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meliemelo's reviews
2266 reviews
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I loved this even more than the first one. As usual with Becky Chambers books, I feel like I have been wrapped in a blanket and given a soothing cup of tea. Also that economic system is the best.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
I think I need to sit with this one a bit longer to fully be able to talk about it.
Right now, the things I can say I enjoyed were:
- the more experimental parts, especially "Both Sides"
- the obvious love for games
- the descriptions of the fictional games
- the complexity of the characters and relationships
- Marx (from his first appearance)
Apparently there is a movie in the works, I'm unsure if it will translate well. It's definitely a unique novel on various levels (ha!).
Right now, the things I can say I enjoyed were:
- the more experimental parts, especially "Both Sides"
- the obvious love for games
- the descriptions of the fictional games
- the complexity of the characters and relationships
- Marx (from his first appearance)
Apparently there is a movie in the works, I'm unsure if it will translate well. It's definitely a unique novel on various levels (ha!).
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
Absolutely not what I expected, having seen the musical first, and I wonder how many parents accidentally get this for their <i>Wicked</i>-obsessed child who is way to young for it - note that this isn't a criticism of the book nor of its author, I just find it funny.
On to the book, so. A lot of its dialogues read like theater, which I enjoyed but took some time getting used to, as the style in general. It is quite bleak overall, meant (to continue on the theater track) as a tragedy. The issue with that is that it is hard to appreciate a tragedy when you don't get attached to its characters, and here even wanting to sympathise with Elphaba proves difficult at times, while others (like plotlines) come in and out of the frame before you have had time to enjoy them.
All in all, it is well-written, I liked that it spanned decades, and I do recognise the fascinating task attempted by the author. It did leave me unsatisfied as everything crashes (not even really together) for the final act, but I am curious as to where the sequels will take me.
On to the book, so. A lot of its dialogues read like theater, which I enjoyed but took some time getting used to, as the style in general. It is quite bleak overall, meant (to continue on the theater track) as a tragedy. The issue with that is that it is hard to appreciate a tragedy when you don't get attached to its characters, and here even wanting to sympathise with Elphaba proves difficult at times, while others (like plotlines) come in and out of the frame before you have had time to enjoy them.
All in all, it is well-written, I liked that it spanned decades, and I do recognise the fascinating task attempted by the author. It did leave me unsatisfied as everything crashes (not even really together) for the final act, but I am curious as to where the sequels will take me.
Spinning by Tillie Walden
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
A very fast read that I thoroughly enjoyed and wasn't totally what I expected. I love the art, especially the choices of colour, simple and yet very expressive at time. A lot of the story made me quite emotional, you really feel for Tillie from the very start.
Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Well, this is bleak.
I'm still oddly fascinated, although I'm not certain that I would have kept going if I hadn't owned all four books already.
Same spirit as the first volume: things go badly, again and again. Characters lack hope and aren't very likeable. Things progress but not that much.
I'm still oddly fascinated, although I'm not certain that I would have kept going if I hadn't owned all four books already.
Same spirit as the first volume: things go badly, again and again. Characters lack hope and aren't very likeable. Things progress but not that much.
A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The big problem with this instalment is that it doesn't bring much to the series as a whole, except for some vague plot development that could have been dealt with within one chapter of book 4.
Also, I genuinely did not care about the Lion, which probably didn't help.
Also, I genuinely did not care about the Lion, which probably didn't help.
One Piece: Skypeia, Volume 28-30 by Eiichiro Oda
lighthearted
slow-paced
2.0
... I may have already forgotten most of what happened.... hopefully this arc will be over soon and I'll like the next one?
Anna O by Matthew Blake
dark
mysterious
2.0
I never got fully hooked. Quite repetitive, it manages to be both overconvoluted and predictable.
The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger
mysterious
medium-paced
2.5
A promising start (and middle) that unfortunately flops in an underwhelming finale.
Fellow Travelers by Thomas Mallon
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Reading this novel after watching the series, I can see how it made a fine blueprint for it. I'm not sure I like all the changes, but the widened perspective was definitely an improvement.
On the book itself, it relies heavily on the "historical" part of "historical fiction", with a lot of it being dialogues about 50s politics followed by lengthy explanations of said politics. Not an easy read by far, as the prose there is quite dense.
As for the romance side of it, it definitely isn't meant to be uplifting.
There are some beautiful lines here and there (most of which made it into the show, if not all of them), and I did enjoy having more of Mary's perspective. All in all, I wouldn't recommend it, unless you are extremely interested in late 50s politics.
On the book itself, it relies heavily on the "historical" part of "historical fiction", with a lot of it being dialogues about 50s politics followed by lengthy explanations of said politics. Not an easy read by far, as the prose there is quite dense.
As for the romance side of it, it definitely isn't meant to be uplifting.
There are some beautiful lines here and there (most of which made it into the show, if not all of them), and I did enjoy having more of Mary's perspective. All in all, I wouldn't recommend it, unless you are extremely interested in late 50s politics.