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apollinares's reviews
223 reviews
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
It was fun seeing how the Miyazaki film (which I'm a fan of) differed from the source material, and where it got its inspiration!
As a standalone narrative, a little convoluted, but still very fun.
As a standalone narrative, a little convoluted, but still very fun.
The Grief of Stones by Katherine Addison
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I enjoyed this book, much like its predecessor, largely due to my love for what I've dubbed "Thara Celehar in situations". Addison could put him in any situation, place the manuscript in front of me, and I'd love it all the same.
To my own detriment, I cannot engage with this series critically! I love Thara (and Iäna, and Merrem Tomasaran, and Anora, and all of them really) too much.
To my own detriment, I cannot engage with this series critically! I love Thara (and Iäna, and Merrem Tomasaran, and Anora, and all of them really) too much.
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A fun, if a little predictable at times, continuation of Alex Stern's story. Where else is there to go but hell?
Also how is Alex still passing her classes?
Also how is Alex still passing her classes?
Vita Nostra by Sergey Dyachenko, Marina Dyachenko
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Oh my god, this book.
I can't explain it, or describe what I felt while reading it. At times, I grappled with it, both because I haven't read a book in my native language since 2017 (but I'm of the opinion that translations always, always pale in comparison to their originals, no matter how good, so here I am, picking it apart in Russian), and because my brain wouldn't cooperate with some of the concepts presented in it. But I loved every moment. I thought of this book when I wasn't reading it, and my dreams were full of it these past few weeks.
I will say, there is something about the Russian-language version that made it a much more engaging read for me. I got the humor; I related to the mundanity. I've experienced a summer in Crimea followed by an autumn in Moscow, and this familiarity, this connection - from the very start of the book - with Sasha's own life made me understand her as a protagonist a lot better than if I'd read it in English.
As an aside, it's nothing like Harry Potter - I don't know why it's marketed that way. If anything, the metamorphosis at the crux of the book would give transphobic Rowling an aneurysm.
I can't explain it, or describe what I felt while reading it. At times, I grappled with it, both because I haven't read a book in my native language since 2017 (but I'm of the opinion that translations always, always pale in comparison to their originals, no matter how good, so here I am, picking it apart in Russian), and because my brain wouldn't cooperate with some of the concepts presented in it. But I loved every moment. I thought of this book when I wasn't reading it, and my dreams were full of it these past few weeks.
I will say, there is something about the Russian-language version that made it a much more engaging read for me. I got the humor; I related to the mundanity. I've experienced a summer in Crimea followed by an autumn in Moscow, and this familiarity, this connection - from the very start of the book - with Sasha's own life made me understand her as a protagonist a lot better than if I'd read it in English.
As an aside, it's nothing like Harry Potter - I don't know why it's marketed that way. If anything, the metamorphosis at the crux of the book would give transphobic Rowling an aneurysm.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I've been a fan of Bardugo since her Grishaverse trilogy, and this book is no exception. I love her writing style! I love these characters! I love that the inspiration for the world unravelling within Ninth House is real secret societies at Yale, and the multifaceted conversation that can be had about what being a student there entails!
Unnatural Magic by C.M. Waggoner
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I'll echo what some other reviews on here have said; Onna's shoulders must hurt terribly after carrying the whole story on her back. Find the girl a good chiropractor stat!
I wish I'd enjoyed this audiobook more, but mostly I spent it waiting for it to be over. I read it fast because I wanted to finish it and move on, not because I was enjoying it.
I found the characterization - flimsy, the random lore drops - boring and confusing, and the plot's setup - much stronger than its payoff.
I wish I'd enjoyed this audiobook more, but mostly I spent it waiting for it to be over. I read it fast because I wanted to finish it and move on, not because I was enjoying it.
I found the characterization - flimsy, the random lore drops - boring and confusing, and the plot's setup - much stronger than its payoff.
A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
There were definitely the beginnings of a good story here - magic I would have wanted to know more about, a compelling setting, a rivals-to-lovers dynamic I normally love. But none of it felt fully fleshed out; I wish more would have been done with this story.
Jack and Adaira moved on from their childhood enmity far too quickly, Jack seemed to have no qualms aboutleaving a 10-year life behind on the mainland , and the supporting cast was just... So boring. Also, it didn't feel as though the conflict was well developed, with characters' reactions appearing very disproportionate to what was happening a lot of the time.
Overall, I just wanted more from every aspect of this story, but found myself disappointed.
Jack and Adaira moved on from their childhood enmity far too quickly, Jack seemed to have no qualms about
Overall, I just wanted more from every aspect of this story, but found myself disappointed.
The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A well-paced book, albeit with a rushed ending, that I enjoyed regardless (even if it took me a good 6 months to work through).
Even if he wouldn't agree with me, Celehar makes for a compelling protagonist. He's so sad! I love him!
Even if he wouldn't agree with me, Celehar makes for a compelling protagonist. He's so sad! I love him!
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I feel like this book will stick with me for a long time. Though aspects have not aged so well, most of it holds up in 2024 and is just as thought-provoking for a modern audience.
Charlie's intellectual development is incredibly well written, explored through his progress reports to be gradual enough for the audience not to notice until suddenly he's writing in complex sentences and has a rich inner monologue. The book fluently describes, in the latter half, the fear many have of becoming disabled/senile, and addresses it in a way I haven't encountered in fiction very often.
Charlie's intellectual development is incredibly well written, explored through his progress reports to be gradual enough for the audience not to notice until suddenly he's writing in complex sentences and has a rich inner monologue. The book fluently describes, in the latter half, the fear many have of becoming disabled/senile, and addresses it in a way I haven't encountered in fiction very often.
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I've been holding off on this book, and I have no idea why, because now that I finished it I think it's so dang good!
Well-paced, beautifully written, and all-around enchanting, I ESPECIALLY enjoyed the narrative choices as they relate to the multi-POV recounting of events. Novik knew exactly whose eyes to see through at what time, to make as poignant and powerful a story as can be.
I could recognise a lot of the fairytales that went into it as inspiration, too, and that gave the story a unique sort of nostalgic feeling. And I thought the audiobook was very well performed.
Well-paced, beautifully written, and all-around enchanting, I ESPECIALLY enjoyed the narrative choices as they relate to the multi-POV recounting of events. Novik knew exactly whose eyes to see through at what time, to make as poignant and powerful a story as can be.
I could recognise a lot of the fairytales that went into it as inspiration, too, and that gave the story a unique sort of nostalgic feeling. And I thought the audiobook was very well performed.