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jpsjps's reviews
41 reviews
The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
Not as good as A Study in Scarlet, but still pretty good. The structure was tighter and there were a lot of fun moments, but I did not enjoy the mystery as much. Also, the book was extremely racist at times. Still had a good time reading and I’ve heard that the stories only get better from here.
A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
What a good read. Like most people I’m familiar with the character of Sherlock Holmes, but I’ve never read the books. The first story did not disappoint. I liked how whimsical the the first half was and am glad it was told from the perspective of Watson.
I don’t know how I feel structurally about the the detour the second half takes. I liked the section and it did show the murderer’a motive, but its position in the story felt just a tad awkward.
I was worried this book might be dated, but it was assuredly not. I did not have to look up many words and the prose flowed wonderfully.
I don’t know how I feel structurally about the the detour the second half takes. I liked the section and it did show the murderer’a motive, but its position in the story felt just a tad awkward.
I was worried this book might be dated, but it was assuredly not. I did not have to look up many words and the prose flowed wonderfully.
The Lesser Devil by Christopher Ruocchio
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Enjoyed it. Something that stopped me from loving it was the Catholic aspect was extremely heavy handed for a sci-fi story. The worst part was when a character implied that the crusades were good and necessary. Another problem I had was the constant mentions of Hadrian. They felt unnecessary and while I didn’t expect his name to be excluded, it was a bit much.
Besides that, there was some exciting action and good narration. You could tell that Hadrian wasn’t the one writing this story. I liked Kyra’s return and there was some interesting world building. I just hope I’m not going to be smashed over the head with a bible as the series continues.
Besides that, there was some exciting action and good narration. You could tell that Hadrian wasn’t the one writing this story. I liked Kyra’s return and there was some interesting world building. I just hope I’m not going to be smashed over the head with a bible as the series continues.
Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Decent start to a series. I had some problems. There were some striking similarities to Dune, mostly in the beginning. Though I will say the book felt like it was finding its voice later on. Some of the early sections felt unnecessary in the long run, but I did not hate them. Lastly, I’m not a fan of the form of self spoiling narration and would of preferred Hadrian’s insights of the future to be more vague.
I did like the prose, they were on the verge of being purple, but did not go to far. My favorite thing about the book was the world building. I enjoyed it quite a bit and based on the ending, I expect it to grow a lot in scale. While I’m not a fan of people saying this about first books, this felt like a setup for the rest of the series. I liked this book enough that I want to see where it goes.
I did like the prose, they were on the verge of being purple, but did not go to far. My favorite thing about the book was the world building. I enjoyed it quite a bit and based on the ending, I expect it to grow a lot in scale. While I’m not a fan of people saying this about first books, this felt like a setup for the rest of the series. I liked this book enough that I want to see where it goes.
The White Rose by Glen Cook
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
I feel weird continuously giving five stars to this series, but they have all been so good. The White Rose fits behind Shadows Linger as my second favorite so far.
I enjoyed the mystery of the first half and the three different POV characters. The ending was incredible, I was glued to the page for the last third of the book.
Darling and the Lady are the stars here, not surprisingly. I liked seeing Darling take a leadership role and Croaker and the Lady’s relationship was weird but enjoyable.
I know the series continues and I’m curious as to where, but this was the perfect ending to the first arc.
I enjoyed the mystery of the first half and the three different POV characters. The ending was incredible, I was glued to the page for the last third of the book.
Darling and the Lady are the stars here, not surprisingly. I liked seeing Darling take a leadership role and Croaker and the Lady’s relationship was weird but enjoyable.
I know the series continues and I’m curious as to where, but this was the perfect ending to the first arc.
Authority by Jeff VanderMeer
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Reread
Dang this book is so much better on a reread. On my first read, I would have given it a three or three and a half, but it was much easier to digest this time around.
This book moves much slower than the first book, but I think it works for this type of story. The main problem I have is that the middle is a little too slow. I like Control and I feel for him as he’s pushed and pulled through the plot.
Not much else to say without getting into theories and speculating. Also, that one scene with Whitby is still one of the most terrifying things I’ve read.
Dang this book is so much better on a reread. On my first read, I would have given it a three or three and a half, but it was much easier to digest this time around.
This book moves much slower than the first book, but I think it works for this type of story. The main problem I have is that the middle is a little too slow. I like Control and I feel for him as he’s pushed and pulled through the plot.
Not much else to say without getting into theories and speculating. Also, that one scene with Whitby is still one of the most terrifying things I’ve read.
The Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
What a disappointment. I feel bad because I know Gwynne went through a tragedy while writing this book, but that ending stunk.
The whole back half of this book felt extremely rushed. There were so many similar action scenes back to back, that my eyes glazed over and it all turned to mush.
Surprisingly, Elvar went from my least favorite POV character to my favorite. I think this is because everyone else became just so bland. I also hated that at least five different characters arcs ended in “VENGEANCE IS GOOD. KILL KILL KILL.” It is so bad that not one, but two different children are taught this lesson.
Then it ends with them saying it’s time to live a peaceful life, and in my head I’m just like “You guys are psychopaths!” It reminded me of the ending of a hilarious B-movie called “Miami Connection.”
It just sucks cause the first half of the book is of the same quality as the rest of the series, and then the last 200 pages take a nosedive. Damn.
The whole back half of this book felt extremely rushed. There were so many similar action scenes back to back, that my eyes glazed over and it all turned to mush.
Surprisingly, Elvar went from my least favorite POV character to my favorite. I think this is because everyone else became just so bland. I also hated that at least five different characters arcs ended in “VENGEANCE IS GOOD. KILL KILL KILL.” It is so bad that not one, but two different children are taught this lesson.
Then it ends with them saying it’s time to live a peaceful life, and in my head I’m just like “You guys are psychopaths!” It reminded me of the ending of a hilarious B-movie called “Miami Connection.”
It just sucks cause the first half of the book is of the same quality as the rest of the series, and then the last 200 pages take a nosedive. Damn.
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Reread after Absolution
Hands down the best in the series. While a very good sci-fi horror book, Annihilation excels as a character study. The biologist is such an interesting character. The pacing here is great, switching between the biologist’s time in Area X and her recalling her past.
Southern Reach is not as present in Annihilation as it is in the other books, but there is a glimpse in the form of the psychiatrist.Doing a reread is great because I’m picking up on a lot of things I missed. Knowing who Saul Evans and the Psychiatrist are cast the book in a new light.
The best part of this book is that it does not spell anything out for you. This is a theme that stays throughout the series. Do not expect to fully understand things. But, rereads and the rest of the series will help.
Hands down the best in the series. While a very good sci-fi horror book, Annihilation excels as a character study. The biologist is such an interesting character. The pacing here is great, switching between the biologist’s time in Area X and her recalling her past.
Southern Reach is not as present in Annihilation as it is in the other books, but there is a glimpse in the form of the psychiatrist.
The best part of this book is that it does not spell anything out for you. This is a theme that stays throughout the series. Do not expect to fully understand things. But, rereads and the rest of the series will help.
Shadows Linger by Glen Cook
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow, the second Black Company book might be better than the first. Though a lot less ambitious, Shadows Linger was much tighter than the first book. The Black Company felt like a series of amazing and interconnected short stories, but shadows linger is one straight narrative.
The best part about this book was Marron Shed. The first POV character that isn’t Croaker does not disappoint. Shed sucks. He is a monster who only redeems himself after he ruined everything. He is a morality warning of greed and lust and damn is he compelling. Also, I would not be surprised if Croaker exaggerated his redemption arc. I find it funny that Croaker basically tells the reader that Shed is a compelling character.
I loved everything surrounding the black castle. It felt more like a horror novel than fantasy and it was so fun. There were some really good deaths in here.The Captain, The Limper, Feather, Shed, Bullock were good. Raven’s made me laugh out loud, but I have a hard time believing he’s actually dead.
The best part about this book was Marron Shed. The first POV character that isn’t Croaker does not disappoint. Shed sucks. He is a monster who only redeems himself after he ruined everything. He is a morality warning of greed and lust and damn is he compelling. Also, I would not be surprised if Croaker exaggerated his redemption arc. I find it funny that Croaker basically tells the reader that Shed is a compelling character.
I loved everything surrounding the black castle. It felt more like a horror novel than fantasy and it was so fun. There were some really good deaths in here.
The Black Company by Glen Cook
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Honestly, did not expect to like this as much as I did. First off, this book is brutal and is one of the darkest fantasy books I’ve read.
Every main character, except Darling, is an awful person. Maybe Raven fills an antihero role, but it is to early to tell. Our POV character, Croaker even tells the reader that he is omitting details that make the company look even worse.
Croaker is interesting. He writes himself as moral, but I would not be surprised if a lot of it is a farce. I think I could see cracks of his true nature show up now and again. Especially the odd part where he mentions his disgusting dreams.
I like that this book is written from the perspective of the Black Company Annalist and also a medic. Even though Croaker finds himself in the action quite a bit, he is not a fighter.
Really liked this book. It had wonderful prose and excellent pacing. Also, do not expect this book to hold your hand. There were many times I had to reread paragraphs to have a better understanding of what was going on in the background and not just what Croaker was seeing.
Every main character, except Darling, is an awful person. Maybe Raven fills an antihero role, but it is to early to tell. Our POV character, Croaker even tells the reader that he is omitting details that make the company look even worse.
Croaker is interesting. He writes himself as moral, but I would not be surprised if a lot of it is a farce. I think I could see cracks of his true nature show up now and again. Especially the odd part where he mentions his disgusting dreams.
I like that this book is written from the perspective of the Black Company Annalist and also a medic. Even though Croaker finds himself in the action quite a bit, he is not a fighter.
Really liked this book. It had wonderful prose and excellent pacing. Also, do not expect this book to hold your hand. There were many times I had to reread paragraphs to have a better understanding of what was going on in the background and not just what Croaker was seeing.