his almost selfish need to do everything himself without thought to how the people around him actively wanted to support him. It was nice to see how Blue and Gansey might start to work in regards to each other. It was interesting to see how Noah changed periodically and what might become of him. I loved the decision they made with how Adam's court trial goes and how they didn't tell you how it ended but also, in it's own way, how it had to have ended.
I still love the dark academia lyrical vibe to how Stiefvater wrote these books. I've read others of her works, but this is really the only body of work that I've latched onto like this. The Scorpio Races was also decent, but it didn't capture me like it did my sister who recommended it to me.
As to how the series will wrap up in just one more book? No idea, but I'm both looking forward to it and positively petrified about it.
It was nice to get to see Adam push past his almost selfish need to do everything himself without thought to how the people around him actively wanted to support him. It was nice to see how Blue and Gansey might start to work in regards to each other. It was interesting to see how Noah changed periodically and what might become of him. I loved the decision they made with how Adam's court trial goes and how they didn't tell you how it ended but also, in it's own way, how it had to have ended.
I still love the dark academia lyrical vibe to how Stiefvater wrote these books. I've read others of her works, but this is really the only body of work that I've latched onto like this. The Scorpio Races was also decent, but it didn't capture me like it did my sister who recommended it to me.
As to how the series will wrap up in just one more book? No idea, but I'm both looking forward to it and positively petrified about it.
The Creeping Shadow by Jonathan Stroud
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is honestly the strongest in the series yet. Coming in at 4.5 stars for me, I have to say that this does a great deal more world building than I remember the previous books doing as well as doing a lot of interpersonal character and relationship building. Plus they add Kipps to the team, who I found to be a welcome addition despite his antagonism in previous books. I thought this novel was delightful and I look forward to seeing where the series takes this, especially given the nature of the ending of this book and the effects that will have on the story.
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I'm not sure why it took me as long as it did for me to get around to reading the second book in this series, but I'm glad I did because it was delightful. I found myself sucked back in, enjoying the imagery and the realistically flawed characters. Once I got going, I really ripped through this one.
This novel feels less about the overall mystery of Glendower and more about the characters themselves. This one especially feels like it centers on Ronan, but you get decent bits of the other characters as well. I believe this is the first book where you get Ronan's perspective, so it was really interesting getting to see into his head. I'm not sure I agree with a lot of his choices - the kid's a train wreck - but he's kind of fun regardless. That kid needs a therapist of some variety because that's some major trauma right there - though I pity the therapist that tries to take him on.
The Gray Man was a delight. I don't want to say too much and spoil things, but I'm a sucker for a villain or anti-hero catching feelings and changing their ways. They did a good job of making him ominous without making him scary, which was an interesting quality.
Still don't love the love triangle thing. Not about that life. Would love to do without the relationship drama entirely and just get all the spooky magic. I think a lot of this book spent a lot of time continuing to put all of Adam's limits, and that aspect also wasn't super fun for me. Kid deserves better, honestly, and he ALSO needs a therapist.
I will absolutely be reading on in the series and I would absolutely recommend these books based on having read the first two.
This novel feels less about the overall mystery of Glendower and more about the characters themselves. This one especially feels like it centers on Ronan, but you get decent bits of the other characters as well. I believe this is the first book where you get Ronan's perspective, so it was really interesting getting to see into his head. I'm not sure I agree with a lot of his choices - the kid's a train wreck - but he's kind of fun regardless. That kid needs a therapist of some variety because that's some major trauma right there - though I pity the therapist that tries to take him on.
The Gray Man was a delight. I don't want to say too much and spoil things, but I'm a sucker for a villain or anti-hero catching feelings and changing their ways. They did a good job of making him ominous without making him scary, which was an interesting quality.
Still don't love the love triangle thing. Not about that life. Would love to do without the relationship drama entirely and just get all the spooky magic. I think a lot of this book spent a lot of time continuing to put all of Adam's limits, and that aspect also wasn't super fun for me. Kid deserves better, honestly, and he ALSO needs a therapist.
I will absolutely be reading on in the series and I would absolutely recommend these books based on having read the first two.
The Tangled Lands by Tobias S. Buckell, Paolo Bacigalupi
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It's depressing. Among the trigger warnings are sexual assault and suicide, though there are certainly others. It's a very dark and depressing world state.
The world concept was so cool sounding that I picked up the book, excited to read it. None of these stories end particularly happily. You could argue the first one does, to some extent, but it's open ended and you have no idea if they really get to the copper mine where they might be safe.
I left individual reviews on the first two stories, but here is my review of the ones contained within this book. My favorite of the bunch was the Executioness. While it doesn't end happily, the story of the character Tana is by far the most compelling to me. I really enjoyed her character arch and the choices she makes as she is faced with new challenges.
All of the stories seem to have the quality of a fairy tale or a fable about them, particularly tinged with a southern/eastern Asian vibe - which is odd considering both authors are white men. Tobias S. Buckell also writes as two female characters, however I found he wrote them well.
Still, the overall tone of suffering in this world is oppressive. I'm not sure which of my friends I would feel comfortable suggesting this book to, aside from the Executioness. On the whole, this was not a win for me.
The world concept was so cool sounding that I picked up the book, excited to read it. None of these stories end particularly happily. You could argue the first one does, to some extent, but it's open ended and you have no idea if they really get to the copper mine where they might be safe.
I left individual reviews on the first two stories, but here is my review of the ones contained within this book. My favorite of the bunch was the Executioness. While it doesn't end happily, the story of the character Tana is by far the most compelling to me. I really enjoyed her character arch and the choices she makes as she is faced with new challenges.
All of the stories seem to have the quality of a fairy tale or a fable about them, particularly tinged with a southern/eastern Asian vibe - which is odd considering both authors are white men. Tobias S. Buckell also writes as two female characters, however I found he wrote them well.
Still, the overall tone of suffering in this world is oppressive. I'm not sure which of my friends I would feel comfortable suggesting this book to, aside from the Executioness. On the whole, this was not a win for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Suicide
The Automatic Detective by A. Lee Martinez
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This book is wildly inventive. I cannot stress enough how creative the world is and the world building involved. Sci-fi noir androids are a very specific vibe and I can't say I've read another book quite like it. In the world itself you have mutants of all kinds as well as hover cars, androids, and strange technologies of all kinds. But you also get the classic bombshells and the mission focus of a noir novel.
I will say, however, that the noir cliche stuff was not my particular cup of tea. I've been really enjoying A. Lee Martinez's other books and I LOVE robots and the whole free will schtick. Because of those things, I was really looking forward to reading this one but the noir vibe just didn't hit home for me. That's no fault of the book, of course - it's just personal preference. I also wished they had gone more into the philosophy end of Mack's free will and what made certain robots special and why they got free will while others didn't. I get why they didn't go into it - it didn't really have any bearing on rescuing the Bleakers and saving the city - but I would have liked more than what I got.
I kept thinking this book would make an EXCELLENT 2D animated movie and I would definitely recommend it.
I will say, however, that the noir cliche stuff was not my particular cup of tea. I've been really enjoying A. Lee Martinez's other books and I LOVE robots and the whole free will schtick. Because of those things, I was really looking forward to reading this one but the noir vibe just didn't hit home for me. That's no fault of the book, of course - it's just personal preference. I also wished they had gone more into the philosophy end of Mack's free will and what made certain robots special and why they got free will while others didn't. I get why they didn't go into it - it didn't really have any bearing on rescuing the Bleakers and saving the city - but I would have liked more than what I got.
I kept thinking this book would make an EXCELLENT 2D animated movie and I would definitely recommend it.
100 Ghastly Little Ghost Stories by Stefan Dziemianowicz, Mary Hunter Austin, Robert E. Weinberg
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
So as I read these, I rated each of these stories out of 5 total possible stars and averaged the difference at the end. I wound up with a 2.86 rating. Since the average rating on Goodreads was much higher and the fact that I don't recommend reading this book, I rounded down. This book had some good stories, but they were few and far between. I'll list the ones I found worth reading and their scores out of 5 in the parenthesis next to them, in case you're scouring for good ones among the many boring and bad ones.
The Burned House (4)
Clocks (5)
The Coat (5)
Coming Home (4)
Concert to Death (4)
The Considerate Hosts (4)
Daddy (4)
Faces (4)
Harmless Ghosts (4)
He Walked By Day (4)
Highwaymen (4)
The House of Shadows (4)
Monseuir de Guise (4)
The Night Caller (4)
The Night Wire (5)
Our Late Visitor (4)
A Sprig of Rosemary (4)
The Theater Upstairs (4)
Waiter Number 34 (4)
The Woman in Grey (4)
The Burned House (4)
Clocks (5)
The Coat (5)
Coming Home (4)
Concert to Death (4)
The Considerate Hosts (4)
Daddy (4)
Faces (4)
Harmless Ghosts (4)
He Walked By Day (4)
Highwaymen (4)
The House of Shadows (4)
Monseuir de Guise (4)
The Night Caller (4)
The Night Wire (5)
Our Late Visitor (4)
A Sprig of Rosemary (4)
The Theater Upstairs (4)
Waiter Number 34 (4)
The Woman in Grey (4)
Abhorsen by Garth Nix
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Abhorsen is the answer to my review of Lirael where I craved the plot resolution. Unfortunately, it had been such a long time between books that I found myself trying to remember what exactly happened in Lirael. Alas, I didn't have the third book at the time that I read the second.
As to my thoughts, I don't know how much detail I can go into without giving away the ending. This was very definitively an ending to the trilogy, though there are more books to read in the series.
The course of the book was very consistent in its aim, trying to save the world from a terrible being of terrible power. I was very grateful for Mogget's presence, which I had missed in Lirael. His sarcastic obedience always amused me, and I look forward to reading future books in the series to see where exactly he goes at the conclusion of this book. Indeed, each of the characters seems to have a very specific path set before them. I look particularly forward to seeing how the title of Abhorsen is handled between Sabriel and Lirael.
As to my thoughts, I don't know how much detail I can go into without giving away the ending. This was very definitively an ending to the trilogy, though there are more books to read in the series.
The course of the book was very consistent in its aim, trying to save the world from a terrible being of terrible power. I was very grateful for Mogget's presence, which I had missed in Lirael. His sarcastic obedience always amused me, and I look forward to reading future books in the series to see where exactly he goes at the conclusion of this book. Indeed, each of the characters seems to have a very specific path set before them. I look particularly forward to seeing how the title of Abhorsen is handled between Sabriel and Lirael.
Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Look, the plot was great. I love Ilona Andrews's world building and characters and the casual diversity of the characters. I love their way of combining the feeling of real people with these fantastical scenarios that they come up with. I've loved reading their stories over the years and look forward to reading more.
BUT MAD ROGAN IS A CREEP. Honest to god, the only time I could stand him was when he was giving out rational orders to deal with the terrorism at hand. Every other time, he was pushing the main character's boundaries despite her consistently reinforcing those boundaries and I absolutely despised him. He is the sole reason I am not going to read on in this series. I hated the romance in this book and this is a romance series. I'm good.
Were it not for how much I hated the romance portions of this book, I likely would have given it 4, maybe even 5, stars.
BUT MAD ROGAN IS A CREEP. Honest to god, the only time I could stand him was when he was giving out rational orders to deal with the terrorism at hand. Every other time, he was pushing the main character's boundaries despite her consistently reinforcing those boundaries and I absolutely despised him. He is the sole reason I am not going to read on in this series. I hated the romance in this book and this is a romance series. I'm good.
Were it not for how much I hated the romance portions of this book, I likely would have given it 4, maybe even 5, stars.
Once & Future by A.R. Capetta, Cory McCarthy
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Tremendously inclusive but I could not stay focused on this book. The story skips around so randomly and explains so little that I kept getting lost and I couldn't enjoy it. The characters were also a little disjointed as a result. I also felt like I needed a refresher on Arthurian legend before reading this book that I didn't have. This is not the book for me, but I'm sure it's a great book for others.