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wintersavenger's reviews
515 reviews
No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
4.0
Opening with a bloody bang, No Country For Old Men is a cowboy stale for a modern age. Not for the faint hearted, the book is packed full of gore, drugs, violence and perhaps the most wicked bad guy to ever be put to page.
A smart enough man makes a dangerous mistake in returning to the scene of a drug deal gone bad, putting the unstoppable force that is Anton Chigurh and the local Sheriff on his tail. NCFOM is at all times dark and violent as it explores the consequences of Llewelyn Moss' actions, leaving the reader feeling lost as the unsuccessful and broken Sheriff Bell by the closing pages.
A smart enough man makes a dangerous mistake in returning to the scene of a drug deal gone bad, putting the unstoppable force that is Anton Chigurh and the local Sheriff on his tail. NCFOM is at all times dark and violent as it explores the consequences of Llewelyn Moss' actions, leaving the reader feeling lost as the unsuccessful and broken Sheriff Bell by the closing pages.
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
3.0
Not my usual kind of read, but a great one nonetheless. Rated lower purely because though the characters are charming and full of depth, I struggled to push my way through this book.
Following the Dead family through various generations and via different methods of storytelling, the main focus of the novel is Macon 'Milkman' Dead III. We follow this boy on a journey of self-discovery, from the moment he earns his unfortunate nickname throughout his boyhood rebellion against his father's wishes, straight to his adult struggles with women and his own identity. As we follow Milkman through the years, the story did get progressively more interesting to me. Milkman's journey south to discover the history of his family was the the part of the tale that most captured my interest and attention.
Following the Dead family through various generations and via different methods of storytelling, the main focus of the novel is Macon 'Milkman' Dead III. We follow this boy on a journey of self-discovery, from the moment he earns his unfortunate nickname throughout his boyhood rebellion against his father's wishes, straight to his adult struggles with women and his own identity. As we follow Milkman through the years, the story did get progressively more interesting to me. Milkman's journey south to discover the history of his family was the the part of the tale that most captured my interest and attention.
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
4.0
I began this book not quite knowing what to expect. Being from a tiny, extremely religious island in the North of Scotland, Chinese culture and history is not something that I've ever really been able to explore outside books I've recently picked up through recommendations and book clubs.
The history, the information alone was fascinating enough for me to explore. The relationships, both strained and strengthened between mothers and daughters provided an interesting tale that I will admit, did manage to get me to tear up at the end after June makes a connection to her mother's past that the mother herself had always dreamed of.
The history, the information alone was fascinating enough for me to explore. The relationships, both strained and strengthened between mothers and daughters provided an interesting tale that I will admit, did manage to get me to tear up at the end after June makes a connection to her mother's past that the mother herself had always dreamed of.
The Blackhouse by Peter May
3.0
I never have been one for crime novels, but having grown up on the remote Isle of Lewis? It was hard to avoid the hype around a bestseller mystery crime novel set in a place so familiar.
But I managed.
I persevered through years of being told to read this book because 'it's right in your own back garden!' And my god, those years were not nearly as long as the slog it was to get through this book.
Yes, it has only taken 16 days to get through, but that was a 16 day battle to try and feel something more for the protagonist than an urgency to get through his investigation to crack the case. That may be more to do with my usual dislike of crime novels, but I couldn't help but struggle to relate to the character of Fin Macleod - the only character of note in this novel. Very few others are given any depth or attention beyond glimpses in Fin's memories.
Again, having read few crime books out of a general interest in more fantasy/sci-fi, the twists felt as though they came a little out of nowhere.
I'd give the book a solid 2.5/5, and this is mostly down to the fact that despite annoyance at the encouragement to read this book? It was nice to see my home put to paper (cough phone screen) in a new light.
But I managed.
I persevered through years of being told to read this book because 'it's right in your own back garden!' And my god, those years were not nearly as long as the slog it was to get through this book.
Yes, it has only taken 16 days to get through, but that was a 16 day battle to try and feel something more for the protagonist than an urgency to get through his investigation to crack the case. That may be more to do with my usual dislike of crime novels, but I couldn't help but struggle to relate to the character of Fin Macleod - the only character of note in this novel. Very few others are given any depth or attention beyond glimpses in Fin's memories.
Again, having read few crime books out of a general interest in more fantasy/sci-fi, the twists felt as though they came a little out of nowhere.
I'd give the book a solid 2.5/5, and this is mostly down to the fact that despite annoyance at the encouragement to read this book? It was nice to see my home put to paper (cough phone screen) in a new light.
Out of the Dark by Gregg Hurwitz
4.0
"There are no good guys. There are no bad guys. There's only what needs to be done."
How often do you get a book where the spy is trying to murder the President of the United States?
With high stakes and non-stop action, the reader is taken on mission with the always determined Orphan X as he relives and seeks revenge for a 1997 mission that comes back to haunt him through the President. Another brilliant addition to the Orphan X collection, Out of the Dark keeps the reader intrigued and rooting against the plot of basically every spy movie ever made. We watch along as Evan treads the delicate line between the life he's beginning to let himself dream about and dangerous past he has left behind.
Evan Smoak AKA Orphan X AKA The Nowhere Man puts together the ultimate assassination with the help of friends and enemies he has made along the 4 book journey.
How often do you get a book where the spy is trying to murder the President of the United States?
With high stakes and non-stop action, the reader is taken on mission with the always determined Orphan X as he relives and seeks revenge for a 1997 mission that comes back to haunt him through the President. Another brilliant addition to the Orphan X collection, Out of the Dark keeps the reader intrigued and rooting against the plot of basically every spy movie ever made. We watch along as Evan treads the delicate line between the life he's beginning to let himself dream about and dangerous past he has left behind.
Evan Smoak AKA Orphan X AKA The Nowhere Man puts together the ultimate assassination with the help of friends and enemies he has made along the 4 book journey.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
1.0
Maybe it's because I'm a child of the 21st century, maybe Little Women is just a really dull book. By about a quarter of the way through this I wanted to pack it in and stop reading, but having paid for the book and with a daily commute to get through... I struggled on. I can honestly say the part I liked best about this was when the narrator (I listened via audiobook) uttered the four sweetest words I think I have ever heard - 'End of Little Women'.
I can't even bring myself to write a review with an ounce of thought to it because I'm only relieved that this is finally over.
I can't even bring myself to write a review with an ounce of thought to it because I'm only relieved that this is finally over.
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu
5.0
The four day reading window ought to be a good enough review of this book for anyone. I did not want to stop for a single second.
In itself, the Three Body Problem is a book that appears to favour plot over any real characterisation beyond one or two extremists that take centre stage, but I can't bring myself to fault it for that. With the scope of what Cixin Liu is trying to achieve through this decade spanning tale, it's easy to let him off the hook.
From other reviews that I have read, I'm slightly relieved to find that I am not the only one with such a limited knowledge of China during the Cultural Revolution. Opening the novel with horrific treatment of China's scientists and intellectuals, the tone is set for the rest of the novel. You know you're not in for a happy ride.
Hard on the science, but not remotely off-putting, we follow as nanotechnologist Wang Miao is dragged into galaxy wide conspiracy between the human race and the first alien species to make contact with the Earth. Filled with an overwhelming sense of doom and dread throughout, I cannot wait to begin the sequel in this trilogy - which I will probably begin immediately.
In itself, the Three Body Problem is a book that appears to favour plot over any real characterisation beyond one or two extremists that take centre stage, but I can't bring myself to fault it for that. With the scope of what Cixin Liu is trying to achieve through this decade spanning tale, it's easy to let him off the hook.
From other reviews that I have read, I'm slightly relieved to find that I am not the only one with such a limited knowledge of China during the Cultural Revolution. Opening the novel with horrific treatment of China's scientists and intellectuals, the tone is set for the rest of the novel. You know you're not in for a happy ride.
Hard on the science, but not remotely off-putting, we follow as nanotechnologist Wang Miao is dragged into galaxy wide conspiracy between the human race and the first alien species to make contact with the Earth. Filled with an overwhelming sense of doom and dread throughout, I cannot wait to begin the sequel in this trilogy - which I will probably begin immediately.
The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu
3.0
The second installation to Cixin Liu's trilogy may not have captivated my attention on the same levels as it's predecessor, but still a brilliant read nonetheless. The Trisolar crisis learned of in the Three Body Problem hits full swing. Spanning centuries, humankind must work to ensure its own survival against the incoming invasion. Throwing all its efforts into a seemingly unsolvable problem made worse by the invading sophons sent by the Trisolarans to limit scientific progress, the book delves into the actions they must take to survive and the weight that the choices of individuals might have on the world.
All in all, the early portion of the book is a long read. The mix of politics and science lays the seeds to be delivered by the closing chapters, planting the different plans and schemes of characters that wish to see the survival of the human race - and one or two that don't. While the book takes a long time to get there, I can't fault it for this as the buildup is appreciated once paid off.
All in all, the early portion of the book is a long read. The mix of politics and science lays the seeds to be delivered by the closing chapters, planting the different plans and schemes of characters that wish to see the survival of the human race - and one or two that don't. While the book takes a long time to get there, I can't fault it for this as the buildup is appreciated once paid off.