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sweekune's reviews
342 reviews
Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
4/5
A collection of reflective essays by the same author as Braiding Sweetgrass. Each chapter has a theme linking the world of mosses to the macro world and humankind.
- Published earlier than Braiding Sweetgrass, Gathering Moss is short but very effective. It has the same tranquil feel to it as the author guides you through each story and moss. It is a slow book and one you amble through rather than run.
- The author's enthusiasm and passion for mosses is infectious. She describes each one like a friend or family member and details their quirks and behaviours well. She then links into themes such as nurturing children, environmental change, historical plant uses and abuses to the land. Despite being over twenty years old, this book remains very relevant and a good introspective resource.
- The pictures of the moss featured in the chapters are beautiful and really enhance the writing. There's also a bibliography and recommendations at the back of the book for those interested in learning more.
A calm but thoughtful little book. Good for those who like to think whilst reading, enjoy the scenery and connect with the natural world.
A collection of reflective essays by the same author as Braiding Sweetgrass. Each chapter has a theme linking the world of mosses to the macro world and humankind.
- Published earlier than Braiding Sweetgrass, Gathering Moss is short but very effective. It has the same tranquil feel to it as the author guides you through each story and moss. It is a slow book and one you amble through rather than run.
- The author's enthusiasm and passion for mosses is infectious. She describes each one like a friend or family member and details their quirks and behaviours well. She then links into themes such as nurturing children, environmental change, historical plant uses and abuses to the land. Despite being over twenty years old, this book remains very relevant and a good introspective resource.
- The pictures of the moss featured in the chapters are beautiful and really enhance the writing. There's also a bibliography and recommendations at the back of the book for those interested in learning more.
A calm but thoughtful little book. Good for those who like to think whilst reading, enjoy the scenery and connect with the natural world.
Plowed by the pumpkin king by Juno Delight
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
2.5/5
Good for a laugh and a bit of amusing spice. Emily, feeling jilted by her crush, runs off in a pumpkin patch where she meets Pumpkin King Max. I believe the title describes what happens from there.
- There are two types of erotica: serious and focused erotica and light-hearted erotica that doesn't take itself too seriously. I cannot decide which this is. It feels like it should be the latter but the author has included some lore and world-building that hints to the former.
- The spice is your standard affair and, whilst enjoyable, not at all genre-breaking. Though one part very much made me laugh hysterically.
- The ending was odd and anticlimactic. I like my spice to end in a happy and fluffy way or at least have a good reason if otherwise. This moved from spice to "The End" so quick and easy definitely unsatisfying.
Okay and good for a seasonal read but for those looking for decent crypto erotica, there are much better choices out there.
Good for a laugh and a bit of amusing spice. Emily, feeling jilted by her crush, runs off in a pumpkin patch where she meets Pumpkin King Max. I believe the title describes what happens from there.
- There are two types of erotica: serious and focused erotica and light-hearted erotica that doesn't take itself too seriously. I cannot decide which this is. It feels like it should be the latter but the author has included some lore and world-building that hints to the former.
- The spice is your standard affair and, whilst enjoyable, not at all genre-breaking. Though one part very much made me laugh hysterically.
- The ending was odd and anticlimactic. I like my spice to end in a happy and fluffy way or at least have a good reason if otherwise. This moved from spice to "The End" so quick and easy definitely unsatisfying.
Okay and good for a seasonal read but for those looking for decent crypto erotica, there are much better choices out there.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5/5
Audiobook narrated by Kristin Atherton.
Sophie Hatter, the eldest of three daughters, expects her fate to be as a failure or a boring life. However, after being cursed by the Witch of the Waste and turned into an old lady, she goes off to seek her fortune. She ends up in the mysterious, titular moving castle of Howl, a wizard, and his fire demon Calcifer and apprentice Michael. Howl has his own problems with a curse and Sophie's appearance adds an element of chaos to his life.
- A quirky twist on a fairytale style story. The setting and characters were charismatic and full of personality and grew over the story. For a children's book it was a perfect balance of detail, mystery, peril and magic.
- Similar yet apart from the Studio Ghibli adaptation. If you go into.his expecting a straight copy of the film, you will be potentially disappointed. However, the differences make this book better as a book and the film better as a film.
- The narration was excellent and the voices distinct and well done, especially where the accents were concerned. It was a pleasure on the ears.
An excellent listen either as a fun, magical adventure for children or as a light and enjoyable fantasy for adults.
Audiobook narrated by Kristin Atherton.
Sophie Hatter, the eldest of three daughters, expects her fate to be as a failure or a boring life. However, after being cursed by the Witch of the Waste and turned into an old lady, she goes off to seek her fortune. She ends up in the mysterious, titular moving castle of Howl, a wizard, and his fire demon Calcifer and apprentice Michael. Howl has his own problems with a curse and Sophie's appearance adds an element of chaos to his life.
- A quirky twist on a fairytale style story. The setting and characters were charismatic and full of personality and grew over the story. For a children's book it was a perfect balance of detail, mystery, peril and magic.
- Similar yet apart from the Studio Ghibli adaptation. If you go into.his expecting a straight copy of the film, you will be potentially disappointed. However, the differences make this book better as a book and the film better as a film.
- The narration was excellent and the voices distinct and well done, especially where the accents were concerned. It was a pleasure on the ears.
An excellent listen either as a fun, magical adventure for children or as a light and enjoyable fantasy for adults.
Death's End by Cixin Liu
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
4.75/5
Audiobook narrated by Bruno Roubicek.
A fantastic end to a long, detailed and well thought-out trilogy. In Death's End, we follow Cheng Xin through a series of twists and turns in her career and life. Cheng Xin is gifted a star by a terminally ill college friend and this sparks off a series of events that dramatically the human race.
- As with the previous books, everything is extremely detailed in this book. When I first started the series, I was a bit bemused by this and found it unnecessary but now I feel like the small details provide an excellent sense of place, time and culture. The world building is on a truly universal scale.
- The technology and changes over Cheng Xin's lifetime were truly incredible and I love how well explained they were and the wonder and horror various technologies added to the story.
- The book covers such a huge span of events that sometimes it's hard to believe events happened in the same book. There are lots of parts I thoroughly enjoyed but I think my favourite would be the Fairy Tales section for the mystery and tension they added.
For those who enjoy immense world-building, hard sci-fi with twists and turns and stories on a galactic scale, I would highly recommend this trilogy.
Audiobook narrated by Bruno Roubicek.
A fantastic end to a long, detailed and well thought-out trilogy. In Death's End, we follow Cheng Xin through a series of twists and turns in her career and life. Cheng Xin is gifted a star by a terminally ill college friend and this sparks off a series of events that dramatically the human race.
- As with the previous books, everything is extremely detailed in this book. When I first started the series, I was a bit bemused by this and found it unnecessary but now I feel like the small details provide an excellent sense of place, time and culture. The world building is on a truly universal scale.
- The technology and changes over Cheng Xin's lifetime were truly incredible and I love how well explained they were and the wonder and horror various technologies added to the story.
- The book covers such a huge span of events that sometimes it's hard to believe events happened in the same book. There are lots of parts I thoroughly enjoyed but I think my favourite would be the Fairy Tales section for the mystery and tension they added.
For those who enjoy immense world-building, hard sci-fi with twists and turns and stories on a galactic scale, I would highly recommend this trilogy.
The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5/5
Audiobook narrated by Bruno Roubicek.
Winding, clever and occasionally a terrifying look at the things people are capable of doing when circumstances dictate. The Dark Forest carries on from The Three-Body Problem showing the crisis era where the Trisolarans have disrupted human progress and are watching everywhere. The only place they cannot see is inside the human mind. A select few are chosen to exploit this, Wall-facers who are given resources and power to do what they like but not reveal their plans to anyone.
- This book, at least the wall-facer part, is an interesting delve into human thought and nature. I'd like to say it is a thought experiment but history shows that the things the book discusses are not improbable. What would a person do to save humanity from a mortal threat?
- The descriptions of the future world and technology, especially with the limitations placed on humanity by the Trisolarans, were unique, intelligent and very cool. My favourite bits were the leaf houses and the idea of clothing that changed as the wearer required.
- The tension, especially in the last 20% of the book is incredible. The book winds and twists for most of the narrative but that last part is just bang after bang of action, plot turn and surprise. I very much enjoyed it.
Solid hard sci-fi and a fantastic sequel to The Three-Body Problem.
Audiobook narrated by Bruno Roubicek.
Winding, clever and occasionally a terrifying look at the things people are capable of doing when circumstances dictate. The Dark Forest carries on from The Three-Body Problem showing the crisis era where the Trisolarans have disrupted human progress and are watching everywhere. The only place they cannot see is inside the human mind. A select few are chosen to exploit this, Wall-facers who are given resources and power to do what they like but not reveal their plans to anyone.
- This book, at least the wall-facer part, is an interesting delve into human thought and nature. I'd like to say it is a thought experiment but history shows that the things the book discusses are not improbable. What would a person do to save humanity from a mortal threat?
- The descriptions of the future world and technology, especially with the limitations placed on humanity by the Trisolarans, were unique, intelligent and very cool. My favourite bits were the leaf houses and the idea of clothing that changed as the wearer required.
- The tension, especially in the last 20% of the book is incredible. The book winds and twists for most of the narrative but that last part is just bang after bang of action, plot turn and surprise. I very much enjoyed it.
Solid hard sci-fi and a fantastic sequel to The Three-Body Problem.
Twelve Bones by Rosie Talbot
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5/5
The sequel to Sixteen Souls. Charlie, Sam and the rest of Team Spectre face a new threat. Someone is summoning wraiths, violent spirits that kill people and consume souls. The friends have to find out who is responsible before it's too late. Oh, and The Hand have decided to make an appearance too.
- Considering the amount of trauma Charlie and everyone went through in the first book, the character development is very good. Talbot takes into account the trauma-based behaviours these characters would likely have developed and uses them well to both improve the characters and shape the narrative.
- Wraiths were definitely a cool choice of monster to use and their origin story is super creepy and horrifying. Dead that can harm the living? *Shudders violently*
- The Hand was a large part of the world building in this book. A lot of information was given about them but also a lot was left unsaid. They fascinated me and I would happily read a spin-off story or novel purely about how The Hand came to be.
A worthy and enjoyable sequel. Twelve Bones and its predecessor Sixteen Souls are perfect reads for spooky season.
The sequel to Sixteen Souls. Charlie, Sam and the rest of Team Spectre face a new threat. Someone is summoning wraiths, violent spirits that kill people and consume souls. The friends have to find out who is responsible before it's too late. Oh, and The Hand have decided to make an appearance too.
- Considering the amount of trauma Charlie and everyone went through in the first book, the character development is very good. Talbot takes into account the trauma-based behaviours these characters would likely have developed and uses them well to both improve the characters and shape the narrative.
- Wraiths were definitely a cool choice of monster to use and their origin story is super creepy and horrifying. Dead that can harm the living? *Shudders violently*
- The Hand was a large part of the world building in this book. A lot of information was given about them but also a lot was left unsaid. They fascinated me and I would happily read a spin-off story or novel purely about how The Hand came to be.
A worthy and enjoyable sequel. Twelve Bones and its predecessor Sixteen Souls are perfect reads for spooky season.
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75/5
Audiobook narrated by Bruno Roubicek.
Odd but compelling. A sci-fi story involving a scientist from the Cultural Revolution, a video game about a strange world and a science based mystery.
- The detail within this book is a lot, to the point where I couldn't have told you effectively what the book was about until about 75% through. The threads are drawn together at the end but even so there's a lot of little details that seemingly are irrelevant, though maybe they are addressed in the next book.
-The world of Three-Body was fascinating and I enjoyed those bizarre and confusing chapters a lot. I would probably enjoy a similar game in real life.
- The mystery was weird but good and I only guessed part of the solution. There's a lot of set up as well for the next few books but it does leave some things feeling unfinished.
If you like sci-fi that's a little different and not western based, The Three-Body Problem is engaging, compelling and a good read.
Audiobook narrated by Bruno Roubicek.
Odd but compelling. A sci-fi story involving a scientist from the Cultural Revolution, a video game about a strange world and a science based mystery.
- The detail within this book is a lot, to the point where I couldn't have told you effectively what the book was about until about 75% through. The threads are drawn together at the end but even so there's a lot of little details that seemingly are irrelevant, though maybe they are addressed in the next book.
-The world of Three-Body was fascinating and I enjoyed those bizarre and confusing chapters a lot. I would probably enjoy a similar game in real life.
- The mystery was weird but good and I only guessed part of the solution. There's a lot of set up as well for the next few books but it does leave some things feeling unfinished.
If you like sci-fi that's a little different and not western based, The Three-Body Problem is engaging, compelling and a good read.
Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4/5
Book two in the Magnus Chase series and our heroes are charged with finding the hammer of Thor as well as figuring out why the trickster Loki has struck a marriage bargain between Sam and the giant Thrym.
- The same fun twists on Norse mythology. I enjoyed exploring more of the nine worlds and getting to know our characters better (especially Hearthstone) as well as being introduced to some new ones.
- Considering this is a middle grade fantasy book, Riordan really manages to explore some difficult topics well, including toxic family, knowing yourself and personal growth and the concept of mixed success and failure.
- Alex is possibly one of my favourite characters completely, not just in this book. I've not found a lot of genderfluid representation before and this is perfect. This is also explored sensitively and kindly for which Riordan gets major kudos.
An excellent second book and now onto the third, and final, book.
Book two in the Magnus Chase series and our heroes are charged with finding the hammer of Thor as well as figuring out why the trickster Loki has struck a marriage bargain between Sam and the giant Thrym.
- The same fun twists on Norse mythology. I enjoyed exploring more of the nine worlds and getting to know our characters better (especially Hearthstone) as well as being introduced to some new ones.
- Considering this is a middle grade fantasy book, Riordan really manages to explore some difficult topics well, including toxic family, knowing yourself and personal growth and the concept of mixed success and failure.
- Alex is possibly one of my favourite characters completely, not just in this book. I've not found a lot of genderfluid representation before and this is perfect. This is also explored sensitively and kindly for which Riordan gets major kudos.
An excellent second book and now onto the third, and final, book.
Sixteen Souls by Rosie Talbot
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4/5
Picked up this book and its sequel during a trip to the local bookshop as wanted an easier but spooky read for the season. Teenage seer Charlie Frith is pulled into a mystery involving the disappearance of ghosts from his home city of York. Teaming up with fellow seer Sam and some other friends, both alive and dead, they set out to solve the mystery.
- I really enjoyed the characters' personalities and how they grow and change over the course of the story. They are resilient and despite their own personal struggles they keep going.
- The setting is well done and well set up. I've been to York a few times and this book really captures the vibes of the city.
- I'm intrigued by the magic and spirit systems in this book. The author has taken pains to dip us into bits of it but also leave enough unknowns that I want to know more. I hope the next book goes into that more.
Spooky, enjoyable and well set. Perfect for October reading.
Picked up this book and its sequel during a trip to the local bookshop as wanted an easier but spooky read for the season. Teenage seer Charlie Frith is pulled into a mystery involving the disappearance of ghosts from his home city of York. Teaming up with fellow seer Sam and some other friends, both alive and dead, they set out to solve the mystery.
- I really enjoyed the characters' personalities and how they grow and change over the course of the story. They are resilient and despite their own personal struggles they keep going.
- The setting is well done and well set up. I've been to York a few times and this book really captures the vibes of the city.
- I'm intrigued by the magic and spirit systems in this book. The author has taken pains to dip us into bits of it but also leave enough unknowns that I want to know more. I hope the next book goes into that more.
Spooky, enjoyable and well set. Perfect for October reading.
Open Throat by Henry Hoke
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3/5
Weird but interesting. Told from the view of a mountain lion, this book explores poverty, politics, climate change and the problems caused to animals by human interaction.
- Forget punctuation, spelling and grammar. This is written as if the mountain lion itself wrote it. It's a quirky format and works for this book.
- This book is oddly philosophical and political. It explores homelessness, the callousness of some humans towards others, the effect of human activity and catastrophe on the wild world. It's odd looking at these through the lens of a lion.
- Amongst the more academic stuff is a general struggle for survival. The lion talks about hunger, thirst, danger from humans and wilderness. There is a philosophical lens to it but it does bring BC the nature of the narrator.
Odd. If you like books that have different perspectives and explore what it is to be human, or cougar, then give this a go.
Weird but interesting. Told from the view of a mountain lion, this book explores poverty, politics, climate change and the problems caused to animals by human interaction.
- Forget punctuation, spelling and grammar. This is written as if the mountain lion itself wrote it. It's a quirky format and works for this book.
- This book is oddly philosophical and political. It explores homelessness, the callousness of some humans towards others, the effect of human activity and catastrophe on the wild world. It's odd looking at these through the lens of a lion.
- Amongst the more academic stuff is a general struggle for survival. The lion talks about hunger, thirst, danger from humans and wilderness. There is a philosophical lens to it but it does bring BC the nature of the narrator.
Odd. If you like books that have different perspectives and explore what it is to be human, or cougar, then give this a go.