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crusoe's reviews
239 reviews
Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.25
Not as good as House of Many Ways or Howl's moving castle. There were just too many plotholes and tangential plotpoints. Jones' stories tend to wrap up messily and fast; this book did not have the build up to support that kind of ending.
It's nice seeing Sophie and Howl again. I like how each of the stories set in this universe adds to the world-building and the story of the characters living in it. The orientalism in this book was a bit yikes though.
It's nice seeing Sophie and Howl again. I like how each of the stories set in this universe adds to the world-building and the story of the characters living in it. The orientalism in this book was a bit yikes though.
The Iliad by Homer
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I will love The Illiad for ever and ever: the more translations, retellings and other media you consume, the more you come to appreciate it. Every time I found a detail that reminded me of my classical education, a tiny scream settled in my chest.
You can truly feel the layers that were added by generations of storytellers. It makes the story an evocative whole full of fascinating imagery, themes that cut to the core of our mortality and yes- a dozen ways to pierce a man through the nipple. (Interesting translation choice that made me laugh.)
I think Emily Wilson did a great job: her translation captures her love for the source material, her meticulous combing through meaning and a feel for the rhythm of the text. I quite liked the context given in the introduction as well; I even learned some new things!
P.S. Justice for Idiomedes! I think he's one of the underrated heroes in the Illiad.
You can truly feel the layers that were added by generations of storytellers. It makes the story an evocative whole full of fascinating imagery, themes that cut to the core of our mortality and yes- a dozen ways to pierce a man through the nipple. (Interesting translation choice that made me laugh.)
I think Emily Wilson did a great job: her translation captures her love for the source material, her meticulous combing through meaning and a feel for the rhythm of the text. I quite liked the context given in the introduction as well; I even learned some new things!
P.S. Justice for Idiomedes! I think he's one of the underrated heroes in the Illiad.
The Frost Fair by Natasha Hastings
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Picked this up for the cover, stayed for the magic. The Frost Fair is simply a very pleasant book perfect for a middle school audience; it was a bit too simple for me. It is about loss and grief, and how those become bearable by allowing our loved ones to lift us up.
Generally speaking, I like the characters, even if their characterization is a bit all over the place. I specifically liked Inigo and his fabulous outfits. The elements of magic were quite neat as well. Something I don't understand is the setting: there is no reason why this story should take place in the 1600's and it made some parts of the story feel unrealistic. This really is a story where you should not think too hard about the plot in fear of falling into numerous plot holes. Even so, it was a nice read.
Generally speaking, I like the characters, even if their characterization is a bit all over the place. I specifically liked Inigo and his fabulous outfits. The elements of magic were quite neat as well. Something I don't understand is the setting: there is no reason why this story should take place in the 1600's and it made some parts of the story feel unrealistic. This really is a story where you should not think too hard about the plot in fear of falling into numerous plot holes. Even so, it was a nice read.
The End by Lemony Snicket
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Not the strongest of the series but thematically, I think it fits very well as an end to the series. Wish we'd gotten a more definitive end to the story of the Quagmires and Fiona but that's okay, the book leaves the ending nicely in the middle with some things solved while others are not. Did not care for the new characters introduced and the plot of the island though.
All in all, I do like this series. It picks up steam as soon as it starts deviating from the formula but the individual stories are not always as interesting as the overall mystery. Love how this slowly builds up very complicated themes for a younger audience and the writing style is surreal, funny and phenomenal. Would've loved this if I were younger but I'm glad I got to enjoy it now.
All in all, I do like this series. It picks up steam as soon as it starts deviating from the formula but the individual stories are not always as interesting as the overall mystery. Love how this slowly builds up very complicated themes for a younger audience and the writing style is surreal, funny and phenomenal. Would've loved this if I were younger but I'm glad I got to enjoy it now.
De anatomie van dromen by Chloe Benjamin
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I could not care less for this book. I like the prose, but it's very typical adult literature where the author thinks they are doing more than they actually are.
Incredibly boring characters, slow build up that intrigues enough to keep reading but doesn't pay out in the end, and a wet teatowel of a protagonist who deserves so much more than the life she is left with at the end.
The twist and its implications on Sylvia are incredibly fucked up; the author doesn't want to commit to a moral statement in the end, which leaves the reader with a strange aftertaste that Sylvia might partially be to blame for what happened to her; that it's somehow okay that the men -Thom, Gabe and Keller- who knowingly did this to her get to live their lives free of consequences. In an era where consent is so important, this story ends on a bitter note.
Incredibly boring characters, slow build up that intrigues enough to keep reading but doesn't pay out in the end, and a wet teatowel of a protagonist who deserves so much more than the life she is left with at the end.
The twist and its implications on Sylvia are incredibly fucked up; the author doesn't want to commit to a moral statement in the end, which leaves the reader with a strange aftertaste that Sylvia might partially be to blame for what happened to her; that it's somehow okay that the men -Thom, Gabe and Keller- who knowingly did this to her get to live their lives free of consequences. In an era where consent is so important, this story ends on a bitter note.
The Penultimate Peril by Lemony Snicket
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I love how it feels like we're working towards the end with this book; a lot of characters from the past come back and the theme of people being a mix of good and bad is developed a lot. I adore the spy shenanigans too, and three chapters happening simultaneously was also a nice change of pace.
I cared less about the actual plot but the way it was excecuted was rather nice. The choices of the baudelairs at the end were rather drastic though... People genuinely died in that fire, holy shit, and they know they're partially at fault.
I cared less about the actual plot but the way it was excecuted was rather nice. The choices of the baudelairs at the end were rather drastic though... People genuinely died in that fire, holy shit, and they know they're partially at fault.
The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.0
I like how this expands upon the theme that people make desperate choices in desperate situations which leads them to a slippery slope of villainy. The submarine is a fun setting as well but I feel like we barely got to explore it. Other than that, I did not care much for the plot.
The Slippery Slope by Lemony Snicket
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
"The world is quiet here."
Wow. I really liked this installment in the series. It feels like there's real growth for the characters, especially Sunny and Violet, Klaus is lagging a bit in characterization.
It's nice that previously established themes and trends are explored more in depth. I love the call-backs (and call-forwards?) to other books in the series as well and it's nice that we are giving more lore on the V.F.D. It's great!
Wow. I really liked this installment in the series. It feels like there's real growth for the characters, especially Sunny and Violet, Klaus is lagging a bit in characterization.
It's nice that previously established themes and trends are explored more in depth. I love the call-backs (and call-forwards?) to other books in the series as well and it's nice that we are giving more lore on the V.F.D. It's great!
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Sunrise on the reaping is a brilliant addition to the world of panem, especially compared to a balled of songbirds and snakes. It gives so much depth to characters we know and love, delivers on its 1984-esque themes of surveillance and control, all while providing a genuinely great story that stands on its own.
Haymitch is a very likable character too. Like with Susanne's other work, you can see how his views colour the story that is told and it's genuinely heartbreaking to see the parallels with Katniss' run in the hunger games. But where she succeeded, he failed...
Amazing work.
Haymitch is a very likable character too. Like with Susanne's other work, you can see how his views colour the story that is told and it's genuinely heartbreaking to see the parallels with Katniss' run in the hunger games. But where she succeeded, he failed...
Amazing work.
Pennies from Heaven by Dennis Potter
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I think this will be my biannual 'miserable cishet white man refuses to take responsibility for his actions' book. More suprising is that I did not dislike this book.
Because it's based on an old-timey movie musical, the writing style is very lyrical. The story lends itself wel to rhythmic metaphors and aphorisms which in turn give colour to the lives of these characters.
The struggles of the characters feel real but theatrical, the characterization of the sexes sexist to the bone. But somehow the story is saved by a strong fascination with what will happen next, and the comfort that cowardly Arthur (the MC) is a joy to hate.
Because it's based on an old-timey movie musical, the writing style is very lyrical. The story lends itself wel to rhythmic metaphors and aphorisms which in turn give colour to the lives of these characters.
The struggles of the characters feel real but theatrical, the characterization of the sexes sexist to the bone. But somehow the story is saved by a strong fascination with what will happen next, and the comfort that cowardly Arthur (the MC) is a joy to hate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, Abortion, Pregnancy, Alcohol