elderlingfool's reviews
375 reviews

The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious reflective fast-paced

3.0

Aniquilação by Jeff VanderMeer

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A Sorte by Michael McDowell

Go to review page

dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this reverse little mermaid (like the Disney sequel)!
Who knew that Sister would become one of the most complex and annoying characters in the series to me? I couldn't predict this.
Miriam and Elinor are still the best. I really like their strong personalities and when they work together there is benefits to the entire family, who became even richer in this book.
It was great to see the physical and emotional changes in Frances. It was probably the character that surprised me the most in this book by how much I was enjoying her development.
In many ways this book felt like setup. It didn't really have any outstanding horrifying moments so I am expecting those to happen in the last book.
Even though there isn't as much progress in the plot in this volume, it was the one in the series that I read the fastest so far. These books are short and very easy to get through because of the writing style that is simple, but engaging.
Looking forward to the conclusion.

A Festa das Bruxas by Agatha Christie

Go to review page

mysterious medium-paced

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

2.0

This is a weird one for Christie. It reads more like a thriller than the usual "cozy mystery" that her novels are known for.

The story is interesting enough, but once again Agatha Christie showed how much she believed in humans being inherently good or evil, with no chance of change – which is an idea I don't subscribe to. That takes some points out of my enjoyment, along with the occasional racist remarks. This one also included some sexist comments too.

I am not sure I want to read any more Christie novels. I certainly don't feel inclined to do it at the moment.

I guessed who the murderer was because once you know the author's beliefs it becomes easy. I don't think putting people in a box of good and evil makes for a good resolution of a mystery.

The Rest of the Robots by Isaac Asimov

Go to review page

challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.0

This books seems made of the stories that weren't good enough for the first book. I haven't read "I, Robot" yet, but the quality of the stories in this book and the title make me feel that way.

The first two stories are my favourite because they are really funny (and no one told me Asimov could be funny, which is unforgivable). My favourite story in the book is "Victory Unintentional" that is about 3 robots contacting with an alien race that hates humans. The result is hilarious.

The two stories in Part II were the ones I liked the least and the stories in the Part III were a mix and all involve Dr. Susan Calvin, robopsychologist. The last story, especially, gave me mixed feelings because it sounds like a defense of AI, but it is also a pretty good story about a robot put on trial.

Asimov hated stories about robots that turn on humans and he will make sure the reader knows that. Therefore, the conflict in his stories have other sources (including humans being suspicious and paranoid about robots).

I might read other short stories from this author, but since I didn't like his longer stories as much I will stay away from his novels.

O Pescador de Memórias by Majory Yokomizo, Miguel Peres

Go to review page

emotional sad fast-paced