hopegreen's reviews
95 reviews

Circe by Madeline Miller

5.0

Circe is a masterfully spellbinding story about death and divinity. It's an unparalleled work of art, and  is undoubtedly my favourite book, having altered the way I see the shape of stories, the depths of character, the possibility of prose, and the fragility of humanity forever.

The Warden and the Wolf King by Andrew Peterson

5.0

a phenomenal finale to a magnificent saga. overflowing with courage and redemption and heart — a seemingly simple story that holds devastatingly beautiful truths. can't wait to share these books with everyone I can!

The Monster in the Hollows by Andrew Peterson

5.0

does this instalment suffer from the previous pattern of overlapping fakeout plot twists? yes. is the pacing slightly strange in places, especially towards the end? very much so. is it still a stunningly crafted story which honestly and lovingly handles incredibly challenging themes in ways accessible and enlightening to every age? ab-so-lutely.

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

5.0

magnificent! the second half isn’t quite as wonderous as the first, but I still noticed so much more now than when I read it for the first time ten years ago.

North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson

4.0

although the majority of the book meanders quite slowly through its setpieces, the finale delivers on its ambitious promises and is stunningly crafted. surprisingly easy to pick up after reading the first instalment almost three years ago!

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

5.0

hilarious and heartbreaking, witty and wise: a brilliantly crafted portrait of the trials and triumphs of being a writer. this book is profoundly honest, truly motivating, overflowing with invaluable advice, and now thick with folded corners and underlines. it's messy and it's masterful - an essential read for aspiring storytellers.

The Lives of Saints by Leigh Bardugo

4.0

an exquisite little book - an elegant collection of darkly whimsical short stories with gorgeous illustrations. 

Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder

4.0

a stubborn but strong manifesto of strict guidelines to craft a winning screenplay. outdated in places, but timeless in others — industry standards change, but the rules of structuring a great story endure. 

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

5.0

heart-wrenchingly glorious. the whole novel aches with beauty, brimming with gorgeously observed descriptions of nature and of people, while also unbearably heavy with everything unsaid. I'll never look at that part of my hand in the same way. 

The Way of Kings Part One by Brandon Sanderson

4.0

phenomenally built. took a long, long time to reach where it needed to be, but now I'm completely planted in roshar's rocky landscape, and ready to experience the rest of what this saga has to offer.