Scan barcode
houxli's reviews
320 reviews
The Anti-Quest by Angel Martinez
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Fun, smart, lively, & manages to not topple into absurd. The amount of heart in this surprised me.
A Power Unbound by Freya Marske
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The romance is enjoyable. The plot is basic, dealing with Good vs. Evil. The worldbuilding is nonsense. Awful, in fact. The metaphors and similes are the worst to ever be put to paper. Every main character is petulant who care about nothing except their clan, only motivated by spite.
Much found, such family, waow.
This book is thoughtless with a half-decent emotional core.
Much found, such family, waow.
This book is thoughtless with a half-decent emotional core.
Minotaur: Crime or Sacrifice? by Sergio Ochoa Meraz
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The English translation was iffy, but largely enjoyable. I liked how this was plotted, how the pieces came together. It's written like a braid, where three pieces al tie together at the end.
I'm not sure if I got the ending, is the issue.
I'm not sure if I got the ending, is the issue.
A Restless Truth by Freya Marske
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wasn’t charmed. Painfully boring.
But Violet and Maud are fleshed out characters, better than the first book’s couple.
The Story of the Forsythia Club was the biggest waste of time. Nothing is learned that hasn’t already been explained.
The prose is still filled with tortured metaphors. Everything else I’m chalking up as “not bad, just not to my taste.”
But Violet and Maud are fleshed out characters, better than the first book’s couple.
The Story of the Forsythia Club was the biggest waste of time. Nothing is learned that hasn’t already been explained.
The prose is still filled with tortured metaphors. Everything else I’m chalking up as “not bad, just not to my taste.”
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book is thoroughly not for me.
I disliked the characters, the atmosphere, and the mystery.
Very little about the setting or characters are described (except for how blond Edwin is), yet the most obvious gestures are explained by impenetrable metaphors.
By the time I reached the last pages, I started imagining the scenes happening on a stage. And then it all clicked for me. I don't know how to explain myself, but this book feels like a play.
I did not enjoy my time reading this, but this is for someone. A someone who wants to read a book long "who did this to you?" scene.
I disliked the characters, the atmosphere, and the mystery.
Very little about the setting or characters are described (except for how blond Edwin is), yet the most obvious gestures are explained by impenetrable metaphors.
By the time I reached the last pages, I started imagining the scenes happening on a stage. And then it all clicked for me. I don't know how to explain myself, but this book feels like a play.
I did not enjoy my time reading this, but this is for someone. A someone who wants to read a book long "who did this to you?" scene.
Buddenbrooks: The Decline of a Family by Thomas Mann
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Best Prose I’ve Ever Encountered.
Garth Marenghi's Incarcerat by Matthew Holness, Garth Marenghi
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Garth Marenghi's TerrorTome by Garth Marenghi
funny
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Smig's New Gig by K. Mizer
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy ripoff/homage/remix (depending on your generosity).
The humor largely fell flat, however the humor in regards to the worldbuilding faired a little better. The telefacsimile got a big laugh out of me. The sex scenes were excellent, and clearly the point of the endeavor. Everything else can be summed up with "well that happened."
The humor largely fell flat, however the humor in regards to the worldbuilding faired a little better. The telefacsimile got a big laugh out of me. The sex scenes were excellent, and clearly the point of the endeavor. Everything else can be summed up with "well that happened."
Hostile Ground by Aleksandr Voinov, L.A. Witt
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Competent, predictable, with no room to think for yourself. Everything is spelled out, no need to read between the lines. It was a basic thrill.