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brisingr's reviews
1232 reviews
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
5.0
Welcome to the Sinclair family and please meet a book that ruined me! The Sinclairs are the most powerful, mysterious and gorgeous family in whole America. Everything about them is good and magnificent, and every summer they spend on their own, private island is no exception. Here is where you can find the Liars, each one of them princesses and princes with special features, with sunshine in their smile and elegance in their being.
To be honest, I was ready to hate this book. It's quite a general rule that if a book is hyped and much loved, I am going to hate it: this book kind of breaks this rule. I read it in one day and I am scarred by a story that now fascinates me. The writing style is what made me fall in love with this book first. Although simple and having a first persion narration (which I usually dislike), it ended up being damn interesting, with all the details helping you get vivid images. There were breaks meant to make you fall in love with a scene or a character and fairy tales incorporated into the actual story, which just makes you the more curious, the more interested in what's going on.
I loved the characters. Starting with even the narrator of this story, which is so broken, so young and sad that you can't help emphasizing with her at a certain level, and continuing with her group of friends. They were charming, each with such a lovely personality, each so unique and cheerful and full of life. All of them so ready to do anything, all loving each other, all together. Forever. I really enjoyed the parts where they were together, their group's dynamic is pretty interesting, and their lines vary from hilarious to straight out phylosophical.
This island is ours. Here, in some way, we are young forever.
Each summer they lived together and their proximity made me feel jealous and sad. Because they have their memories, that bond that cannot be broken no matter what, they are always finding each other at the start of each summer. And I felt the absence of someone like that in my life and the disappointment of being unable to have someone close enough to call them mine. This book 'spoke to me' especially because of this. I felt their need to show that they are part of their family and their want of breaking away. I loved this book so much especially because I could find some parts of myself in the problems the Liars and their family were facing (the only difference: I don't have enough money to drink expensive wine).
I think this was one of the most interesting books I've read in a while. I can't say exactly what makes it so great, so special, when the story is one relatively often found in books, as you as well can find groups of friends. But this book takes all these things and brings them to a whole new level, transforming them until they seem something completely different, and the author does it so well that the story is refreshing, new. Some ideas are great, and what happens in the book is so intriguing! I cried so I could laugh the next moment. I smiled only to frown later on. I felt despair, so I could taste hope afterwards.
I find this book gorgeous and I cried like a baby. It charmed me without me realizing it and turned me into a puddle of feelings. I don't know if I want to recommend it or not, I will just say that it became very dear to me.
To be honest, I was ready to hate this book. It's quite a general rule that if a book is hyped and much loved, I am going to hate it: this book kind of breaks this rule. I read it in one day and I am scarred by a story that now fascinates me. The writing style is what made me fall in love with this book first. Although simple and having a first persion narration (which I usually dislike), it ended up being damn interesting, with all the details helping you get vivid images. There were breaks meant to make you fall in love with a scene or a character and fairy tales incorporated into the actual story, which just makes you the more curious, the more interested in what's going on.
I loved the characters. Starting with even the narrator of this story, which is so broken, so young and sad that you can't help emphasizing with her at a certain level, and continuing with her group of friends. They were charming, each with such a lovely personality, each so unique and cheerful and full of life. All of them so ready to do anything, all loving each other, all together. Forever. I really enjoyed the parts where they were together, their group's dynamic is pretty interesting, and their lines vary from hilarious to straight out phylosophical.
Each summer they lived together and their proximity made me feel jealous and sad. Because they have their memories, that bond that cannot be broken no matter what, they are always finding each other at the start of each summer. And I felt the absence of someone like that in my life and the disappointment of being unable to have someone close enough to call them mine. This book 'spoke to me' especially because of this. I felt their need to show that they are part of their family and their want of breaking away. I loved this book so much especially because I could find some parts of myself in the problems the Liars and their family were facing (the only difference: I don't have enough money to drink expensive wine).
I think this was one of the most interesting books I've read in a while. I can't say exactly what makes it so great, so special, when the story is one relatively often found in books, as you as well can find groups of friends. But this book takes all these things and brings them to a whole new level, transforming them until they seem something completely different, and the author does it so well that the story is refreshing, new. Some ideas are great, and what happens in the book is so intriguing! I cried so I could laugh the next moment. I smiled only to frown later on. I felt despair, so I could taste hope afterwards.
I find this book gorgeous and I cried like a baby. It charmed me without me realizing it and turned me into a puddle of feelings. I don't know if I want to recommend it or not, I will just say that it became very dear to me.
The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier
3.0
I was very curious to read a book by this writer, especially after all the good things I've heard.
This book uses the famous theme in the Prince and the Pauper and puts our protagonist face to face with a man that looks exactly like him. Curious being, he ends up spending the day and a big part of the night with his copy, sharing life stories. When he wakes up in the morning, a personal driver is waiting for him and adresses him by the title Count, and the man he met the day before gone with all his belongings.
I'm saying this quite often, but I am really unsure on how I feel about this book. It takes a while to get you interested into the story, but once it does, it's quite impossible to truly leave the story. The writing style is full of description and it presents quite a lot of uninteresting facts, but it's still captivating. I liked this, because it made you feel like you can always go back to the story.
The characters were the best part. All of them pretty weird, but equally interesting, they brought in fun dialogues, lots of frutrations and interesting situations. We have a whole family who depends financially on the one girl they cannot really stand and they try to keep their lifestyle, while keeping their glass factory still working. In their house, the saints are mixing with the lies and the betrayals and the past with an unapreciated and too hard work. I loved how, even though you are in the middle of the family, you see the characters through the detached view of a stranger who takes part to the action, but it's not part of it.
I adored how real this book felt. This book doesn't show the happy life of the rich ones, and neither the hard life of those used to suffer. It just gives us an objective view, and it varies from hilarious to straight out tragic. The book is life in all of its forms, and the end has the same bitter taste of day-to-day unjustice.
I enjoyed reading this book, but at the same time, I was always counting the pages left until I'd finish it.
This book uses the famous theme in the Prince and the Pauper and puts our protagonist face to face with a man that looks exactly like him. Curious being, he ends up spending the day and a big part of the night with his copy, sharing life stories. When he wakes up in the morning, a personal driver is waiting for him and adresses him by the title Count, and the man he met the day before gone with all his belongings.
I'm saying this quite often, but I am really unsure on how I feel about this book. It takes a while to get you interested into the story, but once it does, it's quite impossible to truly leave the story. The writing style is full of description and it presents quite a lot of uninteresting facts, but it's still captivating. I liked this, because it made you feel like you can always go back to the story.
The characters were the best part. All of them pretty weird, but equally interesting, they brought in fun dialogues, lots of frutrations and interesting situations. We have a whole family who depends financially on the one girl they cannot really stand and they try to keep their lifestyle, while keeping their glass factory still working. In their house, the saints are mixing with the lies and the betrayals and the past with an unapreciated and too hard work. I loved how, even though you are in the middle of the family, you see the characters through the detached view of a stranger who takes part to the action, but it's not part of it.
I adored how real this book felt. This book doesn't show the happy life of the rich ones, and neither the hard life of those used to suffer. It just gives us an objective view, and it varies from hilarious to straight out tragic. The book is life in all of its forms, and the end has the same bitter taste of day-to-day unjustice.
I enjoyed reading this book, but at the same time, I was always counting the pages left until I'd finish it.
Hater by David Moody
4.0
I had three reasons why I bought this book. 1) the cover is fantastic. 2) Guilermo del Toro is recommending this. 3) it was very cheap. And I have to thank my classmates for telling me to read this book.
Humanity has in front of it a new threat: the human itself. But not usual humans, but humans that has changed from the nice and familiar people we know into "haters" that kill with cold blood the person next to them. While the crimes are becoming more and more frequent, Danny McCoyne tries his best to keep his family alive.
Hater is the kind of fast-paced book, made to be devoured by a relatively large public, in spite of the cruel subjects you find in it. And the book was a real surprise for me and I liked it quite a lot. Because it was not predictable (at least not for me) and because it shows society in it's absolute crisis, where even the sole survival of the human race is at stake. I think it is even terrifying (and I am not the kind of person who gets easily impressed) exactly because of how real it feels, I can see everything happening exactly how it was described in this book.
It's not the kind of book that will change your life and maybe any other time I wouldn't have enjoyed it so much. I read books that were much better than this one, but also books that were much worse. What makes Hater special though, it is the fact that as a final product, this book is satisfying. It gives the reader a little bit of everything. You have different types of love, action and moments that will catch your breath and you also have peaceful, familiar scenes of a normal life. I, especially, needed this kind of book: that doesn't ask too much of you, that presents in it's own rhythm how things are going; you don't need to always be thinking a step ahead, maybe-maybe you'll guess what's happening. I needed a relaxing and refreshing book, in simply the way it is written. And if anyone feels like reading something out of what they're usually reading, something new to break the chain of similar books, I totally recommend this one.
Danny is such a nice character! He's human, so so human, and as a reader, you fully emphasize with what he's feeling and living. You would also swear, be terified or sick to your stomach, you would also want more and you would also feel the same type of despair. He's charming thanks to his normality, thanks to the fact that each of us has a little bit of Dannny and Danny has a little bit of each of us. And I'm talking so much about this particular character because he's also the narrator of the most part of the story, so you're following all his actions. But the other characters were just as charming and normal, just as any of us or the people around us.
But, the bad part of this book: it didn't manage to make me feel everything as vividly as I was expecting from this kind of reading experience. I would have liked the despair and the horror to be better described, to feel the fear and the panic in my own bones.
But it's intense and I appreciate the crimes and how they were done. I like murders with style, and this book has a lot of this. It also ends in a very interesting cliffhanger and I am so curious to see what's happening from now onwards! This book was really such a pleasent surprise!
Humanity has in front of it a new threat: the human itself. But not usual humans, but humans that has changed from the nice and familiar people we know into "haters" that kill with cold blood the person next to them. While the crimes are becoming more and more frequent, Danny McCoyne tries his best to keep his family alive.
Hater is the kind of fast-paced book, made to be devoured by a relatively large public, in spite of the cruel subjects you find in it. And the book was a real surprise for me and I liked it quite a lot. Because it was not predictable (at least not for me) and because it shows society in it's absolute crisis, where even the sole survival of the human race is at stake. I think it is even terrifying (and I am not the kind of person who gets easily impressed) exactly because of how real it feels, I can see everything happening exactly how it was described in this book.
It's not the kind of book that will change your life and maybe any other time I wouldn't have enjoyed it so much. I read books that were much better than this one, but also books that were much worse. What makes Hater special though, it is the fact that as a final product, this book is satisfying. It gives the reader a little bit of everything. You have different types of love, action and moments that will catch your breath and you also have peaceful, familiar scenes of a normal life. I, especially, needed this kind of book: that doesn't ask too much of you, that presents in it's own rhythm how things are going; you don't need to always be thinking a step ahead, maybe-maybe you'll guess what's happening. I needed a relaxing and refreshing book, in simply the way it is written. And if anyone feels like reading something out of what they're usually reading, something new to break the chain of similar books, I totally recommend this one.
Danny is such a nice character! He's human, so so human, and as a reader, you fully emphasize with what he's feeling and living. You would also swear, be terified or sick to your stomach, you would also want more and you would also feel the same type of despair. He's charming thanks to his normality, thanks to the fact that each of us has a little bit of Dannny and Danny has a little bit of each of us. And I'm talking so much about this particular character because he's also the narrator of the most part of the story, so you're following all his actions. But the other characters were just as charming and normal, just as any of us or the people around us.
But, the bad part of this book: it didn't manage to make me feel everything as vividly as I was expecting from this kind of reading experience. I would have liked the despair and the horror to be better described, to feel the fear and the panic in my own bones.
But it's intense and I appreciate the crimes and how they were done. I like murders with style, and this book has a lot of this. It also ends in a very interesting cliffhanger and I am so curious to see what's happening from now onwards! This book was really such a pleasent surprise!
The Spanish Bridegroom by Jean Plaidy
3.0
It became one of my personal goals to read 1 historical romance book every month. And this book started amazingly. I loved the author's words at the beggining and how she chose to show us a very strong monarch. I was excited for this book just after 20 pages and I had a feeling that it had the potential to become one of my favorite books. It didn't happen.
You have some limitations when it comes to story: you're following a pattern of events that already happened and if you decide to write about history, you're supposed to make things interesting. So I don't exactly have things to complain story-wise, I disliked some of the touches that were supposed to either make me feel pity or adoration, because they just were nothing to me? The writer didn't manage to have my attention and I was kind of meeting everything in the book with a 'meh'. I couldn't care about the story, and neither about the characters.
Because, really, besides Philip, I couldn't stand any of the characters. All were way too undeveloped to make me get attached to them and I couldn't care less about all the love and worries that were supposed to fill this book. Believe me, no on is more disappointed than me by this. I liked the story the first 60 pages or so, but when real ruling came into discussion, all was destroyed. Philip's loves and brides were all just dolls, I couldn't get any emotions from then and this is mainly the writing style's fault as well.
Also, this book is advertised wrong. Please don't let yourself fooled by "loving father and sensual lover" because, really, all the book is just Philip's struggle to be like that and failing where this traits mattered the most. I don't have nearly enough historical knowlegde to complain about how Philip's personality was written, but I was very, very disappointed in his mature self, as a person. I felt like I was in a playground, surrounded by small kids and I was feeling the urge to start screaming at them to just do that or don't dare do that. The kids being all these royal blooded in this book.
My main problem was the lack of empathy. I couldn't connect with any character and this ruined the book for me. Still, even though when it comes to characters it brings a minus, when it comes to keeping the reader interested, the writing is okay?? Like I didn't give up this book because it still was written in a particular way, the chapters still ended with cliffhangers and even if it is not the brightest thing I've read, it was still interesting? In `finding about history` way of interesting?
I don't even know? I feel like I've only complained about this book in this review, but I actually enjoyed it quite okay, because it got 3/5 stars after all.
You have some limitations when it comes to story: you're following a pattern of events that already happened and if you decide to write about history, you're supposed to make things interesting. So I don't exactly have things to complain story-wise, I disliked some of the touches that were supposed to either make me feel pity or adoration, because they just were nothing to me? The writer didn't manage to have my attention and I was kind of meeting everything in the book with a 'meh'. I couldn't care about the story, and neither about the characters.
Because, really, besides Philip, I couldn't stand any of the characters. All were way too undeveloped to make me get attached to them and I couldn't care less about all the love and worries that were supposed to fill this book. Believe me, no on is more disappointed than me by this. I liked the story the first 60 pages or so, but when real ruling came into discussion, all was destroyed. Philip's loves and brides were all just dolls, I couldn't get any emotions from then and this is mainly the writing style's fault as well.
Also, this book is advertised wrong. Please don't let yourself fooled by "loving father and sensual lover" because, really, all the book is just Philip's struggle to be like that and failing where this traits mattered the most. I don't have nearly enough historical knowlegde to complain about how Philip's personality was written, but I was very, very disappointed in his mature self, as a person. I felt like I was in a playground, surrounded by small kids and I was feeling the urge to start screaming at them to just do that or don't dare do that. The kids being all these royal blooded in this book.
My main problem was the lack of empathy. I couldn't connect with any character and this ruined the book for me. Still, even though when it comes to characters it brings a minus, when it comes to keeping the reader interested, the writing is okay?? Like I didn't give up this book because it still was written in a particular way, the chapters still ended with cliffhangers and even if it is not the brightest thing I've read, it was still interesting? In `finding about history` way of interesting?
I don't even know? I feel like I've only complained about this book in this review, but I actually enjoyed it quite okay, because it got 3/5 stars after all.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
3.0
More like a 3.5 stars out of 5, though.
Ok, I was in the mood for a light read and since usually this also equals YA books, this is what I decided to read. I also have a burning passion for fairy tales, and if those are twisted, than even better.
The world has been 126 years in peace, after World War IV. Cinder is a mechanic in New Beijing, the reconstructed capital of the nation now known as Commonwealth. Her best friend is a robot and she loves her little sister. She doesn't try to think too much about prince Kaito, everyone's secret not-so-secret love, or the plague that kills the population of Earth. Instead, she dreams of escaping, and as usual, her dreams are not something that become reality.
This was everything that I expected from a YA book. Really, I don't think I can come with any other way to describe my experience with Cinder. The setting and time was, though, pretty interesting and I enjoyed reading about this new world, so very changed from the original fairy tale we know. I can at least give this to the author, it was an unique world. And yes, I might have a soft spot for retellings.
Unfortunately, plot wise, it was a disappointment. It was horribly predictable, I could tell the main plot key from the first 50 pages, which kind of takes from the enjoyment of continuing reading. And given that you already have some things you have to keep in mind, since it's a retelling, I feel like the author already took a lot of freedom with this story. I got it that it was supposed to be action-packed and with all the political intrigues and fights for power, but if she decided to write about several themes, then at least develop them equally. Because god, the romance was so, so horrible. I couldn't see any development, any way in which they could fall in love with each other! It simply was not believable, under no circumstances I will accept their feelings as real. Uhm, no, thanks, take the romance from me. I would have loved to see more of Cinder's relationship with her sister, because really, we need more female relationships in books as in general.
You know how in the classical tale Cinderella has the lil mices around her? Here, Cinder has a very opinionated robot named Iko, and Iko was my favorite character. It says a lot about how much I disliked the more human characters in this book. I couldn't personally connect with any of the characters, they weren't developed enough for me to see something worhty in them (even in prince Kaito, I felt he was the common perfect boy trope and I just couldn't like him, no matter how gentlemanish he was or how much he smiled). Cinder was somewhat likeable, but even that was washed away. Iko was literally the only one who seemed human of all of them. Kind of sad.
I would have also liked for the emotional scenes to actually be emotional?? Like, ok, this sad thing happends but... If I, as a reader, can't feel it, then what's the purpose of it? Some scenes came as excuses for the behaviour of some characters, others were just there. I would have expected more feelings and more displayed emotions from both Cinder and Kai in their past tragedies.
I appreciated the humour though, those parts I really liked. Also the sarcastic comments.
But overall it was a nice read. It got me interested and kept me interested through the read, I had fun and enjoyed myself while reading it and although a little bit slow in places, I was so giddy over the last 30-40 pages! Apparently I do enjoy my books to be action-packed or at least to bring me something to gasp at every other page. Those pages were actually the ones where I actually cared what was happening with the characters.
It also ends in a clifhanger and I decided I will continue on with the series, whenever I am in the mood for a light and mostly fun read. I hope the next volumes will get better and I am pretty curious to see what will happen next. 3 stars overall, the 0.5 was added after those sparks at the end. Not the end-end, because that felt sour and I didn't particulary enjoy those last 2 chapters. But the 5-6 before those, yep, those I really liked.
Ok, I was in the mood for a light read and since usually this also equals YA books, this is what I decided to read. I also have a burning passion for fairy tales, and if those are twisted, than even better.
The world has been 126 years in peace, after World War IV. Cinder is a mechanic in New Beijing, the reconstructed capital of the nation now known as Commonwealth. Her best friend is a robot and she loves her little sister. She doesn't try to think too much about prince Kaito, everyone's secret not-so-secret love, or the plague that kills the population of Earth. Instead, she dreams of escaping, and as usual, her dreams are not something that become reality.
This was everything that I expected from a YA book. Really, I don't think I can come with any other way to describe my experience with Cinder. The setting and time was, though, pretty interesting and I enjoyed reading about this new world, so very changed from the original fairy tale we know. I can at least give this to the author, it was an unique world. And yes, I might have a soft spot for retellings.
Unfortunately, plot wise, it was a disappointment. It was horribly predictable, I could tell the main plot key from the first 50 pages, which kind of takes from the enjoyment of continuing reading. And given that you already have some things you have to keep in mind, since it's a retelling, I feel like the author already took a lot of freedom with this story. I got it that it was supposed to be action-packed and with all the political intrigues and fights for power, but if she decided to write about several themes, then at least develop them equally. Because god, the romance was so, so horrible. I couldn't see any development, any way in which they could fall in love with each other! It simply was not believable, under no circumstances I will accept their feelings as real. Uhm, no, thanks, take the romance from me. I would have loved to see more of Cinder's relationship with her sister, because really, we need more female relationships in books as in general.
You know how in the classical tale Cinderella has the lil mices around her? Here, Cinder has a very opinionated robot named Iko, and Iko was my favorite character. It says a lot about how much I disliked the more human characters in this book. I couldn't personally connect with any of the characters, they weren't developed enough for me to see something worhty in them (even in prince Kaito, I felt he was the common perfect boy trope and I just couldn't like him, no matter how gentlemanish he was or how much he smiled). Cinder was somewhat likeable, but even that was washed away. Iko was literally the only one who seemed human of all of them. Kind of sad.
I would have also liked for the emotional scenes to actually be emotional?? Like, ok, this sad thing happends but... If I, as a reader, can't feel it, then what's the purpose of it? Some scenes came as excuses for the behaviour of some characters, others were just there. I would have expected more feelings and more displayed emotions from both Cinder and Kai in their past tragedies.
I appreciated the humour though, those parts I really liked. Also the sarcastic comments.
But overall it was a nice read. It got me interested and kept me interested through the read, I had fun and enjoyed myself while reading it and although a little bit slow in places, I was so giddy over the last 30-40 pages! Apparently I do enjoy my books to be action-packed or at least to bring me something to gasp at every other page. Those pages were actually the ones where I actually cared what was happening with the characters.
It also ends in a clifhanger and I decided I will continue on with the series, whenever I am in the mood for a light and mostly fun read. I hope the next volumes will get better and I am pretty curious to see what will happen next. 3 stars overall, the 0.5 was added after those sparks at the end. Not the end-end, because that felt sour and I didn't particulary enjoy those last 2 chapters. But the 5-6 before those, yep, those I really liked.
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
5.0
This was a lot of fun! I love these books, they're amusing, action-packed and filled with amazing myths-into-real-life ideas that are all so intriguing and new! I loved this book even more, it has a more mature feeling to it - we see our heroes becoming better and fighting their own bad character traits. We see them realizing their mistakes and doing their best to change them. I also loved the family theme that this book moved around most of the time, it makes you think, while still keeping the smile on your face.
I'm appreciating this series and the work that must have gone into this more and more with every volume I'm reading. If you're looking for a great, fun, enjoyable and refreshing series, search no more and grab the first book of Percy Jackson and the Olympians!
I'm appreciating this series and the work that must have gone into this more and more with every volume I'm reading. If you're looking for a great, fun, enjoyable and refreshing series, search no more and grab the first book of Percy Jackson and the Olympians!
A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
4.0
More like a 4.5, but still closer to 4 than 5, because it took me so long to get into it! I mean, this series has a way of making yourself dread reading the books, but at the same enjoying the action and keeping you curious. It's even frustrating at some point, because I wanted to know what's happening next, but I felt too intimidated by the size of the book and the complexity of the story.
But I liked this book a lot, lots of fights and new things to be found!! And it's exciting and captivating and as I read this, things related to how the action might evolve were always at the back of my mind. I'm a little bit mad at myself that it took me so long to read it, but I guess it's my fault for not taking a day off just to read some pages of it, instead of simply crumping 15 minutes between each classes.
For now, I do have quite a few favorite characters (and oh, the internet joke with "your favorites will die anyway" related to this book is making me anxious) and I am !! so curious !!
At the same time, no matter how horrible it might actually be, I want to be in Westeros and feel like I can do something. Hold a speech about peace probably, because otherwise I'd be dead.
But I liked this book a lot, lots of fights and new things to be found!! And it's exciting and captivating and as I read this, things related to how the action might evolve were always at the back of my mind. I'm a little bit mad at myself that it took me so long to read it, but I guess it's my fault for not taking a day off just to read some pages of it, instead of simply crumping 15 minutes between each classes.
For now, I do have quite a few favorite characters (and oh, the internet joke with "your favorites will die anyway" related to this book is making me anxious) and I am !! so curious !!
At the same time, no matter how horrible it might actually be, I want to be in Westeros and feel like I can do something. Hold a speech about peace probably, because otherwise I'd be dead.
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
5.0
Oh. My. God.
Okay, this is going to be hard to write, especially because my face is still puffy because of the crying I've done. But here I am, trying to convince you guys that this book is worth your time.
I never read the Twilight series, I still have no interest in it, but this book was intriguing and was also recommended to me by a friend, and then borrowed from them, so it was just a matter of days to start it. And then a matter of just a few more days to finish it.
Earth has been taken under control by parasyte-like aliens that are living in human bodies, creating the perfect society and helping the world becoming a better place. Wanderer is famous for the big number of planets she inhabited, but as she never found her place, she tried Earth. Being put in a human body is more overwhelming than being in any other being in their known universe, but she never imagined that her host, Melanie, would refuse to disappear, instead torturing her mind with memories of a life that seems better than whatever she's having now.
This is a very catchy read. You're immediately immersed in the world, an Utopia that is actually working, with no real downsides. The book is also pretty action-packed, there's always something new to intrigue the reader, and something to hold their breath. The setting is also pretty interesting, it's nice to see the way the world works if Pandora's box was never opened. It really makes you wonder if it's for the best or for the worst. I liked this constant battle of ideas.
The characters were all so loveable! It was impossible to even hate on them, especially because they're mostly humans, desperate and scared and hurt humans, and how can you not pity them and care for them? There was a lot of empathy going on while I was reading this book, it's impossible not to find yourself in at least one of those characters. My favorite though is the Wanderer, her thoughts were so real, her questions so relevant to her, and seeing her internal struggle really made me love her all the more. Her selflessness was not annoying at all, and very understandable in the given content, and I felt just a very strong need and want to protect this innocent and lovely soul from everything bad. I also think we should just appreciate the character development and the changes that all the people in this book go through, it's fascinating to see how simple human relations are so important and how a single person can change something in another.
I really, really enjoyed all the theories about what makes a human human. Are feelings justified, is violence an answer, can love save everything? I was very overwhelmed by how real the human society that was portrayed in this book felt. And no matter how short were the moments where I saw a character, they were simply and painfully human. Taking these traits and making all about kindness might seem a little bit like cultural (and consciousness) erasing, and it's a loss that some realized, and some didn't. I was quite touched by this, I feel like it's a very well-done part of the book. I cried several times while reading this book, and some passages are heartbreakingly beautiful and painful. I had a terrible satisfaction while reading this book, though, because it's hopeful in a way.
I was shocked by how much I enjoyed this, actually. It made me extremely sad and extremely happy and I adored every minute of reading it. I'm sorry to know that this is it, I need 10000000 pages of their simple lives. Rebels need some happiness too, you know? Anyway, great book, I personally loved it, The Host grew on me, turning from "what on earth am i reading?" to "this is so good, why there's so little left?". I am so glad I hadn't read any review to alter my opinion or make me feel ashamed or mad. This was great just as that: jumping straight into it and simply going to the flow of my feels. Oh, it was worth it.
Okay, this is going to be hard to write, especially because my face is still puffy because of the crying I've done. But here I am, trying to convince you guys that this book is worth your time.
I never read the Twilight series, I still have no interest in it, but this book was intriguing and was also recommended to me by a friend, and then borrowed from them, so it was just a matter of days to start it. And then a matter of just a few more days to finish it.
Earth has been taken under control by parasyte-like aliens that are living in human bodies, creating the perfect society and helping the world becoming a better place. Wanderer is famous for the big number of planets she inhabited, but as she never found her place, she tried Earth. Being put in a human body is more overwhelming than being in any other being in their known universe, but she never imagined that her host, Melanie, would refuse to disappear, instead torturing her mind with memories of a life that seems better than whatever she's having now.
This is a very catchy read. You're immediately immersed in the world, an Utopia that is actually working, with no real downsides. The book is also pretty action-packed, there's always something new to intrigue the reader, and something to hold their breath. The setting is also pretty interesting, it's nice to see the way the world works if Pandora's box was never opened. It really makes you wonder if it's for the best or for the worst. I liked this constant battle of ideas.
The characters were all so loveable! It was impossible to even hate on them, especially because they're mostly humans, desperate and scared and hurt humans, and how can you not pity them and care for them? There was a lot of empathy going on while I was reading this book, it's impossible not to find yourself in at least one of those characters. My favorite though is the Wanderer, her thoughts were so real, her questions so relevant to her, and seeing her internal struggle really made me love her all the more. Her selflessness was not annoying at all, and very understandable in the given content, and I felt just a very strong need and want to protect this innocent and lovely soul from everything bad. I also think we should just appreciate the character development and the changes that all the people in this book go through, it's fascinating to see how simple human relations are so important and how a single person can change something in another.
I really, really enjoyed all the theories about what makes a human human. Are feelings justified, is violence an answer, can love save everything? I was very overwhelmed by how real the human society that was portrayed in this book felt. And no matter how short were the moments where I saw a character, they were simply and painfully human. Taking these traits and making all about kindness might seem a little bit like cultural (and consciousness) erasing, and it's a loss that some realized, and some didn't. I was quite touched by this, I feel like it's a very well-done part of the book. I cried several times while reading this book, and some passages are heartbreakingly beautiful and painful. I had a terrible satisfaction while reading this book, though, because it's hopeful in a way.
I was shocked by how much I enjoyed this, actually. It made me extremely sad and extremely happy and I adored every minute of reading it. I'm sorry to know that this is it, I need 10000000 pages of their simple lives. Rebels need some happiness too, you know? Anyway, great book, I personally loved it, The Host grew on me, turning from "what on earth am i reading?" to "this is so good, why there's so little left?". I am so glad I hadn't read any review to alter my opinion or make me feel ashamed or mad. This was great just as that: jumping straight into it and simply going to the flow of my feels. Oh, it was worth it.
An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine
4.0
About time to write this review. I wanted to just drop this task, just not write a review at all, but in the end I want to share what I thought with the world.
I never actually know how to take this type of books: somewhat simple, painful because of the realism laced in the story, where you can always find pieces of you. Although not at all similar plot-wise, this book gave me the same vibe as Stoner, for example.
Aaliya is now an old woman. She had her share of tumultuous experiences in her life, and every year she translates one of her favorites books in arabian. No one has ever read any of her translations, she keeps them away, and sees in the simple action of translating, her means of going through life.
This book was extremely, painfully sad. Too real, it brings up a universal truth: humans are creatures who, for most time, are (or feel) alone. It's a book about loneliess, even a wanted and accepted one, but it's still there. Aaliya most beloved companions are her books and in her truth there's the rebellion of the thinking one. Most of the things she had to say also fitted with what I'm thinking, and I usually don't like saying this (because it might seem fake). But if I am to become a less cooler of her in the future, I am not sure I mind it that hard.
I also felt a pinch of pride at two mentions of Cioran, romanians that reach the international space are extremely rare, and when used not as an exotic location, but as a place with real, valuable people, I love both my country and the writer/the book even more.
I connected a lot with Aaliya, even though I still have a long way to go to reach her level of love and devotion for books. I actually liked all the other characters as well, very human and natural, realistically painted souls that inhabit the most welcoming city of them all.
I feel like one can learn so much from this book, a part of Aaliya's knowledge being passed over to the reader in her contemplations. Her way of seeing life, in the situation of living a solitary life for most of her time on Earth, is very black and white, good and bad mingling only in the picture of her beloved city. And despite the depressing tones of the book, the ending is hopeful and it brings so much light to the situation! Like in real life, sun comes after the rain.
I don't know what to say about this book. If you love books and you have a deep-connection to the paper-world, then this is probably your book.
((now excuse me as I listen to sad music, reread my highlighted quotes and start having an existential crisis))
I never actually know how to take this type of books: somewhat simple, painful because of the realism laced in the story, where you can always find pieces of you. Although not at all similar plot-wise, this book gave me the same vibe as Stoner, for example.
Aaliya is now an old woman. She had her share of tumultuous experiences in her life, and every year she translates one of her favorites books in arabian. No one has ever read any of her translations, she keeps them away, and sees in the simple action of translating, her means of going through life.
I’ll be sitting at my desk and suddenly I don’t wish my life to be any different. I am where I need to be. My heart distends with delight. I feel sacred.
This book was extremely, painfully sad. Too real, it brings up a universal truth: humans are creatures who, for most time, are (or feel) alone. It's a book about loneliess, even a wanted and accepted one, but it's still there. Aaliya most beloved companions are her books and in her truth there's the rebellion of the thinking one. Most of the things she had to say also fitted with what I'm thinking, and I usually don't like saying this (because it might seem fake). But if I am to become a less cooler of her in the future, I am not sure I mind it that hard.
I also felt a pinch of pride at two mentions of Cioran, romanians that reach the international space are extremely rare, and when used not as an exotic location, but as a place with real, valuable people, I love both my country and the writer/the book even more.
I connected a lot with Aaliya, even though I still have a long way to go to reach her level of love and devotion for books. I actually liked all the other characters as well, very human and natural, realistically painted souls that inhabit the most welcoming city of them all.
I feel like one can learn so much from this book, a part of Aaliya's knowledge being passed over to the reader in her contemplations. Her way of seeing life, in the situation of living a solitary life for most of her time on Earth, is very black and white, good and bad mingling only in the picture of her beloved city. And despite the depressing tones of the book, the ending is hopeful and it brings so much light to the situation! Like in real life, sun comes after the rain.
I don't know what to say about this book. If you love books and you have a deep-connection to the paper-world, then this is probably your book.
((now excuse me as I listen to sad music, reread my highlighted quotes and start having an existential crisis))