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emsbookshelf_'s reviews
7 reviews
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
THIS WAS SUCH AN EASY 5 STARS OH MY GOD
This book was everything I want when I want to read adventiure. It had morally grey characters. fast pacing, and a well driven plot that - at times - descended into pure chaos.
The plot itself follows a Harvard Symbologist and Illumanti expert, Robert Langdon, as he attempts to stop the destruction of the Catholic Chruch at the Conclave. This novel explores the science versus religion debate very heavily and - as someone with an interest in this ares - I found this very enjoyable and interesting to read. Brown's writing was fast-paced, and at times, so-bad-it's-good. There were easter eggs peppered all over the plot, making for a reading experience that was easy to get sucked in to.
As far as characters go - overall, I did not think that the cast of characters were overly developed, or likeable. However, as the plot is the main forcys of this novel, that did not matter so much. Brown's use of mythical allusion for the more duplicitous characters (i.e., Janus) was a real stand out in this novel.
Overall, I would reccomend this book to those interested in fast-paced mystery thrillers, who edon't mind that the intensity of a plot leads to underdevelopped characetrs.
This book was everything I want when I want to read adventiure. It had morally grey characters. fast pacing, and a well driven plot that - at times - descended into pure chaos.
The plot itself follows a Harvard Symbologist and Illumanti expert, Robert Langdon, as he attempts to stop the destruction of the Catholic Chruch at the Conclave. This novel explores the science versus religion debate very heavily and - as someone with an interest in this ares - I found this very enjoyable and interesting to read. Brown's writing was fast-paced, and at times, so-bad-it's-good. There were easter eggs peppered all over the plot, making for a reading experience that was easy to get sucked in to.
As far as characters go - overall, I did not think that the cast of characters were overly developed, or likeable. However, as the plot is the main forcys of this novel, that did not matter so much. Brown's use of mythical allusion for the more duplicitous characters (i.e., Janus) was a real stand out in this novel.
Overall, I would reccomend this book to those interested in fast-paced mystery thrillers, who edon't mind that the intensity of a plot leads to underdevelopped characetrs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
You Will Get Through This Night by Daniel Howell
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
5.0
You Will Get Through This Night is a self-help guide to provide solutions short, medium, and long term solutions to those going through mental health problems. It is insightful and inspiring, and helped me begin to see that my dark nights would not last forever - in fact, it made it much easier for me to see that the bad will end and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
I 'read' this book in the format of an audio book, and I'm so glad I did. Throughout the format of the audiobook, there were soundscapes and breathing exersises offered, and hearing a familiar voice reading this to me was incredibly soothing and made me feel like I could conquer my struggles.
I am aure this book is one I will dip into when I need it, listening to this was a warm hug and made me feel much less alone.
And to Dan: thank you for beiung brave enough to share your story. It is one thing to struggle and to keep everything inside, but it is another to be willing to share in the hopes that it will help someone.
I 'read' this book in the format of an audio book, and I'm so glad I did. Throughout the format of the audiobook, there were soundscapes and breathing exersises offered, and hearing a familiar voice reading this to me was incredibly soothing and made me feel like I could conquer my struggles.
I am aure this book is one I will dip into when I need it, listening to this was a warm hug and made me feel much less alone.
And to Dan: thank you for beiung brave enough to share your story. It is one thing to struggle and to keep everything inside, but it is another to be willing to share in the hopes that it will help someone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Aristotle and Dante Descover the Secrets of the Universe is a book thgat, for some reason, I keep returning to. Sanèz's novel is a reflective and introspective telling of the struggles of growing up, mixed with the shame and confusion that comes with descivering one's sexuality is different to that of others. This theme is one that we see the main character - Angel Aristotle (Ari) Mendoza descover as his character develops: the narrative voice of the first person gives readers an intimate understanding of Ari's journey of self desovcert.
Like the namesakes of our lead characters, both Ari and Dante left me asking more questions than receioving answers. I often found myself pondering over my own grapple with my sexuality, and could empathise with the self-doubt of Ari, but also with the self-assured nature of Dante, who knows who he is and does not change it.
Like the namesakes of our lead characters, both Ari and Dante left me asking more questions than receioving answers. I often found myself pondering over my own grapple with my sexuality, and could empathise with the self-doubt of Ari, but also with the self-assured nature of Dante, who knows who he is and does not change it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
AHAKAKSKDJAJAJSHA I WILL WRITE A PROPER REVEIW WHEN IM DONE PROCESSING
Enron by Lucy Prebble
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
this book is one that i had to read for a level english literature and i didn't expect top enjy it as much as i did (i susually enjoy the poetry elements of the course rather than drama) but i thought that this play was very well written and that prebble's writing was pretty much incredible.
enron is the dramatisation of the fall of the 'world's most innovative company' and it follows the CEO jeffery skilling and his partner in crime, andy fastow, and they gain everything and lose it over the course of nine years. the play was - in my opinion - very enjoyable and i loved prebble's exploration of staging and use of stage directions, a liberty that i never really get otherwise in drama (i'm looking at you, shakespeare, marlowe and euripides). i will definitely be reading again - mostly because i ahve to, the play won't revise itself - but i am sure i will emjoy it a second time.
enron is the dramatisation of the fall of the 'world's most innovative company' and it follows the CEO jeffery skilling and his partner in crime, andy fastow, and they gain everything and lose it over the course of nine years. the play was - in my opinion - very enjoyable and i loved prebble's exploration of staging and use of stage directions, a liberty that i never really get otherwise in drama (i'm looking at you, shakespeare, marlowe and euripides). i will definitely be reading again - mostly because i ahve to, the play won't revise itself - but i am sure i will emjoy it a second time.
The Hobbit: or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
challenging
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
this book was amazing, i adored the characters and the plot. i feel like i related a little too hard to bilbo (i cannot stress this enough - I LOVE HIM) and the pace of the novel was very engaging - i couldn’t put it down at all.
fantasy and adventure are relatively new for me, and i have to say that i will absolutely be reading more of this genre in 2023.