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camiandkitread's reviews
343 reviews
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I wasn’t initially sure I was going to finish “Code Name Verity.” It took a while, maybe 75 pages or so before I got hooked on the story and wanted to know what came next.
It’s dark and upsetting—and I study WWII history for work and for pleasure. It’s a work of fiction but so well researched and authentic in its delivery that you know that the events aren’t just probable, it’s very likely—almost guaranteed—that they happened to many people during the war. There is a recurring theme of hope and resilience through the book that makes the difficult parts more bearable and that keeps you hooked to know what comes next.
In all, "Code Name Verity" was masterfully written and is an excellent book but a difficult one to say if I actually liked it. I was on the edge of my seat after the book found its rhythm but it gave me horrible nightmares after finishing it.
It’s dark and upsetting—and I study WWII history for work and for pleasure. It’s a work of fiction but so well researched and authentic in its delivery that you know that the events aren’t just probable, it’s very likely—almost guaranteed—that they happened to many people during the war. There is a recurring theme of hope and resilience through the book that makes the difficult parts more bearable and that keeps you hooked to know what comes next.
In all, "Code Name Verity" was masterfully written and is an excellent book but a difficult one to say if I actually liked it. I was on the edge of my seat after the book found its rhythm but it gave me horrible nightmares after finishing it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Antisemitism, and Alcohol
A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812 by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
informative
slow-paced
3.5
I've had "A Midwife's Tale" on my bookshelf since 2013 and decided that it was high time I read it and got it off my TBR. Since I'd had it for so long, I admit that I went into it thinking that it was a transcription of Martha Ballard's diary (even though the title says otherwise) and was pleasantly surprised that it was not the case.
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich used Ballard's diary to speak about what life was like not only for Ballard and midwives but also for women in eighteenth-century Maine. Ulrich used a variety of other primary sources from Ballard's neighbors and clients to present a more complete look at Ballard's life.
"A Midwife's Tale" is a solid nonfiction choice for anyone with an interest in eighteenth-century women's history but keep in mind that the medical content in the book does get a little graphic in some parts.
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich used Ballard's diary to speak about what life was like not only for Ballard and midwives but also for women in eighteenth-century Maine. Ulrich used a variety of other primary sources from Ballard's neighbors and clients to present a more complete look at Ballard's life.
"A Midwife's Tale" is a solid nonfiction choice for anyone with an interest in eighteenth-century women's history but keep in mind that the medical content in the book does get a little graphic in some parts.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Medical content, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
adventurous
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? Yes
4.0
Twilight Tenth Anniversary/Life and Death Dual Edition by Stephenie Meyer
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Weird
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
dark
mysterious
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
3.0
Wordy, but what do you expect from Dickens? He got paid by the word.
Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
“Bonesmith” has a brilliant magic system and a spooky fantasy setting, but holy info-dumping, Batman!
Most fantasy books you do have to push through the first 100 pages or so and this is no exception. Once you get past it though, there’s constant info-dumping from characters talking to each other. Props to Nicki Pau Preto for not having her main characters constantly ask and receive the info though.
If you put your head down and muscle through the info-dumping, “Bonesmith” is the start of a very interesting duology. It features some of the classic fantasy tropes and has some good twists. Info-dumping aside, it’s also well written and pretty evenly paced.
Most fantasy books you do have to push through the first 100 pages or so and this is no exception. Once you get past it though, there’s constant info-dumping from characters talking to each other. Props to Nicki Pau Preto for not having her main characters constantly ask and receive the info though.
If you put your head down and muscle through the info-dumping, “Bonesmith” is the start of a very interesting duology. It features some of the classic fantasy tropes and has some good twists. Info-dumping aside, it’s also well written and pretty evenly paced.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Aurora's End by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.25