jessicaxmaria's Reviews (1.04k)

The most brutal book of the series so far. I kind of read in disbelief.

Eerily reminiscent of Watchmen in the main plot (and even some of it's structure), which was the only reason I docked it a star. There are some great stories there, though, and I enjoyed reading it. I don't think I fully grasped every nuance most comic-book lovers would, but it was interesting. And the best thing about it is the art! I love, love, love the way this graphic novel looks. On to the sequel...

I was really engrossed in this novel; like 2666 before it, Bolano writes in a way that it feels like something eerie and foreboding is lurking just around the corner. I enjoyed the ties to 2666...like, finding out what that term "2666" really was referring to, and though at times the sheer amount of characters became confusing, I was fascinated by their personalities. It was like a maze at times, and I can see how some people might tire of its seemingly endless circles, but the book does have an ending - something even I wasn't expecting.

Recommend to those who enjoy guessing, puzzles, recognizing coincidences fifty or even hundred pages apart, and David Lynch fans.

I decided to download this since I loved the Hunger Games series so much, and I wanted some further insight. A few of these essays are solid, decent write-ups of the themes. There wasn't anything here quite new or surprising, but I really enjoyed some of the essays on reality tv, the media representation the Iraqi war in context to the Hunger Games, and the one about Team Katniss (because the love triangle is the least priority in these books...).

There were some really boring essays included as well. They felt off the mark or excessively corny and pandering to teenage readers.

Enjoyable if you REALLY enjoy the Hunger Games, but not necessary reading.

Shallon Lester is an intriguing personality in just her seemingly unmarriageable traits: she's the girl who makes sure to give food to the homeless whenever she can but she also makes sure she exacts revenge on any enemy that crosses her (food seems to be her weapon of choice). In the end, Shallon is likeable because she doesn't hold back about any of these things - she can go from being obsessed about giving back to the community to being obsessed with becoming famous. Her honesty is clear, and her wit sharp as she divulges in some of the more messier chapters of her life as they relate to men. I laughed out loud quite a few times. A fun beach read for the summer.

Tons of spoilerage below! ONLY READ IF YOU'VE READ THIS BOOK!

I had to think for a while before deciding what I thought about this novel, the 5th in the Song of Ice and Fire series. I think it's because this book, and the books previous to it, can be incredibly emotional. The characters are so well-developed that their trials and tribulations are taken to heart because Jon Snow is like my brother, Tyrion my clever uncle, and Arya my little sister. They've become, all these years through, like family.

While it's true there were no huge resolutions to some of the series' big mysteries, I trust in George RR Martin to resolve them in the next two books (this is a guy who stated the LOST finale was horrible because it didn't have resolutions, so...holding him to his word). And let's be honest, this book was MUCH greater than the 4th book.

The thing is, I thoroughly enjoyed the reading of this and didn't even realize there were no huge "resolutions" until the end of the book. There are some great moments of reveals and realizations, though! From Reek = Theon (man, that's a character that goes and back and forth on whether I like him or not!), to Mance Rayder NOT DEAD, to Abel = Mance Rayder, Brienne's not dead!, to Arya's eyesight returning, etc.

And while the Melisandre POV chapter was fun, I was irritated by Victarion Greyjoy's as well as Quentyn Martell's. I was kind of glad Quentyn got it in the end? Maybe I just have no patience for idiots? Though if that was true, then I'd hate all those Stark kids for not paying attention to their direwolves when they sense danger (don't you get it yet?!).

And to the biggest bit of craziness in the book: JON SNOW KILLED?? Or is he Azor Ahai reborn?? Betting on some theories I've seen circling on the internet, Snow is not dead. He's a warg! Remember the prologue? Plus, whenever Melisandre looks for Azor Ahai all she sees is snow...Snow. She'll make sure he gets back into a good ol' body, I bet.

While I was a little disappointed by Danaerys insistence on staying on in Merenees (sp?), and locking up her dragons, and marrying that goober, I think it was worth it by the end to see her ride away on Drogon. Though, yes, she ends up realizing she can't stay with the dragon or control it, I still have faith in her. (And that she may no longer be barren??) I also loved Barristan Selmy's POV chapters.

I'm obviously very excited for the next two books in the series - and with everything going on in the books and how well written and concieved this world is - I can't blame the guy for needing time to write.

Another great collection of her articles and essays; to me, not as great as "Slouching Towards Bethlehem," but still 5-star writing. I may be biased towards "Slouching" since it was my first Didion and it blew me away. One of the most captivating elements of her writing has always been how she writes from her own point of view, inserting herself into these articles. Because of this element, these glimpses into her personal life and marriage and family in the 50s and 60s form a real history to what I've read in her recent work "The Year of Magical Thinking" about the death of her husband, as well as elements of her fiction novels (from "Play It As it Lays" - the essay on Hollywood - to "A Book of Common Prayer - the essay on Bogota).