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goodstrongwords's reviews
94 reviews
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
one of the most beautiful books i have ever read - i am already considering re-reading with annotation in mind.
a very insightful and reflective look at humanity and nature and the 'purpose' of being a person packed into a story about a tea monk (new dream job) and a robot (who i would die and/or kill for) sharing a spontaneous journey. very very lovely.
a very insightful and reflective look at humanity and nature and the 'purpose' of being a person packed into a story about a tea monk (new dream job) and a robot (who i would die and/or kill for) sharing a spontaneous journey. very very lovely.
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
quite lovely. the characters did feel a little underdeveloped and thrown together - i am almost certain this is a fanfiction or at least fanfiction inspired as it seems like i am supposed to have prior knowledge of them and their relationship
still an enjoyable book, feels quite episodic so easy to pick up as a light cosy read
still an enjoyable book, feels quite episodic so easy to pick up as a light cosy read
Song of the Huntress by Lucy Holland
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
truly gorgeous -- lucy holland's prose is stunning and full of life. historical fantasy doesn't always flow and can become boggy with historical details, but this felt like a really strong balance.
all three perspectives were distinct and enjoyable, which is a huge feat in a multi-POV story, and i really appreciated how much time was given to ine as well as æthel and herla. based on the marketing i didn't realise how crucial he would become, but it made for an interesting dynamic and gave a much more rounded narrative. king ine's softness and logical mind was a perfect contrast to both women's brash, hotheaded warrior mindsets.
if i was being nitpicky i'd say it was perhaps a little long and the final confrontation took a lot of setting up, but the writing is so evocative and engrossing that just being in this world at all was a treat.
i opted for the audiobook for this one and i highly recommend it - kristin atherton is a perfect narrator and it definitely helped keep track of names, details and allegiances when i didn't have to figure out how to pronounce them all...
all three perspectives were distinct and enjoyable, which is a huge feat in a multi-POV story, and i really appreciated how much time was given to ine as well as æthel and herla. based on the marketing i didn't realise how crucial he would become, but it made for an interesting dynamic and gave a much more rounded narrative. king ine's softness and logical mind was a perfect contrast to both women's brash, hotheaded warrior mindsets.
if i was being nitpicky i'd say it was perhaps a little long and the final confrontation took a lot of setting up, but the writing is so evocative and engrossing that just being in this world at all was a treat.
i opted for the audiobook for this one and i highly recommend it - kristin atherton is a perfect narrator and it definitely helped keep track of names, details and allegiances when i didn't have to figure out how to pronounce them all...
Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
nothing personal!!! just started this at the wrong time, lost pace, and need to go back and start again
The Four by Ellie Keel
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
True Grit by Charles Portis
5.0
never in my life did i think i would choose a book like this - i thought it was a classic western full of violence and sexism and generally not my bag.
in some ways, true grit is exactly that -- but Mattie Ross makes it so much more. she may be one of the strongest narrative voices in all of literature, this tenacious fourteen-year-old with a no-nonsense attitude. when no-one is showing the initiative to chase after her father's killer, she rolls up her sleeves and moves to go after him herself with the unenthusiastic help of marshal rooster cogburn.
this novel feels less like you're reading an account, and more like you're tucked under a blanket on a porch, listening to mattie recount her adventure. it is pacy and exciting and genuinely funny -- a concise and tightly tied masterpiece.
in some ways, true grit is exactly that -- but Mattie Ross makes it so much more. she may be one of the strongest narrative voices in all of literature, this tenacious fourteen-year-old with a no-nonsense attitude. when no-one is showing the initiative to chase after her father's killer, she rolls up her sleeves and moves to go after him herself with the unenthusiastic help of marshal rooster cogburn.
this novel feels less like you're reading an account, and more like you're tucked under a blanket on a porch, listening to mattie recount her adventure. it is pacy and exciting and genuinely funny -- a concise and tightly tied masterpiece.