Charlotte
Weirdest thing I've read in a while. Definitely need t for my age demographic but it was still fun
two words: David Tennant
Did I listen to this book just because of him? Absolutely
Did I also enjoy the book? Actually yes
This is a children's book through and through but that doesn't stop adults like me enjoying the more simpler read. I was slightly surprised that the film is very different from the book, quite a few differences. Dragons for one can talk? This did weird me out a little bit and Tennant's voice acting for it made me laugh. It's utterly ridiculous but I could see a younger audience enjoying it
I think I'll be continuing the series
“You have wings and courage and a brain. Do not annoy me by asking permission”
I originally bought this book just for the cover. I absolutely love bees and this is about as bee as you can get when it comes to books. This was one of the strangest books I have ever read. Think animal farm but for bees. Set in a bee hive, it is full of drama, high stakes and complex organisation that is incredible to read about. But there is a price to pay, stuck in a cult like environment built upon slavery, brain washing and secrets. Not only this but there are themes of religion as the queen is considered “divine” and the hive is expected to partake in daily rituals, prayers and even sacrifice. The bees also seem to worship death, even going so far as to call it the “Kindness”. Workers are regularly “given the kindness” for sins such as greed, desire, idleness and even deformity. They even wish and beg for it, especially if they think they have harmed the hive in any way.
The more I think about this book the more I am marvelled at the commentary woven throughout this book. This book was so interesting to witness the complexities of the world that Paull has created. There were certain moments where I was just laughing at how ridiculous some of the behaviours were (the drones if you've read it). I don't know how realistic it all is but if even a little bit is true then omg bees are messed up xD.
Not only did Paull touch upon the behaviours inside the hive, but also how the outside world effects it too. Whether its winter, other insects, animals and even technology, the hive was not having a good time at all. Paull tells of lack of freedom of speech, classism, slavery, eugenics and religious issues in such a beautiful way that it really makes you think at the end. It's such a powerful story showcasing the dark truth behind controlling states. I don't think I'll ever stop thinking about it.
“The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty: not knowing what comes next.”
Not gonna lie I spent the majority of this book very very very confused. My friends will attest to that. Despite this, it wasn't a bad book, I just don't think I get much out of a book that relies so much on hidden philosophical commentary. Don't get me wrong, it made me think a lot about our societal systems, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
I am very mad at the ending :(
“And what's more beautiful and precious than gold? Love, my son. The only treasure that cannot be buried in a pot”
This was such a sweet little story. The artwork is absolutely gorgous and I love how they used the colours of the rainbow per chapter.
The story was a little confusing at first but it picked up towards the end and made for a wonderful short story
This was such a fun story from one of my favourite authors. The ending ripped my heart into pieces
“Time will cease, disease will fester, and death will die.”
I have mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed reading it and it was beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. I didn't want it to end because I knew how it would end. I definitely teared up a bit towards the end. Neo and Coeur my beloved
That being said, what was the ending? Maybe I'm just don't understand but it felt like bit of a cop out. Some things could have been handled a little differently but go read other reviews for that as they can put it into much better words.
Despite this, the book is obviously an important story to the author and it shows. Everything feels like its from the heart and some of the experiences are a little too relatable. There are so many different themes that if you do plan on reading this please read the trigger warnings first.
the entire book went through one ear and out the other. I enjoyed the little mocking (?) between the two characters but that's about it. Don't get me wrong it was elequantly written but I found it had no foundations for me to grasp on to. I had no idea what was going on at all and the ending was even more confusing. They're all just a bit dramatic.
Maybe it's not my reading style or you're not supposed to get it but an entire book that just made me more confused as to what was going on isn't my cup of tea
“Life in isolation is a death sentance”
This book both filled me with joy and absolutely terrified me. The whole chapter with the space rats.... nope, never want to experience that ever. My favourite place as definitely Aecor, maybe because it was the longest chapter but I really enjoyed it
The characters were really cool and I wish we got to know them better. I loved each of their different personalities and they worked well to balance each other out. The whole space system/technology was really well thoughts out
Turns out I own “A long way to a small, angry, planet” so I will be reading that at some point as it seems (?) to be part of a series. Either way I love Becky's writing style in both this and her Monk and Robot series and while they are vasty different they are both enjoyable and a great read :)
I listened to the audiobook version of this and it was so good. I highly recommend it but check the trigger warnings first because it can get pretty heavy
“How is it that we're all people, we all feel the same basic emotions, but somehow we still can't understand each other?”
This is the second book in the series and while it wasn't as good as the first, I enjoyed it. I found it a bit more slow and because of Marjorie's actions I began to not like her. I glad that she came around though
Eliza is such an amazing character and I really resonated with her. I hope we get to see more of her in any upcoming books
Also the ending was so sweet. I'm giving it a 3.5 purely because it was such a slow beginning but the ending was so good
Holy guacamole on a stick... this is certainly something of a book. It's really hard to put into words what this book made me feel. There were moments that made me laugh, there were moments that made me angry, there were moments that made me almost cry. Honestly this book was all the moments
I tried highlighting my physical books for the first time and oh boy am I glad I did. I was probably a bit highlighter happy but I had fun doing it. The characters are easily loveable and the story is interesting. I genuinely believe that this is an important read for anyone and everyone. Whether you're ace, aro, ace-aro or neither, it's important that people understand that for some people, sex and relationships doesn't do it for them
It reminded me of a quote of sex education, said by the wonderful Gillian Anderson: one character says “I don't want to have sex at all. I think I may be broken” and Gillian's character says back “Sex doesn't make us whole. How could you ever be broken?”
It's true whether you are sex positive, neutral or sex repulsed. A relationship is about so much more than sex. It's about love, whether that's sexual love, romantic love or platonic love experienced by Georgia. You are exactly who you need to be in this world, and don't let anybody tell you otherwise.
oh boy what an amazing read. I was hooked from the very beginning. Like the first book, this gave such a calming feeling. There were a few moments where I couldn't stop smiling (if you know you know) and there were other moments that made me feel sad... no reflective is a better word for it. It made me think about consciousness and my own purpose in life, something I don't often like to dwell on. But this was in a good way.
I found myself even more in love with Dex and their robot companion, Mosscap. Oh how I wish there was more because I could never get bored of these two. It was an honour to watch them both grow as people (or as an object in Mosscap's case). This is a world that we should strive to be like in the future, because it truly does feel like everyone belongs and is exactly who they need to be. The world survives through altruism, not selfishness, something we should all aim to emobdy one day
The last book I read made me fear technology in the hands of humans, but this book made me at ease with the fact. Perhaps I am being na??ve, but I hope one day human kind is as compassionate as the world is in this book.
It reminded me of the game Stray, it gave off the same calming feeling. Nature and technology intertwined and living in harmony. Although, I really do have to stop reading thought provoking books otherwise I'm going to have an existential crisis.
As for the book it didn't have me in the first half but it did have me in the second half. I loved the idea of the world but I didn't really understand it until later on in the novel. I loved the conversations between Dex and Mosscap, especially the one at the very end. It was a very satisfying ending. Even if there wasn't a second book I would be happy with it.
This read was dedicated to my younger self who never had a Percy Jackson phase... I really wish I did because I know I would have been completely obsessed. This book was not written for my age but it was enjoyable none the less. Yes its on the simple side, but the story and the characters are just as well drawn out as any adult book. I can now understand why everyone hated the original movie, the book (as always) was so much better
This book is full of loveable characters, thrilling quests, and Greek lore worthy of exciting anybody no matter what age they are. I cannot wait to see how the rest of the story pans out (but not intended).
We may be small, and we may be young, but we will shake the world for our beliefs
I normally start off my reviews with just one quote but this book is filled with so many that I may indulge in a few more within the rest of my review. Priory of the orange tree is an epic fantasy, something I think a lot of readers fail to realise when picking up this book causing them to expect something it is not. But for me, it was exactly what I expected it to be. I fell in love with long plotted high fantasy books as a kid and this book did not fail to meet those expectations.
When history fails to shed light on the truth, myth creates its own.
Love and fear do strange things to our soul
I do not sleep because I am not only afraid of the monsters at my door, but also of the monsters my own mind can conjure. The ones that live within
No woman should be made to fear that she was not enough
Be silent and learn something
second time reading, just as good as the first
Merged review:
second time reading, just as good as the first
“People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is ‘you're safe with me'- that's intimacy.”
Evelyn Hugo is one of the most complicated characters I have had the pleasure of reading. To be honest, I did not like her. I did however, respect the decisions that she was forced to make in such a difficult time. It shows the brutality of getting what you want when you do not have it handed to you on a silver platter.
I did find that the book dragged on a bit but I think that's just my own reading preference rather than any fault of the author. I enjoy lots of high stake moments which is hard to accomplish in a contemporary fic. It did however, definitely pick up towards the end especially when the first you know what happened. There was a brief moment when the book was really happy and not going to lie, I did not want to read on and destroy that. Yet, I'm glad I did.
The relationships showcased in this book were as complex as the characters. The only good husbands were Harry and Robert. Harry holds the keys to my heart - there seems to be a theme with my favourite characters and bourbon - he saw the real Evelyn and I'm glad she had someone who did. The other husbands can burn in the fiery pits of hell because they are horrible. That's not to say that Evelyn was not as equally manipulative in some of these relationships. She was a product of her experiences, which doesn't make it okay but I am glad we got to delve deep into why she behaved this way.
Now for the ending. I know this is a very controversial ending but it is the most realistic to me. And to be honest, I do not blame her. If I was in her position, I would have done the same thing. It is the devastating truth when life hands you lemons and tells you to go bake a cake. The book ends with a lot of unresolved feelings but above all it leaves you wanting more, more of Evelyn Hugo, more of the seven husbands, and, of course, more of her wife.
This book reminds me of my mathematical concepts teacher, Niel. However, unlike Niel the professor actually taught me something.
Now I love maths, and I also love reading. So combining those two topics is honestly the best thing imaginable. I loved how, like the main character, it gives you an appreciation for the hidden numbers that govern our lives. Who knew that the numbers 220 and 284 were so universally combined? I especially liked the bit about 0 because to me it truly shows how intelligent 0 is. It both exists and does not exist at the same time and yet is critical to the universe's function.
The characters are loveable and the ending was honestly one of the best endings I've read in a while. There were a few unanswered questions like the whole widow thing and a few translation errors but I'm happy enough that I won't lose sleep over it xD. This is definitely one of my favourite reads and I need to go and find my own copy just so I can own this masterpiece of a creation.
This is by far my favourite out of the 5 Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Safe to say Rick Riordan has a new fan and I'm gonna have to borrow the rest of the gazillion other books in the universe.
Percy is stupidly powerful yet somehow manages to be the most sarcastic teenager I have ever met. All the characters are both loveable and want to make you shake them into some sense because oh boy do they make some dumb decisions some time.
There were so many hair gripping moments where I did not know what was coming next. Also so many sad moments like wtf. The battle scenes were written to keep you engaged throughout (and there were a lot of battle scenes). I love Percy and all the other characters and am so happy with how it ended. I'm excited to see where it will take them all. I've officially entered my Greek mythology era again :)
One of those books I read as a kid that has been stuck with me ever since. You do not want to know what I searched to find this book xD Definitely want to reread it at some point
I really enjoyed the writing style, it was both silly and engaging. Unfortunately I did not finish the book. The whole plot point with Callen listing over 17 year old Aria just felt too uncomfortable for me to continue reading. If she had been 18 then it would have been fine but it just felt too wrong