Nico
A very good YA for teens of all ages about werewolves, identity and much more. As an adult who doesn't always love YA/teen, I only stayed interested because of the mythology and our main protagonist's journey. I already have a hold at my library because this is not the kind of series book that can stand alone.
Brilliant. Heartbreaking. Perfection. And I surprisingly really liked the battle scenes too. I liked the marrying of modernity with old school, I'm not sure I've seen it so well done in any fantasy I've encountered. The book did not end at all like how I thought it would, and maybe if it were any other book I'd have a critique of the plot structure, specifically the placement of the climax, but man-o-man ML Wang created a work of art that absolutely worked. It was just superb, it checked all the boxes for me on character depth, character relationships, complex topics like grief and forgiveness, plot, world building, action, tears upon tears - chef's kiss. This is a gut wrenching book, so I don't think this will be for everyone. It also took me a bit to get into it, but it turned into quite the ride.
3.5 stars. I had high hopes after the positive hype and because I enjoyed A Snake Falls to Earth. I struggled a bit with this teen/YA, mostly because of the pacing. The first 50% is mostly filled with teen dialogue that is a challenge for me and no action, and then the second half I was engrossed. It is a very special book though and I recommend.
What a gripping tale with beautiful stories within the story. I'm so happy I continued on with the series. I loved the characters, the storytelling, the fantasy elements and mini-adventure. My issues with the first novella were with the plot and the cohesiveness around tone. I didn't find those issues with this one. Looking forward to any future adventures of Cleric Chih if Nghi Vo writes more.
Brom is a renowned artist, but I would say an under recognized writer and storyteller. I'm glad “The Child Thief” was my Brom introduction, because that book is perfection in my eyes. I had some minor pacing and other issues with this one, but Brom is a magical writer and I was fully engulfed in the characters and story. For those who like books that cover gray characters, Brom is your author. For those who want to read about devils, magical creatures, witches and Puritanism, I'd check this out.
Merged review:
Brom is a renowned artist, but I would say an under recognized writer and storyteller. I'm glad “The Child Thief” was my Brom introduction, because that book is perfection in my eyes. I had some minor pacing and other issues with this one, but Brom is a magical writer and I was fully engulfed in the characters and story. For those who like books that cover gray characters, Brom is your author. For those who want to read about devils, magical creatures, witches and Puritanism, I'd check this out.
Second time around I'm just as in love as the first. This is a story with violinists, demons and aliens and I absolutely adored it. It's about a lot of different things and I can see how this won't be for everyone because of that, but if you like books with a lot of different moving parts, especially around characters and themes, I highly recommend.
I loved this book and cannot wait to for the next one. This was a wild ride with high stakes...in fact this felt like a thriller for me in some ways since I was having physiological responses because it felt like something bad could happen any minute. I loved the depth and complexity of the characters and the plot was 5 stars for me. Also, animal companions - yes please. However, the flow of the book took me aback sometimes and this is why it's not five stars in my opinion.
What an epic, thematically rich page-turner of a YA novel. It ticks every box for what I expect from a book meant for teen audiences and on top of that creates its own enthralling world of mythos, magic and politics. In this empire the ruler is bonded to representatives of each of the 12 realms - all have their own unique power - and together they form a council. It begins with the protagonist, Tarisai, being raised in isolation and longing for her mother and to go outside and make friends. If you're looking for something with a complicated daughter-mother relationship, feminist themes, themes around power and choice, deep friendships (including unconditional, platonic m/f), found family, a smidge of teen romance (felt genuine and did not hit on the annoying YA romance tropes for me), revenge and complex schemes, and a wholly realized new fantasy world to explore, I highly recommend.
Time jump, yes please. High stakes, oh yeah. I was so scared to read this finale of the Founders trilogy because I did not like the middle book, but this was everything I was hoping for and more. As for the time jump, I think it was appropriate and quite cool because it was like the original magic system on steroids and the reimagining of the magic blew me away.
Most certainly one of the most intricate and genius plots I've ever encountered in all my reads. I have no comprehension as to how a human mind can weave so many characters and moving pieces together. After about 150 pages this turned into quite the page-turner for me, with every chapter and sub-chapters (for lack of a better word) being a new element or twist to the plot. At times I felt a sense of the character depth and complexity I look for in my 5-star reads, but other times I felt the characters were chess pieces to aid the plot. Even though I was definitely confused at times by character names or word choice, (or even by two sentences that rereading didn't resolve), I overall followed the events and thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The tone is very clearly for teens (for whom I highly recommend this book), so as an adult this is hard to rate this 5/5 based on the very teen-ish dialogue (I'd say this is even for the younger end of the teen spectrum based on how it read), some weak character development (which can often happen with single-POV), and the plot. Regardless, I had such a good time with this book and if I'm judging it with my YA lens it was perfect! If you're an adult who reads YA this is a must-read.
This was a surprising read for me. I only knew it was about alternative universes, but at each quarter mark when I thought I knew where the story was going I was pleasantly surprised by its new direction each time. There were quite a few big surprises in between too. For a single POV I was impressed by the characterization of the other characters, but not enough for me to rate it 5/5. I was most invested in this book for its plot and world building - which I thought was pretty darn cool.
This started out as a quiet, eerie story about a teenage girl who lives in a Puritan-esqe society that has strict and dark rules regarding women and witchcraft. I can't say when I began to become fully invested, since this quiet, eerie tone continues for quite a while, but by the end I found the plot, atmosphere, climax, and themes (this is pretty brilliantly feminist IMO), to be excellent. I think my biggest critiques are of the pacing and some character development, though Henderson did a great job with the MC. As with a lot of horror books, there are definitely content warnings to research if you pay attention, but I will say Goodreads has this tagged as young adult and that's tricky for me considering there is a lot of reference to off-page statutory rape and child abuse in this society. According to the author, “it occupies the gray space between upper YA and adult,” so I'd go by that. Overall I really enjoyed it and do recommend trying it out despite the mixed-reviews.
Set right before and during WWII, we follow three characters in a vignette style of storytelling where the stories tie together. To me this felt very literary, arthouse and original in both its approach and magic. If you like noir settings and strong themes, and want to experience a unique story I recommend trying this out.
I think anyone in the workforce in the US will find the author speaking to them in this book somewhere. I highly recommend for people struggling with work in various ways to pick this up.
3.5 stars. It's kind of like a little historical fiction meets a really long short story that follows three characters, but really one and kind of another and barely a third. First half was 3 stars, next quarter was 4 stars, the last fifth was 5 stars.
This one has great storytelling and atmosphere. I didn't think I'd align with the hype, but it's well deserved in my opinion.
This sequel was fine. I still think it should be made into a show by the Futurama team.
This is my favorite of the five I've consumed so far, particularly for its mystery plot, intricacy and dialogue. The second is still my favorite for friendships, then next up overall is the first one.
I read the one-star reviews, out of curiosity. I understand the comments about the writing style not being for them (though it's not one-star worthy), because there is a silliness to it I can see not being for everyone. But I wholeheartedly disagree with the comments about it being a children's book. This is definitely for adults. Sure, I'm sure there are young ones out there who would relate to the magical children or be enthralled by their adventures and silly banter. And sure there can be lessons for them about bigotry too. But the story of the protagonist is one that can only be understood by adults. Clearly not all will relate, but for those who thirst for more, for connection, or for a light of any kind will get this. If the message, “you don't know what you had until it's lost” resonates you'll feel this. If you need some hope and want your heart to swell a bit you'll love this. And for themes on bigotry, I think in this book the messages are really for adults. I devoured the audiobook in a day. The book will be a lifelong favorite no doubt and I wonder if by the end of my days I'll have read it more times than I've read The Hobbit (three times so far). Six out of five stars.
One of my absolute favorite reads of the year. What a wonderful series and fantastic conclusion. After a lot of disappointing or meh YA reads this year, I was apprehensive, but when the first book became available as an audiobook at my library and after hearing some good things about it, I thought I'd give it a try. The series is full of whimsical magic and warm camaraderie, and the final book great battle scenes and hardship (and an epilogue that made me cry and cry) that make it a wonderful epic.
This was my third Hopkinson, and I LOVED the two others (Falling in Love with Hominids and Midnight Robber). I really struggled with this one - particularly the first 2/3rds - and in the end it's my least favorite of the three I've read. It's dystopian with magical elements following one main character. The plot and magical elements are strongest in the last third and this is what saved it for me. I think I missed Hopkinson's gift at storytelling that I found at the forefront of her short story collection and novel I read. I'm still in awe of Hopkinson and this one isn't going to stop me from reading her other works.
Holy smokes, this is now on my list of favorite novellas of all time. A badask woman detective in a world of djinn, angels and ghouls? Yes please, more please. In 43 pages/2 hours (I highly recommend the audiobook) the author manages an awesome mystery plot with characters that feel like we had been with them for considerably more time. I can't wait to continue on in this world and explore more from Clark - hopefully much sooner than later.
3.5 stars. I'm finally getting some on the sweetness of the family, but I'm not in love with the series yet. To be continued.