Meagon
Once again, the questions about the mysteries of this world continue to pile up. I haven't mentioned much in my previous reviews how much I enjoy the artwork of this series. Hajime Isayama is not only a super talented storyteller, but also a superb artist. You can read the movements and emotions of each character extremely well. Nothing has to really be said between certain characters and yet you can see the level of emotion they feel for each other in just their glances. Truly awesome to experience!
The female titans rampage is crazy to read. Armin shows how smart he is once again, proving how invaluable he is as a member of the Survey Corps. It's interesting to re-read these mangas knowing a few of the secrets already and seeing the characters in a different light because of it. I don't think I personally would have been able to resist the temptation to change, the way Eren did at the end.
You're finally introduced to the members of the Survey Corps! I think Zoe Hange has to be my favorite character so far. Her obsession with learning and her willingness to talk anyone's ear off about the subject she loves most reminds me a lot of myself. Her short (for the reader at least) conversation with Eren gives some new information about the titans. Despite it being WAY past my self-appointed bedtime, the cliffhanger at the end had me snatching up the next volume in an instant!
Something I love about this series is that it shows the individual strengths and weaknesses of every character. Mikasa and Armin are considered just as important as Eren. Not to mention how the others are portrayed as actual characters and not just pawns or Titan food (though there ARE plenty of THOSE characters too). I get through these mangas in about a half hour/an hour each, so it's a little sad that they go by so fast. At the same time, they're glorious page-turners that always have me on the edge of my seat for the next revelation/gore fest in the next panel.
I'm so sad it's over! You know you've read an amazing book when your heart says, “Wait, what? That's it?!” It feels like Bryson borrowed a piece of my soul, took it to Australia with him, and forgot to bring it back. I feel like I've been there (I've never even been out of the States once in my sad life) and need to go back for a second trip NOW! His writing style kept me engaged and made me laugh out loud to the point of tearing up at times. There were even poignant moments, specifically about the forgotten Aborigines or the humble stromatolites, that had me tearing up for less humorous reasons. If you have even a passing fancy for ANYTHING Australia-related, PLEASE treat yourself to this read! A new best friend is waiting to show you a world you've never even dreamed of!
Anne came into my life at a much needed time. The same day I purchased the book, I was let go from my job of nine years. As devastating as it was to be terminated and be thrown into the uncertain world of unemployment, my life didn't seem nearly as bad as what poor Anne had been through. Her optimism and deep inner strength helped me find my own and she was a much needed companion in one of the bleakest times of my life. The story is magnificently written, and the old ways of speech were a delight to stretch my mind around. In a world full of lol's and ikr's; it was a breath of fresh air to read full, descriptive sentences. I will be tracking down the rest of this series for sure!
This book completely blew me away. I've always had a fascination with the Paleolithic cave paintings and all the questions that they raise. Why? What? How? This book seeks to answer them, especially the HOW. The time, research, AND experiments that went into it are a testament to the authors brilliance. At first I was skeptical, but the more I read, the more I felt that this was the right answer. I could imagine my ancestors crawling into the darkest pits of caves, seeking the perfect spots for their work. I hope someday to attempt something like it myself. I feel that it would be a truly spiritual experience.
What a spoiled, ignorant, hypocritical fool. I'm sorry for his family and that he had to choose the dumbest way to pursue a dream that was completely realistic. You can denounce how most of society lives and forge your own path, just be fucking SMART about it!
Completely unlikeable characters. I didn't care at all what happened to them. It also seemed there were a few continuity issues. If they're on the ground floor, why are they constantly looking down at the ground and people on the ground are looking up at them? Their friendship is less believable than the premonitions. The backstabbing, boy drama is NOT my cup of tea either.
I enjoyed the Harry Potter books enough to give them all four stars.
Except this one. I wanted to smack Potter in the face most of the way through this book. He was SO whiney! Ugh!
I defy anyone to explain to me how this is science fiction OR a classic. Boring, rambling nonsense!
I had to read this book in sixth grade. We were only supposed to read so many chapters and not read ahead so that we could answer test questions and have discussions with the rest of the class.... I sped through this book faster than any other assigned reading in my life.
I was in the backseat of my family's van on our way to visit family in another state. It was a three hour drive and I'd really been plugging away at the novel. I got to the end, and I just started bawling. My parents were kind of freaked. They were just along for a nice long drive, listening to music, my mom pointing out deer now and then; when all of a sudden their daughter starts sobbing uncontrollably behind them.
This story has stayed with me for SO long. The amount of love and hard work the boy puts into his two hound dogs, and it ends up with them BOTH dying?!? I was heartbroken. But it taught me such a valuable lesson. Things/people that we love come into our lives...and then they leave. We only have one chance to love them as fiercely as we possibly can.
I just can't anymore. I've trudged through 47% of this and I absolutely refuse to go any further.
First things first, I LOVE chunksters, history, incredibly detailed descriptions (when they actually work towards furthering a story or deepening my understanding of a character/culture), and especially books with multiple POVs. But I HATE this book.
The wild coincidences alone were enough to have me rolling my eyes, but then Kostova expects me to believe that someone would write down every minute detail of what they had for each meal in a letter that's supposed to be explaining why they've disappeared looking for Dracula?!? What are we even doing at this point?
The characters have zero personality, I had to sometimes reread sentences when I realized the author had switched characters POVs. Then there's the quotes within quotes bit. Why these weren't just written normally and somehow labeled at the beginning with a letter date or something, I'll never guess.
An excruciating read that I honestly should have bailed on back at page 100. Why some people sing this books praises is beyond me.
Hated everything about the characters. Wonderful writing, but couldn't stand another selfish second.
One of those books I read over and over again! When we were assigned it in school, I read ahead because I couldn't stop myself. An amazing look at what makes us human and what truly makes us ‘civilized'. EVERYONE should read this, no matter what gender/culture. It makes one wonder what they would be like if they were thrown into a similar situation. You look into yourself, and sometimes it's terrifying what you see.
Story was all over the place and boring. Only got maybe a quarter of the way through and refused to read any further. Took it to a used book store asap.
I don't know what I could say about this book that hasn't been said before by MANY others. It's truly a deeply immersive story of the struggles of masculine men in this increasingly feminized world. The surprise ending was ruined for me long before I read the book OR watched the movie; and yet the journey there, and the repercussions thereof, were every bit as fascinating. Truly a page turner that alters your perception of what reality is; and where your place is in it.
The absolute best book on explaining evolution to a layman audience. As visually stunning as the best coffee table books, yet full to the brim with information. A wonderful introduction to the subject if you've no idea where to start, and a beautifully done review for those that know their stuff. If I could hand copies out to people on every street corner, I would.
Boring. The reader needs to already have a working knowledge of the musical era of the early to mid 1900s to follow along. Could have been edited down to an essay instead of bloated into a 200 page book.
It's been ages since I read this, but I remember being spellbound. The loneliness of Maggie really hit home with my younger self. I didn't get tossed round boarding schools or was sent to live with cold aunts, but I think every young teen goes through a bit of a lonely chunk growing up, no matter how many people are in their lives.
I loved the idea of Maggie having dolls that moved and spoke only for her. It was heartbreaking at times, imagining this little skin and bones girl crawling up into the attic to see her only true friends.
Beautifully written. The scene where she's riding to the house for the first time and gets sick; using her uncle's kerchief to wipe her mouth and not knowing what to do with it afterwards; I could imagine I was HER. The awkwardness of, do I hand it back? Do I hold it and let my hand stink of puke? Do I toss it out the window?
I recommend it for any young person (or anyone) that feels they're lost in a world that doesn't care to understand them.