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tien's reviews
3860 reviews
The Green Mile: The Complete Serial Novel by Stephen King
4.5
I am not a fan of his horror books. I think I made it through [book:It] but haven't been able to go further than the first few chapters of his other horror books. However, I just loved [book:11/22/63] and enjoyed his dark fantasy series, The Dark Tower. I've given up on his horror books but this one stuck around my shelf for long enough.
This was somewhat an experimental writing exercise by King, it seems. He wanted to publish serials like Charles Dickens though of course, of very different topic. I couldn't tell you if it was truly successful as a serial as I read this as an omnibus; I inhaled all novellas in basically one breath. So, it was definitely a great story with epic human interest with a sprinkle of the supernatural and a dose of cuteness (hard to see what's really cute about this novel but just so we're clear, I'm talking about Mr. Jingles).
It's a heavy topic / story to read but I just couldn't put it down because I just had to know what/how things were going to go down. It's not a happy story overall but it is life. As it is, I'm not sure if I'd be able to watch the movie... I'll need a breather just now.
This was somewhat an experimental writing exercise by King, it seems. He wanted to publish serials like Charles Dickens though of course, of very different topic. I couldn't tell you if it was truly successful as a serial as I read this as an omnibus; I inhaled all novellas in basically one breath. So, it was definitely a great story with epic human interest with a sprinkle of the supernatural and a dose of cuteness (hard to see what's really cute about this novel but just so we're clear, I'm talking about Mr. Jingles).
It's a heavy topic / story to read but I just couldn't put it down because I just had to know what/how things were going to go down. It's not a happy story overall but it is life. As it is, I'm not sure if I'd be able to watch the movie... I'll need a breather just now.
A Venom Dark and Sweet by Judy I. Lin
2.75
After the cliffhanger ending of book 1, this book opens with such a non-event. It was a few days after the end of book 1, maybe even a couple of weeks, but because readers didn't actually get to see what happened right after but only told in few words what's happened to bring them to now, it felt very much a let down.
Maybe it was the inauspicious beginning or maybe it was the annoying protagonist, I really struggled with this book. I was fascinated by book 1. There was the clever magic system and the stiff competitions. There should've been more excitement in this book with a quest to defeat evil and save the world but there wasn't. I was finding the protagonist's ease of offence at the slightest of slight or seen slight irritating. And her uncertainty for the boy she loves exasperating. It was just mentioned few too many times throughout. Except for the last 50 pages or so, the novel drags.
Maybe it was the inauspicious beginning or maybe it was the annoying protagonist, I really struggled with this book. I was fascinated by book 1. There was the clever magic system and the stiff competitions. There should've been more excitement in this book with a quest to defeat evil and save the world but there wasn't. I was finding the protagonist's ease of offence at the slightest of slight or seen slight irritating. And her uncertainty for the boy she loves exasperating. It was just mentioned few too many times throughout. Except for the last 50 pages or so, the novel drags.
The Girl and the Moon by Mark Lawrence
2.5
I rated the first book 4 stars. I rated the second book 3 stars. And I was close to rating this book 2 stars but I felt at the end that it really had a good ending (at least the last 80 pages were quite riveting except that I was really at the end of my patience). This is the thickest book in the trilogy and I just felt it waffled quite a bit.
Book 1 had a high fantasy feel until you reached a certain point and therein injected a sci-fi / post apocalyptic note to the story. And it ended in a cliffhanger but I loved the high fantasy fee of it. Book 2 had a more of sci-fi / post apocalyptic feel but they went on a journey, a quest, and I enjoyed that part of the story even if I feel at the end that it was unraveling and starting to lose the plot for me. Then, there is this book... It started quite well with a trial and threat of executions of the main characters. But things stalled quite a bit and I was hard pressed to keep following and trying to put together what seems to me a bit of a mess. Maybe, it's just that I'm incapable of following what's what in terms of the magic/techology system here. I only like the last 80 pages with the time travelling bit and the resolution that wasn't quite a resolution.
The highlight for me in this book is actually a character who is 'always rubbing people up the wrong way' BUT he was only there for about 20% of the book! He was a really fun character and I wished he was there more significantly because then I'd probably enjoy this book more.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend this trilogy. I enjoyed another trilogy of his much better, The Red Queen's War. There is a crossover in this book with another trilogy of his I haven't read, Book of the Ancestor, of which I am now curious. I don't know this for sure but I feel most of his books are set in the same universe? If you're a fan and in the know, please clue me in!
Book 1 had a high fantasy feel until you reached a certain point and therein injected a sci-fi / post apocalyptic note to the story. And it ended in a cliffhanger but I loved the high fantasy fee of it. Book 2 had a more of sci-fi / post apocalyptic feel but they went on a journey, a quest, and I enjoyed that part of the story even if I feel at the end that it was unraveling and starting to lose the plot for me. Then, there is this book... It started quite well with a trial and threat of executions of the main characters. But things stalled quite a bit and I was hard pressed to keep following and trying to put together what seems to me a bit of a mess. Maybe, it's just that I'm incapable of following what's what in terms of the magic/techology system here. I only like the last 80 pages with the time travelling bit and the resolution that wasn't quite a resolution.
The highlight for me in this book is actually a character who is 'always rubbing people up the wrong way' BUT he was only there for about 20% of the book! He was a really fun character and I wished he was there more significantly because then I'd probably enjoy this book more.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend this trilogy. I enjoyed another trilogy of his much better, The Red Queen's War. There is a crossover in this book with another trilogy of his I haven't read, Book of the Ancestor, of which I am now curious. I don't know this for sure but I feel most of his books are set in the same universe? If you're a fan and in the know, please clue me in!
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
4.0
Awwwww this was a super duper cute read! Right on V-day... not that I picked it up on purpose because it's V-day, in fact, I kinda forgot it's V-day lol
Lara Jean is just as cute and wholesome as ever. She's struggling with all her feelings and relationships and it just brings it all back! Her familial relationship is just so beautiful especially with her little sister, adorable. Of course, I couldn't help but swoon along with her every time Peter shows up 😜
Still, there were many valid discussion points about first loves, sex, body image, etc. It's amazing just how many topics fit into this one lovely book. Imma leave you with 1 quote
Lara Jean is just as cute and wholesome as ever. She's struggling with all her feelings and relationships and it just brings it all back! Her familial relationship is just so beautiful especially with her little sister, adorable. Of course, I couldn't help but swoon along with her every time Peter shows up 😜
Still, there were many valid discussion points about first loves, sex, body image, etc. It's amazing just how many topics fit into this one lovely book. Imma leave you with 1 quote
My body is a temple not just any boy gets to worship at.
I won't do any more than I want to do.
The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino
slow-paced
2.75
Ugh another one that I'd probably have loved if only I read it as soon as I bought it lol
I'm determined to clear as many books off my physical TBR shelf and this one appears to have been around for over a decade! I literally have had to dust it off. My taste has just changed so much over the years and I'm just not keen for psychological thriller as such. The cover of my book has a quote 'The Japanese Stieg Larsson' so I was a bit excited as I loved Lisbeth! And while I can see the reason behind this quote, it just wasn't the same...
The first chapter was actually quite engaging but also annoying because seriously, there is a defence for this. And then, the deception just went on and on and this 'Detective Galileo' was playing it so cool and mysterious (sorry, buddy, you are not Hercule Poirot), I kind of got bored. When the deception started to unravel, the showdown was a little bit ridiculous. And while the twist was pretty good, they've already lost me so I couldn't really cheer for it either! Maybe it's me...
However, by the end, I really truly appreciated this title!
I'm determined to clear as many books off my physical TBR shelf and this one appears to have been around for over a decade! I literally have had to dust it off. My taste has just changed so much over the years and I'm just not keen for psychological thriller as such. The cover of my book has a quote 'The Japanese Stieg Larsson' so I was a bit excited as I loved Lisbeth! And while I can see the reason behind this quote, it just wasn't the same...
The first chapter was actually quite engaging but also annoying because seriously, there is a defence for this. And then, the deception just went on and on and this 'Detective Galileo' was playing it so cool and mysterious (sorry, buddy, you are not Hercule Poirot), I kind of got bored. When the deception started to unravel, the showdown was a little bit ridiculous. And while the twist was pretty good, they've already lost me so I couldn't really cheer for it either! Maybe it's me...
However, by the end, I really truly appreciated this title!
The Bookworm by Mitch Silver
2.0
I won this book in a giveaway sometime ago. A mystery involving an old book set in Russia? It very much sounds like something I'd like. Unfortunately, it didn't quite turn out that way. If you check out the book description, it practically tells you what's happening although I'm still quite confused as to who's the bad guy and who's good and that ending... wth!
Hunted by Elizabeth Heiter
4.25
I loved this! I couldn't put it down and annoyed at myself for letting this book collecting dust for 10 years! And right now, if I own the rest of the series, I could happily binge.
The protagonist, Evelyn Baine, is a rising star as a Profiler with the FBI. She's got a broken past and is now completely absorbed by work with no time for anything else in her life. Until this particular active case with a serial killer who got her in his sight.
I can't pinpoint anything particularly unique to this protagonist except for some genetics. A bit stereotypical, I guess, but as this fits right within my reading comfort zone and fast-paced, I practically read it in a single sitting. If you loved [author:Isabella Maldonado] then you'd love this one.
The protagonist, Evelyn Baine, is a rising star as a Profiler with the FBI. She's got a broken past and is now completely absorbed by work with no time for anything else in her life. Until this particular active case with a serial killer who got her in his sight.
I can't pinpoint anything particularly unique to this protagonist except for some genetics. A bit stereotypical, I guess, but as this fits right within my reading comfort zone and fast-paced, I practically read it in a single sitting. If you loved [author:Isabella Maldonado] then you'd love this one.
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I adore tea and this in addition to the gorgeous cover were the main reasons I bought this book. I loved the setting and the magic system. And while I cringed at some tea combinations (I do know exactly how horrible some of those Chinese medicine could taste), I loved the descriptions of some.
Ning is an easily likeable character although it could be so frustrating as times just how naive and clueless she is. She couldn't help it though seeing that she grew up in a little backwater village far away from any royal politicking. However, her courage and determination to fight for the people and for justice were commendable.
Unfortunately, the book ended with a cliffhanger. Gah! I don't like cliffhanger book ending! But yes, I will be reaching for book 2 in the immediate future to find out how this all resolves. I am thankful that this is only a duology. Meanwhile, I'm going to brew some tea 😜
Ning is an easily likeable character although it could be so frustrating as times just how naive and clueless she is. She couldn't help it though seeing that she grew up in a little backwater village far away from any royal politicking. However, her courage and determination to fight for the people and for justice were commendable.
Unfortunately, the book ended with a cliffhanger. Gah! I don't like cliffhanger book ending! But yes, I will be reaching for book 2 in the immediate future to find out how this all resolves. I am thankful that this is only a duology. Meanwhile, I'm going to brew some tea 😜
Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura
3.75
A friend handed me this novel around Christmas time and it's just been sitting on my desk. I'm seeing her next weekend so I thought I'd better get cracking but... I didn't really know what I was getting into. I knew it was magical realism and translated from Japanese so I'm thinking kinda like [author:Haruki Murakami]'s which I love. However, as soon as I stared reading, I wasn't sure if it's something I could continue reading. One reason being I just had a chat with a colleague the day before about her son complaining of stomach pain or discomfort and not going to school (school has only just returned) and this novel begun in a similar strain. I'm just not keen on a teen bullying stories. It hurts my heart too much; more concerned of the possibility of such for my kids then my past.
Setting all my personal unease aside, I ended up quite liking this novel. While throughout the reading, I found that I don't particularly love the story or the prose, it was easy to read. And the main issues each of these teens face didn't come out til near the end and I did love who it was all brought together in the end. An okay read that turns out to be quite fascinating as you stepped back and place the topic in today's situation especially with Japanese students. I appreciated that hope exists and <i>"It's only school"</i>.
Setting all my personal unease aside, I ended up quite liking this novel. While throughout the reading, I found that I don't particularly love the story or the prose, it was easy to read. And the main issues each of these teens face didn't come out til near the end and I did love who it was all brought together in the end. An okay read that turns out to be quite fascinating as you stepped back and place the topic in today's situation especially with Japanese students. I appreciated that hope exists and <i>"It's only school"</i>.