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philibin's reviews
824 reviews
Babel: An Arcane History 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.
The Astronaut Dream Book by William Pauley III
dark
medium-paced
2.75
(2.75 Stars)
This is vary bizarre and nonsensical horror. The writing is good, I just am having a hard time getting into it. The last story in the book was the most interesting.
This is vary bizarre and nonsensical horror. The writing is good, I just am having a hard time getting into it. The last story in the book was the most interesting.
Wasteland Warlords 1 by James Hunter, eden Hudson
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
(2.5 Stars)
I thought that I've read "LitRPG" before, but after reading this, maybe I haven't. This was different than anything else I've read before, complete with callbacks to character sheets and player stats. I'm not sure that I love it, but I also don't hate it... With that being said, I'm not sure I like it enough to keep reading it.
On a good note, Travis Baldree is the narrator, and it is very short. I will give the next book in the series a try, and will decide if I am going to read the rest of the six after that.
Disclaimer: I am a gamer so I am not unfamiliar with stories and stats and everything like this, I just don't know if this genre is for me.
I thought that I've read "LitRPG" before, but after reading this, maybe I haven't. This was different than anything else I've read before, complete with callbacks to character sheets and player stats. I'm not sure that I love it, but I also don't hate it... With that being said, I'm not sure I like it enough to keep reading it.
On a good note, Travis Baldree is the narrator, and it is very short. I will give the next book in the series a try, and will decide if I am going to read the rest of the six after that.
Disclaimer: I am a gamer so I am not unfamiliar with stories and stats and everything like this, I just don't know if this genre is for me.
Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
mysterious
slow-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
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
I thought this book was pretty good, but also that parts of it really dragged on and really stretched plausibility.
It was very "meta" and broke the fourth wall, but just didn't grab me as much as the first book did. Again, I didn't dislike it, I just didn't like it "as much" as I did the first book. It was still a good story and I will read the third book in the series.
I thought this book was pretty good, but also that parts of it really dragged on and really stretched plausibility.
It was very "meta" and broke the fourth wall, but just didn't grab me as much as the first book did. Again, I didn't dislike it, I just didn't like it "as much" as I did the first book. It was still a good story and I will read the third book in the series.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
(5.0 Stars)
This was a great book from start to finish. Excellent world building, superb character growth, and immersive story telling. If you are a fan of speculative fiction, sci-fi, etc... this is a great story.
I can't say much without giving away key parts of the story, so I will just say you will not regret reading this book. And the narration was good too.
This was a great book from start to finish. Excellent world building, superb character growth, and immersive story telling. If you are a fan of speculative fiction, sci-fi, etc... this is a great story.
I can't say much without giving away key parts of the story, so I will just say you will not regret reading this book. And the narration was good too.
Kill the Farm Boy by Delilah S. Dawson, Kevin Hearne
funny
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? It's complicated
3.5
(3.5 Stars)
I was a little worried about this book... I do like a good punny book, but I usually like to keep it between 6 and 8 hours. This book is 13 hours, so I was worried I'd get tired of the puns, but I shouldn't have worried. It was paced nicely and had a nice flow.
I have only read one short story by Delilah S. Dawson, so I am not very familiar with her writing style, but I've read everything released by Kevin Hearne and find his style very comfortable. This is a moderate departure from his usual style and I wasn't able to connect with the characters as well as I did with his Iron Druid series.
Overall, this book was enjoyable and the authors did a great job visualizing the world it was set in, but some of the characters felt a little two-dimensional.
The narration was done by Luke Daniels, and I think he had to use every single voice in his arsenal.
If you like fantasy, quest, puns, and maybe furrys... this could be the book/series for you.
I was a little worried about this book... I do like a good punny book, but I usually like to keep it between 6 and 8 hours. This book is 13 hours, so I was worried I'd get tired of the puns, but I shouldn't have worried. It was paced nicely and had a nice flow.
I have only read one short story by Delilah S. Dawson, so I am not very familiar with her writing style, but I've read everything released by Kevin Hearne and find his style very comfortable. This is a moderate departure from his usual style and I wasn't able to connect with the characters as well as I did with his Iron Druid series.
Overall, this book was enjoyable and the authors did a great job visualizing the world it was set in, but some of the characters felt a little two-dimensional.
The narration was done by Luke Daniels, and I think he had to use every single voice in his arsenal.
If you like fantasy, quest, puns, and maybe furrys... this could be the book/series for you.
Oops! I Broke the Wizard's Android! by Royce Roeswood
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? No
4.5
(4.5 Stars)
I love when audiobooks are read by the author, so there is an extra .5 for the narrator.
This book is YA, but don't let that stop you from reading it as an adult. There is excellent character development and world-building. The concept is unique, an it reminds me a little of Scott Meyer's Magic 2.0 series, but less sardonic.
The author uses several literary techniques to break up the chapters and keep the story interesting. One of them is referencing "external" sources, which I always appreciate when done right. If you like the Emily Wilde series, this might be a good book for you.
This book has a "cozy" feel and like much modern fantasy/sci-fi is very positive and embraces diversity.
I love when audiobooks are read by the author, so there is an extra .5 for the narrator.
This book is YA, but don't let that stop you from reading it as an adult. There is excellent character development and world-building. The concept is unique, an it reminds me a little of Scott Meyer's Magic 2.0 series, but less sardonic.
The author uses several literary techniques to break up the chapters and keep the story interesting. One of them is referencing "external" sources, which I always appreciate when done right. If you like the Emily Wilde series, this might be a good book for you.
This book has a "cozy" feel and like much modern fantasy/sci-fi is very positive and embraces diversity.
Come & Get It by Kiley Reid
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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)
I feel really bad giving this book only 3 of 5 stars... The book is very well-written, and the story is... well, it is interesting. I really loved Such a Fun Age by thins author, so I think I was expecting something more like that. I wouldn't say I disliked this book, I just really found it difficult to "get into". I just have so many mixed feelings about this book.
Firstly, there are A LOT of characters. I know it is a "me thing", but I have a difficult time keeping track of a lot of characters, especially when they are all just kind of thrown at you, and some of them have very similar personalities. The book jumps around a lot and at times I was unsure who was speaking, who was being talked about, and what was being implied.
Also... I don't really know how to word this... The main characters all come off as those type of people that can't have silent moments, or need to fill every moment with nervous chatter. I was actually exhausted from reading this... And I read the audiobook version! There were times where I just needed to stop reading, and just sit there in silence.
I don't know who the target audience for this book would be, and I can't compare it to anything else I have read. I guess it would be like reading an account of a reality tv show filled with the most annoying cast possible...who have no idea they are being filmed. And it was cancelled before the end of the season.
I feel really bad giving this book only 3 of 5 stars... The book is very well-written, and the story is... well, it is interesting. I really loved Such a Fun Age by thins author, so I think I was expecting something more like that. I wouldn't say I disliked this book, I just really found it difficult to "get into". I just have so many mixed feelings about this book.
Firstly, there are A LOT of characters. I know it is a "me thing", but I have a difficult time keeping track of a lot of characters, especially when they are all just kind of thrown at you, and some of them have very similar personalities. The book jumps around a lot and at times I was unsure who was speaking, who was being talked about, and what was being implied.
Also... I don't really know how to word this... The main characters all come off as those type of people that can't have silent moments, or need to fill every moment with nervous chatter. I was actually exhausted from reading this... And I read the audiobook version! There were times where I just needed to stop reading, and just sit there in silence.
I don't know who the target audience for this book would be, and I can't compare it to anything else I have read. I guess it would be like reading an account of a reality tv show filled with the most annoying cast possible...who have no idea they are being filmed. And it was cancelled before the end of the season.