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tien's reviews
3860 reviews
What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Lost & Found by Brooke Davis
I think this is the question my brain has been trying to articulate the past few months and to have it in black & white in front of me is quite mind-boggling because I'm not quite there yet. I'm not ready! But when we'll never be ready...
All 3 protagonists in this novel have lost someone they loved and 2 of them are also struggling with the way their bodies no longer respond nor look as they did. All 3 protagonists are easily looked over in a crowd and yet, they found each other and, in the process, helped each other through their griefs.
A wonderful novel of grief of lost people and things, delicately balanced with humour. I am now wondering why it's taken me so long to read this! Heartrending and heartwarming - I'm glad to have met these new friends.
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
How do you get old without letting sadness become everything?
I think this is the question my brain has been trying to articulate the past few months and to have it in black & white in front of me is quite mind-boggling because I'm not quite there yet. I'm not ready! But when we'll never be ready...
You're all going to die. It's okay.
All 3 protagonists in this novel have lost someone they loved and 2 of them are also struggling with the way their bodies no longer respond nor look as they did. All 3 protagonists are easily looked over in a crowd and yet, they found each other and, in the process, helped each other through their griefs.
A wonderful novel of grief of lost people and things, delicately balanced with humour. I am now wondering why it's taken me so long to read this! Heartrending and heartwarming - I'm glad to have met these new friends.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Undead and Unappreciated by MaryJanice Davidson
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
A Killer's Game by Isabella Maldonado
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Isabella Maldonado is one of my must-read authors. I've especially enjoyed her most recent novels. I love her female protagonists with their traumatic backgrounds and total focus to bring justice to bear. In this novel, she's really outdone herself with the protagonist, Daniela Vega, who was a Ranger and now FBI agent.
I must admit that I was a little iffy with one of the earlier twist in the novel but halfway through, I revised my opinion because it was just handled so well. And if you love Indiana Jones, there's a bit of that "adventure" in there which was fun. Well, probably not fun for the characters but I love the suspense throughout.
If you're after a high-octane fast reads, I'd highly recommend A Killer's Game.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for ecopy of book via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thoughts
I must admit that I was a little iffy with one of the earlier twist in the novel but halfway through, I revised my opinion because it was just handled so well. And if you love Indiana Jones, there's a bit of that "adventure" in there which was fun. Well, probably not fun for the characters but I love the suspense throughout.
If you're after a high-octane fast reads, I'd highly recommend A Killer's Game.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for ecopy of book via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thoughts
The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I find there aren't many books featuring Baba Yaga so I was instantly curious. Plus, I also love any Russian setting books so I just couldn't let this opportunity passed.
It started a little bit slow as the setup was a little bit long (about a third of the book) however as the story itself started to unfold, it was a beautiful unfurling with a great character development along with a soulful romance.
It is a dark fantastical tale set in brutal Middle Ages Russia but the protagonist's love for her land and the people around her were palpable; a shining hope amid the blood and gore. Highly recommended for historical (Russian) fantasy fans.
My thanks to HarperVoyager for ecopy of book via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thoughts
It started a little bit slow as the setup was a little bit long (about a third of the book) however as the story itself started to unfold, it was a beautiful unfurling with a great character development along with a soulful romance.
It is a dark fantastical tale set in brutal Middle Ages Russia but the protagonist's love for her land and the people around her were palpable; a shining hope amid the blood and gore. Highly recommended for historical (Russian) fantasy fans.
My thanks to HarperVoyager for ecopy of book via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thoughts
Wormhole by Keith Brooke, Eric Brown
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I must admit that it's the mystery with a futuristic setting that interests me. And I truly enjoyed this part of the book. I love the characters and even as the vision of this future is so heartbreaking yet I was drawn to it. The complexity and the show down at the end were very engaging.
On the other hand, I just couldn't engage with the other half of the novel. The one that was set in a foreign planet. I found myself a bit bored and characters did not call to me at all. Until, of course, one of the detectives turned up then it was all go go go.
Overall, Wormhole was an interesting premise, intriguing mystery, and a fantastic world building. I'd like to see more of these detectives.
My thanks to Angry Robot for ecopy of book via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thoughts
On the other hand, I just couldn't engage with the other half of the novel. The one that was set in a foreign planet. I found myself a bit bored and characters did not call to me at all. Until, of course, one of the detectives turned up then it was all go go go.
Overall, Wormhole was an interesting premise, intriguing mystery, and a fantastic world building. I'd like to see more of these detectives.
My thanks to Angry Robot for ecopy of book via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thoughts
The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
Which bookworms do not love books that feature libraries! Add in a bit of magic and wham! It's pretty nearly impossible to resist. Written by a favourite author?! Just take my money!
I managed to convince a friend for a buddy read despite her never really read any of Lawrence's books and she loved it! For myself, I enjoyed the read even if it was quite slow after an exciting opening. However, the last 30+% the pace was just terrifically swift with each twists and reveals, conflicts and climax, made up for everything.
Each chapter began with a quote from a book. It's not really an IRL book but it is somewhat of a spoof of IRL books including one of author's own. It's not really relevant to the story but it was fun trying to work out what book. On the other hand, the theme of the book, of race and conflicts between races etc, was spun so cleverly. This is especially obvious when the twist comes.
The story is told from 2 perspectives and while each were quite likeable, when the twist came, they became even more interesting. They haven't quite came to terms with it so I'm keen for book 2! I'm wondering if the ending counts as a cliffhanger and I guess, in a way, it does. As always, Lawrence does not disappoint.
My thanks to HaperCollins Publishers Australia for ecopy of book via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thoughts
I managed to convince a friend for a buddy read despite her never really read any of Lawrence's books and she loved it! For myself, I enjoyed the read even if it was quite slow after an exciting opening. However, the last 30+% the pace was just terrifically swift with each twists and reveals, conflicts and climax, made up for everything.
Each chapter began with a quote from a book. It's not really an IRL book but it is somewhat of a spoof of IRL books including one of author's own. It's not really relevant to the story but it was fun trying to work out what book. On the other hand, the theme of the book, of race and conflicts between races etc, was spun so cleverly. This is especially obvious when the twist comes.
The story is told from 2 perspectives and while each were quite likeable, when the twist came, they became even more interesting. They haven't quite came to terms with it so I'm keen for book 2! I'm wondering if the ending counts as a cliffhanger and I guess, in a way, it does. As always, Lawrence does not disappoint.
My thanks to HaperCollins Publishers Australia for ecopy of book via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thoughts
Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
An Ungrateful Instrument by MIchael Meehan
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I'm not that musical a person and I especially do not know my classic music so I did not know that these characters are based on real historical figures! I have had to search for them on Google after I read the author's notes at the end of the book. Perhaps if you know your music and specifically these personages, Antoine Forqueray and Jean-Baptiste Forqueray, you may find the novel more of an interest. But for ignorant me, it was just ok.
Actually the story itself is mostly sad as it involves quite a bit of violence (towards children) and because we read them through the children's perspectives, a really unhappy childhood. The bulk of the tale was told by the sister, actually, who from her own traumatic incident chose to lose her voice. And yet, that does not mean that she's lost her voice completely though it does mean that others find her to be a convenient confessor. Fascinating perspective but this would not have been a book I'd picked up on my own
My thanks to Transit Lounge Publishing for gifting me a copy of this book. Thoughts are mine own.
A Bone to Pick by Charlaine Harris
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I don't really remember what really happened in book 1 anymore except that I didn't particularly like book 1 so book 2 somewhat languished on my shelf. I thought it was time to give it another go and I must admit that I'm still not particularly keen for this series. The protagonist's hangups were just annoying to me and there was barely any detecting whatsoever when suddenly it was the end.
It was an easy listening without too much focus required but this was seriously not as fun as Sookie Stackhouse.
It was an easy listening without too much focus required but this was seriously not as fun as Sookie Stackhouse.