addystrange01's reviews
41 reviews

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

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adventurous challenging mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong

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informative medium-paced

5.0

As a Science teacher, this really scratched an itch in my brain. It was wonderfully nerdy, perfectly applicable, and an engaging narrative. 
Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues by Jonathan Kennedy

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informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

Pathogenesis by Jonathan Kennedy is a thoughtful exploration of how infectious diseases have shaped history, using eight plagues as focal points. While the book offers insightful context on the historical and social impact of these epidemics, it focuses more on the events and dynamics surrounding the diseases rather than on the diseases themselves. Kennedy argues that “pathogens thrive on inequality and injustice,” showing how health crises often mirror and amplify societal disparities. While it's a compelling and challenging read that encourages reflection, those looking for deeper scientific detail might feel it falls short.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

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challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

I loved this. It was a bit dark at times, but the story was gripping. I personally loved Laia. To me, she is so relatable simply because she is a normal person. She doesn’t have magical powers, she doesn’t have any combat training, she’s just a girl who loves her family and would do anything to help her brother. 
The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem van Loon

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informative slow-paced

3.0

This was incredibly informative but a bit dry. The only reason I got through it was due to my desire to read every Newberry award winner. I did enjoy parts of it, but overall it was a tedious read. I do actually enjoy nonfiction, and regularly read this genre, and even still it was difficult to finish. 
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

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adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Underlord by Will Wight

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adventurous funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Absolute banger. Still one of my favorites in this series. Will, you’ve done it again. 
Ghostwater by Will Wight

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adventurous funny tense 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? Yes

5.0

This was even better the second time. 
Skysworn by Will Wight

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adventurous tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Blackflame by Will Wight

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adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Genuinely my favorite one of the series. Learning about the path of Blackflame had me SAT, and London grows so much in this book. I actually think I enjoyed this better on the second read, which I didn’t know was possible.