raenyreads's Reviews (345)

This is another great installment of this series and I am continuing to really enjoy it. At the start of this book some events felt a bit convenient and the characters were maybe making some stupid decisions but I found after about 1/3rd of the way in I no longer had this problem and really enjoyed the rest of the book. I liked how this book progressed the story and I can't wait to read the next one.

I don't really give rating to memoirs as it feels weird to rate someone's life but I did really enjoy this book. If you like Tom Allen's stand-up then you'll enjoy this too as it reads exactly the same. I think it was very funny while still communicating some great thoughts and moments. Worth a read.

An incredible second installment in this series. The writing felt like a big improvement on the first one and the action and plot line continued to be really interesting. I didn't see the plot twists coming and I'm very invested in what's to come for the characters!

TLWTASAP follows a multi species crew aboard a spacecraft as they journey through space and carry out the job of a lifetime. The plot is interesting and would have kept me reading on its own, but its key role is in providing opportunities for the characters to shine. 

Though the worlds and sites visited throughout the book are intriguing and cool to read about, I think Becky Chambers' true genius is in the set up of the social structures and communities of the different species we are introduced to along the way. Each is so different from the last, and this diversity creates a vibrant and engaging universe to read about. We don't just learn about their appearances, we learn about their families, their social structures, and how they interact with each other.

The characters in this book are the real stars of the show. Interactions and conversations in the book range from fun and silly to deeply significant and reflective. A particular interaction between two characters marked the moment I knew this was a five star book for me, not a big action scene but just a simple conversation. Through the story we learn the personalities and motivations of each crew member, and each made me fall even more in love with the group as a whole and as individuals. I loved all the characters by the end, but I think my favourites would have to be Sissix and Dr. Chef.

Now, don't get me wrong, there are action scenes and lots of futuristic technology to learn about as with any great sci-fi book. But it was the characters that made this a 5 star read for me, and maybe it will for you too! I can't wait to continue the series!

I liked the story here more than the first book as it felt more unique. I'm always up for a fantasy pirate romance story and this fit the bill. I thought it was a bit slow paced in places but overall was continously enjoyable. The main character Niya felt relateable if a bit stubborn/dense as fanatsy romance protagonists often do but overall I enjoyed her POV. 
This was almost a 4 star review but there was a scene which was one of the worst cases of telling instead of showing I've ever read and so I had to bring the rating down a bit.
Overall a fun read and I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series.

This is a great book and I can see why it gets all the hype even though its so short 
Through the book we see 4 different stories involving going travelling through time to talk to a loved one for a variety of reasons. Each is touching in its own way, though I think my favourite was 'Husband and Wife'.
The characters in this book are fully formed, intersting, and realistic which makes you feel for them even more.
I definitely think I'll pick the second installment.

Shannon Chakraborty has done it again. If you've been here for a hot minute, you'll know I absolutely love the Daevabad series by Shannon Chakraborty, and so I was worried about not enjoying this as much as that series... but I needn't have worried at all. This book is so fun and has some really great characters!

My attention was grabbed in the first chapter as from the get-go you see that Amina has so much personality that radiates from the page. The banter between the characters is a big highlight for me, making me laugh quite a few times. If you love a found family trope, you'll love this book.

I love the ocean and go out on boats a lot, yet I haven't read many pirate books, and so I found the setting really intriguing. It's definitely a setting I want to read more from in the future!

The magical creatures in this book could almost steal the show from Amina but not quite. The way Chakraborty describes places, people, and creatures conjures some amazing imagery, and each time the characters travelled, I couldn't wait to read about the next place. 

Plot wise, I was kept intrigued from beginning to end. I also found it always kept me on my toes and never became too predictable. I can't wait to see where the characters go next.

Overall, I gave this book 5 stars. I found the characters to be really fun, the setting/worldbuilding was intricate, and the plot was engaging. Therefore, I really recommend you give this a read!

The research and thought put into this book is amazing and solidifies RF Kuang as one of my favourite authors. The magic system is so well thought out and described. The characters are incredibly lovable and hateable, depending on the character. How the plot mixes in with real history is really well crafted. I understand people's critiques of how blunt the messaging is and I see it but it didn't ruin the experience for me.

Is this a ground breaking story which I've never read before? No. But was it fun and did I speed through it in a few sittings? Yes.
It's a set up I'm sure those of us who've read fantasy romance before know well, but I did enjoy this book. I liked the characters and was rooting for them from the start, the twists and 90% of the plot are very predictable, but I was here for a slow(ish) burn romance and that's what the book delivered. I'll definitely be reading the next book.

This book is not what I expected at all. The blurb basically gives you the first chapter and then it all goes wild from there!
I think you can tell from the writing that this is some of Samantha Shannon's earlier work but it's still great. I found the plot to be interesting if a bit out of left field and the characters felt well written, so overall I really enjoyed it.
I'm intrigued to see where this will go in the next installment and so I will definitely be continuing.