psychology4introverts's reviews
190 reviews

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Stopped at 12%. Great book, just a lot. Will pick it up some day. Paperback.
Sandry's Book by Tamora Pierce

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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 first book in another world of Tamora Pierce, Emelin. Like many other TP books, it‘s just a wonderful tale-like story, low stakes, but never boring or long-winded, always moving along in the perfect pace and you get as wrapped up in the story as a child. Because I didn‘t get any other versions, paper nor digital, I listened to the audio-book, and only realised at the end that the narrator was Tamora Pierce herself. Every character has a different voice actor in the recording and there are even sound effects, it is really really well done. At no point did I loose track of who was doing or saying what. After the end there is even a short interview with Tamora Pierce where she talks about how the circle of magic series came into existence in her fantasy - wonderful! I want to get them as paper books as well, but I‘m happy now I got the audio books and I‘ll continue with them for now. Another series of TP I‘ve fallen in love with. The woman is quickly approaching Anne McCaffrey status.
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-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

Book 3 sees Alanna coming into her own as a woman and with her magic. In quality the book continues the series admirably and it would be easy to just read it in one go, due to the masterful writing. For me it never got boring, although it again isn‘t a high stakes book, much more focused on Alanna‘s character development which is believable, logical and wonderful to experience. It‘s like you are getting to know a real person it‘s so well written. I definitely will get these in paper to read again and again. And now onto book 4, the last one.
In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing 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

Another 5 star read for the second book, which is rare. I‘m just flying through these books and enjoying them so much. The growth of Alanna and her friends is so great to read, so believable and consistent and just a joy to follow. The characters are so distinct, because yes not every teenager goes through typical teenager things, some are simply different and I love the fact that the usual drama is absent, it wouldn‘t fit in this world and the circumstances anyhow. Masterfully written, no world-end scenario needed to stay entertaining and immersive from beginning to end, hugely satisfying. 
Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

After stumbling over Tamora Pierce, this was the best first book to enter into one of her two worlds, Tortall. Alanna‘s story of her first three years as a page, acting as a boy were just wonderful to read, and Tamora‘s writing is so excellent that she could write about paint drying on the wall and you‘d still keep reading… it‘s the perfect fantasy story, no high world-changing stakes where another 13-year old saves the world, no, it‘s wonderfully logical within this world, and yet exciting and you can never wait to find out what happens next. It also lets you glimpse what lies ahead as it picks up excitement and a promise of more complex and riveting things to come. I‘ll want this as a paper book if I ever find a nice edition, I think I‘ll keep re-reading this.
Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious relaxing fast-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

I thoroughly and utterly enjoyed this book and will get it as Hardcover. It‘s a low-stakes masterfully told tale of three young mages who go through Mage University becoming best friends and face life together as they develop their own distinct personalities and destinies. There are many books claiming kin to Harry Potter, to me this is the closest to HP I‘ve read (and I focused on University-set stories this year). It‘s not for people who need high stakes and world saving events in every book, it‘s simply a story of how their friendship and their talents evolve, but without all the annoying (real life oriented) teenage drama - no. I loved the book also because it shows that it IS possible to have a friendship without drama, intrigue and deception. The most amazing thing is, that Tamora manages to STILL make the book a page-turner, simply because you are drawn in the their story and their world and lives and on each page you want to know what happens next, you feel like you are right there with them and you don‘t want to leave. It is true writing mastery. I‘ve utterly fallen in love with Tamora‘s writing style and hope she keeps it up through all her books.
Soul Taken by Patricia Briggs

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

3.5

Typical great Mercy book, if you are reading the series you are hooked. It's not great by itself, but it doesn't need to be. The dynamics between the well loved characters are entertainment enough. this is the one with the soul eater in form of a sickle, and the pack basically rescues the seethe. as usual I already know i'll read the next one. Best urban fantasy series out there. Briggs can write about a baking recipe and make it fun and entertaining to read.
The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan

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

3.25

It’s a great book for mothers. A nice sequel to the previous one which was really good. This one mostly mirrors the story from the first book in the series, only Zoe is a single mum, otherwise it’s basically the same. I enjoyed the audio book version, Eilidh Beaton does a great job with the different characters and the scottish accent. It was nice to listen to, if I had it as a book, I probably wouldn’t have had enough patience to finish it, as it was all very foreseeable.
The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

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

3.5

It's a cozy read, taking place in spring & summer in the highlands, and the nature descriptions are wonderful. It's about Nina starting over with a book shop in a van in the highlands and finding herself and her true love, cozy and quite foreseeable, yes, but a safe and easy read, especially when you love scotland.
The Christmas Castle in Scotland by Julie Caplin

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It’s the perfect book to read in the weeks leading up to Christmas. It’s got it all, including Edinburgh and the Highlands and romance on a level higher than a basic Hallmark movie. I got a lot of flashbacks to our year in Edinburgh. I enjoy her writing style and was able to relate a lot to Izzy and her mother in character. Def worth a reread in a few years.