e_gracereads's reviews
203 reviews

For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought in the Civil War by James M. McPherson

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informative reflective slow-paced

3.0

Good, thorough history of the civil war, but a bit repetitive at its best. 
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

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challenging hopeful reflective relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

Perhaps the only religious/philosophical book I will ever read that I don’t find pandering. Aligns well with my own personal beliefs, and I enjoyed the emphasis on finding religion in one’s own self. 
Last Days by Adam L.G. Nevill

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The premise of this was UTTERLY fascinating, and I did find the book to be rife with an insane amount of dread, especially with such a unique idea. That being said - this man writing American characters was nothing short of nightmare. The syntax was downright bizarre, accented speech with folks from Arizona an interesting choice, and any mention of the US military (and subsequent complete factual inaccuracy) was absolutely painful to muddle through. For how much of this took place in America, it would’ve paid to have, yknow, an American proof this. Secondly, the grammar in this was clumsy at best. Read a little strange and jilted. On premise alone? This is a 5 star read. The convention and weird sections bring it down for me, but I’d be willing to read more by this author. 
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

Alright. So. This book DID have me crying my ass off a few times. There are some INCREDIBLE scenes. But there are also some times where it drags a little, where something that happens feels a little too much like a plot device, and not overwhelmingly natural. I also did not really enjoy Bryce for the first… 2/3s of this book? That being said - it was an absolute joy to read, and an absolute ROLLERCOASTER. 
The Fires of Jubilee: Nat Turner's Fierce Rebellion by Stephen B. Oates

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective slow-paced

3.25

The Women by Kristin Hannah

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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

4.0

The subject matter of this book is one you just don’t find very often - women in war are often overlooked, and in the most overlooked and shameful war of them all, women were and continue to be disregarded. This was a beautiful glimpse at some of those hardships. 
A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross

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adventurous emotional hopeful tense 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? Yes

4.0

I loved this duology. It’s perfect, cozy fantasy with an edge, and the prose is so stunning that I ate up every word. 
A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I unexpectedly loved this book. It’s incredibly complex in the way that it handles characters and relationships, really handling those subtle complexities very, very maturely. It’s a cozy fantasy, almost, but maintains a very sharp edge, reminding you that magic has a price, in a beautiful, Scottish-inspired world. I loved this book and will DEFINITELY purchase the sequel. 
The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.75

Should be required reading in any and all world history courses, military history courses, and quite frankly, history in general. Tough and emotional, but straightforward and informative. Devastating in its details, but a powerful read. 
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Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

This book. Took me for a wild ride. I’m still crying. It’s fine