ilikemandos's reviews
91 reviews

Star Wars: Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear by Alexander Freed

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

A fascinating incursion into the politics of post-Clone Wars Coruscant, Alexander Freed’s latest publication shows us the different attitudes towards the emergence of a well disguised dictatorship, as adopted by characters of various backgrounds and moral dispositions.

I think the primary known characters (Mon Mothma, Bail Organa and Saw Gerrera) were depicted in a manner consistent with their on-screen presence, while Freed’s original characters were likewise fairly well developed. The story itself provides some interesting commentary on the nature of democracy and authoritarianism, and on what forms legitimate (or possibly illegitimate) resistance can take, as well as a worthy dramatic framework for these conversations. However, as with most (if not all) Star Wars books, I do not know if I would read it without the SW connections. The prose is fairly simple and the ideas can be explored elsewhere. Alas, the work is fun and engaging (and enhances other Star Wars projects) so I think an 8.5/10 is appropriate. I certainly look forward to the next books in this trilogy!
Cea mai frumoasă poveste. Câteva adevăruri simple despre istoria românilor by Adrian Cioroianu

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informative reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.0

The Universe in Verse: 15 Portals to Wonder through Science & Poetry by Maria Popova

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.0

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

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adventurous dark funny informative lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing 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

4.5

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

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adventurous emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing 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

4.0

Lumea Majestății Sale. Jubileul Custodelui Coroanei Române by Alexandru Muraru

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informative inspiring reflective fast-paced
Awakening by Brandon Sanderson

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-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

3.25

The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky

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dark funny informative reflective sad tense 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

4.5

The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

What a fascinating tale about a man trying to rationalise his illness and slow, painful death. I suppose many or most of us will inevitably share at least some of Ivan Ilyich’s unfortunate experience.
Murder Under The Mistletoe by Richard Coles

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dark funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Were I not familiar with the author, I would probably give this a lower score. I don’t quite know what to make of the story, but I’ll say I appreciate the insight into the English Christmas and, overall, reading the book was a pleasant experience.