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heddas_bookgems's Reviews (490)
“Alice, Do you think the problem of the contemporary novel is simply the problem of contemporary life? I agree it seems vulgar, decadent, even epistemically violent, to invest energy in the trivialities of sex and friendship when human civilization is facing collapse. But at the same time, that is what I do every day.” Feeling everything and more but no courage to admit that you feel. Blaming the world of being distant but being detached yourself.
In the fairly new novel from Sally Rooney Beautiful World Where Are You we follow the best friends Alice and Eileen entangling life and their role in it. As they are not living together they write long philosophical and heartfelt emails while in real life they seem distant and detached.
I love the novels by Sally Rooney and although I had difficulty getting into this one I did ended up liking it. The narrative was detached, but so was the behavior of the characters. It had lyrical writing but at the same point it was alienating. It had clear philosophies but the decisions Eileen and Alice made where incomprehensible at the same time. The beauty in it? Life consists of opposites. Definitely worth the read. It’s a book that needs time to sink in and it has almost zero plot, but it was a wonderful read.
In the fairly new novel from Sally Rooney Beautiful World Where Are You we follow the best friends Alice and Eileen entangling life and their role in it. As they are not living together they write long philosophical and heartfelt emails while in real life they seem distant and detached.
I love the novels by Sally Rooney and although I had difficulty getting into this one I did ended up liking it. The narrative was detached, but so was the behavior of the characters. It had lyrical writing but at the same point it was alienating. It had clear philosophies but the decisions Eileen and Alice made where incomprehensible at the same time. The beauty in it? Life consists of opposites. Definitely worth the read. It’s a book that needs time to sink in and it has almost zero plot, but it was a wonderful read.
“Humans suck, man. We think we’re so damn indestructible and infinite because we can think and take care of ourselves, unlike pay phones or books, but I bet the dinosaurs thought they’d rule forever too.”The phone is ringing, you know by the tone of the ring, it’s your time. You are going to die within 24 hours.
"They Both Die at the End" follows Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio as they navigate their final day after receiving a call from Death Cast, a society that predicts imminent death within 24 hours. With time ticking away, Mateo and Rufus embark on a poignant quest for connection and self-discovery, seeking solace in each other's company on their End Day.
While the novel's premise might seem like a spoiler, Adam Silvera crafts a heart-wrenching narrative that transcends expectations. As Mateo and Rufus confront their mortality, they grapple with profound questions about life's purpose and the crippling fear of death. Through their brief yet meaningful encounter, they forge a deep bond that illuminates the beauty of existence itself.
However, one glaring flaw lies in the ambiguous workings of Death Cast, leaving readers yearning for further explanation. Despite this, "They Both Die at the End" remains a captivating read for those drawn to character-driven narratives and existential exploration. So, if you're seeking a poignant journey of self-discovery without the burden of intricate world-building, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression.
"They Both Die at the End" follows Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio as they navigate their final day after receiving a call from Death Cast, a society that predicts imminent death within 24 hours. With time ticking away, Mateo and Rufus embark on a poignant quest for connection and self-discovery, seeking solace in each other's company on their End Day.
While the novel's premise might seem like a spoiler, Adam Silvera crafts a heart-wrenching narrative that transcends expectations. As Mateo and Rufus confront their mortality, they grapple with profound questions about life's purpose and the crippling fear of death. Through their brief yet meaningful encounter, they forge a deep bond that illuminates the beauty of existence itself.
However, one glaring flaw lies in the ambiguous workings of Death Cast, leaving readers yearning for further explanation. Despite this, "They Both Die at the End" remains a captivating read for those drawn to character-driven narratives and existential exploration. So, if you're seeking a poignant journey of self-discovery without the burden of intricate world-building, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression.
“You aren’t a monster, Nivellen,” the Witcher said dryly. “Pox, that’s something new. So what am I? Cranberry pudding?” A world with monsters good and bad, a trustworthy horse, leather armor with large swords strapped on the back and a loud mouthed poet as dependable friend.
The Last Wish, a novella in The Witcher series, is a collection of short stories introducing the world of The Witcher, Geralt of Rivia. And present us some important characters surrounding him. Like the priestess Nenneke, the poet Dandelion and of course the sorceress Yennefer.
Years back a colleague told me about the best game he ever played: The Witcher Wild Hunt. He promised me I would like it too and he was right. I completely fell in love with the world. After that, I wanted to read the complete serie one day. With the popularity of The Witcher growing, because of its eponymous Netflix show, I realized there was no better time to start.
If you like the show, then you like the books; their almost identical to each other. It had scary monsters, it had humor and it was sexy. The book had an easy writing style as it took the time to explain the world. However, there’s one thing that made me doubt continuing reading it. It’s rather sexist. I considered I loved the world and the character too much to not keep on reading, but take this in consideration if you want to read the serie too. Besides that I loved it. It was a wonderful introduction and it ended with a cliffhanger which made me want to start the follow up immediately.
The Last Wish, a novella in The Witcher series, is a collection of short stories introducing the world of The Witcher, Geralt of Rivia. And present us some important characters surrounding him. Like the priestess Nenneke, the poet Dandelion and of course the sorceress Yennefer.
Years back a colleague told me about the best game he ever played: The Witcher Wild Hunt. He promised me I would like it too and he was right. I completely fell in love with the world. After that, I wanted to read the complete serie one day. With the popularity of The Witcher growing, because of its eponymous Netflix show, I realized there was no better time to start.
If you like the show, then you like the books; their almost identical to each other. It had scary monsters, it had humor and it was sexy. The book had an easy writing style as it took the time to explain the world. However, there’s one thing that made me doubt continuing reading it. It’s rather sexist. I considered I loved the world and the character too much to not keep on reading, but take this in consideration if you want to read the serie too. Besides that I loved it. It was a wonderful introduction and it ended with a cliffhanger which made me want to start the follow up immediately.
‘“Then what?””Then you’ll see the world as it is - infinite,” said Jace with a dry smile “Don’t quote Blake at me”.‘ Imagine your world flipping upside down. Your mother acts suspiciously, you are seeing things no one else seems to notice and who is that blond, beautiful but dangerous looking guy with tattoo’s?
City of Bones, the first book in The Mortal Instruments series. Clary Fray is seeing weird and unexplainable things. When she and her best friend Simon visit a nightclub she witnesses a murder done by three teenagers covered in strange tattoos. But nobody but Clary seems to see what happend. Worst of all, when she returns home her mother has disappeared and she is attacked by a strange being. But the boy with the tattoos is here to help.
City of Bones was my fist introduction in the Shadowhunters Chronicles and I loved every bit of it! Although I wasn’t quite a complet newbie, as I watched the Netflix show a few years back. But for some reason I never picked up the book. Now I wished I did that sooner, because this book was so much more than that show. It was quick paced, had an interesting world building and most of all had humor. Lots of it. And if I love something it’s dark and sarcastic humor. Because of that I developed an instant crush on Jace, Simon and Isabelle. Not to mention, I was crushing hard on this forbidden love part of this novel. I really was smitten with everything this world had to offer and can’t wait to see how this story further develops.
“I made my choice and regret it to this day. Bones mend. Regret stays with you forever.” A dark sinister world with large spidery demons, but filled with lute music and songs of heroes who vanished.
The Name of the Wind is the first book in the Kingkiller Chronicle trilogy and was the debut novel from the now acclaimed author Patrick Rothfuss. It’s an epic fantasy revolving around the man of many names: Kvothe. Nobody nows the truth about the myths surrounding this beggar, musician, student, alchemist or assassin. As Kvothe is discovered by a storyteller he will tell his story for the first time.
Some books need to grow on you and some books are already a favorite after reading just a few pages. This book had his hooks in me from the very beginning. It might have the same atmospheric feel as the old tales told by a traveling storyteller in the Middle Ages might have felt like. It was never boring and it had everything a good story should have. It was thrilling, it was tragic, it was heartwarming and it had fierce (magical) enemies. I had the joy of reading this book for the first time in a beautiful tenth anniversary illustrated edition released in 2017. The drawings in this edition from @dandossantos_art gave the book an extra magical dimension. I would highly recommend everyone to read this book if you are in to epic fantasy. Before starting the trilogy I need to tell you that you have to wait for the highly anticipated last and third book, as many have been waiting since 2014. Besides that, this book is a masterpiece and is an absolute new favorite!
The Name of the Wind is the first book in the Kingkiller Chronicle trilogy and was the debut novel from the now acclaimed author Patrick Rothfuss. It’s an epic fantasy revolving around the man of many names: Kvothe. Nobody nows the truth about the myths surrounding this beggar, musician, student, alchemist or assassin. As Kvothe is discovered by a storyteller he will tell his story for the first time.
Some books need to grow on you and some books are already a favorite after reading just a few pages. This book had his hooks in me from the very beginning. It might have the same atmospheric feel as the old tales told by a traveling storyteller in the Middle Ages might have felt like. It was never boring and it had everything a good story should have. It was thrilling, it was tragic, it was heartwarming and it had fierce (magical) enemies. I had the joy of reading this book for the first time in a beautiful tenth anniversary illustrated edition released in 2017. The drawings in this edition from @dandossantos_art gave the book an extra magical dimension. I would highly recommend everyone to read this book if you are in to epic fantasy. Before starting the trilogy I need to tell you that you have to wait for the highly anticipated last and third book, as many have been waiting since 2014. Besides that, this book is a masterpiece and is an absolute new favorite!
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“Brave lad! A moment’s courage, and it’s done. This stake must be driven through her. It will be a fearful ordeal - be not deceived in that - but it will be only a short time, and then you will rejoice more than your pain was great […].”
Johnathan Harker travels deep into the hills of Transylvania to Count Dracula. Harker needs to arrange final matters for the new housing for Count Dracula in London. But something’s off. Local people make crosses when they hear where he’s going. Why are people so afraid of this Count?
When reading about vampires you simply have to read the founders of founders, the father of all vampire stories, Bram Stokers Dracula. This classic gothic novel is a classic for a reason. It was mind blowing at the time by its dark atmosphere. The eerie, gloomy and sinister Count frightened many. It was a pioneering work by displaying longing, oppressed sexual feelings and of course by gruesome acts of drinking blood. However, besides the iconic portrait of Dracula, the vivid characters like Jonathan, Mina and Lucy and the wonderful writing I had some issues with Stokers novel. Least of these issues was the extremely long and repetitive ending. No, what made my skin crawl were the racist descriptions of the native Hungarian people, the antisemitic remarks in this book and the sexist characterization of female behavior. Although this can be seen as a consequence of zeitgeist, it is something to take in account when reading this novel. See through that, Dracula is a masterpiece iconic and undefeated, but once seen it’s hard to be unseen.
Johnathan Harker travels deep into the hills of Transylvania to Count Dracula. Harker needs to arrange final matters for the new housing for Count Dracula in London. But something’s off. Local people make crosses when they hear where he’s going. Why are people so afraid of this Count?
When reading about vampires you simply have to read the founders of founders, the father of all vampire stories, Bram Stokers Dracula. This classic gothic novel is a classic for a reason. It was mind blowing at the time by its dark atmosphere. The eerie, gloomy and sinister Count frightened many. It was a pioneering work by displaying longing, oppressed sexual feelings and of course by gruesome acts of drinking blood. However, besides the iconic portrait of Dracula, the vivid characters like Jonathan, Mina and Lucy and the wonderful writing I had some issues with Stokers novel. Least of these issues was the extremely long and repetitive ending. No, what made my skin crawl were the racist descriptions of the native Hungarian people, the antisemitic remarks in this book and the sexist characterization of female behavior. Although this can be seen as a consequence of zeitgeist, it is something to take in account when reading this novel. See through that, Dracula is a masterpiece iconic and undefeated, but once seen it’s hard to be unseen.
“We crossed winding corridors and large pleasure gardens, golden pavilions and lotus filled ponds before emerging in a courtyard teeming with immortals.” An enchanted Chinese story with embroidered dragons, peonies and lotus’s on rich silk or brocade robes surrounded by vermillion walls, gold pavilions filled with magic and peachy sweet love.
As daughter of the moon goddess, Xingyin, is raised in solitude. She’s her hidden secret as Chang’e fears for her daughters life if she will be discovered by the emperor. The one who condemned her for imprisonment on the moon after stealing the elixer of mortality from her love Hiouyi. But when Xingyin gets older her powers grow stronger and thus it’s unsafe to stay any longer. She flees the moon as her mother is forced to stay. Xingyin makes a solemn promise: she will free her mother by any means necessary.
What a wonderful book. It is such a lush and vivid story. It felt like I stepped out of my world into a Wuxia movie. I could envision every detail, every stich on each magnificent robe. I could taste all the delicious steaming buns, I could experience the warming love and could feel the sting of betrayal. Reading this book felt like flying through it on a cloud from one intimate moment to an action packed chapter with magical creatures. I loved every bit of it. The only downside for me was the ending. It swung from one side to the next and it did feel a bit rushed. Despite that minor detail, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves magic, love stories, magical creatures and Chinese mythology.
As daughter of the moon goddess, Xingyin, is raised in solitude. She’s her hidden secret as Chang’e fears for her daughters life if she will be discovered by the emperor. The one who condemned her for imprisonment on the moon after stealing the elixer of mortality from her love Hiouyi. But when Xingyin gets older her powers grow stronger and thus it’s unsafe to stay any longer. She flees the moon as her mother is forced to stay. Xingyin makes a solemn promise: she will free her mother by any means necessary.
What a wonderful book. It is such a lush and vivid story. It felt like I stepped out of my world into a Wuxia movie. I could envision every detail, every stich on each magnificent robe. I could taste all the delicious steaming buns, I could experience the warming love and could feel the sting of betrayal. Reading this book felt like flying through it on a cloud from one intimate moment to an action packed chapter with magical creatures. I loved every bit of it. The only downside for me was the ending. It swung from one side to the next and it did feel a bit rushed. Despite that minor detail, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves magic, love stories, magical creatures and Chinese mythology.