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Slow to get started, but does have some good historical context for those with an interest in Japanese history. LOTS of footnotes that help clarify some otherwise potentially obscure information.
Dense materials in the first 1/2 half of the book that led to a very slow read. Interesting information, but needs a better flow. Second half of the book markedly better than the first in terms of writing.
3 1/2 stars. This read super smoothly and was an enjoyable read, but it just seemed to be missing something. Maybe it just felt a little too streamlined and I needed more substance, I don't know. The story is good and the characters have great promise, I just wanted more. The ending worked, but it...again...felt a bit too flat. I wasn't necessarily disappointed, just not wowed. This one is still worth reading and would likely be a good beach read or a good book to remove someone from a reading slump.
* Disclaimer:I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. *
The writing in The Tower of Blue is very imaginative and intelligent, but the plot left me hanging. It is unclear if this is meant to be a work in a series or if it will be a standalone. If it is part of a series, I think there is quite a bit to be explored and there is a good chance that the follow up could be very intriguing. I enjoyed this read and would have certainly rated it higher if I knew there was more to come. As it is, I liked the world that Locsh created and appreciated the journey (both physical and emotional) that his narrative takes Arnold on. I just needed things fleshed out a bit more. Though I like having to make some of my own conclusions as a reader, this felt like it expected too much to be decided outside of the written pages.
The writing in The Tower of Blue is very imaginative and intelligent, but the plot left me hanging. It is unclear if this is meant to be a work in a series or if it will be a standalone. If it is part of a series, I think there is quite a bit to be explored and there is a good chance that the follow up could be very intriguing. I enjoyed this read and would have certainly rated it higher if I knew there was more to come. As it is, I liked the world that Locsh created and appreciated the journey (both physical and emotional) that his narrative takes Arnold on. I just needed things fleshed out a bit more. Though I like having to make some of my own conclusions as a reader, this felt like it expected too much to be decided outside of the written pages.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
3 1/2 stars.
I was rather intrigued with this one from the moment I read the premise. Buy or Die is a dystopian novel that came with a bit of a 1984 essence. The novel has been translated from the original Russian, which may have caused it to lose a bit of its lyrical nature and smoothness of prose, but overall the writing is very stylish and highly descriptive. In all honesty, the small speedbump of some "lost in translation" issues may have been the only reason for my downgrade from 4 stars to 3 1/2.
Citizens Z and Y are the main protagonists of the book and they are both such well developed characters, their individual portraits extending well beyond what would be expected in a society which may not value individualism. The general feeling of the environment has quite the creep factor, with a mass of AI robots and advertising in the form of all senses that continuously assaults the public. There is so much packed in to this novel that is amazingly creative and original.
There were some inconsistencies in structure that led to a bit of confusion here and there, losing me for a few pages until I figured out my time, place, and character. There were also many questions that developed for me over the course of the novel (particularly the second half). This may be due to my intense interest in the subject matter and wanting to more deeply probe the imagination of the author, but it did cause me to have some distraction from the story.
Overall, Buy or Die is a great read that is well worth the time. In fact, I wouldn't mind rereading it in the future. It would likely be an even better read in its original language, as it is clear that the author has some wonderful talent and the ability to string words together in a way that creates something somewhat magical. I look forward to keeping an eye out for more from Theodor Ventskevich in the future.
3 1/2 stars.
I was rather intrigued with this one from the moment I read the premise. Buy or Die is a dystopian novel that came with a bit of a 1984 essence. The novel has been translated from the original Russian, which may have caused it to lose a bit of its lyrical nature and smoothness of prose, but overall the writing is very stylish and highly descriptive. In all honesty, the small speedbump of some "lost in translation" issues may have been the only reason for my downgrade from 4 stars to 3 1/2.
Citizens Z and Y are the main protagonists of the book and they are both such well developed characters, their individual portraits extending well beyond what would be expected in a society which may not value individualism. The general feeling of the environment has quite the creep factor, with a mass of AI robots and advertising in the form of all senses that continuously assaults the public. There is so much packed in to this novel that is amazingly creative and original.
There were some inconsistencies in structure that led to a bit of confusion here and there, losing me for a few pages until I figured out my time, place, and character. There were also many questions that developed for me over the course of the novel (particularly the second half). This may be due to my intense interest in the subject matter and wanting to more deeply probe the imagination of the author, but it did cause me to have some distraction from the story.
Overall, Buy or Die is a great read that is well worth the time. In fact, I wouldn't mind rereading it in the future. It would likely be an even better read in its original language, as it is clear that the author has some wonderful talent and the ability to string words together in a way that creates something somewhat magical. I look forward to keeping an eye out for more from Theodor Ventskevich in the future.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
With charming magical realism and a distinct semblance to Sarah Addison Allen's Garden Spells, Heather Webber's Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is a wonderful and heartwarming work. The story is emotional and somewhat mysterious, with a fabulous cast of characters that are reminiscent of a gathering in Stars Hollow. Loved, loved, loved this so much. A fantastic read for those wishing to get their feet wet with magical realism or for those who need a bit of a reading pick-me-up to get out of a slump. Good writing, great characters...one of those books I deem huggable.
** See the full review on EPJ **
With charming magical realism and a distinct semblance to Sarah Addison Allen's Garden Spells, Heather Webber's Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is a wonderful and heartwarming work. The story is emotional and somewhat mysterious, with a fabulous cast of characters that are reminiscent of a gathering in Stars Hollow. Loved, loved, loved this so much. A fantastic read for those wishing to get their feet wet with magical realism or for those who need a bit of a reading pick-me-up to get out of a slump. Good writing, great characters...one of those books I deem huggable.
** See the full review on EPJ **
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. *
This is a quirky, entertaining, read that seems to run the gamut on feelings. It can be confusing, irritating, lovely, sad, funny, and so much more. In some ways, it reminded me heavily of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, including (now that I think of it) the cover. Eleanor and Lincoln share quite a few characteristics. They also share the experience of unique and troubled backgrounds. Though their stories are distinctly different, I think a reader who enjoyed one would enjoy the other.
I enjoyed the style of this book. The mix of chapter types, the different character points of view, and the inclusion of Lincoln's lists all contributed to creating a story that felt very full. I loved Lincoln's voice and the way that the narrative shifted so well between the characters so that the individual voices of Lincoln, Ranger, and Jesse came through with very clear personalities.
The narrative was good and the writing was smooth with the pacing of the book working just right, despite the occasional movement back and forth between past and present. The setup for the book was well crafted and I loved watching where the book took me. There were several moments along the way that I wasn't expecting and they treated me well, they were surprises in a good way.
The ending was a bit of a gut punch for me. It left me in a bit of a lurch and definitely wasn't what I was expecting or wanting in terms of wrap up. I could have done with another 100-150 pages. I tried to find out if this novel is meant to be a standalone or is perhaps the first in what could become a duology or series of some kind, but I was unable to locate any information. For my personal preference, I could definitely do with a follow up book as I feel that there is a lot left unsaid that I would like answers for. Without creating a review full of spoilers, suffice it to say that I needed more of this story and I need to know what happens beyond that last page as well as needing some additional information about some things within the total contents of the book. I am hoping that the author will continue to explore the character of Lincoln in a future work...it is something I would very much like to read.
As it is, I loved the majority of this book. I like a quirky read and enjoy a character with a unique personality, one who tells it as it is and who is truly adherent to themselves throughout the construction of the story. However, that ending has caused me a bit of struggle. I nearly rated this book a bit lower, but I really did enjoy it and I didn't want to punish it for my own internal struggles. I will be on the lookout for more from this author in the future.
This is a quirky, entertaining, read that seems to run the gamut on feelings. It can be confusing, irritating, lovely, sad, funny, and so much more. In some ways, it reminded me heavily of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, including (now that I think of it) the cover. Eleanor and Lincoln share quite a few characteristics. They also share the experience of unique and troubled backgrounds. Though their stories are distinctly different, I think a reader who enjoyed one would enjoy the other.
I enjoyed the style of this book. The mix of chapter types, the different character points of view, and the inclusion of Lincoln's lists all contributed to creating a story that felt very full. I loved Lincoln's voice and the way that the narrative shifted so well between the characters so that the individual voices of Lincoln, Ranger, and Jesse came through with very clear personalities.
The narrative was good and the writing was smooth with the pacing of the book working just right, despite the occasional movement back and forth between past and present. The setup for the book was well crafted and I loved watching where the book took me. There were several moments along the way that I wasn't expecting and they treated me well, they were surprises in a good way.
The ending was a bit of a gut punch for me. It left me in a bit of a lurch and definitely wasn't what I was expecting or wanting in terms of wrap up. I could have done with another 100-150 pages. I tried to find out if this novel is meant to be a standalone or is perhaps the first in what could become a duology or series of some kind, but I was unable to locate any information. For my personal preference, I could definitely do with a follow up book as I feel that there is a lot left unsaid that I would like answers for. Without creating a review full of spoilers, suffice it to say that I needed more of this story and I need to know what happens beyond that last page as well as needing some additional information about some things within the total contents of the book. I am hoping that the author will continue to explore the character of Lincoln in a future work...it is something I would very much like to read.
As it is, I loved the majority of this book. I like a quirky read and enjoy a character with a unique personality, one who tells it as it is and who is truly adherent to themselves throughout the construction of the story. However, that ending has caused me a bit of struggle. I nearly rated this book a bit lower, but I really did enjoy it and I didn't want to punish it for my own internal struggles. I will be on the lookout for more from this author in the future.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
3.5 stars.
The follow up to her The Magic in Me, Kelly Zimmer's Dying to Return is a good continuation of the Emi Watson series. The writing remains fun and light and easy to read. Her primary characters are less developed in this novel, owing partially to the expectation that most readers will have already established some knowledge of them from the previous work. However, there is some introductory material for readers who are not familiar with the series and this gives a good foundation for the story without being overbearing for existing readers.
I still very much enjoyed the read of this one and found the plot devices entertaining, but there wasn't the same encompassing feeling that came from the first novel. This was primarily due to the final section of the book. The events of the first 2/3 were very consistent with what I was expecting and I was wrapped up enough in this line of narrative to finish the book in a very short time. However, I was a bit let down with the last 1/3. This was partially due simply to personal opinion of the events, but I also felt that there was a lot less suspense and buildup to this section of the book. The urgency of reading that I felt in so many of the other portions of the story didn't feel present. Don't get me wrong, this was still an enjoyable section to read, I just wanted more.
Overall, I was still very happy with this read and enjoyed my time with the book. I will continue to read the series should additional novels be released. Though I don't recommend the sequel as much as the original novel, this would still be an enjoyable beach or travel read.
3.5 stars.
The follow up to her The Magic in Me, Kelly Zimmer's Dying to Return is a good continuation of the Emi Watson series. The writing remains fun and light and easy to read. Her primary characters are less developed in this novel, owing partially to the expectation that most readers will have already established some knowledge of them from the previous work. However, there is some introductory material for readers who are not familiar with the series and this gives a good foundation for the story without being overbearing for existing readers.
I still very much enjoyed the read of this one and found the plot devices entertaining, but there wasn't the same encompassing feeling that came from the first novel. This was primarily due to the final section of the book. The events of the first 2/3 were very consistent with what I was expecting and I was wrapped up enough in this line of narrative to finish the book in a very short time. However, I was a bit let down with the last 1/3. This was partially due simply to personal opinion of the events, but I also felt that there was a lot less suspense and buildup to this section of the book. The urgency of reading that I felt in so many of the other portions of the story didn't feel present. Don't get me wrong, this was still an enjoyable section to read, I just wanted more.
Overall, I was still very happy with this read and enjoyed my time with the book. I will continue to read the series should additional novels be released. Though I don't recommend the sequel as much as the original novel, this would still be an enjoyable beach or travel read.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and have not been influenced by this arrangement. *
2.5 stars.
I wanted to like this one more than I did and I pushed through to make it to the end. There are snippets of wonderful story in here, the writing is good, and the characters really do start to become their own, however there are some things that detracted from my enjoyment.
The majority of the book is told in 3rd person. This works very well and is a comfortable writing style with good description. Every once in a while, though, this turns to 1st person for a couple of characters. These chapters felt out of place, didn't seem to add a lot to the story that couldn't have been done in 3rd person, and the shift in tone pulled me out of the story.
The novel primarily focuses on the Klar family. This is great. The family is dynamic and has a lot to bring to the table. But...once again, there are occasional derailments. Intermittently interspersed are edited newspaper articles from the time period as well as short stories about a man named Ola, who seems to have been a bit of a fabled character in Swede Hollow during this time period. These pieces, while interesting, do not fit with the story of the Klars and again steered me away from the story and distracted my reading.
Overall, I enjoyed learning about this bit of history, especially since it is relatively local to me. But the narrative seemed to plod along a bit more than it should have and a bit more cohesiveness could have gone a long way. There are fabulous pieces here and the start of a good, slow burn, family drama, it just wasn't up my alley.
2.5 stars.
I wanted to like this one more than I did and I pushed through to make it to the end. There are snippets of wonderful story in here, the writing is good, and the characters really do start to become their own, however there are some things that detracted from my enjoyment.
The majority of the book is told in 3rd person. This works very well and is a comfortable writing style with good description. Every once in a while, though, this turns to 1st person for a couple of characters. These chapters felt out of place, didn't seem to add a lot to the story that couldn't have been done in 3rd person, and the shift in tone pulled me out of the story.
The novel primarily focuses on the Klar family. This is great. The family is dynamic and has a lot to bring to the table. But...once again, there are occasional derailments. Intermittently interspersed are edited newspaper articles from the time period as well as short stories about a man named Ola, who seems to have been a bit of a fabled character in Swede Hollow during this time period. These pieces, while interesting, do not fit with the story of the Klars and again steered me away from the story and distracted my reading.
Overall, I enjoyed learning about this bit of history, especially since it is relatively local to me. But the narrative seemed to plod along a bit more than it should have and a bit more cohesiveness could have gone a long way. There are fabulous pieces here and the start of a good, slow burn, family drama, it just wasn't up my alley.