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philibin's reviews
804 reviews
The Book Censor's Library by Bothayna Al-Essa
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
4.0
(4 Stars)
I thought this book was very clever and very good. Most of the book was well thought out and put together, although I think it did fall apart a little at the very end (but just a little).
Imagine all the banned books you've heard of throughout history... and then give them a Wonderland-like fantasy element where they come alive. both literally and literary.
If you do like "the classics" you should like this book. It is also easily accessible for any age, and would be a good way to bring a new reader up to speed by giving them a list of "must read" books if they haven't already done so.
I thought this book was very clever and very good. Most of the book was well thought out and put together, although I think it did fall apart a little at the very end (but just a little).
Imagine all the banned books you've heard of throughout history... and then give them a Wonderland-like fantasy element where they come alive. both literally and literary.
If you do like "the classics" you should like this book. It is also easily accessible for any age, and would be a good way to bring a new reader up to speed by giving them a list of "must read" books if they haven't already done so.
Homeland by Cory Doctorow
dark
informative
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
3.75
(3.75 Stars)
This was very good, and I love that it as narrated by Wil Wheaton.
It continues the story started in Little Brother. If you liked that one, you will like this one.
This was very good, and I love that it as narrated by Wil Wheaton.
It continues the story started in Little Brother. If you liked that one, you will like this one.
Starter Villain by John Scalzi
adventurous
funny
fast-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
(5 Stars)
This book was fun to read. And the end was not what I expected... at least not completely! Excellent character growth, great environmental setting, and never a dull moment.
A definite plus is having Wil Wheaton narrate the book.
This book was fun to read. And the end was not what I expected... at least not completely! Excellent character growth, great environmental setting, and never a dull moment.
A definite plus is having Wil Wheaton narrate the book.
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
adventurous
emotional
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
3.5
(3.5 stars)
So, I really wanted to like this. I think it is a great story about acceptance, diversity, and inclusion. Unfortunately I think I liked the "message" more than I liked the actual story. This is teen or YA fantasy/Fiction. The story is good, the characters are unique and fun, and the world building is done well.
The story is very similar to the Peculiar Children storyline. The audiobook narrator uses very distinct voices for the characters. I think it starts off very slow, then starts moving along at a much faster speed.
So, I really wanted to like this. I think it is a great story about acceptance, diversity, and inclusion. Unfortunately I think I liked the "message" more than I liked the actual story. This is teen or YA fantasy/Fiction. The story is good, the characters are unique and fun, and the world building is done well.
The story is very similar to the Peculiar Children storyline. The audiobook narrator uses very distinct voices for the characters. I think it starts off very slow, then starts moving along at a much faster speed.
Memoirs of a Porcupine by Alain Mabanckou
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
(2.25 Stars)
For me this book was just ok. I feel like this is a common theme (animal avatar) but this is mostly from the point of view of the animal. I personally found it lacked any real direction or purpose.
The world building was good, but there was no real character growth.
For me this book was just ok. I feel like this is a common theme (animal avatar) but this is mostly from the point of view of the animal. I personally found it lacked any real direction or purpose.
The world building was good, but there was no real character growth.
The Destroyer of Worlds: A Return to Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
(3.25 Stars)
This one just wasn't as good as the first book in series for me. I think the story was more structured or together or something... but it wasn't as interesting as the first book.
It was still decent, and I liked the characters. I do like this author, and look forward to more book by him, as long as they are not set in this world.
This one just wasn't as good as the first book in series for me. I think the story was more structured or together or something... but it wasn't as interesting as the first book.
It was still decent, and I liked the characters. I do like this author, and look forward to more book by him, as long as they are not set in this world.
Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn
dark
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
5.0
(5.0 Stars)
This book hit a lot of my sweet spots for the books I like to read. Vibrant characters, dystopian, evolving plotline, vivid environments, and great storytelling.
Yes, it was slightly predictable, but that is just how the genre is.
The narration was good.
This book hit a lot of my sweet spots for the books I like to read. Vibrant characters, dystopian, evolving plotline, vivid environments, and great storytelling.
Yes, it was slightly predictable, but that is just how the genre is.
The narration was good.
The Bone Ships by RJ Barker
adventurous
medium-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? No
3.75
(3.75 Stars)
This one started off slow for me, but then really started to grow on me. I ended up liking it. I do have to say some parts of the action scenes that were confusing for me, or at least not well described or something. There were a lot of parts of the book where I just couldn't either grasp what was going on or why it was happening. because it didn't seem to make sense. But this was just a few parts and most of the book was very enjoyable.
The narration was good, although with so many female characters it might have been nice to have a female narrator.
If you like high seas adventures and fantasy, this is a good book to pick up. I plan on continuing the series.
This one started off slow for me, but then really started to grow on me. I ended up liking it. I do have to say some parts of the action scenes that were confusing for me, or at least not well described or something. There were a lot of parts of the book where I just couldn't either grasp what was going on or why it was happening. because it didn't seem to make sense. But this was just a few parts and most of the book was very enjoyable.
The narration was good, although with so many female characters it might have been nice to have a female narrator.
If you like high seas adventures and fantasy, this is a good book to pick up. I plan on continuing the series.
Wasteland Warlords 6 by James Hunter, eden Hudson
challenging
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
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
The audiobook version is expertly narrated by Travis Baldree. The story is decent, but over the course of the six book is a little repetitive. Not that it is bad, it is just formulaic... yet still well-written. And also timely, since it is about the class struggle against the health industry. Not completely about it, but it is one of the themes.
This is only my second attempt at reading LitRPG, and I'm not sure I really like it as a genre. Dungeon Crawler Carl is next on the list.
The audiobook version is expertly narrated by Travis Baldree. The story is decent, but over the course of the six book is a little repetitive. Not that it is bad, it is just formulaic... yet still well-written. And also timely, since it is about the class struggle against the health industry. Not completely about it, but it is one of the themes.
This is only my second attempt at reading LitRPG, and I'm not sure I really like it as a genre. Dungeon Crawler Carl is next on the list.
Wasteland Warlords 5 by James Hunter, eden Hudson
adventurous
medium-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? No
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
Once again, Travis Baldree does an excellent job at narrating this story. The story is good.
Once again, Travis Baldree does an excellent job at narrating this story. The story is good.