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ellemnope's Reviews (2.4k)
Not my favorite in the series, but still solid. I did take a small break, so it wasn't flowing as easily...not necessarily the fault of the volume. I'm still very much liking the story and the characters and will continue my reading.
A heartwarming and quick middle grade read. I love DiCamillo's narration style and how true to the character the language feels. I would've liked more of the story, so I was sad that it ended where it did, but I think there were a lot of good things at work in the plot. There are some really adorable characters and the focus on relationships is really well done.
I loved that this book gave some insight into Almanzo's young life, but I will say that I hated where the book ended. I'm still working on the series, so I'm not sure where we will pick up his storyline again, but I would have appreciated a continuation of the story for a bit longer. The writing still continues in the style of Little House in the Big Woods and remains an easy read while providing a lot of great historical information. This installment is incredibly wholesome and cute and I really enjoyed it. I'm surprised that it is one of the least talked about pieces of the series, as I really liked the way it portrayed a different angle on homesteading life.
4.5 stars. I loved this tale of the Ingalls family's move from Wisconsin to Kansas. It continued my education about the historical time period as well as all of the amazing homesteading tasks that were undertaken by the family as a regular course of their year. I did not appreciate Caroline Ingalls in this volume as I found her disturbingly racist with regard to the indigenous peoples, but I do understand that the story was supposed to be written true to her character. I enjoyed the fact that Charles had different opinions that balanced out the uncomfortable feeling I got from these wayward comments and I think that helped make it a bit more tolerable. It was a good representation of the different ways that people felt during the westward movement of settlers, so I had to give it a bit of credit there. Overall, the story was fun and enjoyable and full of useful historical information. I look forward to continuing the series.
4.5 stars.
What a clever book! This is a really fun middle grade with a lot of great character play. A closed room style mystery with a complex clue system that is really well-written. There are small moments that do definitely date the book, but overall it was just a really fun read. I'm sad that I didn't read this as a middle schooler, but it was still a great time as an adult. I can certainly see this being a reread in the future.
What a clever book! This is a really fun middle grade with a lot of great character play. A closed room style mystery with a complex clue system that is really well-written. There are small moments that do definitely date the book, but overall it was just a really fun read. I'm sad that I didn't read this as a middle schooler, but it was still a great time as an adult. I can certainly see this being a reread in the future.
3.5 stars.
I will tell you right out of the gate that I struggle with plays. They can be really hard for me to read. I just tend to struggle with getting immersed in the story and getting enough atmosphere from the writing. Some of that was the trouble here.
I had heard of this play numerous times before actually reading it. I knew the premise and more or less knew the ending going in. And I was interested based on that information. The premise is clever and fun. And to be fair, the character play is excellent. I enjoyed the banter quite a bit.
Here is why it gets more than 3 stars...if I actually saw this play, I would probably really enjoy it. The concept is really entertaining. Here's why it doesn't get more than 3.5...without seeing these characters fleshed out on stage and observing all of the pieces implied but not put on the page, I was underwhelmed. With a play, my enjoyment really is dependent on the actors who bring it to life.
As a play, it probably would rate higher. As a script, it was just somewhat mediocre. I see the value, I just wasn't entertained enough.
I will tell you right out of the gate that I struggle with plays. They can be really hard for me to read. I just tend to struggle with getting immersed in the story and getting enough atmosphere from the writing. Some of that was the trouble here.
I had heard of this play numerous times before actually reading it. I knew the premise and more or less knew the ending going in. And I was interested based on that information. The premise is clever and fun. And to be fair, the character play is excellent. I enjoyed the banter quite a bit.
Here is why it gets more than 3 stars...if I actually saw this play, I would probably really enjoy it. The concept is really entertaining. Here's why it doesn't get more than 3.5...without seeing these characters fleshed out on stage and observing all of the pieces implied but not put on the page, I was underwhelmed. With a play, my enjoyment really is dependent on the actors who bring it to life.
As a play, it probably would rate higher. As a script, it was just somewhat mediocre. I see the value, I just wasn't entertained enough.
4.5 stars.
Well...color me surprised. I have had a copy of this book as long as I can remember. Seriously. I'm pretty sure it belonged to my grandfather and I somehow wound up with it at some point. I've had it since at least middle school. And I have NEVER read it...until now. All I've ever heard about Ernest Hemingway's writing was how it was pretentious and probably not very conducive to enjoyment. Needless to say I went in a bit jaded and not expecting much.
You guys. This book is really good. It's technically a novella and it focuses nearly solely on a boat in the middle of the ocean and a single fish, but I was stunned. The writing is excellent. The atmosphere is really great. And the protagonist is perfect. It hurt my heart to read this story. I became invested in a FISHING story. A FISHING STORY. What in the world?
Seriously. I am shocked and very pleasantly surprised. And you know what? I'll probably read it again. What a way to end my reading for 2021. Stunned I tell you.
Well...color me surprised. I have had a copy of this book as long as I can remember. Seriously. I'm pretty sure it belonged to my grandfather and I somehow wound up with it at some point. I've had it since at least middle school. And I have NEVER read it...until now. All I've ever heard about Ernest Hemingway's writing was how it was pretentious and probably not very conducive to enjoyment. Needless to say I went in a bit jaded and not expecting much.
You guys. This book is really good. It's technically a novella and it focuses nearly solely on a boat in the middle of the ocean and a single fish, but I was stunned. The writing is excellent. The atmosphere is really great. And the protagonist is perfect. It hurt my heart to read this story. I became invested in a FISHING story. A FISHING STORY. What in the world?
Seriously. I am shocked and very pleasantly surprised. And you know what? I'll probably read it again. What a way to end my reading for 2021. Stunned I tell you.
4.5 stars.
Stuart Turton can write a really good and twisty murder mystery. This is my second read from him and I am utterly impressed by his writing talent. The plot for this novel is so intricate, with so many characters to balance and so many little twists and turns. To have been able to construct such a tale is just amazing. I was totally mesmerized.
The plot can be a little convoluted and complicated to follow due to the constant changing of protagonist "hosts", but it is intense and difficult to walk away from. I think a second reading will be just as, if not more, enjoyable as the multiple characters become even more cemented.
The atmosphere was nice and gothic, with a creepy estate, some ominous weather, and a cast of characters who all seem to be at odds. The premise itself is quite gothic...bringing back a cast of characters for a party on the anniversary of a murder that occurred on the grounds...all of the invitations given to those who were there at the time of the original event. Creeeeepy and weird.
I enjoyed the read and was gripped by the tale. The writing style is more to the literary side and there is definitely a large cast of characters, so it's important to know that going in. Some of the characters are rather flat and blend into one another, but others are very vibrant, so it's not a bad balance. There were some problematic moments with blatant body shaming, so there was a 0.25 star deduction from my rating for that. The character could have remained the same, with the same points made without the derogatory language used on a few occasions.
The writing style itself is a bit dry, but it worked for me. There was a bit of a Sherlock feel to the whole thing though it was written in a way that totally made it unique. Long, intense, and convoluted Evelyn Hardcastle is a great gothic mystery and I very much appreciated the inventiveness.
Stuart Turton can write a really good and twisty murder mystery. This is my second read from him and I am utterly impressed by his writing talent. The plot for this novel is so intricate, with so many characters to balance and so many little twists and turns. To have been able to construct such a tale is just amazing. I was totally mesmerized.
The plot can be a little convoluted and complicated to follow due to the constant changing of protagonist "hosts", but it is intense and difficult to walk away from. I think a second reading will be just as, if not more, enjoyable as the multiple characters become even more cemented.
The atmosphere was nice and gothic, with a creepy estate, some ominous weather, and a cast of characters who all seem to be at odds. The premise itself is quite gothic...bringing back a cast of characters for a party on the anniversary of a murder that occurred on the grounds...all of the invitations given to those who were there at the time of the original event. Creeeeepy and weird.
I enjoyed the read and was gripped by the tale. The writing style is more to the literary side and there is definitely a large cast of characters, so it's important to know that going in. Some of the characters are rather flat and blend into one another, but others are very vibrant, so it's not a bad balance. There were some problematic moments with blatant body shaming, so there was a 0.25 star deduction from my rating for that. The character could have remained the same, with the same points made without the derogatory language used on a few occasions.
The writing style itself is a bit dry, but it worked for me. There was a bit of a Sherlock feel to the whole thing though it was written in a way that totally made it unique. Long, intense, and convoluted Evelyn Hardcastle is a great gothic mystery and I very much appreciated the inventiveness.
4.5 stars.
Circus of Wonders is a fascinating historical fiction novel that follows Nell, a young girl with a skin condition that marks her with several birthmarks. Set in the end of the 19th century, the fascination of crowds with human "wonders" is in full swing. Jasper Jupiter has created his own Circus of Wonders in the vein of Barnum and his path's collision with Nell's own results in a tale that is colorful, magnificent, intriguing, & gut-wrenching.
The attention paid to the history of "human oddities" is well-handled, with a good evaluation of the historical fact as well as the current sentiment toward the treatment of these individuals. The writing is flowing and beautiful, bringing forth an atmosphere that is at once brilliant and gritty. The allure of the circus comes through the pages, as does the dark side of this often disgraced endeavor.
Macneal creates characters who are wholly human, with imperfections and beautiful personalities, those who see their own worth and those who are struggling to discover it. The multi-POV approach was well executed, with the focus on Jasper's brother, Toby providing a deftly woven tale. The relationship between the ambitious, callous, and narcissistic Jasper and his quiet, talented, insecure younger brother is explored thoroughly in a way that brings both characters well beyond the page. Their individual relationships with Nell and the way their personal situations and characters cause them to view her are interesting and dynamic. The multifaceted character interactions are what really brings this novel out of the dark, making the full range of emotional experiences feel tangible and launching the plot with a full impact.
Though a bit of a slow starter, Circus of Wonders wrapped itself around my soul and really plunged me into the world of the Victorian circus. I was swept from emotional highs to lows with moments of wonder and moments of strong disgust in the handling of the vaudevillian enterprise. I was gripped for the majority of my read and devoured the story with my heart often in my throat. Macneal does a fabulous job with this obviously well-researched novel and I was enchanted by her talent in telling this amazing tale.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
Circus of Wonders is a fascinating historical fiction novel that follows Nell, a young girl with a skin condition that marks her with several birthmarks. Set in the end of the 19th century, the fascination of crowds with human "wonders" is in full swing. Jasper Jupiter has created his own Circus of Wonders in the vein of Barnum and his path's collision with Nell's own results in a tale that is colorful, magnificent, intriguing, & gut-wrenching.
The attention paid to the history of "human oddities" is well-handled, with a good evaluation of the historical fact as well as the current sentiment toward the treatment of these individuals. The writing is flowing and beautiful, bringing forth an atmosphere that is at once brilliant and gritty. The allure of the circus comes through the pages, as does the dark side of this often disgraced endeavor.
Macneal creates characters who are wholly human, with imperfections and beautiful personalities, those who see their own worth and those who are struggling to discover it. The multi-POV approach was well executed, with the focus on Jasper's brother, Toby providing a deftly woven tale. The relationship between the ambitious, callous, and narcissistic Jasper and his quiet, talented, insecure younger brother is explored thoroughly in a way that brings both characters well beyond the page. Their individual relationships with Nell and the way their personal situations and characters cause them to view her are interesting and dynamic. The multifaceted character interactions are what really brings this novel out of the dark, making the full range of emotional experiences feel tangible and launching the plot with a full impact.
Though a bit of a slow starter, Circus of Wonders wrapped itself around my soul and really plunged me into the world of the Victorian circus. I was swept from emotional highs to lows with moments of wonder and moments of strong disgust in the handling of the vaudevillian enterprise. I was gripped for the majority of my read and devoured the story with my heart often in my throat. Macneal does a fabulous job with this obviously well-researched novel and I was enchanted by her talent in telling this amazing tale.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *