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smashmo's reviews
295 reviews
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Read on Audio
I thought this book was fun and written in an accessible way, but it didn't focus on the actual language as much as I had expected. Instead we mostly over-view actual famous cults and cult-like institutions in society, with a few examples of how they get people to join with language. Overall not bad or great, I just don't think I'll remember much of it moving forward.
I thought this book was fun and written in an accessible way, but it didn't focus on the actual language as much as I had expected. Instead we mostly over-view actual famous cults and cult-like institutions in society, with a few examples of how they get people to join with language. Overall not bad or great, I just don't think I'll remember much of it moving forward.
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I heard about this book via TikTok (as so many have), and when I saw this one floating around on my library's shelves, I thought "What the heck, why not?"
I am a huge character driven reader, and to be honest, that is largely what this book is about. The author did a good job of making each character feel distinct. While I didn't love any of the characters, I liked them, or I liked hating them. It was interesting to see how they interacted with each other given their different specialties.
My biggest gripe with this book is that the final task for these characters feels completely unbelievable to me. We are CONSTANTLY told how awesome the Society is, how exclusive and cool, but none of the character's experiences make me feel like this is something anyone should want to die for. For the majority of the time, they are just hanging out in this mansion....studying. They are almost never allowed to leave. Nothing that they study makes me believe anyone would want to be there that long.
Which leads me to the writer's style. There is far too much telling and not enough showing. And while I don't mind magic systems that don't go too in depth, this book could benefit from a bit more information being handed out.
The ending though!!! The last 60-70 pages had me hooked!
I am a huge character driven reader, and to be honest, that is largely what this book is about. The author did a good job of making each character feel distinct. While I didn't love any of the characters, I liked them, or I liked hating them. It was interesting to see how they interacted with each other given their different specialties.
My biggest gripe with this book is that the final task for these characters feels completely unbelievable to me. We are CONSTANTLY told how awesome the Society is, how exclusive and cool, but none of the character's experiences make me feel like this is something anyone should want to die for. For the majority of the time, they are just hanging out in this mansion....studying. They are almost never allowed to leave. Nothing that they study makes me believe anyone would want to be there that long.
Which leads me to the writer's style. There is far too much telling and not enough showing. And while I don't mind magic systems that don't go too in depth, this book could benefit from a bit more information being handed out.
The ending though!!! The last 60-70 pages had me hooked!
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Disliked:
Also. The ending isn't exactly what I wished for but I still enjoyed it.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
I loved:
- The humor!
- Rocky!
Weir did a great job of making me feel excited or frustrated etc. right along with the characters, even when things were a tad predictable. I even ended up learning some fun space facts and just overall had a great time with this story.
Disliked:
- Felt the humor could have been dialed back in some spots
- The science explanations sometimes made me feel like I was reading a textbook or like the author was trying too hard to prove he did his research.
- The flashbacks. I loved them in the beginning but as the book progressed I cared less amd just wanted to be back in space
Also. The ending isn't exactly what I wished for but I still enjoyed it.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Read mostly on Audio
Liked this one more than I thought I was going to. The biggest issue I had was only feeling annoyance at the protagonist's lack self confidence and personal obsession with Rebecca; it never carried over to a feeling of eeriness or suffocation like I suspect was the intended outcome.
I kept reading only because I wanted to know what had actually happened at Manderley, not because I really cared for any of the characters. What actually happened wasn't as exciting as I'd hoped, but I like that Rebecca got what she wanted in the end.
Liked this one more than I thought I was going to. The biggest issue I had was only feeling annoyance at the protagonist's lack self confidence and personal obsession with Rebecca; it never carried over to a feeling of eeriness or suffocation like I suspect was the intended outcome.
I kept reading only because I wanted to know what had actually happened at Manderley, not because I really cared for any of the characters. What actually happened wasn't as exciting as I'd hoped, but I like that Rebecca got what she wanted in the end.
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
slow-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? Yes
3.5
This was fine. Good characters/plot/world building but slow.
Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Listened on Audio
Mostly information I knew with some supporting stories thrown in. Not terrible by any means but I was left wanting a bit more of the scientific/psychological studies.
Mostly information I knew with some supporting stories thrown in. Not terrible by any means but I was left wanting a bit more of the scientific/psychological studies.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
2.5
What a bummer. Another book that I had higher hopes for that fell remarkably short.
I realize that this work was originally written in Japan in 2015, and therefore the culture, values, original storytelling style, and language are different. However, the translation here completely killed these vignettes. The writing was often overly simplistic and repetitive to the point where I just had to put it down. There must have been a better way to stick close to the source material but not have everything feeling over explained and dumbed down.
I loved the ideas and atmosphere of this book, and the little lessons were sweet if somewhat predictable, but I would never pick it up again.
I realize that this work was originally written in Japan in 2015, and therefore the culture, values, original storytelling style, and language are different. However, the translation here completely killed these vignettes. The writing was often overly simplistic and repetitive to the point where I just had to put it down. There must have been a better way to stick close to the source material but not have everything feeling over explained and dumbed down.
I loved the ideas and atmosphere of this book, and the little lessons were sweet if somewhat predictable, but I would never pick it up again.
Twelve Kings in Sharakhai by Bradley P. Beaulieu
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I REALLY wanted to like this one a little more than this. I had such high hopes. The world building is interesting and the magic system/mythology in this story has a cool foundation. The plot is basically revenge, which I don't mind, so this should have been fairly solid. However....
The characters didn't do it for me. I didn't dislike them or find them flat or boring (unless their name is Emre), but they fell just short of what I think we were going for. While the choices they made were consistent and understandable, I had a hard time buying in to their emotions.
The whole story is Çeda wanting to avenge her mother's death, but honestly why? Apart from this dead woman being her mom, I felt no real love between them. We were given one scene where there was something good and beautiful, and for me it wasn't enough.
Similar with Emre's family situation. I buy a little more in to his emotions, but I wasn't given enough to care.
Then we have the plot twists. I wouldn't say that this book is boring, but everytime a twist did come along, I wasn't blown away. They were just there.
Lastly and shortly, our girl had it way too easy at the end. Just saying.
Despite me harping on, I'm totally willing to give book 2 a try to see how it goes. Hopefully we up our stakes and learn more about the lore/magic.
The characters didn't do it for me. I didn't dislike them or find them flat or boring (unless their name is Emre), but they fell just short of what I think we were going for. While the choices they made were consistent and understandable, I had a hard time buying in to their emotions.
The whole story is Çeda wanting to avenge her mother's death, but honestly why? Apart from this dead woman being her mom, I felt no real love between them. We were given one scene where there was something good and beautiful, and for me it wasn't enough.
Similar with Emre's family situation. I buy a little more in to his emotions, but I wasn't given enough to care.
Then we have the plot twists. I wouldn't say that this book is boring, but everytime a twist did come along, I wasn't blown away. They were just there.
Lastly and shortly, our girl had it way too easy at the end. Just saying.
Despite me harping on, I'm totally willing to give book 2 a try to see how it goes. Hopefully we up our stakes and learn more about the lore/magic.
Senlin Ascends by Josiah Bancroft
I found the pacing to drag at times and some of the character reappearances felt a tad contrived, but overall everything works well together. Will read book 2!
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very unique to any other fantasy I have ever read and creates an atmosphere all its own. I enjoyed the characters and the plot, and the world of the tower is very intriguing.
I found the pacing to drag at times and some of the character reappearances felt a tad contrived, but overall everything works well together. Will read book 2!
A Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ahhhh! I wasn't sure if I wasn't going to like this one when I heard it was mostly political machinations but it was stellar. For starters, the characters are all incredibly realistic and flawed. I didn't love any of them but I didn't hate any either, and even if you don't agree with the decisions they make, you still understand their reasons and motivations.
The world and magic system both seem really interesting, but aren't as fleshed out as I'd have liked. I forgive that though because this is a first book and I'm hoping future books show us more. I got enough of both in here anyway to be satisfied. Just enough to leave me wanting more.
If you want a slower, political, character driven foundational story, this is the one. And if you're like me and don't usually like the buzzword "political" don't let it scare you. This story is so unique it would be a shame for anyone to miss out on that account.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Abortion