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paperback_whiplash's reviews
300 reviews
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
First chapter had me hooked straight away. Action packed, witty, heartfelt Sci-Fi. I started this book without reading any descriptions or reviews. I'm glad I went into this book completely blind as I definitely enjoyed it more this way.
The complex science jargon went over my head a little, but it doesn't take away from the story as you're able to piece together the general gist of things.
Would highly recommend this book.
The complex science jargon went over my head a little, but it doesn't take away from the story as you're able to piece together the general gist of things.
Would highly recommend this book.
The Descent by Jeff Long
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
3.0
Very different from the film adaption. The first half of the book felt more like a military thriller. I nearly DNF'ed it as I was pretty bored. It started to pick up midway as you started to learn more about the "demons" and their history. I found the cave expedition very unrealistic and it took me out of the story a few times.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Dálvi: Six Years in the Arctic Tundra by Laura Galloway
I highly recommend this memoir.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I find memoirs hard to rate lower than 5 stars as it feels like I'm rating someone's life rather than the book. I don't know who Laura was and I was concerned the "care factor" wouldn't be there, but this book intrigued me and I'm really glad I read it.
Laura shows you her life leading up to moving to Kautokeino, Norway, and her time there in rotating chapters. It was a very touching memoir, I cared deeply for her.
Laura shows you her life leading up to moving to Kautokeino, Norway, and her time there in rotating chapters. It was a very touching memoir, I cared deeply for her.
I'd learn a long time ago that part of surviving in my family was not to make waves, especially not doing something that might make anyone express joy or enthusiam. If you floated your baloon, it would unceremoniously shot down.
I highly recommend this memoir.
Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Absolutely perfect duology. Ione Hawthorn is such a stand out charter in this book. Easily one of my favourite characters to date. Sad to say good bye to them all, but a duology structure was a perfect fit for this story.
Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Action-packed sci-fi epic.
There was a bigger emphasis on the gangsters and cultists than I originally thought. It felt like a set-up book for the rest of the trilogy. Lots of world-building, and tons of alien species to get your head around. I was abusing that glossary at the end of the book lol. The way space is described is super creepy. The thought of being stuck in space with the Architects lurking around somewhere ... no thanks.
Reminded me of the dread feeling I got from his other novel "Children of Ruin".
I definitely will be continuing the series.
There was a bigger emphasis on the gangsters and cultists than I originally thought. It felt like a set-up book for the rest of the trilogy. Lots of world-building, and tons of alien species to get your head around. I was abusing that glossary at the end of the book lol. The way space is described is super creepy. The thought of being stuck in space with the Architects lurking around somewhere ... no thanks.
Reminded me of the dread feeling I got from his other novel "Children of Ruin".
I definitely will be continuing the series.
We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
Eve invites this family into her house, they were only meant to be there for a few minutes as the dad shows his kids around his childhood home. The comedy of errors ensues starting with one of the kids playing hide and seek and none of the adults can find her. Then a storm starts, and the family can’t possibly drive in the storm, so they have to stay overnight (eye roll). The next day they’re taking their sweet ass time leaving and they start using Eve’s kitchen to have breakfast. I was pretty over it at this point and was frustrated that Eve hadn’t just kicked them out as soon as the kid started playing hide and seek and being a brat.
The rest of the book was just crazy and confusing for the sake of it. I do not like the trope of unreliable narrators, and I don’t think it’s a good device to use in a horror novel as I want to try and believe the horrors of this house. Instead, I was thinking “yeah, Eves gone crazy.”
slow-paced
1.0
Had a very creepy interesting premise that I was excited about. I quickly lost interest, however. I found the first 50% of the book more frustrating than scary.
Eve invites this family into her house, they were only meant to be there for a few minutes as the dad shows his kids around his childhood home. The comedy of errors ensues starting with one of the kids playing hide and seek and none of the adults can find her. Then a storm starts, and the family can’t possibly drive in the storm, so they have to stay overnight (eye roll). The next day they’re taking their sweet ass time leaving and they start using Eve’s kitchen to have breakfast. I was pretty over it at this point and was frustrated that Eve hadn’t just kicked them out as soon as the kid started playing hide and seek and being a brat.
The rest of the book was just crazy and confusing for the sake of it. I do not like the trope of unreliable narrators, and I don’t think it’s a good device to use in a horror novel as I want to try and believe the horrors of this house. Instead, I was thinking “yeah, Eves gone crazy.”
The ending was disappointing and rushed. The story wasn’t original and found it very predictable.
Touching the Void: The True Story of One Man's Miraculous Survival by Joe Simpson
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
4.25