Scan barcode
woolfardis's reviews
1405 reviews
The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury
1.0
The writing was competent but I found the characters lacklustre and couldn't really fathom where the action was taking place, except in a castle and dungeon. The premise didn't really tickle my fancy and the fact that the protagonist only went on an emotional/metaphorical journey add opposed to an actual one put me off even more. I suppose it was, as always, just the pretty cover that drew me in.
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
1.0
I don't know who Amy Poehler is. Never heard of her. I've seen this book on (every single) other blogs and thought it might have been a nice book about feminism or something. Or at least a bit funny. But it's not. Sure, Amy may (possibly) be a feminist (unsure, not really bothered either way) but this book had nothing to do with feminism. It's just an oddly written, mis-shapen diary kind of book that had no linear trajectory, it's just an inner monologue on paper. Or a screen if you read it on Kindle like I did.
I am just writing this because I still can't stop myself from reading the popular stuff I have no idea about, or interest in. I just wanna like what every one else likes. But then again, I also don't. I assume after I've read Bossypants and whatever else there is out there that I might finally have gotten this in to my thick skull and I can move on, having grown as a person. Metaphorically, of course. I will be 5' 2" 'til the end of days.
I am just writing this because I still can't stop myself from reading the popular stuff I have no idea about, or interest in. I just wanna like what every one else likes. But then again, I also don't. I assume after I've read Bossypants and whatever else there is out there that I might finally have gotten this in to my thick skull and I can move on, having grown as a person. Metaphorically, of course. I will be 5' 2" 'til the end of days.
Lichgates by S.M. Boyce
1.0
No particular grammar or other writing mistakes, just not captivating writing, characters or setting.
The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld
1.0
Unusual names, weird eyes, super powers, teenagers, boring. Too many chapters with differing POV. They're pretty much just Vampires with another name, working on the whole stereotypical idea that all (modern) Vampires wear black, listen to metal, like the dark, etc. The writing wasn't terrible, which is new for a YA book, but still very much generic YA twaddle.
Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden
1.0
Oh, it's one of those.
I thought it was kind of written okay, since it was written in first person by an annoying teenage Aussie girl who apparently can't stop thinking about which boy she wants to duck. Come on, FUCK. But this is not my kind of book, with its obligatory awkward name. Thankfully there are no daft names and people seem to have normal-looking eyes. Generic YA survival shit. If you like that, fine, read it.
I thought it was kind of written okay, since it was written in first person by an annoying teenage Aussie girl who apparently can't stop thinking about which boy she wants to duck. Come on, FUCK. But this is not my kind of book, with its obligatory awkward name. Thankfully there are no daft names and people seem to have normal-looking eyes. Generic YA survival shit. If you like that, fine, read it.
Gateway by Christina Garner
1.0
I really have tried my best to like YA. But when they continually to be suppressed by twee clichés it hurts. The protagonist obviously needs an unusual name. The romantic interest obviously need stunning eyes and a mysterious air about him. The teenage characters obviously need to be unhinged and some kind of outcast. The writing doesn't need to be good. Just give it a pretty cover and they will but it. The day I find a good YA book will be a good day, indeed.
Flashman by George MacDonald Fraser
1.0
You cannot fault the writing. It is sublime and quick, funny and easy to read but not so easy that it is only a quick-read (if you get me). But hell the character of Flashman is an utter arse. I don't care how well written it is, or how unlike the author is to the character (one would hope) but I am struggling to not use the C-word right now. I hope there is some resolve to him and that he does indeed repent for everything he had ever done, but nothing would make me read any more of it. Historical fiction is lovely, but the fiction part doesn't always have to follow the candour of the history part.
Prophecies, Libels & Dreams: Stories of Califa by Ysabeau S. Wilce
1.0
A confusing start to what I assume will be a confusing book. Probably a side order to the previous books from this author, but the writing nor the stories made me care for any of it.
A Shade of Kiev by Bella Forrest
1.0
First line: "The beautiful Italian vampire stood by the port, gazing out at the ocean."
Nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope.
Nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope.
The Palace of Curiosities by Rosie Garland
1.0
I think if I didn't have approximately 126 books in piles in my room to read I might have given this more time, but I really couldn't get behind it. The writing was quite good, and it held me briefly, but there were turns off phrases that put me off, and random words that turned up out of the blue: flowing sentences that were abruptly ruptured by "titties" and the inability to call it a penis, or a vagina, or sex. Also the idea that a foetus, not even nearly 9 months old, can smell or have claws. It may be a book for another time, but for now it is worthless.