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wordsandnocturnes's reviews
441 reviews
The Unfairest of Them All by Shannon Hale
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Storybook of Legends by Shannon Hale
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Dracula by Bram Stoker
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Please Pick Me by Reina Regina
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
Please Pick Me is a book by Reina Regina filled with free verse poetry and a collection of words, with elegant illustrations serving as dividers between different sections. I think this was the first ever actual book of poetry that I’ve read, and it didn’t disappoint. As the introduction tells us, the title “Please Pick Me” is about having the strength within ourselves but not being given the chance to demonstrate this strength. This is a view that I haven’t seen much in poetry before, especially since there is a lot of poetry out there focusing on finding the strength within ourselves. Given my experience with poetry, I could be wrong, and there could be a lot of this type of poetry out there, so forgive me if I made a mistake, my friends.
Normally, I find free verse poetry difficult to get into. There isn’t a certain rhythm or any proper rules when it comes to free verse, and while that gives ample freedom for poets, it just seems easy to get disconnected and put off by. However, the poetry in Please Pick Me were easy to read because they were not formatted in the manner of one spamming line breaks.Some of the free verse I’ve read here and there have been in the line break spam format, which naturally detracted my attention from the overall poem. Well, you won’t find that problem in this book. The poems had their own rhythm in a way, and it was a steady, comforting rhythm that didn’t aim to throw you off reading the entire book.
Please Pick Me is divided into four sections: flowers, thorns, seeds, and roses. Each section explores different themes, including family and love. It maintains the general style a lot of poetry has to relate to its readers while also being oddly specific in some ways. This was particularly evident to me in the family section. I find it that section a powerful reminder that relationships among family members are equally important as romance and friendships, which is something that can be easily forgotten in recent media that is over-saturated with romantic sexual relationships.
A few of my favourites from the book include real or not real, benediction, malediction, and most of all, love letters from the Major Arcana, which is exactly what it sounds like (its a glorious poem which features short poems that revolve around each of the Major Arcana). What makes it more exciting is that poet Reina Regina is also a professional tarot reader, according to the small section introducing her at the end of the book.
To sum it up, I would say I enjoyed this little volume of poetry, and it does have a knack of prompting the reader to reflect on their own lives. It quietly prompts you to look into yourself. What is stopping you, what strengths do you have, how you have been hurt, and how you can heal. I can say for sure that in recent times when everything is a mess and is unsure, it is nice to be able to take control of our own minds and wrangling them into some sense of wonderful, kind sanity.
Many thanks to Reina Regina from whom I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
From Words & Nocturnes
Normally, I find free verse poetry difficult to get into. There isn’t a certain rhythm or any proper rules when it comes to free verse, and while that gives ample freedom for poets, it just seems easy to get disconnected and put off by. However, the poetry in Please Pick Me were easy to read because they were not formatted in the manner of one spamming line breaks.Some of the free verse I’ve read here and there have been in the line break spam format, which naturally detracted my attention from the overall poem. Well, you won’t find that problem in this book. The poems had their own rhythm in a way, and it was a steady, comforting rhythm that didn’t aim to throw you off reading the entire book.
Please Pick Me is divided into four sections: flowers, thorns, seeds, and roses. Each section explores different themes, including family and love. It maintains the general style a lot of poetry has to relate to its readers while also being oddly specific in some ways. This was particularly evident to me in the family section. I find it that section a powerful reminder that relationships among family members are equally important as romance and friendships, which is something that can be easily forgotten in recent media that is over-saturated with romantic sexual relationships.
A few of my favourites from the book include real or not real, benediction, malediction, and most of all, love letters from the Major Arcana, which is exactly what it sounds like (its a glorious poem which features short poems that revolve around each of the Major Arcana). What makes it more exciting is that poet Reina Regina is also a professional tarot reader, according to the small section introducing her at the end of the book.
To sum it up, I would say I enjoyed this little volume of poetry, and it does have a knack of prompting the reader to reflect on their own lives. It quietly prompts you to look into yourself. What is stopping you, what strengths do you have, how you have been hurt, and how you can heal. I can say for sure that in recent times when everything is a mess and is unsure, it is nice to be able to take control of our own minds and wrangling them into some sense of wonderful, kind sanity.
Many thanks to Reina Regina from whom I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
From Words & Nocturnes
Prince of Stories: The Many Worlds of Neil Gaiman by Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Hank Wagner, Stephen R. Bissette, Christopher Golden
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams
Then there’s the actual story. The story was unpredictable, but yet predictable (if you are open to sudden, strange encounters and have a mind for mad happenings). It felt like a mad ride into science fiction, one that was not into hardcore worldbuilding or having fantastic technologies, but simply existed to have fun. Different eccentric theories are proposed and spilled over the page followed by a usual confused and puzzled Richard who has a lot of questions. This unpredictability makes an entertaining experience of a story.
As for the writing, so far what I’ve read of Douglas Adams’ writing consists of many fun ventures into wordplay and is usually in a open, humorous tone that is just so carefree and fun to read. It isn’t devoid of gravity, but plays about with it, so that you get a bouncy, carefree feel that can be intoxicating and be a little off-putting when you’re not in the mood for it. I enjoy his writing, but I usually need to be in a definite mood for something silly for his words to actually get through the haze in my mind.
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency is a fun book, but it leaves a lot of loose ends (in this one book anyway) that may be open to interpretation or exploration for the readers. I was unsatisfied with the lack of clarity or depth of the worlds but then again some floaty part of me that demanded nothing of logic or sciencec knew that it all made sense.
From Words & Nocturnes
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The characters were likeable. And by characters, I am excluding Reg, who I found uncomfortable to be around with, especially with the way he interacted with the characters, though he might not be responsible for the circumstances he is in. I also exclude Michael Wenton-Weakes, who comes off more pathetic than likeable. These characters, uncomfortable and pathetic they may be, definitely added character to the story. The contrasting personalities played into the story well, and each of the characters had their own defined roles.
Then there’s the actual story. The story was unpredictable, but yet predictable (if you are open to sudden, strange encounters and have a mind for mad happenings). It felt like a mad ride into science fiction, one that was not into hardcore worldbuilding or having fantastic technologies, but simply existed to have fun. Different eccentric theories are proposed and spilled over the page followed by a usual confused and puzzled Richard who has a lot of questions. This unpredictability makes an entertaining experience of a story.
As for the writing, so far what I’ve read of Douglas Adams’ writing consists of many fun ventures into wordplay and is usually in a open, humorous tone that is just so carefree and fun to read. It isn’t devoid of gravity, but plays about with it, so that you get a bouncy, carefree feel that can be intoxicating and be a little off-putting when you’re not in the mood for it. I enjoy his writing, but I usually need to be in a definite mood for something silly for his words to actually get through the haze in my mind.
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency is a fun book, but it leaves a lot of loose ends (in this one book anyway) that may be open to interpretation or exploration for the readers. I was unsatisfied with the lack of clarity or depth of the worlds but then again some floaty part of me that demanded nothing of logic or sciencec knew that it all made sense.
From Words & Nocturnes
The Tea Dragon Tapestry by K. O'Neill
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The art in The Tea Dragon Tapestry is gorgeous. The colours are soft but make the characters and scenery stand out without being eye-popping and a strain to the eyes. The design and detail that goes into the characters, outfits, and backgrounds gave life and magic to the world of Tea Dragons as it introduced elements that enriched the world and the story.
It was a still sort of story, not filled with thrilling action or with fantastical rituals and performances. Instead, it was content with exploring memories and desires, quiet dreams and little hopes of the characters, who were a fascinating and diverse cast with their unique personalities and memorable appearances.
I loved how across a 100 pages or so, I was able to grasp the personalities of these characters and get to know them, though I’d probably need the first two books to feel more connected and invested in their stories. Even so, I was touched by the determination and the innocence the characters had and admired the way they overcame their fears with courage and with the help of those around them.
The reasons behind my idea that this book would be great for both adults and children are that the wisdom, the ideas brought up in this book – Greta’s indecision, Minette’s fears of change… these things are faced directly in the book. Its openness would appeal to children, who would see these fears, this indecision and come to their own conclusions, interpretations, and opinions of these things. As for adults, who already have been exposed to these things, it is a nice direct reminder of the things we have forgotten or have convinced ourselves that we know enough of.
I enjoyed this book and it definitely piqued my interest enough to want to read the previous two books. If you’re looking for a cosy, heartwarming read with beautiful art, then you might want to give this a go. (Also, Tea Dragons are super adorable.)
Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Netgalley, Oni Press, and Katie O’Neill for the ARC.
From Words & Nocturnes
It was a still sort of story, not filled with thrilling action or with fantastical rituals and performances. Instead, it was content with exploring memories and desires, quiet dreams and little hopes of the characters, who were a fascinating and diverse cast with their unique personalities and memorable appearances.
I loved how across a 100 pages or so, I was able to grasp the personalities of these characters and get to know them, though I’d probably need the first two books to feel more connected and invested in their stories. Even so, I was touched by the determination and the innocence the characters had and admired the way they overcame their fears with courage and with the help of those around them.
The reasons behind my idea that this book would be great for both adults and children are that the wisdom, the ideas brought up in this book – Greta’s indecision, Minette’s fears of change… these things are faced directly in the book. Its openness would appeal to children, who would see these fears, this indecision and come to their own conclusions, interpretations, and opinions of these things. As for adults, who already have been exposed to these things, it is a nice direct reminder of the things we have forgotten or have convinced ourselves that we know enough of.
I enjoyed this book and it definitely piqued my interest enough to want to read the previous two books. If you’re looking for a cosy, heartwarming read with beautiful art, then you might want to give this a go. (Also, Tea Dragons are super adorable.)
Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Netgalley, Oni Press, and Katie O’Neill for the ARC.
From Words & Nocturnes