verumsolum's reviews
2704 reviews

Slice of Life Season 1 by Kat Calamia, Phil Falco

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

4.75

A strong opening volume to a book that is surprisingly insightful, for all its accessible trappings. Even in these couple of hundred pages, I’ve connected to the main characters and feel invested in learning what happens to them next! Volume 2 is definitely in my future!

Mort by Terry Pratchett

4.0

As I read the Discworld books (at least the early ones I've read so far), my somewhat consistent reaction begins with I liked it, but…

In the case of this book, I think it was stronger than the previous books I've read. I think… I've only just had this thought, but my sense is that this series so far has mostly focused on characters that have things happen to them, and… they don't feel like they do a whole lot of making things happen: almost reacting to the world, instead of inhabiting it.

I know of Pratchett's reputation, so I don't know whether this ought to be read as a criticism of the writing, or a manifestation of my tastes in reading. At any rate, I still want to keep going: the journey is fun, even if the destination underwhelms me.

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, January/February 2025 by Janet Hutchings

For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.

A Sticky Inheritance by Emily James

emotional mysterious

4.75

This was a very fun read… a cozy mystery with a newcomer arriving in a small town after the death of her uncle. It's a very pleasant read, which is usually what I want when I turn to a cozy mystery. This is marketed as "clean," but that was not code for Christian (as I have found too many times): I think the only time we see churches in this book is when she's attending funerals. But I enjoyed it well enough that I have already been to the author's web site to sign up for the free prequel and expect to read more of the Maple Syrup Mysteries!

The Shadow Weave by Annette Marie

fast-paced

4.75

This is a strong book, let down by its ending… its ending is exciting enough, but doesn't resolve the story. It leaves too much hanging for the next book. That I can rate it so high is a testament to how well Annette Marie does with her characters and stories. Off to buy the next book!

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

adventurous emotional inspiring slow-paced

4.75

I am much relieved to be finished this book: simply because of its length. Everything there should be there, but I also found it tiring to think of how long it would be before I could start a new book in place of this one. 

The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

Luna Station Quarterly Issue 060 by Jennifer Lyn Parsons

emotional reflective

4.25

This is only my first or second issue ever reading this and… it wasn't quite what I was expecting. I enjoyed almost all of it, but… I found there were more pieces that didn't resonate with me personally than I usually find for magazines and anthologies I choose

Babel by R.F. Kuang

adventurous challenging emotional tense

• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

I hate to rate this book as low as a 4.5 out of 5, but… the ending turned a great book into a good one. Maybe that's on me for wanting pat answers to problems without easy solutions, but to read of all this

struggle for liberation from the empire

, only to have it end with

the protagonist's death

felt like I'd done all that reading, and nothing much about the world its in changed. And, reading this in early 2025, in the first weeks of the American president's second term in office (four years after his first term ended), I think I was hoping for inspiration and not grim realism. And the ending pushed the effect of this book towards the latter, for me.

Princess Jellyfish Vol. 8 by Akiko Higashimura, Akiko Higashimura

4.75

This volume seems to have my interest again, probably because (if I’m not mistaken) the end was in sight. The action has moved the story along and the story is on its way to wrapping up