eduardoandgo's reviews
411 reviews

How We Named the Stars by Andrés N. Ordorica

3.5

I was not vibing with the narration choices of the first chapter for the audiobook at all but once I switched to just reading I found myself enthralled with the relationship between Daniel and Sam. I was giggling and kicking my feet. Too often the narrator would allude to Sam's death saying something along the lines of "I thought we would have a lifetime together," which was getting annoying, even though I understand that it would make sense to bring it up this often if what I'm reading is a journal for Sam. I'm not a big fan of the way the author is writing dialogue between Daniel and his grandfather about grief; not necessarily the content but the style. Still enjoyed it.

The Justice of Kings by Richard Swan

2.0

Hm, wasn't really into this murder mystery with magical aspects set in ye olden days. I didn't know anything about this book before starting it which usually is fine with me, but I think I just expected something else based on the title/cover (no idea what just not a mystery novel). Halfway through the novel I was thinking that I wouldn't continue with the series but the ending entices me to continue because I can't imagine the sequel to be of similar genre given the way it ends. Maybe if I see it on sale I'll pick it up, but otherwise I think I will just move on. aw.

Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin

4.5

Emily Austin has written another banger. Once again, I am a big fan of the protagonist. I was genuinely scared with her, Emily's writing is really well done. I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed, but I still liked how it ended (and maybe it's just because I didn't want to leave her). Loved her relationship with her half-sisters, her mother, her G.B.F., and Polly.

Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh

4.5

Major fan of this book. Absolutely loved the way the protagonist Kyr changes throughout the novel. This was such a refreshing read and exactly what I needed. All the characters were so interesting to read about and their interactions with each other. 

Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

4.0

my god this was a long novel. there were times where i was really into it and excited to keep reading but there were definitely times where i dreaded going back into it but once i was in i was enjoying it (i think it's just because of the idea of reading so long and it didn't feel like i was making progress). overall, i enjoyed this. i think cervantes was actually so big brained for writing this novel the way he did; i think of writing that's as meta as this is sometimes as a modern writing technique (nothing to back that up) but it's really cool he was doing this in the 17th century. the writing is so funny and the characters are great, if at times incredibly frustrating (knight of the sorrowful face i'm looking at you).

i mentioned once during book club that don quixote was creating more problems for the people he was trying to help and that made me not like him but people took it as me not liking how violent it got at times (which is not true, i enjoyed those scenes) and kept saying " <blah>, relating to eddie's dislike of the amount of violence..." but i couldn't figure out how to correct myself without seeming incredibly defensive.

i'm not a fan of the way both parts suddenly end. i do like the cunty way cervantes ends part two so that his shadow can't publish anything further while pretending to be the real author of don quixote. actually as more time passes (10 minutes) i don't like the ending of what comes to be of don quixote's mind in part two at all. feels completely unsubstantiated and just a way to wrap everything up in the last 6 pages. still overall liked it.

How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures by Sabrina Imbler

3.0

I really liked the way the author paralleled the behavior of aquatic life or the scientists interacting with them with her personal life. 

It Lasts Forever and Then It's Over by Anne de Marcken

3.5

I really liked the concept of this book, a undead wandering and grieving their regular-dead partner and the life they had together and could have had. the protagonist was interesting to follow and so were the secondary characters, specifically the grandma that was feeding her arm to her undead grandson. 

The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi

4.0

Anisa, the protagonist of this novel, was very interesting and entertaining in how flawed/real she is. There are many choices she makes that made me cringe but ultimately I still found her endearing, in the way that I would never make those choices but I would like hear about them as a friend. The Centre, as an institution and antagonist, was quite alluring with its secrecy and the relationship Anisa has with it. I also really enjoyed the author's writing style.
I liked the ending. To me, it's not as much open but rather just the end of the story. I don't need what is going to happen to be spelled out,

because it's alluded that this book we are reading is the decision that Anisa makes, that she went to the publisher, changed the names of people, and ended the story at the wedding just like her friend suggested

, I think it says enough.

Orbital by Samantha Harvey

3.5

this was good. i liked its idea of what's going to happen to the planet as we continue to kill the planet from a stepped back view, literally as the characters we follow are in space. i didn't feel very connected with the characters as much as i'd like and i think it's the fault of the way the author cuts off anecdotes with information of what it feels like to be in space. not my favorite but i still think has great value.

The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo

3.0

I enjoyed the majority of this novella. The main character's trouble getting the people to want his help was really frustrating me, as it was supposed to. The love interest was too annoying in the first half that by the time they get together I didn't care. He's a teenager so I think that might of been it.

Didn't know there was going to be monster fucking; not something I'm into.

While the culmination of the events that occur in the last 40 pages felt like something that was being worked towards, the "twist" of how it happened did not and felt like it came out of left field. I can think of one mention before the reveal and that did not feel like enough for me.