Scan barcode
btlitell's reviews
106 reviews
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, Domestic abuse, Incest, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
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.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
I wish I read this when I was little and my third grade art teacher gifted my class our own copy. My only exposure to the series/fandom has been through memes and general internet browsing. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series and later watching the movies.
Initial thoughts:
Hagrid is my favorite character so far. Dumbledore is a close 2nd.
Draco is mean, but I have a feeling that may be a benefit later. I at least hope that's the case.
"Aww, Neville" seems like it will be a recurring phrase.
Quirrell reminds me of Cicero from Skyrim's Dark Brotherhood questline. This is not a compliment to either character.
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
“There are all kinds of courage," said Dumbledore, smiling. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."
I wish I read this when I was little and my third grade art teacher gifted my class our own copy. My only exposure to the series/fandom has been through memes and general internet browsing. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series and later watching the movies.
Initial thoughts:
Hagrid is my favorite character so far. Dumbledore is a close 2nd.
Draco is mean, but I have a feeling that may be a benefit later. I at least hope that's the case.
"Aww, Neville" seems like it will be a recurring phrase.
Quirrell reminds me of Cicero from Skyrim's Dark Brotherhood questline. This is not a compliment to either character.
Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book but feel it could have been better in a few ways. As far as cyberpunk/sci-fi it's pretty interesting and the concept felt new enough rather than simply a fresh spin on something that previously existed. I really liked the execution of the transferable personality and a body that can change (in some cases) and thought it brought a nice approach to sci-fi's canon.
The biggest reason for this being a 4-star instead of 5 is the very graphically detailed sex scenes that not only seemed gratuitous but also too "technical" or "textbook" in their nature. Not really interested in that, but it's definitely better than if those scenes were filled with horrible and cliche euphemisms (or worse new attempts at euphemisms that are just ick lol). This is absolutely a me thing and not really anything against the writing or the story itself.
I am looking forward to eventually reading books 2 and 3 as well as watching the show.
The biggest reason for this being a 4-star instead of 5 is the very graphically detailed sex scenes that not only seemed gratuitous but also too "technical" or "textbook" in their nature. Not really interested in that, but it's definitely better than if those scenes were filled with horrible and cliche euphemisms (or worse new attempts at euphemisms that are just ick lol). This is absolutely a me thing and not really anything against the writing or the story itself.
I am looking forward to eventually reading books 2 and 3 as well as watching the show.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Minor: Self harm, Suicide, Medical content, Trafficking, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Forrest Gump by Winston Groom
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
4.0
My experience with Forrest Gump up until some time near the end of my masters was only with the movie. I didn't even know there was a book until then, and while I won't say I prefer the movie, it's hard not to compare the two based on differences between the formats.
I think the book gave a more genuine look at the world from Forrest's perspective, but I think he was a lot easier to sympathize with in the movie than the book. His experience with the world being always tainted by others' perception of his intellectual/mental capabilities first is still just as touching and perhaps a bit more noticeable in the book.
After reading the book, there are things I wish they had incorporated into the film that would have been neat to see.I think if the movie could have included his playing chess, going to space, his relationship with Sue the Orangutan, living in Borneo for four years it could have captured a bit more of who Forrest is. I do really like how Forrest saw Lieutenant Dan not just as a Lieutenant but as a person, referring to him only as "Dan" instead of by his rank. That I think showed a lot more of his character and how he sees people as people and not simply as their rank or job title.
This was a great read and is worth picking up.
I think the book gave a more genuine look at the world from Forrest's perspective, but I think he was a lot easier to sympathize with in the movie than the book. His experience with the world being always tainted by others' perception of his intellectual/mental capabilities first is still just as touching and perhaps a bit more noticeable in the book.
After reading the book, there are things I wish they had incorporated into the film that would have been neat to see.
This was a great read and is worth picking up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Mental illness
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Medical content, and War
The Future by Naomi Alderman
adventurous
challenging
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
Ok so really early on in this, I wasn't sure how I was going to like this book BUT after the story started building and characters became interesting, and things started making a bit more sense, I can't help but feel like this book grabbed me and pulled me along with it. I didn't expect a lot of what happened and I will leave it at that because I don't really feel like doing the whole spoiler tagging at the moment.
Characters: wow!
Story: hits a bit close to reality at times, but holy shit that was great!
Setting: reminded me a bit of the early Assassin's Creed games with Desmond's present-day timeline but with some Tom Clancy-esque fact/reality bending to get to the place that was needed for this story to make sense as it was told.
I want to buy the physical book to have on my shelves (aka trophy storage). Very happy about this one. Read it. It's worth that much at least.
Characters: wow!
Story: hits a bit close to reality at times, but holy shit that was great!
Setting: reminded me a bit of the early Assassin's Creed games with Desmond's present-day timeline but with some Tom Clancy-esque fact/reality bending to get to the place that was needed for this story to make sense as it was told.
I want to buy the physical book to have on my shelves (aka trophy storage). Very happy about this one. Read it. It's worth that much at least.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
My first thought when finishing this was "huh" followed by "well, at least it's over."
I wanted to DNF this a few times, and while I have little to no hesitation to do so, I did at least want to see how this story ended. I'm not really sure it was worth the trouble, honestly. Maybe next time...
My overall thoughts are mixed on this book. It's my first read of a long work by Steinbeck, and I don't know if that's good or bad. I can confidently say I won't re-read this book later or even buy it to have on my shelf. I might read Steinbeck again in the future, but it will probably be Of Mice and Men or The Pearl again.
The characters were interesting with overall good development, but there were too many characters that I felt nothing toward or could have cared less or seemed to make no real impact on the story.
This story wasn't bad, I just thought there were too many moments that seemed to be in the story but weren't part of the story if that makes sense. I really enjoyed that there was a self-aware narrator who also had their own story here and there (which did, in a way, add world context for what was going on in the lives of the Trask and Hamilton families), but I think I appreciated that more because it felt unique more than anything else.
I wanted to DNF this a few times, and while I have little to no hesitation to do so, I did at least want to see how this story ended. I'm not really sure it was worth the trouble, honestly. Maybe next time...
My overall thoughts are mixed on this book. It's my first read of a long work by Steinbeck, and I don't know if that's good or bad. I can confidently say I won't re-read this book later or even buy it to have on my shelf. I might read Steinbeck again in the future, but it will probably be Of Mice and Men or The Pearl again.
The characters were interesting with overall good development, but there were too many characters that I felt nothing toward or could have cared less or seemed to make no real impact on the story.
This story wasn't bad, I just thought there were too many moments that seemed to be in the story but weren't part of the story if that makes sense. I really enjoyed that there was a self-aware narrator who also had their own story here and there (which did, in a way, add world context for what was going on in the lives of the Trask and Hamilton families), but I think I appreciated that more because it felt unique more than anything else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence
Moderate: Racial slurs, Suicide, and Xenophobia
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
5.0
While I really enjoyed this, there were parts that felt almost too similar to the first. Parts of the romance felt like a rinse and repeat of book 1 (which makes sense given what happened but could have been approached differently). There were some moments that E and R shared that were very tender and intimate, and I really loved and appreciated those moments. It gave me something to hope for beyond the magical typewriter letter system.
I really appreciated seeing a divine beingblunder like Dacre did by admitting that 5 is a sacred number and then not counting Roman as a trusted person near him and becoming number 6 as it really chiseled away at the image of a deity being flawless compared to a person. That was a really nice touch. There was one particular story arc that reminded me of Tom Clancy's Cardinal in the Kremlin with the initially unknown mole who is later discovered part of the story that unfolded. That also helped humanize the deity and keep them from seeming like an omnipotent being incapable of making mistakes.
I enjoyed this book and the duology overall and will recommend it to anyone who is looking for this kind of story. Also, I am really hoping that we can get some spin-off stories.
I really appreciated seeing a divine being
I enjoyed this book and the duology overall and will recommend it to anyone who is looking for this kind of story. Also, I am really hoping that we can get some spin-off stories.