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wingedcreature's reviews
1558 reviews
Avielle of Rhia by Dia Calhoun
2.0
The book was just okay for me. The people of Rhia don’t particularly like the Dredonians, and thonl they’re evil, and measures are taken against those with silver skin. There’s definitely a theme of hatred and prejudice, and you really can’t miss it. It’s not really explained why people don’t like the Dredonians- in fact, the only reason I can think of is Avielle’s great-great-grandmother, who accidentally killed the birds of Rhia, and so all people with Dredonain traits are considered evil.
While Avielle’s hiding, the High Council rules in her place, but in the end, she takes her rightful place as Queen, and everyone accepts her because she defeats the Brethren and brings the birds back to Rhia.
It wrapped up too nicely, but I wasn’t surprised that she became Queen and was accepted as Queen, because it was pretty clear that’s what her journey was. I would have liked Calhoun to have gone deeper into the reasons why people didn’t like the Silverskins.
The ending was slightly ambiguous- if Calhoun wrote a sequel, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Rating: 2 out of 5. It was just okay, and while I liked the concept, there was something…off about it. The cover art was beautiful, and Calhoun is a good writer.
While Avielle’s hiding, the High Council rules in her place, but in the end, she takes her rightful place as Queen, and everyone accepts her because she defeats the Brethren and brings the birds back to Rhia.
It wrapped up too nicely, but I wasn’t surprised that she became Queen and was accepted as Queen, because it was pretty clear that’s what her journey was. I would have liked Calhoun to have gone deeper into the reasons why people didn’t like the Silverskins.
The ending was slightly ambiguous- if Calhoun wrote a sequel, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Rating: 2 out of 5. It was just okay, and while I liked the concept, there was something…off about it. The cover art was beautiful, and Calhoun is a good writer.
The Dreaming, Vol. 1 by Queenie Chan
3.0
I’m really not sure what to think about The Dreaming. The Dreaming is about Jeannie and Amber, who are twin sisters that get accepted into an Australian boarding school. However, the school is really creepy, since the entire school is surrounded by bushlands…and every once in a while, students disappear into the bushlands, never to be seen or heard from again. The vice-principal is creepy as well, having a hatred for twins.
It was an interesting story, and since this is only the first volume, the rest of story is probably revealed in the following volumes. The artwork is interesting- detailed, but the shading is amazing! I find it especially interesting that Chan manages to convey a certain darkness throughout this volume, and giving off a weird, creepy vibe. This volume didn’t really live up to the horror tag on the back off to the book, but you did get a sense that there was something waiting in the shadows.
Rating: 3 out of 5. I liked it, and it was interesting, but I found it a little hard to get into.
It was an interesting story, and since this is only the first volume, the rest of story is probably revealed in the following volumes. The artwork is interesting- detailed, but the shading is amazing! I find it especially interesting that Chan manages to convey a certain darkness throughout this volume, and giving off a weird, creepy vibe. This volume didn’t really live up to the horror tag on the back off to the book, but you did get a sense that there was something waiting in the shadows.
Rating: 3 out of 5. I liked it, and it was interesting, but I found it a little hard to get into.
Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan
4.0
I kept hearing about this book on different food blogs I follow, including Tuesdays With Dorie, and I figured I might as well check it out from the library.
I loved the random tips scattered throughout the book, and in general, I liked how the the book was organized. There was a breakfast sweets section, cookies, cakes, spoon desserts, and a few other sections I’m forgetting. The only issue I had with the organization of the book was that each section had different subdivisions. Like, the cookie section had one part for bars, and two different sections for cookies. Actually, a better table of contents would have been helpful. At the very least, each section could have had a listing of the different categories.
Another issue I had was her usage of the chocolate baking bars instead of cocoa powder and/or chocolate chips. There’s nothing wrong with the bars, but spending a few minutes chopping up chocolate when I can just use a bag of chocolate chips? Really? Granted, she does offer chocolate chips as an option for some of the recipes, but why would I want to buy 12 ounces of chocolate (in bar form) when I can get the same amount in chocolate chips for the price of one bar? I think she said that the quality of chocolate chips isn’t very good, which is why she prefers to use bars, but I haven’t noticed any difference between the 2.
Like I said a couple paragraphs ago, there were random tips scattered throughout the book, and those were pretty helpful. With a lot of the recipes, there were different variations you could do, and it had instructions for how to freeze and store the desserts.
Rating: 4 out of 5. There were a lot of good recipes, but I felt like the table of contents could have been better. The amlount of recipes and the sheer number of variations and add-ins were slightly overwhelming.
Still, I definitely want to get my own copy, because I loved it.
I loved the random tips scattered throughout the book, and in general, I liked how the the book was organized. There was a breakfast sweets section, cookies, cakes, spoon desserts, and a few other sections I’m forgetting. The only issue I had with the organization of the book was that each section had different subdivisions. Like, the cookie section had one part for bars, and two different sections for cookies. Actually, a better table of contents would have been helpful. At the very least, each section could have had a listing of the different categories.
Another issue I had was her usage of the chocolate baking bars instead of cocoa powder and/or chocolate chips. There’s nothing wrong with the bars, but spending a few minutes chopping up chocolate when I can just use a bag of chocolate chips? Really? Granted, she does offer chocolate chips as an option for some of the recipes, but why would I want to buy 12 ounces of chocolate (in bar form) when I can get the same amount in chocolate chips for the price of one bar? I think she said that the quality of chocolate chips isn’t very good, which is why she prefers to use bars, but I haven’t noticed any difference between the 2.
Like I said a couple paragraphs ago, there were random tips scattered throughout the book, and those were pretty helpful. With a lot of the recipes, there were different variations you could do, and it had instructions for how to freeze and store the desserts.
Rating: 4 out of 5. There were a lot of good recipes, but I felt like the table of contents could have been better. The amlount of recipes and the sheer number of variations and add-ins were slightly overwhelming.
Still, I definitely want to get my own copy, because I loved it.
Солодке життя в Парижі by David Lebovitz
3.0
The Sweet Life In Paris is a mix of recipes and stories of his life in Paris. I really liked how he told his stories- they were really conversational, and were not only funny, but pretty honest too. There are all kinds of helpful hints, about how to act, and about the different ways to order coffee. That was one of the more memorable chapters, the one where he talks about trying to find a good cup of coffee.
He does seem to spend more time complaining about the French then complimenting them, and it makes you wonder why he still lives there. Still, it seems like he’s (kind of) adjusting, and at least somewhat enjoys living there. But maybe I want to believe he likes living there.
It was a pretty fast read, especially if you ignore all the recipes in the book. There’s at least 2 or 3 recipes at the end of each chapter, some of which looked pretty good. It really reads like a blog, but in the form of a book.
Also included is a list of places to buy French foodstuffs in the U.S., as well as a list of his favorite restaraunts. Since this was written a couple years ago, I’m assuming that the info for the restaraunts is up-to-date, but since you can never be too sure, be sure to check online if you’re interested.
Rating: 3 out of 5. Interesting, entertaing, and amusing. I’ve never been to Paris, but if I had, I’m assuming this would have been a lot funnier.
He does seem to spend more time complaining about the French then complimenting them, and it makes you wonder why he still lives there. Still, it seems like he’s (kind of) adjusting, and at least somewhat enjoys living there. But maybe I want to believe he likes living there.
It was a pretty fast read, especially if you ignore all the recipes in the book. There’s at least 2 or 3 recipes at the end of each chapter, some of which looked pretty good. It really reads like a blog, but in the form of a book.
Also included is a list of places to buy French foodstuffs in the U.S., as well as a list of his favorite restaraunts. Since this was written a couple years ago, I’m assuming that the info for the restaraunts is up-to-date, but since you can never be too sure, be sure to check online if you’re interested.
Rating: 3 out of 5. Interesting, entertaing, and amusing. I’ve never been to Paris, but if I had, I’m assuming this would have been a lot funnier.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
4.0
There’s a lot of adventure, and some mystery. It’s amazing how many clues are in the book, and how a lot of the places and creatures seen in this book are important to later plot points. There is a lot going on, and I wish could throw in every little detail, but I can’t. Especially since I want to try to practice condensing HP to a few paragraphs…this will be especially important for books 4 through 7.
Back to CoS, though, Lockhart is hilarious, and completely useless as a Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher. Another favorite moment in CoS is when Hermione transforms into a cat (on accident, of course) after drinking the Polyjuice Potion. While I like CoS, I think I would place it behind Sorcerer’s Stone. A lot of the things and places and people do make another appearance somewhere in the series, and I love the details. I love how things that don’t seem important and are insignifcant in this book show up to be more important. One of my favorite things about CoS is that there’s still a sense of innocence. There are some very bad, evil things in the wizarding world, but it’s far off in the distance…at least to a certail extent. There’s no Voldemort, not really, anyway, and things are solved easily. Things are still pretty black and white, with no real shades of grey.
Rating: 4 out of 5. While not one of my favorites, it’s still really good, and sets up some stuff that’ll be revealed in later books. And there’s a little bit of everything in the series, as well as this book.
Back to CoS, though, Lockhart is hilarious, and completely useless as a Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher. Another favorite moment in CoS is when Hermione transforms into a cat (on accident, of course) after drinking the Polyjuice Potion. While I like CoS, I think I would place it behind Sorcerer’s Stone. A lot of the things and places and people do make another appearance somewhere in the series, and I love the details. I love how things that don’t seem important and are insignifcant in this book show up to be more important. One of my favorite things about CoS is that there’s still a sense of innocence. There are some very bad, evil things in the wizarding world, but it’s far off in the distance…at least to a certail extent. There’s no Voldemort, not really, anyway, and things are solved easily. Things are still pretty black and white, with no real shades of grey.
Rating: 4 out of 5. While not one of my favorites, it’s still really good, and sets up some stuff that’ll be revealed in later books. And there’s a little bit of everything in the series, as well as this book.
The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
2.0
It was okay, and it only got interesting the last 3 or 4 chapters. I loved the idea of a novel set during the Gilded Age, on a time when appearances and the social structure and code rule all. But good lord, this book was boring! It really didn’t feel like it was set in 1899- like the characters were pretending that they had gone back in time, instead of actually living during the Gilded Age. It felt fairly shallow, and the characters had no depth- Diana does get some points for having a little more depth than everyone else, but the characters overall didn’t feel too developed. Godbersen seemed to rely on stereotypes and cliches- it was pretty predictable, and Elizabeth certainly didn’t turn out to be the nice girl that was portrayed in the prologue.
I love the idea of the novel, and the cover was absolutely beautiful, but it didn’t grab my attention at all. The only reason why it’s getting a 2 out of 5 is because I liked the cover and the fact that each chapter was preceeded by a short blurb of how people were supposed to act or a piece from the local (and fictional) newspapers.
I love the idea of the novel, and the cover was absolutely beautiful, but it didn’t grab my attention at all. The only reason why it’s getting a 2 out of 5 is because I liked the cover and the fact that each chapter was preceeded by a short blurb of how people were supposed to act or a piece from the local (and fictional) newspapers.
Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser
2.0
Fast Food Nation is an interesting book. I first read it for a sociology class years ago, and I decided to read it again.
It’s about the fast food industry, and how it’s changed over since World War 2. He also talk about marketing to kids and what it’s like working in the slaughterhouses.
The part about the meat-packing industry was interesting and yet disturbing. He describes what it’s like working there and what happens to the animals. The workers work in terrible conditions, with injuries not being reported. If they are, then a lot of them are falsified so the slaughterhouses don’t get into trouble. And the workers that keep working no matter how sick they felt and no matter how bad any injuries were sustained.
I’ve had my copy for several years now, so I’m sure some of the statistics are out-dated. And while I loved the book the first time I read it, this time, it was just okay. We all know fast food is bad for us, but the book felt like a one-sided argument on why fast food is evil. It’s definitely implied that fast food is the reason for all of society’s problems.
It is fairly well-researched, though, and it did make me think about where my food comes from and how it’s processed.
I would give it a 2 out of 5. It felt one-sided, and not terribly focused, but it does get points for making you think.
It’s about the fast food industry, and how it’s changed over since World War 2. He also talk about marketing to kids and what it’s like working in the slaughterhouses.
The part about the meat-packing industry was interesting and yet disturbing. He describes what it’s like working there and what happens to the animals. The workers work in terrible conditions, with injuries not being reported. If they are, then a lot of them are falsified so the slaughterhouses don’t get into trouble. And the workers that keep working no matter how sick they felt and no matter how bad any injuries were sustained.
I’ve had my copy for several years now, so I’m sure some of the statistics are out-dated. And while I loved the book the first time I read it, this time, it was just okay. We all know fast food is bad for us, but the book felt like a one-sided argument on why fast food is evil. It’s definitely implied that fast food is the reason for all of society’s problems.
It is fairly well-researched, though, and it did make me think about where my food comes from and how it’s processed.
I would give it a 2 out of 5. It felt one-sided, and not terribly focused, but it does get points for making you think.
Entwined by Heather Dixon Wallwork
3.0
I liked it, and it was an interesting take on the 12 Dancing Princesses. But while it was a very enjoyable read, there was something missing. There was mention of magic, but not a lot of magic, and it pretty much focused on Azalea. I know all 12 sisters couldn’t be focused on, and it would be focused on Azalea, as the oldest princess. I honestly couldn’t keep up with all 12 princesses. Both the beginning and the ending were pretty interesting, but the middle was boring, and it was the same thing every chapter. The princesses hate their father, they don’t want to be in mourning and so they go through the portal to dance every night, and very little happens. They did whine (a lot) about how they couldn’t dance, and they all seemed to be rather self-absorbed.
Most of the sisters seemed to blend together, but I found the Keeper to be interesting for most of the book. Until he got all cartoon-ish. Come to think of it, I’m not quite sure why I like the book, but the whole idea of the Entwine dance was interesting. There wasn’t a lot of description about the palace or what the girls wore, which was somewhat nice. But I think it would have added something to the book as well, just to have an idea of what the author thought the palace looked like. It wasn’t a particularly interesting re-telling of the 12 Dancing Princesses. There were a couple romances thrown in, and it felt like they were there…just to be there.
Overall, it gets a 3 out of 5. It was enjoyable, and I did like it, but there was just something missing. It’s apparently supposed to be a fantasy, but the whole fantasy element didn’t seem to be there. It was a good effort, and I did like the idea, plus the cover is really pretty. But not something I’d read again anytime soon.
Most of the sisters seemed to blend together, but I found the Keeper to be interesting for most of the book. Until he got all cartoon-ish. Come to think of it, I’m not quite sure why I like the book, but the whole idea of the Entwine dance was interesting. There wasn’t a lot of description about the palace or what the girls wore, which was somewhat nice. But I think it would have added something to the book as well, just to have an idea of what the author thought the palace looked like. It wasn’t a particularly interesting re-telling of the 12 Dancing Princesses. There were a couple romances thrown in, and it felt like they were there…just to be there.
Overall, it gets a 3 out of 5. It was enjoyable, and I did like it, but there was just something missing. It’s apparently supposed to be a fantasy, but the whole fantasy element didn’t seem to be there. It was a good effort, and I did like the idea, plus the cover is really pretty. But not something I’d read again anytime soon.