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hotlizard's reviews
368 reviews
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Ok I loved it. A little silly and jumbled at times but the mystery really enveloped me and I loved the villain growth arc. Need more Kingsley.
With a caveat I will say this, Red Tower Books keeps publishing books without thoroughly editing and finding mistakes. At one point a character was referred to by the wrong name (a random one and obviously an error) twice. And several grammar mistakes. It was really egregious in Iron Flame etc... just seems like an easy step to make sure everything that's published is edited. Correctly. I don't know, might slide in their dms and ask if I could do it.
With a caveat I will say this, Red Tower Books keeps publishing books without thoroughly editing and finding mistakes. At one point a character was referred to by the wrong name (a random one and obviously an error) twice. And several grammar mistakes. It was really egregious in Iron Flame etc... just seems like an easy step to make sure everything that's published is edited. Correctly. I don't know, might slide in their dms and ask if I could do it.
The Greatest Love Story Ever Told: An Oral History by Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.5
I think the audio book captures the sweetness and permeating love and kindness of both Nick and Megan. It sounds like a conversation and gives more insight into their love (hilariously filled with anecdotes). My favorite part may have been them describing the photos included in the book, since it was an audiobook, in the most unhinged and hilarious ways. May they get a million peaceful puzzle days!
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
It's giving *alien bestie.* I took down to 4.25 because the math and chemistry made it slightly less approachable and felt like Weir was trying to make up for some perceived criticism that his previous books weren't smart enough.
Side note: "Artemis" was a train wreck but not because it wasn't smart enough. It was written so horrendously from what he thought was a female perspective that it made me cringe at every turn. Skip that one.
But Project Hail Mary, an absolute yes from me. I'd honestly read another installation following Rocky post Grace's time.
Side note: "Artemis" was a train wreck but not because it wasn't smart enough. It was written so horrendously from what he thought was a female perspective that it made me cringe at every turn. Skip that one.
But Project Hail Mary, an absolute yes from me. I'd honestly read another installation following Rocky post Grace's time.
The Damning Stone by TJ Klune
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
What do I even say. This series is so perfect. We get an in depth look into Justin and his demons, and the development or rather the final crack in his cold armor. I'd wager, Justin had probably the biggest development arc of the whole series. He finds his softness with Sam which is ðŸ˜
The ending is set up with a glimpse into future adventures which I hope we get from TJ Klune soon.
If it weren't for the meeegga explicit parts I'd absolutely recommend this to every kiddo I know.
The ending is set up with a glimpse into future adventures which I hope we get from TJ Klune soon.
If it weren't for the meeegga explicit parts I'd absolutely recommend this to every kiddo I know.
Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Okay. Listen. 3.5 stars bc why and also why not and also minus 1.5 stars for the excessive flashbacks within flashbacks within flashbacks.
I also was highly triggered by the financial difficulties the heroine had. Like, you didn't have to take me back to 2018 so hard. Literally almost cried (did).
"There was a particular sort of indignity that came along with being simultaneously well-educated and in dire straits financially."
I also was highly triggered by the financial difficulties the heroine had. Like, you didn't have to take me back to 2018 so hard. Literally almost cried (did).
"There was a particular sort of indignity that came along with being simultaneously well-educated and in dire straits financially."
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"If you're focused on moving from sign to sign, there's no opportunity for happy accidents." page 5.
The way I teared up and soaked in every bit of this book. So soft and so comforting. A beautiful world, and kind souls, and a human leaning on their robot friend to feel and figure out *what it is that you need*.
The way I teared up and soaked in every bit of this book. So soft and so comforting. A beautiful world, and kind souls, and a human leaning on their robot friend to feel and figure out *what it is that you need*.
The Richest Man in Babylon: The Success Secrets of the Ancients by George S. Clason
fast-paced
3.0
3 stars for the narrator (Paul Michael's) voice. The accents were problematic and the *advice* catered to the Dave Ramsey (financial douche ding dong) advice.
Financial Feminist: Overcome the Patriarchy's Bullsh*t to Master Your Money and Build a Life You Love by Tori Dunlap
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I already gifted this book once to an early 20s gal pal and will again. This is the info/push I WISH someone gave me two decades ago when I started working. I would recommend this as a great beginner read to being financial stable and independent and asking all big money questions we are taught are icky and rude to ask of anyone.
Tldr; emergency savings, invest now, pay yourself first/most, and never accept that you HAVE to stay in your current financial situation.
I debated between giving it a 3.75 and a 4 because of (valid) criticism that this book is not very mindful of intersectionality and the difficulty of those in lowest incomes to take really any of the advice given.
But I think Tori wrote from what she knows, she gave credit to what she could never experience (e.g., being a black woman and getting paid even less on the dollar compared to men and system oppression of immigrants, people of color, and the lgbtq+ community).
Tldr; emergency savings, invest now, pay yourself first/most, and never accept that you HAVE to stay in your current financial situation.
I debated between giving it a 3.75 and a 4 because of (valid) criticism that this book is not very mindful of intersectionality and the difficulty of those in lowest incomes to take really any of the advice given.
But I think Tori wrote from what she knows, she gave credit to what she could never experience (e.g., being a black woman and getting paid even less on the dollar compared to men and system oppression of immigrants, people of color, and the lgbtq+ community).
Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
It was just okay. Clunky most of the time. Just as the build up and writing would be getting excellent, it would stumble. I have some things highlighted but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it. But if you want some fight-me/dom me energy, sure.
Wet Hot Allosaurus Summer by Lola Faust
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
This was soooo bad. 0.25 stars were given for the very few clever and funny metaphors and analogies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual violence, Blood, and Cannibalism