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meliemelo's reviews
2267 reviews
In: A Graphic Novel by Will McPhail
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Interesting art and pretty nice overall, although I would disagree to some extent with the idea that only "meaningful" conversation leads to a connection.
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
I was really happy to discover that even though I had accidentally read the sequel (<i>The Fragile Threads of Power</i>), this had plenty of surprises in store for me!
I really enjoy this universe and its characters - although I may be biased since I know what becomes of them and have seen them more shaped out. The twins were great antagonists and I am really intrigued by Holland.
I really enjoy this universe and its characters - although I may be biased since I know what becomes of them and have seen them more shaped out. The twins were great antagonists and I am really intrigued by Holland.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
A lovely little book, that does feel too short - I understand that there is a sequel, but I feel (although that might change once I get my hands on said sequel) the two books might have been combined into one.
A Mind Full of Murder by Derek Landy
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
I enjoyed the shift to a detective story and a sort of smaller scale. The writing, dialogues especially, doesn't appeal to me as much as it used to (maybe because it feels a bit too much of a trick?). Skulduggery in perticular was a bit grating in his all-powerful-intelligence-ness.
One conversation about a character being trans was... well-intentioned, for sure, but came off quite ham-fisted and not the best way to phrase things. I don't know if Derek Landy used a sensitivity reader but it might be an idea for future tomes? I get that that dialogue was handled as "this is the way the author does dialogues and so many of his characters speak that way" but in this instance there are other, less clumsy ways the topic could have been brought about.
At least the plot was more self-contained while providing interesting hooks for "phase 3" as a whole, and it gives me more confidence in the future of the series.
One conversation about a character being trans was... well-intentioned, for sure, but came off quite ham-fisted and not the best way to phrase things. I don't know if Derek Landy used a sensitivity reader but it might be an idea for future tomes? I get that that dialogue was handled as "this is the way the author does dialogues and so many of his characters speak that way" but in this instance there are other, less clumsy ways the topic could have been brought about.
At least the plot was more self-contained while providing interesting hooks for "phase 3" as a whole, and it gives me more confidence in the future of the series.
The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
First, I thought this was a sequel and didn't pick it up. Then I read it was the first book in a series. Finally, halfway through, I found out both these statements were true.
I have to say, not having read A Darker Shade of Magic didn't damper my enjoyment for this book,nor did it make it difficult to understand. The author made sure there was enough information to go by.
I really enjoyed the world as well as the characters, even though most of the plot seems to be a setup for bigger things to come. I will read the first trilogy as soon as I get the chance and definitely get the rest of this one.
I have to say, not having read A Darker Shade of Magic didn't damper my enjoyment for this book,nor did it make it difficult to understand. The author made sure there was enough information to go by.
I really enjoyed the world as well as the characters, even though most of the plot seems to be a setup for bigger things to come. I will read the first trilogy as soon as I get the chance and definitely get the rest of this one.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
3.5
This is exactly in the same line of "not actually good but definitely fun" as the first volume.
Do I care about the main couple and their relationship issues? Absolutely not. (although I am happy we were spared the traditional love triangle that normally pops up in the second book if it hasn't in the first)
Did I skip some paragraphs, if not entire scenes? Yup.
Did I enjoy my read? Definitely.
I did find it interesting that some things that would usually be in the third book of a trilogy (namely the second part of this one) was used to finish the second one instead. Also, not everything was entirely predictable, which I appreciated.
Do I care about the main couple and their relationship issues? Absolutely not. (although I am happy we were spared the traditional love triangle that normally pops up in the second book if it hasn't in the first)
Did I skip some paragraphs, if not entire scenes? Yup.
Did I enjoy my read? Definitely.
I did find it interesting that some things that would usually be in the third book of a trilogy (namely the second part of this one) was used to finish the second one instead. Also, not everything was entirely predictable, which I appreciated.
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
An interesting story that didn't grip me as much as other Leigh Bardugo books, but was still very good. I enjoyed the setting and really, really liked having a nuanced, flawed protagonist and how that flaw was treated in the text. Some content warnings as usual with Bardugo's adult work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
A Darker Shade of Noir: New Stories of Body Horror by Women Writers by Joyce Carol Oates
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
I must admit I was a little disappointed overall. With one (very memorable) exception (that perhaps went even too far for my taste), the stories weren't creepy enough for me, I expected more chills and gruesomeness.
I did appreciate the variety of perspectives and ideas, including on the definition of body horror, but I guess most of it wasn't what I expected.
I did appreciate the variety of perspectives and ideas, including on the definition of body horror, but I guess most of it wasn't what I expected.
Whalefall by Daniel Kraus
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What an amazing, breathtaking read. I was hooked right from the start.
This is a very different kind of initiatory journey, and there are various things to love, from the complicated family relationships to intense moments of body horror, all through very short chapters that do make it quite hard to put the book down. A lot of fascinating facts about the ocean and its inhabitants as well. As pointed out by others, it did remind me of <i>The Martian</i>, but with quite a different tone.
Also, I am pretty sure this is the only books where I have gone so starkly from "oh I hope they make a good movie adaptation of this, it would be great" to "actually I wouldn't have the stomach to watch it"!
This is a very different kind of initiatory journey, and there are various things to love, from the complicated family relationships to intense moments of body horror, all through very short chapters that do make it quite hard to put the book down. A lot of fascinating facts about the ocean and its inhabitants as well. As pointed out by others, it did remind me of <i>The Martian</i>, but with quite a different tone.
Also, I am pretty sure this is the only books where I have gone so starkly from "oh I hope they make a good movie adaptation of this, it would be great" to "actually I wouldn't have the stomach to watch it"!
One Piece (Omnibus Edition), Vol. 7: Includes Vols. 19, 20 & 21 by Eiichiro Oda
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.75
Little plot advancement beyond battles in this one, although there are cool moments.