Scan barcode
philibin's reviews
832 reviews
Forging Hephaestus by Drew Hayes
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
(4.25 Stars)
This book was excellent! And the narrator was superb!
If you were a fan of The Boys, but wanted it less campy and over the top, this book is perfect for you. The cast of characters is extensive, but each of them are introduced in a way that you can keep track of everyone. The Character growth is very well done, and the story is compelling.
It is a slower paced book, but that adds to the realism of it. The characters are unique and are true to their characters. You know who is speaking based on what they are saying.
This book was excellent! And the narrator was superb!
If you were a fan of The Boys, but wanted it less campy and over the top, this book is perfect for you. The cast of characters is extensive, but each of them are introduced in a way that you can keep track of everyone. The Character growth is very well done, and the story is compelling.
It is a slower paced book, but that adds to the realism of it. The characters are unique and are true to their characters. You know who is speaking based on what they are saying.
The Map of Tiny Perfect Things by Lev Grossman
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
(4 Stars)
As far as short stories goes, this one was done really well. It was short, interesting, fully developed, and paced perfectly.
I have not seen the film version of this, and even though this is not my usual genre, I read it because I like the author's other works. I was not disappointed. It is a quick book to fit in between larger/longer books. The characters were likeable and real.
As far as short stories goes, this one was done really well. It was short, interesting, fully developed, and paced perfectly.
I have not seen the film version of this, and even though this is not my usual genre, I read it because I like the author's other works. I was not disappointed. It is a quick book to fit in between larger/longer books. The characters were likeable and real.
When Among Crows by Veronica Roth
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
(2.5 Stars)
This was an interesting story, but I just couldn't get as into it as I would have liked. Possibly because I've been spoiled by Gaiman's American Gods and Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles.
Don't get me wrong, like I said above it was very interesting... it was just hard to connect with any of the characters.
This was an interesting story, but I just couldn't get as into it as I would have liked. Possibly because I've been spoiled by Gaiman's American Gods and Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles.
Don't get me wrong, like I said above it was very interesting... it was just hard to connect with any of the characters.
Killing It by Mike Bockoven
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
(4 Stars)
This was very good Horror... Not the typical tropes, but also not very far away from it at the same time. This is my first book by this author and I have already queued up two of his other books. It reminds me a little of Maeve Fly by C.J. Leede. Not necessarily because of the story, but because of the offbeat experience.
There is also a gritty realism and honesty in this book. Great characters, compelling backgrounds, and quirky humor.
This was very good Horror... Not the typical tropes, but also not very far away from it at the same time. This is my first book by this author and I have already queued up two of his other books. It reminds me a little of Maeve Fly by C.J. Leede. Not necessarily because of the story, but because of the offbeat experience.
There is also a gritty realism and honesty in this book. Great characters, compelling backgrounds, and quirky humor.
Into Shadow by Garth Nix, Tamsyn Muir, Tomi Champion-Adeyemi, Lev Grossman, Alix E. Harrow, Veronica G. Henry, Nghi Vo
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
(2.5 Stars)
Tomi Champion-Adeyemi - The Garden - A bunch of poems and then some prose sections making up a larger narrative. I liked the narrator, but didn't love the story.
Lev Grossman - Persephone - This was very good and interesting. I liked it, and the narrator was excellent
Alix E. Harrow - The Six Deaths of the Saint - I do not like Second-Person point of view, so I am probably biased against this. I just couldn't get into it.
Nghi Vo - What the Dead Know - Decent Story, but just ok for me.
Tamsyn Muir - Undercover - I liked this one, very interesting.
Veronica G. Henry - The Candles Are Burning - Good story, good writing, good narration… I liked it.
Garth Nix - Out of the Mirror, Darkness - This wasn't bad, but seemed a little unfocused and rushed.
Tomi Champion-Adeyemi - The Garden - A bunch of poems and then some prose sections making up a larger narrative. I liked the narrator, but didn't love the story.
Lev Grossman - Persephone - This was very good and interesting. I liked it, and the narrator was excellent
Alix E. Harrow - The Six Deaths of the Saint - I do not like Second-Person point of view, so I am probably biased against this. I just couldn't get into it.
Nghi Vo - What the Dead Know - Decent Story, but just ok for me.
Tamsyn Muir - Undercover - I liked this one, very interesting.
Veronica G. Henry - The Candles Are Burning - Good story, good writing, good narration… I liked it.
Garth Nix - Out of the Mirror, Darkness - This wasn't bad, but seemed a little unfocused and rushed.
Gods and Monsters: Unclean Spirits by Chuck Wendig
dark
slow-paced
2.25
(2.25 Stars)
This was just ok for me. The concept was cool, and some of the prose was beautifully written, but it just never came together for me.
I didn't exactly hate it, but it wasn't memorable or compelling.
This was just ok for me. The concept was cool, and some of the prose was beautifully written, but it just never came together for me.
I didn't exactly hate it, but it wasn't memorable or compelling.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-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
2.5
(2.5 Stars)
This reminded me A LOT of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, and even though it is not tagged as Young Adult fiction, that is what this is. The character development is better than the last TJ Klune book I read (In the Lives of Puppets), and I enjoyed this book a lot more.
It is a wholesome story, with likeable, quirky characters.
This reminded me A LOT of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, and even though it is not tagged as Young Adult fiction, that is what this is. The character development is better than the last TJ Klune book I read (In the Lives of Puppets), and I enjoyed this book a lot more.
It is a wholesome story, with likeable, quirky characters.
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
(5.0 Stars)
By order of release, this is the second book in the Legends & Lattes series, If you are looking at a timeline, the story happens before the first book... but I would suggest reading them in the order of their release.
The story itself, much like Legends & Lattes, is comfortable. It is set in a "world" remarkable like Middle Earth, and so very vivid. Travis Baldree is a master story teller, and since he is also the narrator, that is meant both ways.
The world is going to be familiar to you, but that doesn't mean this book doesn't do a fair amount of world building, because it does... and does a fine job of it. The character growth is excellent, and you will like the characters, or despise them, but you will have feelings for them.
I look forward to more books by this author, and I also hope he continues this series.
By order of release, this is the second book in the Legends & Lattes series, If you are looking at a timeline, the story happens before the first book... but I would suggest reading them in the order of their release.
The story itself, much like Legends & Lattes, is comfortable. It is set in a "world" remarkable like Middle Earth, and so very vivid. Travis Baldree is a master story teller, and since he is also the narrator, that is meant both ways.
The world is going to be familiar to you, but that doesn't mean this book doesn't do a fair amount of world building, because it does... and does a fine job of it. The character growth is excellent, and you will like the characters, or despise them, but you will have feelings for them.
I look forward to more books by this author, and I also hope he continues this series.
Bridge to Bat City by Ernest Cline
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
(4.75 Stars)
Simply put... I loved this book. Yes, it had some sad moments, but overall it was a heartwarming tale.
Ernest Cline is a master story teller. And the narrator, Felicia Day is, not surprisingly, an amazing voice actor.
Simply put... I loved this book. Yes, it had some sad moments, but overall it was a heartwarming tale.
Ernest Cline is a master story teller. And the narrator, Felicia Day is, not surprisingly, an amazing voice actor.
Red Rising (1 of 2) - Graphic Audio by Pierce Brown
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
(3.5 Stars)
Someone recommended this to me because I told them they should read The Expanse. So far, I don't see much similar between the two except that they both take place in space and involve Mars.
With that being said, this is very enjoyable, and the full cast really makes it mentally visual.
The Expanse seems more realistic, logical. This series seems more fantastical.
Someone recommended this to me because I told them they should read The Expanse. So far, I don't see much similar between the two except that they both take place in space and involve Mars.
With that being said, this is very enjoyable, and the full cast really makes it mentally visual.
The Expanse seems more realistic, logical. This series seems more fantastical.