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btlitell's reviews
133 reviews
The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Well, all of my heebies have been thoroughly jeebied by this. I have so many questions and want none of the answers given to me the easy way. I will read the next book and find out.
So many good people died in this one. That hurts so much. :<
Debt of Honor by Tom Clancy
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am in total shock. I can't believe this book just ended there, like that?!
There was a lot of good character development in this, a lot of great action, and twists and turns.
Quick note: the audiobook narrator's voices for non-American characters were cartoonish and stereotypical, bordering on mildly offensive. I wish that wasn't the case, but here we are.
Why do I continue reading books that, while fictional, feel way to real and relevant to today's global political climate?
On to the next one...
There was a lot of good character development in this, a lot of great action, and twists and turns.
Quick note: the audiobook narrator's voices for non-American characters were cartoonish and stereotypical, bordering on mildly offensive. I wish that wasn't the case, but here we are.
Why do I continue reading books that, while fictional, feel way to real and relevant to today's global political climate?
On to the next one...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Car accident, and War
Minor: Racism and Xenophobia
It's a spy/military thriller. The graphic CWs are expected. To a point, some of the xenophobia is too.
The minor warnings are there because the non-American characters (especially those of Japanese descent), while overall seemingly genuine, have moments where they feel cartoonish and almost stereotypical. The audiobook narrator chose voices for them that felt borderline offensive at worst. I'm not sure how others might take to that, but it's still there.
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It took me a while to really feel like I cared about what was happening. I don't really know that I could explain much about the world besides that the caste society is labeled by colors (red, pink, brown, gold, obsidian were mentioned). Aside from that, I don't really know that I understand what was going on. Overall, it felt like an interesting mix of Dune, Hunger Games, and 1984.
There's some cool stuff in this, but a lot of it was drowned out by questions to which I never found answers. There is also a lot of deus ex machina that happens to save Darrow almost exclusively, but which only stepped in to save one person that wasn't on his side of the conflict.
I wish some things were explained a lot better, specifically regarding the weapons used (sling blades, razors, thumpers, etc.) and the armor that were (as far as I remember) only described by name alone.There's also no real explanation why some of the golds would repeatedly shout their own names as duels started. It felt quite odd and less intimidating (what I assume they would be going for) than confusing. It does feel a bit gimmicky that their names are all First au Last (because au on the periodic table is gold and they're gold :melting:) .
There's some cool stuff in this, but a lot of it was drowned out by questions to which I never found answers. There is also a lot of deus ex machina that happens to save Darrow almost exclusively, but which only stepped in to save one person that wasn't on his side of the conflict.
I wish some things were explained a lot better, specifically regarding the weapons used (sling blades, razors, thumpers, etc.) and the armor that were (as far as I remember) only described by name alone.
Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders: Workbook by Todd J. Farchione, Shannon Sauer-Zavala, David H. Barlow
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Not ordinarily one for non-fiction reads (I say that every time I read a book that I think deviates from my normal lol), but this one was helpful. Therapy was helpful too, but the sessions followed this book so a hand-in-hand sort of effect there.
Useful for anyone who has an emotional disorder (or several) or have someone close to you with an emotional disorder (or several). Some of the worksheets could be better, and there were a couple that my therapist supplemented with other worksheets or information sheets that helped to better explain the goal of an exercise when that was the case.
Useful for anyone who has an emotional disorder (or several) or have someone close to you with an emotional disorder (or several). Some of the worksheets could be better, and there were a couple that my therapist supplemented with other worksheets or information sheets that helped to better explain the goal of an exercise when that was the case.
The Sum of All Fears by Tom Clancy
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Good lord this book was so tense. A great read, and well done start to finish, but I do wonder why I chose to read this now in this global setting.
Once again, it was good to see John Clark doing John Clark things, even as subtle as they were.
Once again, it was good to see John Clark doing John Clark things, even as subtle as they were.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!
Such an incredible read. The level of historical details, the emotions, the tension, all of it. I will forever compare every other romance book I read from this point on against this book.
I don't remember the last time that I felt so many raw emotions about so many fictional characters, and I want more of that.
Jamie is a perfect little cinnamon roll, and while I hate how burned he got while baking, that has only served to perfect him as a character. Claire has such good qualities, and I love that she stands (or attempts to stand) toe-to-toe with the Scotsmen when they try to set her aside, dismiss her, etc. simply because she is a woman.
I cannot wait to read more of this series.
Such an incredible read. The level of historical details, the emotions, the tension, all of it. I will forever compare every other romance book I read from this point on against this book.
I don't remember the last time that I felt so many raw emotions about so many fictional characters, and I want more of that.
Jamie is a perfect little cinnamon roll, and while I hate how burned he got while baking, that has only served to perfect him as a character. Claire has such good qualities, and I love that she stands (or attempts to stand) toe-to-toe with the Scotsmen when they try to set her aside, dismiss her, etc. simply because she is a woman.
I cannot wait to read more of this series.
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
My review is only for I Am Legend and not the other short stories included in this edition.
This was an interesting story. There are moments where it's clear that Robert Neville is hanging on by a thread and that thread is often stretched very thin. I appreciate that he's approaching the "solutions" to the vampire apocalypse from a scientific perspective as he tries to figure out why those things that kill them work and other methods don't.
I think including other religious symbols working for some of the vampires is a nice touch, especially since Neville explains the why behind that later. Totally makes sense that a cross would only affect an undead who, in life, aligned with Christianity. A cross being the only religious symbol that works is something that hasn't made sense in other vampire fiction, but I hadn't realized it doesn't make sense until experiencing a story where it's not the only religious symbol that serves as a solution.
While I will say the dog's death wasn't as traumatic as Old Yeller or Where the Red Fern Grows, I still did not like experiencing that happening. I understand the literary device of hurting a character in such a devastating way, but still...
This was an interesting story. There are moments where it's clear that Robert Neville is hanging on by a thread and that thread is often stretched very thin. I appreciate that he's approaching the "solutions" to the vampire apocalypse from a scientific perspective as he tries to figure out why those things that kill them work and other methods don't.
I think including other religious symbols working for some of the vampires is a nice touch, especially since Neville explains the why behind that later. Totally makes sense that a cross would only affect an undead who, in life, aligned with Christianity. A cross being the only religious symbol that works is something that hasn't made sense in other vampire fiction, but I hadn't realized it doesn't make sense until experiencing a story where it's not the only religious symbol that serves as a solution.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh. My. God.
This book was so packed with emotions. I am so glad that I not only read TJ Klune last year but that he so quickly and immediately became a favorite author. This book was worth waiting for the library loan that I placed in September.
This book was so packed with emotions. I am so glad that I not only read TJ Klune last year but that he so quickly and immediately became a favorite author. This book was worth waiting for the library loan that I placed in September.
The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Overall, I enjoyed this read. The story and setting were interesting, and the characters felt rounded and well-done. There was decent worldbuilding, something I always appreciate. The audiobook narrator's voice fit the story really well, too. That's always a plus.
Around the half-way mark is when I started noticing a lot of frequently repeated words that pulled me out of the story every time they came up. I think the biggest reason for this was the specificity of the world and items within it.
Around the half-way mark is when I started noticing a lot of frequently repeated words that pulled me out of the story every time they came up. I think the biggest reason for this was the specificity of the world and items within it.
The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lots of Divine Rivals vibes and not in a bad way. There's an interesting mixture of fantasy and modern elements. Magic but guns, cars, sailing ships, etc.
Interested to see what comes in the sequel(s?).
Interested to see what comes in the sequel(s?).