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ocie's reviews
390 reviews
Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present by Ruth Ben-Ghiat
challenging
dark
informative
fast-paced
4.5
Informative, easy to understand, and presents information in a clear-cut manner. Comparing the strongman leader type from various eras beginning with Mussolini and continuing to the present day leaders such as Trump and Putin.
Very sobering and just a little scary how similar each of these men are to each other, not only in mannerisms and policies, but in events surrounding them, and even in how much they got away with and are currently getting away with.
This book brings a perspective to global politics we all need to become aware of.
"The ceaseless lying and corruption, and the cynical disregard for human life that marks strongman rule can lead to despair. This makes it all the more important to know the history of resistance to repressive governments. Time and again people have shown great resolve and courage, and risked their lives to keep alive the hope that a different society can be created."
Very sobering and just a little scary how similar each of these men are to each other, not only in mannerisms and policies, but in events surrounding them, and even in how much they got away with and are currently getting away with.
This book brings a perspective to global politics we all need to become aware of.
"The ceaseless lying and corruption, and the cynical disregard for human life that marks strongman rule can lead to despair. This makes it all the more important to know the history of resistance to repressive governments. Time and again people have shown great resolve and courage, and risked their lives to keep alive the hope that a different society can be created."
White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I don't necessarily think the story is the point. Rather, the exploration of self and loneliness, woven into a narrative that makes you stop and consider what it is to be alone as a communal creature.
I give the prose 5/5 stars, but the story was difficult to get through.
I give the prose 5/5 stars, but the story was difficult to get through.
The Sunshine Court by Nora Sakavic
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
We didn't get to see much of the brainwashing/cult mentality of the Ravens in the first trilogy of this series, so Jean's inner monologue is pretty jarring right away.
Aside from that, I can't help but laugh at the way he sees the others. Andrew is "that creepy little goalkeeper" and I had to highlight all the names Jean calls Neil. "Tedious malcontent" and "abominable cockroach" are my favorites.
This book is mostly character-focused, and SUCH characters at that. I love well-rounded characters with a backstory, characters you feel like you really get to know. Jean's journey from branwashed cult member to finally starting to stand up for himself is incredible. I cried multiple times.
I'm going to start the next book ASAP.
Aside from that, I can't help but laugh at the way he sees the others. Andrew is "that creepy little goalkeeper" and I had to highlight all the names Jean calls Neil. "Tedious malcontent" and "abominable cockroach" are my favorites.
This book is mostly character-focused, and SUCH characters at that. I love well-rounded characters with a backstory, characters you feel like you really get to know. Jean's journey from branwashed cult member to finally starting to stand up for himself is incredible. I cried multiple times.
I'm going to start the next book ASAP.
The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The first chapter of this book is FIRE. I was absolutely hooked by Ikenna's attitude and fighting rage. The end of the chapter had me internally screaming.
Unfortunately the next few chapters are mostly description, explanation, and a few deaths. The deaths I didn't mind, because it heightened the stakes. But having everything explained to me just isn't my cup of tea.
Chapter 7 starts getting good again, and by chapter 10 Ikenna's investigation really starts picking up. While the explanative language remains, the story gripped me enough to get over it.
The last few chapters after the completion of the trials felt off-balance or the whole book. It's a major shift from the theme of the entire book. I felt like too much time was spent on the trials is the story was going to shift into war mode immediately after. There could have been a better balance in the book, or the last few chapters could have been expanded into a book of their own making this a trilogy.
That being said, it's still a very gripping story, and I will be reading book 2 as soon as I can get my hands on it.
Unfortunately the next few chapters are mostly description, explanation, and a few deaths. The deaths I didn't mind, because it heightened the stakes. But having everything explained to me just isn't my cup of tea.
Chapter 7 starts getting good again, and by chapter 10 Ikenna's investigation really starts picking up. While the explanative language remains, the story gripped me enough to get over it.
The last few chapters after the completion of the trials felt off-balance or the whole book. It's a major shift from the theme of the entire book. I felt like too much time was spent on the trials is the story was going to shift into war mode immediately after. There could have been a better balance in the book, or the last few chapters could have been expanded into a book of their own making this a trilogy.
That being said, it's still a very gripping story, and I will be reading book 2 as soon as I can get my hands on it.
Sourcery by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Sourcery isn't my favorite Rincewind book, but the ending is what really makes it worth reading.
You gotta love Rincewind's talent for knowing immediately when to run away from a situation. He has insights even he isn't aware of (which is one of the reasons I love him so much).
One of my favorite lines in the book, which just demonstrates Terry's talent for writing, is "Nothing moved except the shimmering air, hot as a stolen volcano"
I didn't particularly like the middle of this book, but the last 50 pages or so are absolutely incredible.
Even though Rincewind has to be dragged kicking and screaming into being heroic, it absolutely melted my heart to see him shove Coin behind him to protect the boy, and then immediately get clocked by the staff. This is followed by him saving Coin yet again in the dungeon dimension, effectively dooming himself.
Rincewind's greatest talent is knowing when to run away, but his greatest character trait is heroics under pressure.
You gotta love Rincewind's talent for knowing immediately when to run away from a situation. He has insights even he isn't aware of (which is one of the reasons I love him so much).
One of my favorite lines in the book, which just demonstrates Terry's talent for writing, is "Nothing moved except the shimmering air, hot as a stolen volcano"
I didn't particularly like the middle of this book, but the last 50 pages or so are absolutely incredible.
Rincewind's greatest talent is knowing when to run away, but his greatest character trait is heroics under pressure.
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
House of Hollow was recommended to me by a friend and l definitely had my doubts, but I was pleasantly surprised.
It's a beautiful blend of fairy story and the Came Back Wrong trope. I felt like I was chasing the protagonists throughout the whole book.
A mix of quiet horror and ethereal mystery, the story of three sisters and the slow reveal of what happened to them as children drew me in a kept me reading long past my bedtime. I read it all in two days.
Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This took a bit to get into, but that's mostly because I kept getting the characters mixed up and it took me a few chapters to sort everyone out.
Once I did, the main characters proved interesting and engaging. Andrew's emotional journey to try and figure out what happened go Eddie kept me hooked, stringing me along one reveal at a time.
I enjoy stories with a good amount of internal monologue, which this book delivers in plenty. That combined with Andrew's many and vivid encounters with haunts and ghosts really helps the southern Gothic horror vibes.
As Gothic horror quickly becomes a favorite genre of mine, Southern Sons delivers in FULL.
Once I did, the main characters proved interesting and engaging. Andrew's emotional journey to try and figure out what happened go Eddie kept me hooked, stringing me along one reveal at a time.
I enjoy stories with a good amount of internal monologue, which this book delivers in plenty. That combined with Andrew's many and vivid encounters with haunts and ghosts really helps the southern Gothic horror vibes.
As Gothic horror quickly becomes a favorite genre of mine, Southern Sons delivers in FULL.
An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
informative
5.0
One of the most informative books i have ever read.
I had a little knowledge of US history from an Indigenous perspective, but this book explained and expanded that history in a way that was engaging and easy to understand.
As a side note: reading this book reminded me just how similar the colonizer US government treatment of Native populations was to Hitler's treatment of the Jewish populations. This is because Hitler was actually inspired by the US. This is something everyone should know.
The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
And incredibly real depiction of the horrors of the Holocaust. Everyone should read this.