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shalini_rasamdaa's reviews
735 reviews
Tano by Rachel Neumeier
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’m obsessed with Neumeier’s Tuyo series. I had to force myself to stop reading after book #5 so I
can enjoy that world a little longer. Each book in the series follows a different character in that world, building a more and more cohesive and structured world.
Tano, being the sixth book, follows a teenager of the Ugaro people (the title’s namesake). We
meet him first in book 3, Tarashana, and there we learn that he is a severely abused and neglected child, who ran away from his tribe to escape his father’s clutches.
In this book, Tano is learning to navigate both proper Ugaro customs and to manage his cPTSD and negative learned behaviors. He is an intelligent, kind-hearted person with a strong sense of justice and an inner well of strength, pushing himself to his limits for his loved ones. The story follows up on events from a previous book, where Tano’s escape also led to the discovery of his tribe’s anomalous practices. My own opinion is that Tano is one of the strongest books in this series, not least for its realistic treatment of cPTSD in a young person.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Abandonment
A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Anno Dracula by Kim Newman
5.0
Absolutely recommended read! From start to finish it was gripping. The plot twist isn't what you might think. The ending was abrupt, but a good set up for the sequel. Cleverly done and it was quite a treat to meet the various famous literary and historical figures.
Spoiler
I was just disappointed Holmes was never more than a constant allusion. I was hoping he'd pull a Reichenbach Fall and pop up to save the day, but alas.
In the Company of Ogres by A. Lee Martinez
4.0
Quite enjoyed this book, look forward to reading more by this author. I rolled my eyes more often than not, with all the unlikely-reluctant-uglyfug hero going on. Great for long rides on trains or planes, it'll hold your attention and keep your entertained. Sarcastically funny, a very big plus.
The Goblin Corps by Ari Marmell
5.0
What an enjoyable book!
Okay, so there are hokey moments, and occasionally the humor doesn't come off, but all in all it's been a good ride. You find yourself almost rooting for the strangely likable characters, but the author is clever enough to remind you that these are evil creatures fighting to advance an even worse evil's goals. The ending left me feeling unfulfilled though, but that's because while I stop short of rooting for them, I also felt bad for them (well, most of them. Some of them. One of them. Maybe.) Also, why isn't there a movie yet?!
Okay, so there are hokey moments, and occasionally the humor doesn't come off, but all in all it's been a good ride. You find yourself almost rooting for the strangely likable characters, but the author is clever enough to remind you that these are evil creatures fighting to advance an even worse evil's goals. The ending left me feeling unfulfilled though, but that's because while I stop short of rooting for them, I also felt bad for them (well, most of them. Some of them. One of them. Maybe.) Also, why isn't there a movie yet?!
Death's Jest Book: The 1829 Text by Thomas Lovell Beddoes
4.0
I'm no scholar or expert on literature, so I'm not going to waste time on this work's merits, history, style or any other ornaments. As a casual reader, here's my opinion: loved it, would recommend!
Read within an evening, quite enjoyable. I can understand why he's not read so widely as his style is a little odd and his jokes are obviously an acquired taste, but he's entertaining just the same. A good black comedy to pass the time.
I was directed to his work by Dorothy L. Sayers, who uses excerpts from this play and another of Beddoes' called The Bride's Tragedy in her work Have His Carcase. Will be reading The Bride's Tragedy soon!
Read within an evening, quite enjoyable. I can understand why he's not read so widely as his style is a little odd and his jokes are obviously an acquired taste, but he's entertaining just the same. A good black comedy to pass the time.
I was directed to his work by Dorothy L. Sayers, who uses excerpts from this play and another of Beddoes' called The Bride's Tragedy in her work Have His Carcase. Will be reading The Bride's Tragedy soon!