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lizcallahan's reviews
21 reviews
Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A lovely little interlude! Definitely not something people can pick up without having read Sanderson, but I loved seeing more of Rysn and the Lopen 😜
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I don't think this was a fantastic sequel, but as an avid childhood fan of Nancy drew and the hardy boys, I could totally see this becoming a lighthearted series for a maid to solve mysteries! Fun and easy, and sometimes I do giggle at how silly the detective is
Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
And it's like how can I possibly keep writing 5 star reviews, this man DOES NOT MISS. Dalinar's internal monologue at the end was fucking everything. And, though I do profess to love a bad boy, am so happy Adolin and Shallan stay together. Can't wait for rhythm of war ❤️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and War
Recursion by Blake Crouch
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved this book, but I did have some issues with pacing and the introduction of the relationship between Barry and Helena. I think the DARPA but provided some interesting philosophy bits, but otherwise could have been cut. Overall, a very fun read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Vomit
Edgedancer by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A quick little novella in this universe to keep my love going for it 🥰
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I cannot rate this book highly enough! In my opinion, a fantastic sequel to the original book, and elevates these characters by shining a light on their growth. Shallan's arc was particularly revealing of her character, and Gabe so much more depth than a frightened girl away from home. Cannot wait to see what Urithiru brings!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and War
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Genocide, and Blood
Bridge by Lauren Beukes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
UPDATED REVIEW FROM 3 TO 4 STARS BELOW:
INITIAL: I've been sitting on this review for a few days, attempting to decipher my feelings on the book, so I'll give my unfiltered thoughts here, maybe I'll come back and edit this as I sit longer with the finished story:
1) It was hard for me to start this book. I think the pacing in the beginning does not build up nicely to the rollercoaster that I was gripping onto for dear life as I got to the halfway point. But once I was strapped in, boy oh boy I was LOCKED in. The thrill had gotten to me.
2) what was the point of Aiden's character? He had crucial information that he never revealed to Bridge, and Dom figured out most of the information through Jo's diaries. It felt like he was there just because someone had to die.
3) I feel like we got a lot of partial information about characters because every narrator was unreliable in some manner. We barely understand Amber's backstory before Chris, how Dom and Bridge became connected, etc. Even Jo's relationship to Bridge feels so stilted, most of the memories we receive about their relationship come from the perspective of Jo's diary, not Bridge's perspective.
4) I literally love Dom, will protect them with my life. Bridge was fucking lucky she had a slightly stable person in her life.
Overall a fun read, but I wanted more conflict and development from these characters.
UPDATE: Had a discussion with my book club about this last night! I can see I was definitely reading this as a sci Fi novel, but in reality it's more like a coming of age novel with sci Fi elements. I was looking for extensive plot and backstory about these characters, when in reality they are serving a purpose in relation to Bridge. They showcase that their lives are crazy and wild and fun and full of possibility with the dreamworm, but they are so isolated they have no community to fall back on.
Bridge explores her identity through the lens of her grief, and how she truly doesn't know who she is without her mom, even though their relationship was fraught in so many ways and lack basic communication. She finally realizes that her mother's desire to see her again were selfish at heart, and she cannot play along with it.
Recontextualizing as a coming of age novel, characterization and plot make so much more sense, I like it a lot more!
INITIAL: I've been sitting on this review for a few days, attempting to decipher my feelings on the book, so I'll give my unfiltered thoughts here, maybe I'll come back and edit this as I sit longer with the finished story:
1) It was hard for me to start this book. I think the pacing in the beginning does not build up nicely to the rollercoaster that I was gripping onto for dear life as I got to the halfway point. But once I was strapped in, boy oh boy I was LOCKED in. The thrill had gotten to me.
2) what was the point of Aiden's character? He had crucial information that he never revealed to Bridge, and Dom figured out most of the information through Jo's diaries. It felt like he was there just because someone had to die.
3) I feel like we got a lot of partial information about characters because every narrator was unreliable in some manner. We barely understand Amber's backstory before Chris, how Dom and Bridge became connected, etc. Even Jo's relationship to Bridge feels so stilted, most of the memories we receive about their relationship come from the perspective of Jo's diary, not Bridge's perspective.
4) I literally love Dom, will protect them with my life. Bridge was fucking lucky she had a slightly stable person in her life.
Overall a fun read, but I wanted more conflict and development from these characters.
UPDATE: Had a discussion with my book club about this last night! I can see I was definitely reading this as a sci Fi novel, but in reality it's more like a coming of age novel with sci Fi elements. I was looking for extensive plot and backstory about these characters, when in reality they are serving a purpose in relation to Bridge. They showcase that their lives are crazy and wild and fun and full of possibility with the dreamworm, but they are so isolated they have no community to fall back on.
Bridge explores her identity through the lens of her grief, and how she truly doesn't know who she is without her mom, even though their relationship was fraught in so many ways and lack basic communication. She finally realizes that her mother's desire to see her again were selfish at heart, and she cannot play along with it.
Recontextualizing as a coming of age novel, characterization and plot make so much more sense, I like it a lot more!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Death of parent
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I am not in H mart but I am crying!!! Michelle has such descriptive and raw prose that had me sobbing at multiple points in the book. I am a bit biased, as Mother daughter books always get me emotional, but I highly recommend for anyone who wants to get into memoirs or autobiographies, this one is a keeper ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is so difficult to talk about without spoiling any aspect, and I recommend you go in fully blind to the plot. This book is a.....mythology inspired mystery? It feels reductive to try and pin it to a genre, because there are elements of so many other genres in this novel: fantasy, philosophy, horror, afterlife, etc.
The setting and characters are so deeply intriguing, and every interaction between the two had me wishing for more. I was hooked with the diary entries and the "show don't tell" writing style throughout the novel.
Mostly, though, I loved Piranesi. Simultaneously incredibly naive but also powerfully present in his day to day, I think Piranesi's journey makes me look internally and ask the question: who am I without distraction? How does power keep us from connecting to our inner selves?
Overall, a fantastic read 🥰
The setting and characters are so deeply intriguing, and every interaction between the two had me wishing for more. I was hooked with the diary entries and the "show don't tell" writing style throughout the novel.
Mostly, though, I loved Piranesi. Simultaneously incredibly naive but also powerfully present in his day to day, I think Piranesi's journey makes me look internally and ask the question: who am I without distraction? How does power keep us from connecting to our inner selves?
Overall, a fantastic read 🥰