campbelltaral's reviews
740 reviews

Well, it ends on a bloody hook that worked. I liked and hated it, the latter especially when about 2/3 of the way in I felt like the fixation on the non-main antagonist was just so weird. But there's enough I liked that I'll look forward to the next book in the series. I'm expecting a big ballooning of mind-blowing plot though. 

Happily continued into the Grishaverse with some of my favorite characters, the story was good up until the realization that the new antagonists weren't the main ones. I liked the character development, especially with Zoya, though.

Solid adventures, interesting cast, and a broader explanation of the magic and political conflicts. The middle sagged quite a bit with this one but I'm thoroughly invested in the story and characters (who doesn't adore Mr. Grant?!). The ending wrapped up some things that risked dragging the story down, but also launched an irresistible hook for the next book.

If you're single and you're happy, read this book! 

It's so refreshing to come across a body of work that validates your lived experience and philosophy in life. The author is an expert researcher on the topic as well as a "single at heart" herself and brings a lot of insight into the data that is coming out at a faster and faster rate. People who enjoy being single are much happier, more altruistic, and do more for their communities than couples and unhappily single people (those seeking a partner). The data throws all the stereotypes and misconceptions about single people out the window.

I had a good chuckle at the quiz in chapter 1: I'm the definition of single at heart.

A fun take on the world of fae and humans. I love that the protagonist is a 30 something researcher from Cambridge; studious, driven, and socially inept. The counterbalance is hilarious, charming, and completely infuriating. There is an obligatory romantic element but it's minimal and buried well below the overarching plot. Overall, a great fantasy with interesting characters.

The writing wasn't bad, I'm just tired of stories based on 50s and 60s era women's oppression. I went into this thinking it was more fantasy, less Atwood pseudo-realty.

Highly recommend this book to everyone. You know that sense of knowing something but it only comes to you after you've had it blatantly pointed out and demonstrated? This book is a lot like that for me. 

What's so amazing is how the author (Ury) takes examples from his time mediating high-stakes (worldwide catastrophes in the balance) situations with unbelievable leadership egos and power struggles, and those as relatable to the average person such as disputes after the death of a family member, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the basic principles he has developed. 

People who are used to objective training or outsider perspective taking, so much of this is going to resonate with you. For others who are high passion, in the moment types, this is an excellent book to learn how to take the necessary step back during conflict.

(Audiobook version is fantastic)

DNF but also not the target demographic for this book. While a young protagonist all hot and bothered by attractive women checks out, a late teen boy having the maturity and foresight the author gives him, doesn't. I've added a star for the gritty setting and interesting premise--it's why I wanted to read the book in the first place. The story would have worked for me had the protagonist been older, even just by five years. 

On a whim, picked this off the new arrival shelf at the library, forcing myself to ignore the warning bells activated by the presence of a Dave Ramsey forward. I also only read the jacket blurb which is a mistake because the chill, collected description doesn't read anything like the book at all.

Instead, the book reads like an ADHD salesman pitching the most "for sure!" deal of the century. The first two chapters set off my anxiety, which was possibly an intentional move to make the subsequent reading feel affective. Short, punchy lines abound. On top of that, the author uses footnotes to put in further personal exposition, mostly trying to be witty or adding "color" but really it made it feel like that breathless guy who hasn't taken time to think something through, just shootin' from the hip. Trust me! I gotchu on this one, pal. Pew Pew, finger pistols, wink wink.

To be fair, I don't doubt his knowledge about the topic; you don't get through grad school completely ignorant of your field. A lot of what he's saying makes sense, and he does make the content accessible to the average reader, but he swung too far away from the academic and scientific standards. Because of the super salesman style, the book feels like a ploy to make money, not really help people. The author's picture plastered on the cover is another clue.