saramdeuri's Reviews (310)

a promising start but a rather boring delivery. I think this is kind of like dune, but for people who don't really care about the character aspect of dune. a little annoying to be ping-ponged around all these different governments and bodies and people so quickly, and at the end I felt like I didn't really have a good grasp of how much worked in this universe. I understand that people enjoy this for the very aspects I didn't- I much more prefer long and in-depth looks at certain parts of a world rather than broad and sweeping strokes of it.

This is like a weird Eastern European  slice of life. I loved it to be honest, although the writing wasn't exactly to my taste and I didn't get attached to any of the characters except the penguin - although I think that's the point, it's what I look for in a book. An interesting read overall!

This was so infused with kindness. I could feel how much Paolini cherished the act of living while he wrote this. This is my first reread since I first read the series when I was 8, and I didn't remember the sheer grief here. So worthwhile.

So close to a 5 star I honestly am not sure why I'm not making it 5. It's honestly such a fantastic sequel and expansion to the world, all the characters' actions and behaviours feel so well justified and natural. 

A great fantasy adventure. Its got great world-building that I'd love to see more of, although I didn't find any character I was fond of until the near end. I do think I'll read the sequels when they interest me more, but I honestly would rather not go through the entire series. I'm a little disappointed that the characters are less agents of their own destiny since Moiraine basically does everything for them and/or destiny itself just puts everything in perfect place for them. Some of the conflicts and predicaments did not really feel like issues when they arose. I did enjoy reading it though.

An excellent expansion/sequel to dune. Less thought provoking than the previous two in the series, but still a book that consumed my thoughts. Makes me curious for the next three in the series too! The only reason it's not a 5 for me is less use of the multiple points of view. There's a good chunk of this where it only alternates between 3-4 characters, and although its still engrossing, I'd have loved to have seen more of the other characters. 

Great concept, promising delivery for a first volume. The main character reminds me a little bit of the guy from Mirai Nikki, but not so much that it's imposing, I just think they'll have a similar trajectory character-wise. What I liked was that as it carried on, the author gave a growing amount of focus to other characters who I'd thought would just be side characters. Very enjoyable to see all/most characters expanded upon.

Such an interesting premise, but I didn't find the characters interesting enough to carry on with the series. Would definitely love to see a spin off or something with the side characters, who were less trope-y

So much fun, gripping and fast paced once the plot begins to move (which is rather quickly since it's a children's book.) I'd say it's a little dark for a 9-12 but then again I enjoyed dark stories at that age, and this one isn't as bad as some books they make children read at school. I will definitely be reading the sequels - unlike other children's books, the premise and promise it gives at the end is enough to keep me interested for the next two novels.

I was so excited to read this but then I got to the part where, after praising the Suffragettes for risking it all and the Rosa Parks movement too, she called Extinction Rebellion "enigmatic mobs" who "fetishised arrest." It's incredibly hypocritical and ignorant, considering the major part of Suffragette movement was getting arrested. After somehow finishing the whole book, I realise that Ashley has no idea how real protests work - she even, i think, admits in the book that she hasn't protested in person. She sounds incredibly self-righteous throughout the rest of the book too, as if she didn't also contribute to the greater problem. The tone of writing is almost patronising.

Overall, this is a book for the terminally online who can't fathom talking to someone face to face about serious issues that aren't what shoelaces AOC wore to the met gala. And this is coming from me, who some people would call a woke gay feminist gen z snowflake. I think Ashley desperately needed 5 minutes away from her phone screen. The points presented in this book are all thoughts I easily had myself after going to the park for a 10 minute breather maybe 5 years ago.