berlinbibliophile's reviews
1180 reviews

A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women by Emma Southon

funny informative lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

This book really made the huge cultural differences in the different time periods of the Roman Empire tangible to me in a way a typical nonfiction book never has. I also had a hugely good time reading it. Southon is hilarious, and she's also always really honest about where the information on these women's lives comes from, what sort of sources even survive. It's informative and fun and sometimes very moving.

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

What a very satisfying conclusion to the story of Emily Wilde and her scholarly (and personal) interest in the wellbeing of faerie. I found the problem of stories very interesting, and I liked that library research really is the solution. It was also wonderful to see old friends from the previous two books again. I had a lovely time with this book. 

Midnight and Blue by Ian Rankin

dark informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really liked that the book followed several interconnected groups of characters. The mysteries were interesting and surprising. It's always nice to see the developments of earlier books come to fruition.

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? N/A

4.0

Once more, I love Rogerson's world building. May and March are simply delightful character ideas and execution. The idea of Craft is so interesting. And the love story is good as well. 

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

emotional lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

Exploring St. Liesl with Emily, Wendell, and Ariadne was a joy. I simply love the world building in these books, and they have the exact right proportions of plot and romance and other characters and growth for my taste. I'll definitely read the next book. 

Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan

adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

A quick, fun book. The worldbuilding was very interesting here, especially the connections with Jules Verne's books. Some exciting, suspenseful action scenes as well!

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Eh, I liked some aspects and was really frustrated with other aspects. The good: action scenes. Feyre running from the worm was legitimately really well-written. The worldbuilding in the beginning, below the wall. Feyre's return to her human family. The bad to baffling: The complete lack of thinking or foresight from any protagonist. Amarantha's cartoonishness. Rhysand's "redemption" telegraphed from a million miles away. Why does anyone bother making bargains with faeries when not a single bargain in this book is adhered to by either party? Why are the men all super hot and always growling?

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

informative lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

5.0

I had an amazing time with this book. The worldbuilding is fantastic, and I love the conceit of the book being Emily's research journal. The villagers in Ljosland don't have that much time on page, but they're still so well drawn with so few words. The relationship between Emily and the world, Emily and other people, Emily and science, and Emily and Bambleby are all wonderful, and quite refreshing for this genre.

Seasparrow by Kristin Cashore

adventurous hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Hava's perspective on the world was very interesting to me, especially with Bitterblue's perspective in the previous book. I was glad the book had so much space to explore the world and the different contained areas Hava passed through - The Monsea, the arctic, and Bitterblue City. I also really liked the ending and all the different new characters Hava met and had to deal with, as well as old favourite characters. 

The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl

inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

3.0

I feel rather conflicted. On the one hand, the prose is lovely, and the locations in the book are all very carefully crafted with every detail. On the other hand, by the end, I was getting annoyed at how easily and perfectly everything goes for Stella once she lets herself experience Paris. Not just the paintings she is trying to find, but the food and relationships at the bookshop and her father and Jules and Jean-Marie, and everything that happens there. It felt unearned, and too quick a character change.