annekawithane's reviews
75 reviews

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini

Go to review page

adventurous reflective 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

4.0

If Eldest was the forging of the sword, then Brisingr is the wielding of the blade. 

Book 3 in the Inheritance Cycle continues at a continuous pace. Both Eragon and Roran, as our main POVs, start stepping up and filling out their respective leadership and positions as they are thrown in new environments and situations. Not without a little push back though. We get some insight into the culture of the dwarves this time around too. 

This book marches at a steady beat, but felt like I was waiting for this war to build. I understand wars can take years, decades even, but this one is very one sided. While we spend time with the dwarves, and the elves the previous book, it doesn’t feel like we accumulating to something. Like I’m enjoying putting together a jigsaw puzzle, but I’m not aware of what the completed picture is. I believe part is because we’ve seen very little of the other side, specifically Galbatorix. We seen his hired/enslaved help: razac, shade, magician, and previously the urgals. All of which seem like their cruel or hardened personality and culture have been around since before Galbatorix’s rise. We get one glimpse at the end of this book, but not enough. 

Aside, Paolini’s writing remains consistent- a breath of levelheadedness, and I’m immediately starting book 4. 
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

Go to review page

hopeful 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

4.0

This was a cute, cozy fantasy novel along the likes of Legends and Lattes. 

A reclusive librarian, with her sentient spider plant, Caz, must flee the library when the rebels begin to burn the library. Now settling on the island of her childhood home, she must contend with fending for herself armed only with spell books (that legally she isn’t allowed to use) and her inexperience with socialization. 

I was interested in the easy world & its magic conflicts and the island residents that Durst created. It’s an island that I would want to stay on. Caz is my favorite character and now I just want my plants to talk to me too. 

I will admit it took me a while to warm up to Kiela. While we are both introverts, but I believe my issue lied in repetitively being told that she doesn’t want to interact with people nor be caught in illegal acts every few paragraphs in the first half of this book.  

I was satisfied by the end, but I did find it some threads rushed (e.i a randomly thrown in romance pairing) and a bit plot convenient. 

There is an in-universe standalone sequel (featuring Caz’s creator) coming so I’m interested in seeing where this goes. 
Eldest by Christopher Paolini

Go to review page

adventurous 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

4.5

I really enjoyed this one. The world Paolini created becomes more developed and political in book 2 of the Inheritance Cycle. Paolini takes many a thread left in Eragon and develops them into themes of bias, emotional and cognitive growth, leadership, and strength. Again, I have to praise his writing because it reads with a mature weight that I’ve taken to. 

We are introduced to two new POVs. The main is Roran, Eragon’s cousin, where we see what happens in Carvahall once Eragon leaves the valley. I enjoyed the alternative perspective—now that Eragon is of elevated status—and seeing Roran develop from a miller’s assistant to leader in each hurtle the town is thrown into. You get to learn more of Alagaësia from the worm eye point of view. The other is Nasuada, daughter of Ajihad, as she has to navigate the inner and outer politics of the Varden. You really get the world building from all sides and species in this book. 

We spend a large portion of the book with Eragon, as he travels to the hidden cities of the Elves to continue his trainings. This is where the plot slows, which could be a deterrent to some. I alternated between audiobook (majority) and my physical copy so I didn’t personally mind. Eragon continues to make a number of blunders and mistakes, some that have large results, that he does learn from. You start to see him process and reflect on his words and actions before and after he speaks. 

I was aware of two big reveals from the start from a short lived attempted read in elementary school and the internet, but that didn’t inhibit my excitement for this book. 
Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Go to review page

  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved the Eragon movie as a kid to the point where I was reenacting Arya’s scenes. Having only made it through 1 chapter of Eldest back in elementary school, I thought it was high time to restart reading this series. Thank you EmmaSkies and Christopher Paolini himself for finally pushing me to resume my journey into Alagaësia. 

With only my knowledge of the movie plot (& the first chapter of Eldest) I got to start anew which made this read exciting for me. Learning more about the world as well as the “true” lore & personalities of the characters enriched my intrigue. I liked getting to see Murtagh and Eragon’s relationship grow having realized how little we saw of Murtagh’s character in the movie. I’m excited to the son of Morzan’s character arc later in this series knowing 1 spoiler and having been team Murgagh since elementary school. 

The world that Paolini wrote has the standard blueprints of a fantasy novel (elves, dwarves, dragons, galore) that while is easy to understand—it is young adult—it has a level of matureness and realism that felt refreshing. I have to commend 15 year old Paolini for penning and promoting this novel, first self-published, then traditionally. He planted the seeds in the world building and story foundation at a young age that I’m seeing evolved having started the second book. 

One of the realism points is awarded to Eragon’s growth. This boy made mistakes often enough that it didn’t feel repetitive or annoying, but from a place where he learned from it. His growth and his strengthening bond with Sephira was believable. 

The plot is straightforward and while not as nail biting as it is mainly traveling, I am looking forward to the next four books! 
The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop

Go to review page

informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
Kelly Bishop delivers a straight-to-the-point memoir—much like her personality it appears—about her career and life in the arts. Having only recognizably known Bishop through Gilmore Girls from my first watch in 2021, I enjoyed learning about her start in ballet to professional dancer to actress. Despite being a part of the musical theatre crowd, I didn’t realize she was in several large musicals/plays on Broadway namely A Chorus Line, a show I’m not as familiar with cast wise. She does delve into some more personal topics that do appear as important moments in her life. It’s a quick memoir that covers her 80 years without going too deep into reflection and analysis. She equally balances the large spotlights in her career without leaning too much into one film credit. 

Kelly Bishop, narrates her own audiobook, a characterization I’ve enjoyed in the (celebrity) memoirs I’ve read as of late. Her narration remained consistent. 
Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Thank you St. Martins Press, Wednesday Books, and Net Galley for this digital arc. All opinions are my own.  

“My love for you could fill an ocean, Evelyn…but it can’t stop the tide of time.”**

Laura Steven creates lyrical love story that spans centuries.

Arden and Evelyn’s unique relationship caught my eye immediately, and I could sense their connection and sense of self through their interactions, past and present, with the crutch of  being under 18 for centuries. Seeing them in current day grounded the characters while the flashbacks to previous lives gave more characterization. The alternation in storytelling flowed seamlessly. I could get an idea of who these characters were and are. Their story felt the most developed and a strength on Stern’s part. 

I also enjoyed Stern’s prose. It is more romantic and lyrical in this novel compared to a previous work of her’s I’ve read. I think this is something a lot of romance readers are going to enjoy. My one note was “pyramid scheme” got very repetitive in a later chapter. 

Midway through the book, I developed a sense of wanting more. After some reflection, I think some of it came from wanting to discover more about Arden and Evelyn outside of their discovering of each other and their inescapable demise in every life. I could tell some of the flashbacks were specific for development, while others felt repetitive after a while. Differentiation or sitting in different life longer could have evolved these characters individually and shown the evolution of their relationship.  

I’m still trying to decipher how I felt about the ending. The concept was intriguing but also one aspect changed abruptly that changed some of the initial perceived themes. Not sure how the last chapter happened given the ending yet. The ending felt on the younger side of YA. 

**A quote I liked, that could be edited in the final edition. 
Grave Matter by Karina Halle

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense 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? Yes

3.0

Thank you Karina Halle for the digital arc access provided to my book club. All opinions are my own. 

Karina Halle nails the spooky atmosphere in this thriller dark romance involving a mysterious internship on an isolated island. With odd flora and scary fauna, I could feel and imagine the setting through Halle’s descriptions and the scenes within the story. It goes on the line of is this real or in the head of our main character, Sydney. 

That being said, I did have a hard time “believing” in this book. Aside from the setting, I felt like I was constantly being told something is wrong with this place or Sydney was “special”, without any depth added to justify or counter some claims. The internship and secondary characters felt the least developed as these interns didn’t grow beyond their initial descriptions nor did anything lasting (on page) happen in regard to their internship. The characters themselves said they weren’t doing anything. I wasn’t too connected in the romance either especially from what we learn of the main character and the whole ethics of being a therapist (as I’m in a parallel field). The writing style also felt more young adult/juvenile for my preference. 

I have mixed feelings about the reveals at the end. I only guessed part of the answer and I found the idea promising; what was hard for me was acknowledging the foreshadowing with its execution. Some of the foreshadowing, which later made sense, read as (research) errors initially and underdeveloped ideas. A reread or more time to process, may lessen this conflict. Again, I felt showing the why or how of this characters and setting could have added more understanding and impact to the end. 

Overall, a read perfect for October.  
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted mysterious 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

4.25

Round two of loving Allison Saft’s writing!! This was a soft historical fantasy with lots of fun, flowers, and needles. There was a nice balance between the politics, the pending marriage, building of friendships, and yearning; the conclusion felt cleanly wrapped up for a stand alone, like a well stitched garment. Saft’s writing advice of not overweighing readers with  mystery stones is evident here in how she built the story. There’s were hints and reveals that I picked up that kept my interest throughout the novel.

I fell in love with all the characters. I think Saft’s strength is creating dynamic characters. Watching everyone build connections and friendship I think let to rounded primary and secondary characters and relationships. 

The one plot point I did want to learn more about was Niemh’s illness. 
A Wilderness of Stars by Shea Ernshaw

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

A Wilderness of Stars had a promising premise. Vega, the last astronomer, after seeing the fated twin stars in the sky, must find the last architect to be able to reach the sea. Shea builds a foundation in description and intriguing characters; however, the mystery that pulled me in, became its biggest weakness. I think this book could have used several more drafts/edits as its world-building and characterization fell very flat. I wanted to know more about Vega, the people she encounters, and this world plagued by sickness.But as we are traveling these lands, the world is never explained. All the characters are secretive or they don’t full understand their role, and while this played well in the beginning,  the extended period lessened my interest and connection to the characters. We’re only given glimpses into the motivations of these characters and limited meaningful interactions. The romance felt instantaneous. I had a difficult time placing the genre while reading as it felt sci-fi, western, dystopian, and historical given the blankness. Answers only started happening at about 77% into the book, and unfortunately, those reveals and Shea’s classic *twist* at the end only further added to my questions. The reasoning behind anyone’s decision didn’t make sense.  

I loved the previous Shea Ernshaw books I have read, (Winterwood, Wicked Deep, and The History of Wild Places) and I am looking forward to her next two books. Unfortunately, I feel this was Shea’s weakest novel. 
Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25