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gakatw's reviews
49 reviews
Assassins by Stephen Sondheim, John Weidman
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Absolutely CRAZY show, I listened to it and immediately knew I needed to read the libretto. Some roles felt like they could have been utilized a bit more, but I get it, there’s nine of them, and that’s hard to juggle. Overall, The way that Another National Anthem makes me feel, particularly, really sums up the entire show — it’s not “woohoo yeah!” And it’s not “these people are evil and I hate them.” It doesn’t feel like a moment of heroes or villains winning. It’s more of a sinking feeling where you understand the words but knowing where they’re coming from just makes you really sad. It’s a great score and a great script.
Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I always forget how knock-out amazing Sir Terry Pratchett’s books are until I’m 60% through reading one — now, that’s not to say that the first 60% is ever bad, it’s just that the final 40% is when you get whacked swiftly and repeatedly in the face with MORALS and ALLEGORIES and “HOLY SHIT” moments. The things this book had to say about who we allow to take power, what we as humans are willing to cheer on just to avoid thinking as individuals, was both potent and pertinent.
Aside from the crazy-insane-amazing allegories in this book, it’s just a well-written comedy. My favorite jokes were the face-palm stupid ones (e.g. the “Oblong Office” and “rathandled”). The building of characters’ comedic traits is done with such intelligence that I immediately knew what was going to happen when Vimes told Carrot to “throw the book at him.” 10/10 comedic payoff.
The last thing I’d like to talk about is the wonderful Lady Sybil Ramkin. Sybil, so far, is an extremely well-written female fantasy character, because she’s not a strong independent character in the way of “I’m not your damsel in distress” *kicks ass but prettily.* She’s just a character who’s written the same way as any other character — she exists outside of any consideration of standard tropes, not written just to prove some sort of stereotype wrong. And I love her. :)
Aside from the crazy-insane-amazing allegories in this book, it’s just a well-written comedy. My favorite jokes were the face-palm stupid ones (e.g. the “Oblong Office” and “rathandled”). The building of characters’ comedic traits is done with such intelligence that I immediately knew what was going to happen when Vimes told Carrot to “throw the book at him.” 10/10 comedic payoff.
The last thing I’d like to talk about is the wonderful Lady Sybil Ramkin. Sybil, so far, is an extremely well-written female fantasy character, because she’s not a strong independent character in the way of “I’m not your damsel in distress” *kicks ass but prettily.* She’s just a character who’s written the same way as any other character — she exists outside of any consideration of standard tropes, not written just to prove some sort of stereotype wrong. And I love her. :)
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
This book really highlighted a sort of endless cycle. When the Blackwood’s house burns down, Jackson could have written it so that the entire town came to their aid and saved their house, proving Merricat wrong about how cruel the outside is. Happy ending! But no, instead, after putting out the fire, they rejoice in the destruction of the house, ruining everything inside EXCEPT what they know they’ll have to pay for (the library books). This results in a repeat of the cycle: Merricat and Constance lock themselves up again, even tighter than before; their house becomes a fortress. A little bit of hope at the end came when villagers began bringing them food, which I think is one of the only pieces of genuine good. They don’t seem to expect anything in return, they just feel remorseful and want to apologize for the harm they did. It’s not an equal reparation for what they did, but it seems like the best they could do.
Another one of my favorite things about this book is how it’s written. Merricat’s narrative voice is so distinctive, and the way she focuses on certain things really shows the audience who she is as a character. I loved the way things were repeated through individual scenes and throughout the entire book (e.g. “I must be kinder to Uncle Julian”) and how they’d lend different meanings or have different impacts depending on the context. I just love Merricat’s internal dialogue, it really makes her truly odd decisions and habits seem even a little bit normal somehow.
Oh and I HATEDDDDD Charles. While the way Merricat and Connie and Uncle Julian lived obviously wasn’t normal and healthy, the way that he came in and thought he could assume some sort of patriarchal role automatically was SO irritating. He obviously only cared about what money he could squeeze out of them — when the fire happened, he brushed off questions about whether his family was out of the house and safe, but kept whinging about the safe like a little baby. And when he returned at the end, he clearly, again, only wanted to get in the house to retrieve the valuables. I just wanted him to bugger off the whole time. Anyways, I think this is one of my new favorites, and I can’t wait to read more Shirley Jackson, because I think she’s just my style.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“The library books were still on the shelf, untouched, and I supposed that no one had wanted to touch books belonging to the library; there was a fine, after all, for destroying library property.”
This book really highlighted a sort of endless cycle.
Another one of my favorite things about this book is how it’s written. Merricat’s narrative voice is so distinctive, and the way she focuses on certain things really shows the audience who she is as a character. I loved the way things were repeated through individual scenes and throughout the entire book (e.g. “I must be kinder to Uncle Julian”) and how they’d lend different meanings or have different impacts depending on the context. I just love Merricat’s internal dialogue, it really makes her truly odd decisions and habits seem even a little bit normal somehow.
Oh and I HATEDDDDD Charles. While the way Merricat and Connie and Uncle Julian lived obviously wasn’t normal and healthy, the way that he came in and thought he could assume some sort of patriarchal role automatically was SO irritating. He obviously only cared about what money he could squeeze out of them —
Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
4.25
I am so so so happy to be reading a Ronan Lynch spinoff! 10/10 Ms Stiefvater knows what we want. I really enjoyed this book! I liked getting to know more about Declan, the writing was probably some of Stiefvater’s best imo, and Farooq-Lane and Parsifal’s dynamic, was, I think, my favorite new addition to the Raven Cycle world. I found the ending a bit rushed and odd (although I can’t really say much until I read the next book in the series), but other than that it was a great read!
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.75
Wow, I can’t believe I’ve finished with The Raven Cycle! I’m so excited to start on the Dreamer trilogy. I thought that this book was just great. The pacing was done really well, and you know your girl was ecstatic over Ronan and Adam. And Blue and Gansey ofc.
I think that the part at the end about Noah’s spirit speaking to Gansey all those years ago, the final thing he had to do before passing on… that was a really great moment.
The villain’s POV definitely didn’t get as much done with it as the previous books, but ngl, I’m not totally complaining, because I think Piper and Laumonier were the least engaging villains of the four books.
My only criticism is minor: some aspects that were really important in the first books (e.g. the tree visions) were kind of brushed aside in a way that made sense plot-wise but didn’t seem like it was always the plan. Almost like a ret-con, or like threads just needed to be tied up post-haste.
Overall, here is my ranking of the books:
4. Blue Lily, Lily Blue (Book 3)
3. The Raven King (Book 4)
2. The Raven Boys (Book 1)
1. The Dream Thieves (Book 2)
The villain’s POV definitely didn’t get as much done with it as the previous books, but ngl, I’m not totally complaining, because I think Piper and Laumonier were the least engaging villains of the four books.
My only criticism is minor: some aspects that were really important in the first books
Overall, here is my ranking of the books:
4. Blue Lily, Lily Blue (Book 3)
3. The Raven King (Book 4)
2. The Raven Boys (Book 1)
1. The Dream Thieves (Book 2)
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
WOOHOO! I think I enjoyed this book a bit less than the previous one, but it was wonderful nonetheless! The writing was particularly witty (I have sooo many good comedic quotes in my quote book), and also Jesse Dittley is my new best friend. I am curious as to why we didn’t get to see the result of Adam’s court case with his father. I hope justice was served. Also, I get that Greenmantle’s superevil, but like, Jesus Christ, Adam. That envelope shit was WILD. Also kinda crazy to ask Ronan to bring that sort of stuff back from his dreams. I missed having Ronan’s perspective :( but that’s just a me issue ig
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
inspiring
sad
medium-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
5.0
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
medium-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
5.0
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Read for my AP Lit class — not something I’d usually pick up on my own, but a good, well-written book!
Christmas Days: Twelve Stories by
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I rented this book from Libby because I had some holiday crafting to get done and this was one of the only Christmas audiobooks still available — and I really enjoyed it! There were some stories I didn’t like as much, but my five-star stories are Spirit of Christmas, Dark Christmas, and The Glow-Heart. The narration in the audiobook was very well-done, and Imogen Church’s delivery reminded me of a character from The Magnus Archives (either Melanie or Georgie). Dark Christmas in particular felt just like listening to a TMA episode.