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ellemnope's Reviews (2.4k)
4.5 stars
Though not a perfect 5 star read, I did enjoy the third installment of the Percy Jackson series a bit more than the 2nd. I liked the movement and pacing of this story better and it felt like things were constantly working and changing. There wasn't a dull moment in the entire story. I am still very much enjoying the whimsy of the book and the mythology is so much fun to reinforce and learn. There are obviously some liberties taken by Riordan in his writing since this is fantasy, but the basics are pretty solid. I find Riordan's writing fun and inviting and I love his imagination. I'm anxiously awaiting my chance to grab the next audiobook in the series from my library. This series is a great time!
Though not a perfect 5 star read, I did enjoy the third installment of the Percy Jackson series a bit more than the 2nd. I liked the movement and pacing of this story better and it felt like things were constantly working and changing. There wasn't a dull moment in the entire story. I am still very much enjoying the whimsy of the book and the mythology is so much fun to reinforce and learn. There are obviously some liberties taken by Riordan in his writing since this is fantasy, but the basics are pretty solid. I find Riordan's writing fun and inviting and I love his imagination. I'm anxiously awaiting my chance to grab the next audiobook in the series from my library. This series is a great time!
Another good book from childhood. I remember enjoying this one when I was young, but I had forgotten the majority of the story. This time around, I listened to the audiobook as read by the author. I highly recommend this for young readers as the inclusion of actual trumpeting was a pleasant surprise. The story was endearing and written in true E.B. White style, including natural references, definitions of some of the more challenging words for middle grade readers, and some arithmetic instruction sprinkled in. Though I don't love it as much as White's Charlotte's Web, this was still a fantastic reread. A nostalgic wonder.
It is amazing how well this story holds up with the passage of time. Yes, it is the autobiography of a horse from the animal's perspective, but it is also such a wonderful social commentary. The language is easy to understand, despite the age of the tale, and it is both beautiful and educational. Not only does it instruct about the health and keeping of horses, but it also sheds light on the nature of the human spirit. It is a reminder to be kind, to be appreciative, and to always do your best despite the circumstances. This is such a great read for middle graders. And adults could stand to learn a few lessons from it as well...
4.5 stars.
A good follow up to The Lightning Thief. Riordan does a good job introducing the characters and history for those who haven't read the first book without it being overbearing. I love the comic relief that he weaves throughout the stories that keeps things light and fun. The story moves fast and the characters are growing a little in depth. There are some moral lessons to be learned in addition to the bits of Greek mythology. I am really enjoying this series and finished this one in a single day. On to the next one!
A good follow up to The Lightning Thief. Riordan does a good job introducing the characters and history for those who haven't read the first book without it being overbearing. I love the comic relief that he weaves throughout the stories that keeps things light and fun. The story moves fast and the characters are growing a little in depth. There are some moral lessons to be learned in addition to the bits of Greek mythology. I am really enjoying this series and finished this one in a single day. On to the next one!
4.5 stars.
I'm so glad I finally read this. I'd been putting it off since it's middle grade and I didn't think I would really enjoy it. Somehow, it had gotten the reputation of a poor man's Harry Potter in my mind. I was so wrong. This book stands all on its own and though it takes on the same trope in a way, it stands alongside Harry Potter rather than needing to be compared to it.
Yes, there is some less mature writing since the intended age is younger, but it was still incredibly entertaining. I love the detail to the inclusion of the Greek mythology pieces and the somewhat flippant attitude of the writing made things both interesting and fun. The mystery of the book wasn't obvious, but there were clues along the way that allowed the reader to discern the ending if they paid close enough attention. This is written very well for the age group, still a somewhat challenging read but both entertaining and educational in a way. I will definitely be continuing on with the series.
I'm so glad I finally read this. I'd been putting it off since it's middle grade and I didn't think I would really enjoy it. Somehow, it had gotten the reputation of a poor man's Harry Potter in my mind. I was so wrong. This book stands all on its own and though it takes on the same trope in a way, it stands alongside Harry Potter rather than needing to be compared to it.
Yes, there is some less mature writing since the intended age is younger, but it was still incredibly entertaining. I love the detail to the inclusion of the Greek mythology pieces and the somewhat flippant attitude of the writing made things both interesting and fun. The mystery of the book wasn't obvious, but there were clues along the way that allowed the reader to discern the ending if they paid close enough attention. This is written very well for the age group, still a somewhat challenging read but both entertaining and educational in a way. I will definitely be continuing on with the series.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
4.5 stars.
Alice has started hearing a voice in her head. It's herself...a time-traveling consciousness from 10 years in the future. She has been told that a deadly virus will kill 2/3 of the people on Earth...unless Alice can prevent it. To do so, Alice must kill someone...one of her classmates. She must kill one to save millions.
Occasionally darkly humourous, Malice is a YA sci-fi dystopian novel with an underlying layer that is much more hard-hitting--revealing several areas of social commentary. I liked the concept a lot and found the execution to be well done. The narrative moves at a quick pace with very little extraneous plot and good characters who act true to their age. There are moments when the writing is a little immature, but overall it is snappy, smart, and thoughtful. The plot is fun and twisting, but the mystery isn't too difficult to solve if the reader pays attention. I very much enjoyed my read.
4.5 stars.
Alice has started hearing a voice in her head. It's herself...a time-traveling consciousness from 10 years in the future. She has been told that a deadly virus will kill 2/3 of the people on Earth...unless Alice can prevent it. To do so, Alice must kill someone...one of her classmates. She must kill one to save millions.
Occasionally darkly humourous, Malice is a YA sci-fi dystopian novel with an underlying layer that is much more hard-hitting--revealing several areas of social commentary. I liked the concept a lot and found the execution to be well done. The narrative moves at a quick pace with very little extraneous plot and good characters who act true to their age. There are moments when the writing is a little immature, but overall it is snappy, smart, and thoughtful. The plot is fun and twisting, but the mystery isn't too difficult to solve if the reader pays attention. I very much enjoyed my read.
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I was already familiar with this story because of the movie. This may have either helped or hurt my experience with the book...I'm not sure which. Admittedly, the writing is a little too sappy for me and I found myself mentally preferring the movie as the story moved along. Had I not known the story, I may have been more invested and emotionally involved in it, thus enjoying it more in the end. The writing is decent and the story is a good one, it just wasn't in the wheelhouse for my current reading tastes.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
When a rogue wave sweeps Lotte's three eldest children out to sea, she is bereft and tosses her youngest into the surf in an attempt to trade God one child for the other three. In their mourning, her husband Kalle deserts her, leaving town with the traveling Zirkus that comes each year. Lotte is moved in with the sisters of St. Margaret's and her child is wet nursed by young Tilli, who has lost her own child via adoption at the tender age of 11.
The Patron Saint of Pregnant Girls is a good multifaceted view of grief and hardship, following how the human mind and soul deal with loss. Highly character driven, the story provides bits and pieces of Lotte, Tilli, and Sabine (the Zirkus seamstress) as they process their own personal moments of grief. The character driven approach provides insights, but can be frustrating because it feels like there is so much potential in the outlines that exist. So much more could be explored beyond the boundaries that are tested.
This is a weird and winding narrative that feels more like a series of short stories loosely intertwined than a full-fledged novel. For me, there wasn't enough here. The stories felt outlined and unfinished--giving a taste of the depth that could be fleshed out without actually achieving it. I was left terribly underwhelmed and, though I liked the writing of it, I didn't like where it ended.
When a rogue wave sweeps Lotte's three eldest children out to sea, she is bereft and tosses her youngest into the surf in an attempt to trade God one child for the other three. In their mourning, her husband Kalle deserts her, leaving town with the traveling Zirkus that comes each year. Lotte is moved in with the sisters of St. Margaret's and her child is wet nursed by young Tilli, who has lost her own child via adoption at the tender age of 11.
The Patron Saint of Pregnant Girls is a good multifaceted view of grief and hardship, following how the human mind and soul deal with loss. Highly character driven, the story provides bits and pieces of Lotte, Tilli, and Sabine (the Zirkus seamstress) as they process their own personal moments of grief. The character driven approach provides insights, but can be frustrating because it feels like there is so much potential in the outlines that exist. So much more could be explored beyond the boundaries that are tested.
This is a weird and winding narrative that feels more like a series of short stories loosely intertwined than a full-fledged novel. For me, there wasn't enough here. The stories felt outlined and unfinished--giving a taste of the depth that could be fleshed out without actually achieving it. I was left terribly underwhelmed and, though I liked the writing of it, I didn't like where it ended.
This was an okay read, but had some structural issues that held it back. Pieces felt like a research paper, with an overabundance of quotes and several tangents down historical rabbit holes.
The pieces that are truly the stories of the two women are interesting, but short-lived for the early portions of the book. A lecture style form of writing often returns intermittently, making things feel stiff and caused me to quickly lose momentum in my reading.
The story did gain steam as it went along, getting more focused and enjoyable. However, there were a lot of minor characters that were used to pull in additional bits and pieces of history. These bits and pieces were interesting, but having that many names peppered throughout the narrative made things muddy. There was also still a good smattering of tangential storytelling. There was a lot of good historical information, but it made the central story feel weaker.
The book could have been pared down by about 100 pages, focused solely on Dorothy, Ros, Ferry, & Bob, and been a lot stronger. It wasn't a bad read, but it felt fairly mediocre. There wasn't anything overly gripping or enthralling other than some piqued interest in historical events and the difficulties of frontier life even into the early to mid-20th century.
The pieces that are truly the stories of the two women are interesting, but short-lived for the early portions of the book. A lecture style form of writing often returns intermittently, making things feel stiff and caused me to quickly lose momentum in my reading.
The story did gain steam as it went along, getting more focused and enjoyable. However, there were a lot of minor characters that were used to pull in additional bits and pieces of history. These bits and pieces were interesting, but having that many names peppered throughout the narrative made things muddy. There was also still a good smattering of tangential storytelling. There was a lot of good historical information, but it made the central story feel weaker.
The book could have been pared down by about 100 pages, focused solely on Dorothy, Ros, Ferry, & Bob, and been a lot stronger. It wasn't a bad read, but it felt fairly mediocre. There wasn't anything overly gripping or enthralling other than some piqued interest in historical events and the difficulties of frontier life even into the early to mid-20th century.
4.5 stars.
This is an incredibly well-written and detailed memoir. Her accomplishments are amazing, but so is her ability to be honest about her own thoughts and actions. This is a heart-breaking portrait of emotional and physical abuse under the guise of spirituality, righteousness, and revelation. Shame is a key component. To hear the story of the family's continuous cycles of destruction is difficult, especially as the parents willingly cause and allow harm to come to their own children against a backdrop of protecting them from evil.
There are moments of repetition in the writing and sometimes things feel a little rushed, but overall it was a highly smooth and compelling read. The narrator (the author) is admittedly unreliable as memories are malleable, but the author directly addresses and admits this--which makes it all feel even more credible and carefully constructed.
There are perhaps readers who doubt the honesty of the memoir, but for me it rings as wholly possible and probable given my own knowledge and personal experience with both the Mormon faith and the zealous offshoots that exist. The militia style attitude is also familiar as I, like the author, grew up in Idaho. These ideas are not new and absolutely do exist in thought and practice in pockets of the state (I'm sure this is true of other areas in the nation as well, but I have not been directly exposed to them). Despite the possibility that there may be some warping of the truth in her recollections, I have zero doubt that the core of her stories and memories are true.
This is an incredibly well-written and detailed memoir. Her accomplishments are amazing, but so is her ability to be honest about her own thoughts and actions. This is a heart-breaking portrait of emotional and physical abuse under the guise of spirituality, righteousness, and revelation. Shame is a key component. To hear the story of the family's continuous cycles of destruction is difficult, especially as the parents willingly cause and allow harm to come to their own children against a backdrop of protecting them from evil.
There are moments of repetition in the writing and sometimes things feel a little rushed, but overall it was a highly smooth and compelling read. The narrator (the author) is admittedly unreliable as memories are malleable, but the author directly addresses and admits this--which makes it all feel even more credible and carefully constructed.
There are perhaps readers who doubt the honesty of the memoir, but for me it rings as wholly possible and probable given my own knowledge and personal experience with both the Mormon faith and the zealous offshoots that exist. The militia style attitude is also familiar as I, like the author, grew up in Idaho. These ideas are not new and absolutely do exist in thought and practice in pockets of the state (I'm sure this is true of other areas in the nation as well, but I have not been directly exposed to them). Despite the possibility that there may be some warping of the truth in her recollections, I have zero doubt that the core of her stories and memories are true.