Bookish sort that enjoys long bus rides for the people watching, scenery, and solitude for reading.
I may cross-post reviews from my personal blog at www.blairsbookblog.com. Also at Mastodon.
How I rate:
1: Did not finish. I couldn’t find the care to finish the book, and likely had to resist the urge to throw it across the room. I may have yelled at the book.
2: I didn’t like the book. But I finished it! I wouldn’t recommend it.
3: I felt that the book was okay. I think it had some problems, but it mostly worked. I might recommend it as something to try, but not necessarily love.
4: I liked the book. I may have minor problems with it, but I still recommend that you try reading it.
5: I enjoyed the book, I stayed up late reading it, and I’d consider buying a copy (or already did). I strongly recommend that you read it.
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Earth is long since dead. One a colony planet, a band of men has gained …
I stopped reading because I don't find Sam interesting as a character, nor do I find much interest in sorta-religious and political machinations.
Being a Moth Keeper is a huge responsibility and a great honor, but what happens when the new Moth Keeper …
All is chaos. All is confusion. The Jure’lia are weak, but the war is far from over.
Ebora was once …
Trauma is a fact of life. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five …
Two abandoned children come upon a gingerbread cottage inhabited by a cruel witch who wants to eat them.
Another delightfully humorous and sweet fantasy graphic novel adaptation of a Neil Gaiman short story, brought to you by the …
Book Reviewing collects 21 essays about the craft of reviewing books. Aimed at a pre-internet era, it focuses primarily on newspapers and magazines, with some mention to radio and television.
See my blog for a review: www.blairsbookblog.com/book%20reviews/2023/07/21/book-reviewing.html
India Holton's third entry continues the silly house-escpades between lady pirates and witches, but now with secret agents in on the "fun". A pair of rival agents are expected to work together as a married couple, and things do not go quite to plan. Good fun, I recommend it.
See my blog for a longer review, www.blairsbookblog.com/book%20reviews/2023/07/13/the-secret-service-of-tea-and-treason.html.
In this exquisite story of family, food, grief, and endurance, Michelle Zauner proves herself far …
Zauner reflects on her childhood and relationship with her mother through the lens of her mothers' death.
This is far from my favorite book, however, I think it's worth a read considering that Zauner handles tough subject matter with care, and touches on family, belonging, and identity as a multiracial person in America. It's great writing.
The Ninth Rain has fallen. The Jure’lia are awake. Nothing can be the same again. …
Williams splits the protagonists multiple ways, which slows the action down and focuses a bit more on psychological stresses. Ends by giving a hint that the action picks up in book 3. I hope that it does.
A good read. 3 stars isn't a bad rating, I recommend it.
Nebula, Locus, and Alex Award-winner P. Djèlí Clark returns to his popular alternate Cairo universe …
Agent Fatma is called to investigate the deaths of all members of a secret society, and assigned a new young partner, the latest woman in an organization that is overwhelmingly male. So a bit of old-cop, new-cop, plays out throughout the story, where Fatma learns to trust her partner.
There’s plenty of sluething and subterfuge at play in this book, with a fantasy, sci-fi, and whodunit mashup. Clark keeps the pages turning, with occasional head-scratchers. For instance, why does Fatma routinely make mistakes in how she conducts her work with Djinn, when that’s her job?
However, the general grist of the story is strong, the characters are engaging, and the surprises are truly surprising. I recommend it.
The great city of Ebora once glittered with gold. Now its streets are stalked by …
Williams presents a world in decay - the once powerful Eboran people are slowly dying, their god apparently forsaken them. Humans pocket various areas, trying to push against an ever-growing wilderness
There are several major protagonists: Vintage is a wine grower and explorer-research, intent on learning as much as she can about the creatures attempting to destroy the world; Tormalin is an Eboran that left Ebora to avoid watching its decline; and Noon is a fell-witch on the run from the Winnowry, and capable of potentially unimaginable destruction.
Williams portrays each character’s flaws and strengths brilliantly. I also enjoyed that she keeps the reader guessing at what the major players are up to, but with enough hints that you can potentially deduce what’s up.
I found the story strong and engaging, and an excellent start to the series. I’m looking forward to finishing books 2 and 3. With as strong …
Williams presents a world in decay - the once powerful Eboran people are slowly dying, their god apparently forsaken them. Humans pocket various areas, trying to push against an ever-growing wilderness
There are several major protagonists: Vintage is a wine grower and explorer-research, intent on learning as much as she can about the creatures attempting to destroy the world; Tormalin is an Eboran that left Ebora to avoid watching its decline; and Noon is a fell-witch on the run from the Winnowry, and capable of potentially unimaginable destruction.
Williams portrays each character’s flaws and strengths brilliantly. I also enjoyed that she keeps the reader guessing at what the major players are up to, but with enough hints that you can potentially deduce what’s up.
I found the story strong and engaging, and an excellent start to the series. I’m looking forward to finishing books 2 and 3. With as strong a start as this has, I recommend reading it.
