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btlitell's reviews
102 reviews
Holes by Louis Sachar
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's been so long since I've read this book. While I know it was in elementary school the last time I read this, I can't remember which grade I was in (probably 3rd or 4th grade, that sounds about right for this book). Rereading this brought up a lot of good feelings for the inner child, definitely recommend this for anyone who needs just that.
The friendship between Stanley and Zero will always make me happy. Also, them getting sick from Sploosh, knowing now as an adult that that's botulism from the bad canned food, made my stomach flop though not as bad as theirs did. Unless you're in a similar situation as Stanley and Zero where it's literally life and death, don't eat canned food if you can't verify the age or quality of the seal. <i>shuddering</i>
The friendship between Stanley and Zero will always make me happy. Also, them getting sick from Sploosh, knowing now as an adult that that's botulism from the bad canned food, made my stomach flop though not as bad as theirs did. Unless you're in a similar situation as Stanley and Zero where it's literally life and death, don't eat canned food if you can't verify the age or quality of the seal. <i>shuddering</i>
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
There's brief mention of racism from 100 years before the time of the story where a white woman and black man kiss consentually, and the town sees this as evil and takes "the law" into their own hands.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
fast-paced
4.0
There was a lot of really good humor throughout this, and I really appreciate that because it made the story that much better. I really want a shirt that says "we do bones, motherfucker!" for what I can only hope are obvious reasons. The one-liner zings like that were great.
That said, if not for the humor, I would probably give this a 3-star. I enjoyed the story as it was happening, but I can't tell you what really happened besides that there are necromancers in kind of space and there's people who are cavaliers.
I wasn't a huge fan of one person having 3 or 4 names they were called. First name, full name, last name, nickname, etc., was too much to keep track of in the audio format. The narrator was great, and I want to find more books she's read because of this one.
That said, if not for the humor, I would probably give this a 3-star. I enjoyed the story as it was happening, but I can't tell you what really happened besides that there are necromancers in kind of space and there's people who are cavaliers.
I wasn't a huge fan of one person having 3 or 4 names they were called. First name, full name, last name, nickname, etc., was too much to keep track of in the audio format. The narrator was great, and I want to find more books she's read because of this one.
A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Giving this one 4 stars only because it felt so disjointed from the previous book. I did enjoy the story but would rather have seen more of the characters that were followed in the first three books (well, minus those who died because obviously that wouldn't really be interesting, would it? Maybe it could be. Hard to say with this series.)
I know there's the whole "tell all the story for half of the characters rather than half the story for all of the characters" part, but I still feel it would have felt less like a break in the continuity if we saw more of Jon Snow, Bran, Tyrion, etc., but I suppose that will happen in the next book? Happy to find out regardless.
I know there's the whole "tell all the story for half of the characters rather than half the story for all of the characters" part, but I still feel it would have felt less like a break in the continuity if we saw more of Jon Snow, Bran, Tyrion, etc., but I suppose that will happen in the next book? Happy to find out regardless.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I think this was my favorite book of the series up to this point.
I've noticed some repition that's happening in the series (e.g. this is the third book and the third where there's been a new defense against the dark arts professor at the start of the year, Snape is still what seems overly critical of Harry (and other Gryffindors), and Malfoy is still a spoiled brat and nothing really seems to come from his behaving as such) but even with this, I am still enjoying my readthrough so far. I don't remember who it was that said Lupin was the best dark arts professor they had, but I will absolutely agree. He's far and away the most skilled of the ones we've seen thus far, andI'm pretty sad to see him leave, even though I understand his sympathy toward the parents' concerns.
I am curious how time manipulation will factor into later books, especially since Hermoine was able to take all of the classes she had using the time-turner (which seems like something that no other student would have been allowed to use for the same circumstances, but we'll ignore that for now, I guess).
I've noticed some repition that's happening in the series (e.g. this is the third book and the third where there's been a new defense against the dark arts professor at the start of the year, Snape is still what seems overly critical of Harry (and other Gryffindors), and Malfoy is still a spoiled brat and nothing really seems to come from his behaving as such) but even with this, I am still enjoying my readthrough so far. I don't remember who it was that said Lupin was the best dark arts professor they had, but I will absolutely agree. He's far and away the most skilled of the ones we've seen thus far, and
A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
So many things happened in this book that it's hard to remember here at the end everything that happened.
Red Wedding - I stopped reading for a day. I was so devastated by that.
Everything that happened north of the wall was interesting and complex. I really enjoyed all of the really strong development that Jon and Samwell had in their time ranging. I've had a soft spot for Samwell since he showed up in the books, but seeing his POV has made me enjoy his character more. I was getting a bit annoyed by the "you know nothing, Jon Snow" quote (sorry, Ygritte) right around the time that it stopped being said in response to what felt like everything Jon said.
Purple Wedding - The aftermath was more upsetting than the events of the wedding itself.
Jaime feels more like a person now. Seeing his POV rather than hearing about him has certainly taken some of the poker chips off of his "what is wrong with this man" pile, but he also added a few more back on later.Seeing Brienne match him in their duel was exciting. He needed that humbling.
Tyrion remains the only Lannister that I have not found a reason to dislike. He's cunning and wiley, but in a house of lions, I'd say that's the only way his lived as long as he has.Tywin deserved that crossbow bolt in the gut. It pleases me that Tyrion was the one to do that, as surprised as I was that it happened.
I'm curious to see what happens with Bran in the next book.It made me so happy that Jon Snow saw Bran's direwolf before he escaped from the wildlings.
Everything is still so very complex in this world and the overall story. I'm quite baffled by the extreme attention paid to all of the minute details, especially with how massively large these books are. I didn't think 21 days would be a long enough library loan to read this, but I ended up finishing it with 8 days to spare. I think that alone speaks for the quality of this book and series.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Every man must die, Jon Snow. But first he must live.
So many things happened in this book that it's hard to remember here at the end everything that happened.
Red Wedding - I stopped reading for a day. I was so devastated by that.
Everything that happened north of the wall was interesting and complex. I really enjoyed all of the really strong development that Jon and Samwell had in their time ranging. I've had a soft spot for Samwell since he showed up in the books, but seeing his POV has made me enjoy his character more. I was getting a bit annoyed by the "you know nothing, Jon Snow" quote (sorry, Ygritte) right around the time that it stopped being said in response to what felt like everything Jon said.
Purple Wedding - The aftermath was more upsetting than the events of the wedding itself.
Jaime feels more like a person now. Seeing his POV rather than hearing about him has certainly taken some of the poker chips off of his "what is wrong with this man" pile, but he also added a few more back on later.
Tyrion remains the only Lannister that I have not found a reason to dislike. He's cunning and wiley, but in a house of lions, I'd say that's the only way his lived as long as he has.
I'm curious to see what happens with Bran in the next book.
There is a long league's worth of difference between willful and stupid.
Everything is still so very complex in this world and the overall story. I'm quite baffled by the extreme attention paid to all of the minute details, especially with how massively large these books are. I didn't think 21 days would be a long enough library loan to read this, but I ended up finishing it with 8 days to spare. I think that alone speaks for the quality of this book and series.
A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
There was so much that happened in this book. Some things only furthered my opinions toward characters that formed with the first book. Tyrion continues to be the only Lannister that I tolerate, let alone actively root for. Cersei talking with Sansa gave her the briefest moment of humanity, but then she thoroughly ruined that during their huddling in Maegor's Holdfast. Jaime can stay in that cell for all I care, especially after how he talked to Catelyn while chained up and in a dungeon. His arrogance is astounding. Theon Greyjoy has joined my list of characters who need smacked in the mouth (well, he needs a lot more than that, but we'll start with that). I am really hoping he gets what is coming for him, but I suppose we'll see. I do wish that there was more of Robb Stark's POV in the book, but hearing about his deeds from others worked really well and probably helped build up the image of him as king of the north more than if we saw it on paper.
Wildfire is a horrid concoction that I can only imagine will show up again later. The entire Battle of the Blackwater was really interesting until the green flames appeared and it immediately turned into a chaotic mess. I really appreciated that Tyrion reflected on that and, at least to himself, admitted that he and Stannis were both responsible for the horrors that the wildfire caused.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
But the world preferred to forget that men who knew how to heal also knew how to kill.
There was so much that happened in this book. Some things only furthered my opinions toward characters that formed with the first book. Tyrion continues to be the only Lannister that I tolerate, let alone actively root for. Cersei talking with Sansa gave her the briefest moment of humanity, but then she thoroughly ruined that during their huddling in Maegor's Holdfast. Jaime can stay in that cell for all I care, especially after how he talked to Catelyn while chained up and in a dungeon. His arrogance is astounding. Theon Greyjoy has joined my list of characters who need smacked in the mouth (well, he needs a lot more than that, but we'll start with that). I am really hoping he gets what is coming for him, but I suppose we'll see. I do wish that there was more of Robb Stark's POV in the book, but hearing about his deeds from others worked really well and probably helped build up the image of him as king of the north more than if we saw it on paper.
Wildfire is a horrid concoction that I can only imagine will show up again later. The entire Battle of the Blackwater was really interesting until the green flames appeared and it immediately turned into a chaotic mess. I really appreciated that Tyrion reflected on that and, at least to himself, admitted that he and Stannis were both responsible for the horrors that the wildfire caused.
Do you hear them shrieking, Stannis? Do you see them burning? This is your work as much as mine.
His admission of this only added favorably to Tyrion's position in my mind. Jaime, Cersei, Joffrey, none of them would have said anything like this while seeing men burning in flames they can't extinguish.
I can't wait to start the next book later today.
I can't wait to start the next book later today.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
As with the first book, I really wish I had read these when I was younger.
Lockhart bothered me from the beginning. Draco is still ever so deserving of a smack in the mouth as he was in the first book, and Hagrid is still my favorite of the adults and deserved better treatment from others around him. He reminds me a lot of Fezzik as we see him in The Princess Bride (exceptionally large and probably capable of bending others around him (possibly physically) to his will but oh, so gentle possibly to a fault).
Looking forward to the next book whenever my library hold comes up for it.
Lockhart bothered me from the beginning. Draco is still ever so deserving of a smack in the mouth as he was in the first book, and Hagrid is still my favorite of the adults and deserved better treatment from others around him. He reminds me a lot of Fezzik as we see him in The Princess Bride (exceptionally large and probably capable of bending others around him (possibly physically) to his will but oh, so gentle possibly to a fault).
Looking forward to the next book whenever my library hold comes up for it.
Witch King by Martha Wells
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
I... I struggled to get into this. I listened to about 2 hours of the audiobook, but it just felt like too much and also not enough at the same time. There was a prologue or chapter right at the start that really didn't work well in audio format because it was just a list of names and what seemed like ancestry data.
I might try it again later, but we'll see.
I might try it again later, but we'll see.
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have a realistic grasp of my own strengths and weaknesses. My mind is my weapon. My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer, and I have my mind… and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge. That’s why I read so much, Jon Snow.
It took a few hours to get emotionally invested into the story, but I'm entirely gripped by it now. The overall story is gripping and exciting. The characters are well-rounded for who they are (more to come on that), and the setting feels massive and intricate. I am fascinated by the years-long seasons and would like to see more of how that impacts things.
I dislike the entire Lannister family aside from Tyrion. Joffrey, the spoiled brat that he is, needs someone to tell him know (and maybe smack him in the mouth a bit...or a lot). Ned Stark was too good or a man for the treatment he received. Jon Snow may be a literal bastard, but he's got a heart of gold, struggling with his identity as he may be. I feel sorry for Daenerys being thrust into situations that she doesn't want to be in and needing to make the best of what happens to and around her.
I never read these books before, nor have I watched the show, and I am currently wishing I started reading years ago rather than waiting this long.
I dislike the entire Lannister family aside from Tyrion. Joffrey, the spoiled brat that he is, needs someone to tell him know (and maybe smack him in the mouth a bit...or a lot). Ned Stark was too good or a man for the treatment he received. Jon Snow may be a literal bastard, but he's got a heart of gold, struggling with his identity as he may be. I feel sorry for Daenerys being thrust into situations that she doesn't want to be in and needing to make the best of what happens to and around her.
I never read these books before, nor have I watched the show, and I am currently wishing I started reading years ago rather than waiting this long.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Incest, Murder, Sexual content, and War
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
From These Dark Depths by Vanessa Rasanen
5.0
Pirates. Sirens. Fae. Subterfuge. Rogues.
Once again, I'm left speechless and needing the next book. Fortunately, it's out and on my shelf.
I enjoyed where this story went and how it affected the characters on their way from start to finish. In book 1, I thought Declan was my favorite character, and he still resonates with me. But Tommy... He's taken Declan's spot as my favorite. His struggles with making decisions is something I very personally relate with. It's tough being thrust into a position where others are relying on you to make choices that impact their lives in very real and potentially dangerous ways. I am curious to see how he grows from here.
Once again, I'm left speechless and needing the next book. Fortunately, it's out and on my shelf.
I enjoyed where this story went and how it affected the characters on their way from start to finish. In book 1, I thought Declan was my favorite character, and he still resonates with me. But Tommy... He's taken Declan's spot as my favorite. His struggles with making decisions is something I very personally relate with. It's tough being thrust into a position where others are relying on you to make choices that impact their lives in very real and potentially dangerous ways. I am curious to see how he grows from here.