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alex_blackveil's reviews
53 reviews
The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McCulley
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I read Zorro after watching many movie adaptations of it and I have to say that all of them were more of fanfictions than adaptations, hahaha!
As about the book:
It was an adventurous book that made me laugh a lot and made me feel nostalgic for some reason. After work, it was quite relaxing and I would gladly read it again.
Diego made me laugh a lot—and I have to say that these tubulent times now remain as such and even more so than in his era—as did Sergeant Gonzales with his meal mush and goat's milk!
Generally:
You'll find funny (probably) that the most accurate adaptations, as about the characters, are actually a couple of cartoons I watched as a kid, while the setting and situation was closer to the live action adaptation!
As about the book:
It was an adventurous book that made me laugh a lot and made me feel nostalgic for some reason. After work, it was quite relaxing and I would gladly read it again.
Diego made me laugh a lot—and I have to say that these tubulent times now remain as such and even more so than in his era—as did Sergeant Gonzales with his meal mush and goat's milk!
Generally:
You'll find funny (probably) that the most accurate adaptations, as about the characters, are actually a couple of cartoons I watched as a kid, while the setting and situation was closer to the live action adaptation!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Racial slurs
The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta by John Rollin Ridge
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The biography of a robber. It wasn't a good nor bad read, but just what it is. If you're reply curious about Juaquin Murieta, go ahead and read it.
Dracula by Bram Stoker
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
It was a heavy read for me. I mostly read one chapter per day (≈20–30 pages/day).
It is a collection of journal entries, mostly, describing the first of Jonathan Harker's encounter with the Count, the latter's “invasion” in UK, Lucy's sickness and death and the hunt for his head by Dr Van Helsing and his new friends that the Count had hurt so much.
It's written, mainly, from Jonathan Harker, Dr Steward and Mina Harker's point of view. Count Dracula isn't as present as the title makes you think, but what is present is the pain and grief he's inflicting to the main characters, as well as the traits, characteristics and weaknesses of vampirism.
Much to my surprise, the hunt was only in the much later chapters and the fight lasted only a few pages.
My favourite character was Quincey Morris… I should see the ending coming, it's always the same with the characters I like…
Masterpiece for its time.
Be warned, he Vampire race described in this book has nothing to do with pop culture vampires. It's more on the superstitious and traditional side than the today's aesthetic one.
It is a collection of journal entries, mostly, describing the first of Jonathan Harker's encounter with the Count, the latter's “invasion” in UK, Lucy's sickness and death and the hunt for his head by Dr Van Helsing and his new friends that the Count had hurt so much.
It's written, mainly, from Jonathan Harker, Dr Steward and Mina Harker's point of view. Count Dracula isn't as present as the title makes you think, but what is present is the pain and grief he's inflicting to the main characters, as well as the traits, characteristics and weaknesses of vampirism.
Much to my surprise, the hunt was only in the much later chapters and the fight lasted only a few pages.
My favourite character was Quincey Morris… I should see the ending coming, it's always the same with the characters I like…
Masterpiece for its time.
Be warned, he Vampire race described in this book has nothing to do with pop culture vampires. It's more on the superstitious and traditional side than the today's aesthetic one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Stalking
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, and Murder
The Queen of the Caribbean by Emilio Salgari
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The second and final part of the Black Corsair's journey for revenge.
The book has rich pictures and good narrative. It has many battle and tense scenes, as well as funny fillers in between. You won't get tired of their adventure and you'll probably wish humans were like most of the characters in the book.
Gentlemen's honour, men's loyalty, skilled fighters and a much desired revenge.
The English version, which I've read, is very good and if I didn't know, I wouldn't suspect it wasn't the original language.
The book does contain a lot of violent and graphic scenes, but keep in mind that the book was written in early 20th century telling the tale of a 17th century pirate, seeking—a quite righteous, if you ask me—revenge.
The book has rich pictures and good narrative. It has many battle and tense scenes, as well as funny fillers in between. You won't get tired of their adventure and you'll probably wish humans were like most of the characters in the book.
Gentlemen's honour, men's loyalty, skilled fighters and a much desired revenge.
The English version, which I've read, is very good and if I didn't know, I wouldn't suspect it wasn't the original language.
The book does contain a lot of violent and graphic scenes, but keep in mind that the book was written in early 20th century telling the tale of a 17th century pirate, seeking—a quite righteous, if you ask me—revenge.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, and War
Moderate: Colonisation and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Genocide, Blood, and Cannibalism
The Black Corsair by Emilio Salgari
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I've come to know this book when I found out that one of the series I watched as a kid was the adaptation of the first two books of this series.
I've read this book in English, the translation and editing are very good, if I didn't know the original was in Italian, the thought that this was translated wouldn't cross my mind.
As about the story, I found it quite a perfect children's book. It may have many violent and death description (keep in mind that it's a book written in the 19th century and the story is about pirates in the 17th), it doesn't glorify that way of living and the main character and the secondary characters have actually high morales, honour and a strong sense of loyalty. Although the grief and hatred towards his brothers' murderer has turned the Black Corsair quite cold in the end of this book, there's still the second to look forward to.
I've read this book in English, the translation and editing are very good, if I didn't know the original was in Italian, the thought that this was translated wouldn't cross my mind.
As about the story, I found it quite a perfect children's book. It may have many violent and death description (keep in mind that it's a book written in the 19th century and the story is about pirates in the 17th), it doesn't glorify that way of living and the main character and the secondary characters have actually high morales, honour and a strong sense of loyalty. Although the grief and hatred towards his brothers' murderer has turned the Black Corsair quite cold in the end of this book, there's still the second to look forward to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, and War
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Torture, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
I didn't like as much as the first book. I found it hard to read, since I'm not really into middle-eastern themes, but it was good in its own way.
I also enjoyed reading about the characters I already knew from the first book.
Overall, it was an okay read.
I also enjoyed reading about the characters I already knew from the first book.
Overall, it was an okay read.
Η Τελευταία Μάχη by C.S. Lewis
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I found the story good for the most part, but the ending really made me cringe.
It's no secret all the parallelism there is with Narnia and Christianity, but towards the end it's becoming too much. The final page was a bit too much for me emotionally, I didn't expect this kind of twist from a children's literature book.
Overall, it wasn't a bad read.
It's no secret all the parallelism there is with Narnia and Christianity, but towards the end it's becoming too much. The final page was a bit too much for me emotionally, I didn't expect this kind of twist from a children's literature book.
Overall, it wasn't a bad read.
Ο Ασημένιος Θρόνος. by C.S. Lewis
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The Christianity theme was more than evident here, to a point were it bothered me how absolute everything Aslan said and did was.
Apart from that, the duo Eustace and Jill doesn't hit the spot as a the Pevensies do, but it's not that bad.
Again we have a witch from the North being the villain. But the writing is consistent and has the same style with the rest of the books, which for me is pleasant and easy to read.
Apart from that, the duo Eustace and Jill doesn't hit the spot as a the Pevensies do, but it's not that bad.
Again we have a witch from the North being the villain. But the writing is consistent and has the same style with the rest of the books, which for me is pleasant and easy to read.
Ένα Μαύρο Κοράκι by Diane Setterfield
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I liked the story a lot, but what I would like to know from the blurb, which is not a spoiler, is that our protagonist is a workaholic and living calculator. It's complicated, I enjoyed the plot, but William's life was so sad for me. The ending didn't sit right with me either, I imagined something completely different, I personally didn't like it.
From the blurb, I thought Black would be more present as a character, but that's okay, I didn't like him that much anyway. At first, I thought I understood his part in the story, but in the end, I became completely confused with his purpose altogether.
This book, in its Greek version, was given to me as a gift for my eighteenth birthday by one of my best friends, but I read it three years and eleven months later.
Since I read this in another language, I can't really comment on the writer's writing style, but if you're Greek, DO NOT TAKE THE GREEK VERSION. Believe me, you'll suffer. The translation is word to word, not making sense most of the time, but if you read a few pages in a row you get used to it and learn to ignore the bad work of the translation.
From the blurb, I thought Black would be more present as a character, but that's okay, I didn't like him that much anyway. At first, I thought I understood his part in the story, but in the end, I became completely confused with his purpose altogether.
This book, in its Greek version, was given to me as a gift for my eighteenth birthday by one of my best friends, but I read it three years and eleven months later.
Since I read this in another language, I can't really comment on the writer's writing style, but if you're Greek, DO NOT TAKE THE GREEK VERSION. Believe me, you'll suffer. The translation is word to word, not making sense most of the time, but if you read a few pages in a row you get used to it and learn to ignore the bad work of the translation.