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1.45k reviews by:
mj_james_writes
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
***Book Review***
In the Quick
By. Kate Hope Day
P. 272
Format: eArc
Rating: ****
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I received an e-arc from @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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The description of In the Quick makes it out to be some science fiction romance. It is not. No relationship even starts until 70% of the way into the book. Even then it is highly problematic and not the main focus of the book. If you want romance then this is not the book for your.
In the Quick is a book about an orphaned genius, June, who was raised by her aunt and uncle. Except only her uncle really understands her. He is a scientist for the space program, a program that has expanded to a few stations and a long term exploration mission to the outer solar system.
June’s uncle died when she was eleven leaving her with an aunt who does not understand her at all. A year later the long range mission has a malfunction and goes dark. This mission is her uncle’s legacy and June devotes her life to honoring his memory by making it right. Although, I doubt she would see such deep philosophical meaning behind her obsession.
June does develop a relationship with one of her uncle’s students. The relationship is troubling and disturbing. However, it is thankfully not a major part of the book.
If you like character driven science fiction set in outer space then this is a great read. If you do not, then you probably will not enjoy this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
***Book Review***
A Man Called Ove
By. Fredrik Backman
P. 337
Format: print/audio
Rating: ****
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First - there is strong trigger warning for suicidal behavior in this book. It is a huge part of the book and I wish I had known before starting.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I read it when I was having a heard week and if I would have realized that the topic was about an older gentleman trying to kill himself after the death of his wife I would have not read it when I did. However, older adult suicide is an important issue to have a conversation about.
Ove is different. He displays obsessive compulsive behaviors, has difficulty with change, and his social skills are limited. This is suppose to make a delightful character that makes us want to ignore his blunt racist/homophobic way of speaking. After all his actions show that he really has a heart of gold and he isn’t actually racist/homophobic. As a person on the autism spectrum I have a hard time with that message.
That being said, the writing is very well done and the characters are very well developed (even if I think Ove is problematic). I think if the book tried to give answers to any of the issues that it brought up then I would have a problem with the book. It does not. It presents a man with his good points and his not good points. It presents a neighborhood with its good points and its not good points. As a reader you are left interpreting this as you see fit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
***Book Review***
Down Among the Sticks and Bones
By. Seanan McGuire
P. 187
Format: print/audio
Rating: ****
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Down Among the Sticks and Bones is the second book in the Wayward Children’s series. Having started with the first book I knew more what I was getting into. The books are dark and gothic. Although, I would ironically say the second book is less so than the first.
The book follows Jack and Jill and their life inside their doorway. While the book could be read as a stand-alone, I would not recommend it. To be honest I am not sure I would have cared as much if I had not already been introduced to the characters. I feel like the twins would have fallen flat without the build up they had in the first book.
However, reading them in order I really wanted to know their story and to understand their world better. McGuire left out the more gruesome aspects that were hinted at in the first book. Or rather, she did not describe them in detail. I appreciated this as I am not one for horror. I also appreciated seeing the more humanitarian side of Jack.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
***Book Review***
A Closed and Common Orbit
By. Becky Chambers
P. 364
Format: print/audio
Rating: *****
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A Closed and Common Orbit is the second book in the Wayfair series. It follows Pepper and an AI that were both side characters in the first book.
I really enjoyed reading about Pepper’s experience growing up. It was brought up in the first book, enough that I already was interested in knowing, and the way it was reviled in small sections around the main time period worked very well.
Chambers has a way of brining alien characters to life. It is more than making them relatable - you feel like you begin to understand their way of thinking. It is pretty astounding as they all are creatures of Chamber’s mind.
I loved this book and cannot wait to continue on in the series.
I typically steer clear of this type of book. I am not big one either history or books on Christianity. However I randomly picked it from my Kindle library and started reading. By the time I realized what the story was about, which was early into the book, I was hooked. The writing is fabulous and sets an excellent stage for a time period during the bible (old testament I think). The book was so encompassing that I not only finished but plan on continuing on in the story.
This book was labeled as a children's book. As such I thought it would be a cute story to read to my girls. Turns our it really wasn't a children's story. It's intended audience seemed like late teens to adults. Overall it was a decent read. The story is short, not poorly written, and has a main character which is somewhat relatable. With some editing as I read, my children enjoyed it more then I did. Personally I prefer stories where the girl does more then look for a guy.
This was a free Kindle book I grabbed for my son. I decided to read it first to make sure it was appropriate. Also the premiss sounded kewl, a modern day sherlock Holmes mystery. Unfortunately the writing is abysmal. The three main characters are fourteen and talk in a mix of outdated and multi region slang. It made for annoying reading. The Sherlock Holmes connection seemed random, he comes out of his old pipe one of the kids happened to pick up. I read far enough to determine that the book was kid friendly, about four chapters. Then I couldn't take it any more. I seriously doubt my son will like this book any more then I did. It is going in my rare couldn't even stomach it enough to grin and bare it pile. Don't bother.
This is like the cliff note version of the Aseops tales. Each story jumps to the end of the classic tales slapping on the moral at the end. Overall it was disappointing, however I did give it a second star because the illustrations and formatting is great for a Kindle book.