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meliemelo's reviews
2267 reviews

Fellow Travelers by Thomas Mallon

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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.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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emotional inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Absolutely amazing. Will definitely reread it.
A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

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adventurous emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

 A very good finale, with a lot happening, at a much faster pace than the previous two volumes 
One Piece (Omnibus Edition), Vol. 9: Includes Vols. 25, 26 & 27 by Eiichiro Oda

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adventurous funny slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Highlights include the bonfire moment (any moment when they act like a family really) and Mihawk.
Les Trois Mousquetaires : Tome 1 by Alexandre Dumas

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

3.75

Une (re)lecture très amusante - j'ai particulièrement apprécié comment Dumas tourne au ridicule ses personnages principaux dès le début, ce qui n'empêche en rien de s'attacher à eux. Cela donne une première partie drôle, avec quand même la part d'intrigue et d'action associée au roman, ainsi que des dialogues très vifs.
A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

A good second volume overall, although there is a lot of set-up before things actually get started. It was nice to finally get to meet Alucard, and I enjoyed the <i>Essen Tasch</i>.
The Mandalorian and Child by Jeffrey Brown

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funny lighthearted

2.0

Cute but not transcendent.
One Piece (Omnibus Edition), Vol. 8: Includes Vols. 22, 23 & 24 by Eiichiro Oda

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adventurous funny slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

2.25

Baroque works never managed to interest me in the same way that the East Blue saga did. The multiplication of side character doesn't help (and I know it's only going to get worse). I am looking forward to more Robin however.
Critical Role: Vox Machina — Kith & Kin by Marieke Nijkamp

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.25

It's my first time reading one of the Critical Role books and it was quite fun! The twins were well-written and I really enjoyed this insight into their past (the Syngorn parts made me want to rewatch the "Lady Vex'ahlia" clip).
Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan

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informative sad medium-paced

3.25

Devoured in a matter of hours, as often with Sarah Crossan's work. As it was on my phone (thanks to the library ebooks) I did lose a bit of the typography as some of the verses were not as clearly delimited, but overall it still worked.

I was a bit apprehensive of the romance, but overall it was treated carefully and delicately, with consideration for how unbalanced it was. I still felt a lot of dread for Nell, but thankfully the text seemed to mostly recognise that and address it. I wouldn't say it totally works for me in the end, but it does a pretty good job at attempting it.

I really appreciated the rest, the very real account of the Great Famine. And, of course, the verses, and how they organised and displayed text and feelings.