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philibin's reviews
821 reviews
Mickey7 by Edward Ashton
adventurous
medium-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
4.75
(4.75 Stars)
I really liked this book... It was everything that I hoped it would be. If you liked the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells, you should give this a shot. The characters are vibrant and relatable, the world building is superb, and the story is interesting.
The narration was good, and the pace was nearly perfect. I simply cannot wait to read the next book in the series!
I really liked this book... It was everything that I hoped it would be. If you liked the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells, you should give this a shot. The characters are vibrant and relatable, the world building is superb, and the story is interesting.
The narration was good, and the pace was nearly perfect. I simply cannot wait to read the next book in the series!
Blood of the Old Kings by Sung-il Kim
adventurous
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? No
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
This was everything I like about Fantasy stories. It was strange, but not in a bad way. It was unfamiliar to me, but that kept me interested. The Magic System is unique and a big part of how the story unfolds.
The world building is my least favorite part... not because it wasn't consistent, but because I had a hard time visualizing it. Some of the environmental elements just didn't come together in my mind, but it was really a minor criticism.
The characters are vivid and distinct. The pace was good, and the length was perfect.
This book would be good for anyone who likes magic-based fantasy with strong female characters, engaging storytelling, and quests that start and complete in the same book.The Narration of the audiobook is very good too.
This is a Fantasy, not a Romantasy. And while it isn't YA, it could be enjoyed by a younger audience as well.
This was everything I like about Fantasy stories. It was strange, but not in a bad way. It was unfamiliar to me, but that kept me interested. The Magic System is unique and a big part of how the story unfolds.
The world building is my least favorite part... not because it wasn't consistent, but because I had a hard time visualizing it. Some of the environmental elements just didn't come together in my mind, but it was really a minor criticism.
The characters are vivid and distinct. The pace was good, and the length was perfect.
This book would be good for anyone who likes magic-based fantasy with strong female characters, engaging storytelling, and quests that start and complete in the same book.The Narration of the audiobook is very good too.
This is a Fantasy, not a Romantasy. And while it isn't YA, it could be enjoyed by a younger audience as well.
Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban
challenging
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
4.5
(4.5 Stars)
I have a bit of a rough history with this book. I started reading it over a decade ago, and I really struggled with the physical copy. I was equal parts impressed with the experimental way the book was written, with my inability to "get past" the lack of proper spelling and grammar (it was a "me" problem). But I loved the concept. I just couldn't finish it, but it never completely left my mind.
A few years ago I tried reading it again, this time the ebook version. I was able to get slightly farther, but not by much. Eventually I gave up. Then I had an idea... maybe an audiobook would work for me?
I searched for a service that would have an audiobook version, and looked at several libraries. Finally after years, I was able to obtain a copy of the audio recording!
The long wait did not disappoint. This book was very well written, a future dystopian "history" steeped in mythology, lore, music, rhymes, and a richly created culture. The world is both familiar and alien, the characters are real and impossible. This book is gritty, but beautiful.
I have a bit of a rough history with this book. I started reading it over a decade ago, and I really struggled with the physical copy. I was equal parts impressed with the experimental way the book was written, with my inability to "get past" the lack of proper spelling and grammar (it was a "me" problem). But I loved the concept. I just couldn't finish it, but it never completely left my mind.
A few years ago I tried reading it again, this time the ebook version. I was able to get slightly farther, but not by much. Eventually I gave up. Then I had an idea... maybe an audiobook would work for me?
I searched for a service that would have an audiobook version, and looked at several libraries. Finally after years, I was able to obtain a copy of the audio recording!
The long wait did not disappoint. This book was very well written, a future dystopian "history" steeped in mythology, lore, music, rhymes, and a richly created culture. The world is both familiar and alien, the characters are real and impossible. This book is gritty, but beautiful.
Grim Death and Bill the Electrocuted Criminal by Mike Mignola, Thomas E. Sniegoski
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
2.0
(2.0 Stars)
I really thought I'd rate this much higher. I've been a big fan of Mignola for years, but for me, this book just didn't work. I get that it was trying to be set in the backdrop of a pulp style noir, but I felt more like it was a badly done Batman clone. From the very first page, I felt like I was missing some crucial starting point. Like maybe this was based on something previous that I was not aware of. But I don't think that is it. The book does provide "background", but it is done through a series of "flashbacks" that were clunky and unhelpful when they were eventually presented.
The dialog is unclever, and the situations are unrealistic... even within the fantasy of the story. The book tells you what is going on, but never gives a good reason why I should care. Near the end of the book, you are given a lot more information about the protagonist's reasoning/motivation... but by that point it was "too little, too late". None of the story progression, character growth, or world building was organic or smooth. It was spoon-fed, seemingly as an after-thought.
The narrator did have a gritty deadpan voice, but never really gave the characters any "life". Maybe he never got a good feel for the characters either? He kept a nice pace and was clear and easily understandable.
I really thought I'd rate this much higher. I've been a big fan of Mignola for years, but for me, this book just didn't work. I get that it was trying to be set in the backdrop of a pulp style noir, but I felt more like it was a badly done Batman clone. From the very first page, I felt like I was missing some crucial starting point. Like maybe this was based on something previous that I was not aware of. But I don't think that is it. The book does provide "background", but it is done through a series of "flashbacks" that were clunky and unhelpful when they were eventually presented.
The dialog is unclever, and the situations are unrealistic... even within the fantasy of the story. The book tells you what is going on, but never gives a good reason why I should care. Near the end of the book, you are given a lot more information about the protagonist's reasoning/motivation... but by that point it was "too little, too late". None of the story progression, character growth, or world building was organic or smooth. It was spoon-fed, seemingly as an after-thought.
The narrator did have a gritty deadpan voice, but never really gave the characters any "life". Maybe he never got a good feel for the characters either? He kept a nice pace and was clear and easily understandable.
Two Necromancers, a Dragon, and a Vampire by L. G. Estrella
adventurous
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
3.25
(3.25 Stars)
I liked this book, and I like this series. It is enjoyable, full of loveable characters, campy quips, and good storytelling. If I wanted to compare it to anything, I'd have to say that it is a lot like the Saturday morning cartoons from my youth. Similar in vein to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Dungeons & Dragons, Even the original Space Ghost or even Scooby-Doo. It is very formulaic, predictable, and uncomplicated... but that doesn't make it bad, it makes it enjoyable and easily digestible.
The narration is good, the world-setting is familiar, and the pace is good.
This book is basically two complete stories, and I kind of wish it would have been two books. I do like them, but feel this type of book lends itself better to shorter works, rather than one long book. There are more books in the series, but they are even longer than this one and I do plan on reading them... but I might have to break them up and read other books at the same time.
This is just a personal preference, so your mileage may vary.
I liked this book, and I like this series. It is enjoyable, full of loveable characters, campy quips, and good storytelling. If I wanted to compare it to anything, I'd have to say that it is a lot like the Saturday morning cartoons from my youth. Similar in vein to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Dungeons & Dragons, Even the original Space Ghost or even Scooby-Doo. It is very formulaic, predictable, and uncomplicated... but that doesn't make it bad, it makes it enjoyable and easily digestible.
The narration is good, the world-setting is familiar, and the pace is good.
This book is basically two complete stories, and I kind of wish it would have been two books. I do like them, but feel this type of book lends itself better to shorter works, rather than one long book. There are more books in the series, but they are even longer than this one and I do plan on reading them... but I might have to break them up and read other books at the same time.
This is just a personal preference, so your mileage may vary.
Cult Classic by Stephen Blackmoore
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
5.0
(5.0 Stars)
This rating is not only for this book, but for the entire series. I've had mixed reviews for the books in this series, but this last one really tied them all together nicely.
This was the best book of the series, but also closed a lot of the holes left open in the previous books. The narrator was good, and for my own preference, I liked the unabridged audiobooks much better than the graphic audio books.
So, if you are stuck in the middle of this series, stick with it... it gets better with every book!
I hope to read more by this author.
This rating is not only for this book, but for the entire series. I've had mixed reviews for the books in this series, but this last one really tied them all together nicely.
This was the best book of the series, but also closed a lot of the holes left open in the previous books. The narrator was good, and for my own preference, I liked the unabridged audiobooks much better than the graphic audio books.
So, if you are stuck in the middle of this series, stick with it... it gets better with every book!
I hope to read more by this author.
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
(4.5 Stars)
This was refreshingly good horror!
It was a very short story, but didn't lack anything. Great characters and you really get a good feel for their personalities.
I saw the ending coming but I enjoyed every step of the way.
This was refreshingly good horror!
It was a very short story, but didn't lack anything. Great characters and you really get a good feel for their personalities.
I saw the ending coming but I enjoyed every step of the way.
Babel by R.F. Kuang
challenging
informative
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? It's complicated
4.0
(3.5 Stars, rounded up to 4)
This book is very long, some parts of it progress at a nice pace while others seem to drag on. The concept is great, and I love the etymological tangents that are included. What kept me from giving it a full 4 stars is that what I thought should be logical solutions to a lot of the problems the main characters were having, had much simpler solutions that "scholars" should have been able to come to (IMHO).
With that being said, the character growth was really good and the world was consistent, but I have to admit that I struggled a little making sense of the magic system, but it was very compelling story telling.
The narration was good and the pronunciation inserts were a great addition. I also loved the social commentary.
This book is very long, some parts of it progress at a nice pace while others seem to drag on. The concept is great, and I love the etymological tangents that are included. What kept me from giving it a full 4 stars is that what I thought should be logical solutions to a lot of the problems the main characters were having, had much simpler solutions that "scholars" should have been able to come to (IMHO).
With that being said, the character growth was really good and the world was consistent, but I have to admit that I struggled a little making sense of the magic system, but it was very compelling story telling.
The narration was good and the pronunciation inserts were a great addition. I also loved the social commentary.
American Rapture by CJ Leede
dark
tense
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
5.0
(5.0 Stars)
This was such a well told story. I can't say it was a "good" story, because it was very disturbing, on so many levels. It is maybe like a weird cross between The Walking Dead, mixed with Chuck Wendig's Wanderers... And the satirical, sing-song nature of Palahniuk.
I absolutely loved this book. This author is one to watch for sure. Not for the faint of heart, or the easily offended. the "world" is described in an easy to relate to way and the characters are both real and revealed.
The narration had a good pace and enunciation.
If you like psychological horror, dystopian speculative fiction, and don't need a happy ending... this book could be right up your alley.
Word of warning, this book is not gentle. There is graphic violence, sexual assault, animal cruelty, and is irreligious-ish.
This was such a well told story. I can't say it was a "good" story, because it was very disturbing, on so many levels. It is maybe like a weird cross between The Walking Dead, mixed with Chuck Wendig's Wanderers... And the satirical, sing-song nature of Palahniuk.
I absolutely loved this book. This author is one to watch for sure. Not for the faint of heart, or the easily offended. the "world" is described in an easy to relate to way and the characters are both real and revealed.
The narration had a good pace and enunciation.
If you like psychological horror, dystopian speculative fiction, and don't need a happy ending... this book could be right up your alley.
Word of warning, this book is not gentle. There is graphic violence, sexual assault, animal cruelty, and is irreligious-ish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Sexual assault
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Wasteland Warlords 2 by James Hunter, eden Hudson
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
(3.5 Stars)
OK, I am getting used to the style a little more... and I do like it. The writing is good, and of course, Travis Baldree does an excellent job of narration.
The character growth from last book to this one was good, and the world is starting to make a little more sense. There are new characters added and everything comes together.
I'll be continuing the series.
OK, I am getting used to the style a little more... and I do like it. The writing is good, and of course, Travis Baldree does an excellent job of narration.
The character growth from last book to this one was good, and the world is starting to make a little more sense. There are new characters added and everything comes together.
I'll be continuing the series.