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eggmeg's reviews
103 reviews
Troy: The Siege of Troy Retold by Stephen Fry
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I HAVE NO WORDS! It just kept twisting and turning and there were SO MANY twists I LOVED IT SO MUCH!!! The characters were all so well written (as was the book as a whole) and the magic system was so intriguing!
All the Young Dudes by MsKingBean89
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
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The Gospel of Loki by Joanne M. Harris
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
While not the best retelling of Norse Mythology out there, it has to be one of the most fun. It was interesting to read the myths from a different perspective, and Loki made for a captivating narrator.
However, A LOT of the gods and goddesses felt very oversimplified (I've always loved Sigyn but HATED how she was portrayed in this book). Additionally there was a lot of modernisation thrown in that didn't really work for me. Both of these points are just personal opinion though, and I can see how they may not bother some people.
I did genuinely enjoy this book overall. I found it to be a quick, lighthearted(ish) book, and I wouldn't say it disappointed.
However, A LOT of the gods and goddesses felt very oversimplified (I've always loved Sigyn but HATED how she was portrayed in this book). Additionally there was a lot of modernisation thrown in that didn't really work for me. Both of these points are just personal opinion though, and I can see how they may not bother some people.
I did genuinely enjoy this book overall. I found it to be a quick, lighthearted(ish) book, and I wouldn't say it disappointed.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I don't normally read romance, but I saw a lot of people recommend this book on Tik Tok so I thought I'd give it a go, and I'm so happy I did! Chloe and Red's relationship was so well written, and it was SO GOOD to see a POC, chronically ill main character. I also think Red's trauma was handled really well.
A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
This book was BEAUTIFUL!! Right from the start, the descriptions drew me in, and Ross did such a good job of truly making the Isle feel magical. The characters were very well written, with Adaira being my favourite (although it was hard to choose!). The major plot reveal was unexpected without being unbelievable, and worked really well with the story.
Sidra and Torin's relationship felt incredibly well fleshed out and I LOVED their love. Adaira and Jack's felt a little more rushed, and while I understand that it was necessary to the plot, it didn't quite feel right that they were supposedly childhood enemies, as I didn't ever really feel any animosity between them. However, this is a very minor issue.
I can't believe it ended like that, and I am definitely going to be sat here very (im)patiently waiting for the next one! I highly recommend this book!
I can't believe it ended like that, and I am definitely going to be sat here very (im)patiently waiting for the next one! I highly recommend this book!
Mythos by Stephen Fry
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This was such a fun book! So many Greek myth retellings out there can be a little dull, but this one felt like it didn't take itself too seriously and provided the perfect amount of humour as and when needed. Stephen Fry did an amazing job with this, and I can't wait to read Heroes and Troy as well.
Greek Myths: A New Retelling by Charlotte Higgins, Chris Ofili
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I really thought I'd love this a lot more than I did. I still enjoyed it, and Higgins' weaving of the myths together was beautiful, but it felt a little lacking. Some of the writing felt a tad basic (although that's mostly personal opinion), but the way many of the male characters were portrayed is what really let the book down.
Too many times, did it describe some terrible act performed by a male character, only to follow up with 'oh but he felt bad!' ESPECIALLY THE WAY AGAMEMNON WAS PORTRAYED??!! He sacrificed his own daughter, and instead of looking at Iphigenia's viewpoint, the story focuses on poor, poor Agamemnon, and how he must have been eaten alive by guilt. Never before have I seen him described in such a sympathetic way, and I never wish to again. For a book that's marketed as a feminist retelling, it couldn't focus less on the female characters.
Again, I still enjoyed the book, but it definitely wasn't the female centred feminist retelling I thought it was.
Again, I still enjoyed the book, but it definitely wasn't the female centred feminist retelling I thought it was.
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really wanted to love this book, but as a whole I didn't. The first two thirds or so felt like they dragged, and it took me way longer than it should have to get through. However, the last third had me hooked! The story suddenly picked up, and I found myself both loving and hating Vincent, and I found the ending pretty sad actually.
Unfortunately a great third doesn't quite make up for an average two thirds, but it did stop me finding it entirely boring.
Overall, still worth a read, you just have to stick with it.
Unfortunately a great third doesn't quite make up for an average two thirds, but it did stop me finding it entirely boring.
Overall, still worth a read, you just have to stick with it.
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
adventurous
challenging
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? No
4.0
I heard a lot of hype about this book last year, so I'd been wanting to read it for a while. And after a bit a slow beginning, I absolutely could not put it down. The story was so cleverly told, and I had to keep putting the book down, with my mouth open in shock, like 'whAT?!?!'
I would have given it an extra .25 stars, however I wasn't a huge fan of the ending. I ended up predicting most of it, which was a bit of a letdown, but that's just me personally.
All in all, I really enjoyed it. Definitely worth they hype.
I would have given it an extra .25 stars, however I wasn't a huge fan of the ending. I ended up predicting most of it, which was a bit of a letdown, but that's just me personally.
All in all, I really enjoyed it. Definitely worth they hype.