the_pale_woman's Reviews (542)

This sequel wasn't as good as the first, but I still enjoyed it. First, this one doesn't cover a large span of time through the lens of multiple generations of colonists like in Semiosis. It still hops around to different perspectives for each chapter, but there aren't any giant time jumps. I think part of my disappointment with this book is that it didn't continue that original narrative structure. But, to give it credit, I was still intrigued by the story and I found a couple of the characters really compelling. 

Despite my slight disappointments, I'd still recommend this series. I think if you're a fan of Children of Time, this might be your vibe, especially if you were able to enjoy its sequels.

This was an infuriating read. Just like some cheesy horror movie, this plot doesnt actually make any sense.  Plus, it throws in a ridiculous, unnecessary plot twist at the end, further confusing the already flimsy logic. The setting felt original and creepy. The theme park like cemetery space station drew me into the story at the beginning. Unfortunately, the characters and plot were underdeveloped and poorly executed. 

Easily one of my favorite books of the year. As one of my most anticipated new releases, I'm more than pleased. Full satisfaction has been achieved. Coincidentally, this book has a similar vibe to another favorite read of mine for the year, Kings of the Wyld. If you're a fan of one, I'm sure you'd like the other.

I love the First Law world, but I'm excited to see something new from Abercrombie. This intuitive world he's built in The Devils is a fantastic way to showcase his strengths as a writer: characters and dialogue. I loved all the characters here, except maybe some of the protagonists, which is a shame. Abercrombie can write complicated villains better than most. There just wasn't time in this action-packed adventure. Understandable. And regardless, any book that can make me smile this much is perfect despite its imperfections.

It's obvious to me that I'm going to enjoy the rest of this series, and I eagerly await the sequels. Like most of Joe's series, I'm sure it will only get better from here.

I really enjoyed this read. The narrative device of following a colonialist from each generation on this strange planet is undeniably compelling. Mix in alien sentience, and we have the makings of a great story. Unfortunately, in my opinion, it's not the best execution. The pacing is a little erratic. Some of the characters are flat, and the logic requires some mental leeway. 

Regardless, I think it has a lot of potential, and I am actually invested in how this series will progress. This is just not the type of book that can stand on its own. I'm okay with that; I just hope we can end up somewhere that leaves me with more to contemplate.

I like Saga, and this volume was a fine enough entry. I'm just struggling with the fact that I read Volume 11 over a year ago. Hopefully, they can pick up the pace. 

This is easily my least favorite Schwab book. I thought the Villains series was great, and the Shades of Magic series was mid, for context. 

I think Schwab has great ideas, decent prose, and a good sense of adventure. Unfortunately, I think her taste meter is built to a different scale than mine. 

I disliked this book, not because of what it did, but because of what it didn't do, as well as the egregious proliferation of telling instead of showing. 

I was loving this book in the beginning. I saw its potential and had high hopes for what was possible. I wanted to feel like a bystander to the past and present. Instead, I was forced into contemplating a shallow romantic relationship. This isn't labeled as romance. Why couldn't they just be friends? Why does this have to be a some young adult vibe romance? Is it only because Henry has literally no options and Addie can't get over herself enough to admit she loves the devil? I would have even preferred a more introspective take on being forgettable, even though it spent enough time on that topic in my opinion. 

I think it would have benefited from focusing more on art throughout the years: artists and muses, or lost masterpieces. Instead of exploring the transient or perpetual nature of time and art, I was served clichés. 

Maybe this was just too much story to try to fit into this one standalone. It's as if the good parts are missing, erased just like Addie LaRue. As if they were never there. 

Additionally, I'm convinced this could have been improved, at least slightly, with a simple name change. Addie might as well be a hamster's name for all the gravitas it brings to this story. If you're going to put so much emphasis on a name, you have to pick a good one. Maybe it should have leaned more heavily into the French aesthetic, in name and history. It would have given the book the focus I think it needed.

I knew after the second book that these characters and this story were incapable of concluding satisfactorily. Complaining about it afterward was fun, but that's not a good reason to read a book, especially a bloated trilogy like this one. I now know with certainty that this author isn't for me.

This is where you start to lose me. If I had not read this series with someone else, I would have stopped here. Unfortunately, my fate is to finish this train wreck. 

I truly started to dislike Niara in this sequel. It's obvious that I'm meant to be rooting for her, but I find her nauseatingly immature. Why is she so self-righteous? Why does no one call her out on anything? Is it so we can pretend that she is competent? Plus, her love interest, Tarquinn, is an inconsequential milksop, so who really cares if they end up together? 

To be honest, I don't even care where the side stepping plot goes from here. I have a feeling it's just going to be whatever this girl was able to get past her editor and based off this those standards are low. 

Is it possible to be entertained by a mystery when you know every twist? If you knew Bruce Willis was dead, would you still watch the movie? 

Apparently, the answer is yes. 

At least for me, it is. I have proven myself to be that basic. 

I think I've seen this movie twice, and yet I still picked up the book. I think if I were a cat, I would have gone through all nine lives long before now. I have no regrets, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend following my lead. Although, I feel like "Gone Girl" has entered the public lexicon, and it would be difficult to go into this book now without some idea of how it will go. Regardless, I thought this was a fun domestic thriller. I liked it because I can't help but enjoy reading about unlikable, unreliable narrators. I do have to point out that parts of this tale went slightly beyond the realm of the believable. But since I mostly read fantasy and science fiction, suspending a little disbelief is no big thing.

Unlike Vera, you have not had the good fortune of discovering a dead person in your tea shop. 

Vera is a remarkably well-developed and instantly iconic character, ideal for these cozy murder mysteries. 

I found this sequel just as enjoyable as the first installment. While the mystery was more predictable, its ever-present humorous and heartwarming elements were delightful. The increased number of side characters might slightly detract from the narrative, yet Vera's capacity for compassion and her desire to adopt everyone easily made up for it. 

I would highly recommend both of these books and hope there will be more of them to come.