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mppilk's reviews
357 reviews
Earth by John Boyne
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.25
The 2nd of John Boyne’s new series, Earth follows the story of Evan Keogh since he left his island home on the west coast of Ireland. He finally achieved what his father always wanted and became a professional footballer in the Championship league in the U.K. The book is centred around a rape trial involving himself and another footballer.
This is a grittier and more disturbing read than Water and I would question whether the details given about his sex life were really necessary. Rape trials and accusations have been topical in Ireland and elsewhere in the past so that aspect of the story felt very unoriginal somehow. The book is well written and compelling, the main character complex, devious and yet weak, just not fitting into this world. My issue with it really is the mechanisms used to unravel the root cause of his troubles.
It is still well worth a read and I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a grittier and more disturbing read than Water and I would question whether the details given about his sex life were really necessary. Rape trials and accusations have been topical in Ireland and elsewhere in the past so that aspect of the story felt very unoriginal somehow. The book is well written and compelling, the main character complex, devious and yet weak, just not fitting into this world. My issue with it really is the mechanisms used to unravel the root cause of his troubles.
It is still well worth a read and I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Vet at the End of the Earth by Jonathan Hollins
informative
slow-paced
2.75
A reluctant 3 star rating on this one. There were certainly some interesting stories being told but if you are expecting James Herriot meets exotic animals you will be disappointed. There is none of the charm of James Herriot’s characters or storytelling and while there is mention of penguins and tortoises, it is primarily sheep, goats, chickens and rats’ tails of all things!
Personally it was the writing I found difficult to get to grips with. Overly descriptive and meandering to the extent that I lost track of what actually was happening and got no real sense of the landscape. It reminded me of students in school with the thesaurus out to find an alternative word just for the sake of it. And when explanation was required, if you didn’t have a medical degree, it was lacking.
A struggle to finish but thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for this honest review.
Personally it was the writing I found difficult to get to grips with. Overly descriptive and meandering to the extent that I lost track of what actually was happening and got no real sense of the landscape. It reminded me of students in school with the thesaurus out to find an alternative word just for the sake of it. And when explanation was required, if you didn’t have a medical degree, it was lacking.
A struggle to finish but thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for this honest review.
A Cold Spell: A Human History of Ice by Max Leonard
informative
medium-paced
5.0
This is a little gem of a book. Not quite what I was expecting. I think I was thinking more of it in terms of the science but instead got more history and fascinating history at that. The book is scattered with stories of exploration, discovery, health, challenge and more.
Ice……….such an ordinary everyday substance that most of us hardly give a moments thought to. After reading this book you will have a whole new appreciation of its value. With climate change so topical and the disappearance of the planet’s glaciers this book couldn’t have come at a better time.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an excellent job throughout.
I can only say……….read it.
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.
Ice……….such an ordinary everyday substance that most of us hardly give a moments thought to. After reading this book you will have a whole new appreciation of its value. With climate change so topical and the disappearance of the planet’s glaciers this book couldn’t have come at a better time.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an excellent job throughout.
I can only say……….read it.
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.
Pine by Francine Toon
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I could not really make any sense of the ending. Very rushed and left there. Thought perhaps I was missing a chapter but no. I sometimes wonder how much attention editors pay to certain types of books. This book needed a better editor for sure.
This Plague of Souls by Mike McCormack
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This may be a short book but it is not a quick read. The writing alone deserves the reader’s very best attention. Sentence construct is clever and the general writing wonderfully descriptive. For the first half of the book it was heading for a full 5 stars. Nealon returns to his home in the West of Ireland from prison, with the rather dubious fame as the longest remand prisoner on record. However his home is empty, no heat, no light and most importantly no wife or son only a persistent caller that appears to almost be watching him.
Unfortunately after that it just lost me. I have no idea what the rest of this was about and there was just too much left unanswered at the end.
A disappointing follow up to the wonderful Solar Bones.
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for this ARC
Unfortunately after that it just lost me. I have no idea what the rest of this was about and there was just too much left unanswered at the end.
A disappointing follow up to the wonderful Solar Bones.
Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for this ARC
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This book started out as very promising. After being dumped by her boyfriend Takako goes to live with her uncle helping him to look after his bookshop in Jimbocho. Through this she discovers a love of reading and gets to know the locals.
Unfortunately there is no real story to this although it does contain some lovely vignettes, it may have worked better as a series of interconnecting short stories. Writing is very simplistic and at times I found the dialogue illogical and somewhat confusing but this may have been a translation issue.
It’s a nice short read if you are looking for something not too taxing on the brain.
Unfortunately there is no real story to this although it does contain some lovely vignettes, it may have worked better as a series of interconnecting short stories. Writing is very simplistic and at times I found the dialogue illogical and somewhat confusing but this may have been a translation issue.
It’s a nice short read if you are looking for something not too taxing on the brain.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I audibly groaned after just a few pages at the setting. Evie, the lead character, at a dinner party with her new boyfriend and meeting his friends for the first time. So clichéd. The boyfriend and friends are wealthier and better educated. But all is not what it seems, Evie is on a job and Ryan, the boyfriend, is the target.
Evie has had a series of personas and jobs over the years working for a Mr. Smith but that relationship is breaking down.
Plenty of twists and turns in this to hold the reader’s attention and an easy read. However you do have to suspend believe for it and I was left somewhat confused and deflated at the end. Just can figure out what exactly was the point of it all.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Evie has had a series of personas and jobs over the years working for a Mr. Smith but that relationship is breaking down.
Plenty of twists and turns in this to hold the reader’s attention and an easy read. However you do have to suspend believe for it and I was left somewhat confused and deflated at the end. Just can figure out what exactly was the point of it all.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The It Girl by Ruth Ware
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0