ocie's Reviews (413)

Picking up directly where Sunshine Court leaves off, this book continues Jean's story. 

I'm gonna be honest, I don't care that this is a new book, I don't think there is a need to introduce every character by their full names. I think it's understood that everyone (hopefully?) has read the sunshine court and has already been introduced to the characters. 

Aside from that, this book is incredible. The character development is heartwrenching and beautiful. The supporting characters are engaging and vibrant. The plot goes slowly, focusing more on Jean's character development than anything else, but it's amazing and sad and so so hopeful. 

What I really liked was the 3D feeling of the characters and, specifically, Kris's character development, which I found relatable and endearing, as well as a little heartbreaking.

I loved the chemistry between the two main characters. I enjoy a good enemies to lovers, which, I'll be honest this one is but only for a little bit, but it was still enjoyable. 

I will admit the similarity of the plots from book one to book two bothered me just a little, but the character focus is so engaging it makes up for the plot. 

Lastly, I have to appreciate the use of music in this book. I love when authors include music in their books. it adds vibrancy to the story, throwing it into bright colors and vivid imagery

I'm going to preface this by saying that there is a difference between enjoyable and good. I have to say the writing style of this book is not what I would  call "good" but (maybe surprisingly) that did not stop me from enjoying the story. 

This book is another of what I'd call "dessert books." It's cute, it's pretty low stakes, and I don't feel like I had to have high standards for some sweeping romance or anything. 

What The Nightmare Before Kissmas offers is a fun romance with some magic and plot, and that is exactly what it delivers. 

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."

What do you even say about a Shakespeare play? It's amazing. It's engaging. It's a good play. Everyone should read it. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.