A solid concise, no-nonsense guide questioning various aspects of American Expat life - both the positives and the negatives. While I initially was diA solid concise, no-nonsense guide questioning various aspects of American Expat life - both the positives and the negatives. While I initially was disappointed that so much of the book was based on the anecdotal experience of the author in Ecuador (as I wanted a more universal approach), I did find his stories made the points he was making more personal. A quick read with a lot of great info....more
An ambitious, genre-crossing book that will likely hook you and not let you go. The title of the book Discovery has a dual meaning, as there is an actAn ambitious, genre-crossing book that will likely hook you and not let you go. The title of the book Discovery has a dual meaning, as there is an act in the book of a "Discovery" - of something on the floor of the ocean - and the actual act of discovery by the reader in piecing this story together. I really enjoyed the stylized structure of the book, as it was split into five "acts," complete with an "Overture," several "Entr'actes" and even an "encore."
The ambition and execution of this novel reminded me of some of the science fiction works of Dan Simmons, which often incorporate a high number of disparate elements thrown together in the narrative. Specifically in this book, we get science fiction elements, cosmic horror elements, fantastical elements, and metaphysical elements thrown together in what is mostly a compelling narrative.
While I feel the strength of this book is its unorthodox structure and myriad of genre-bending elements, I also felt this was the book's greatest weakness, as I never felt much of a connection to any of the characters, as each of the 5 acts had a different main protagonist, and only the main players in the Entr'actes were omnipresent in the story. As this is the first book of a planned trilogy, I do wonder if my connection with the characters will change in future installments. Which I will definitely read, as I found Discovery quite compelling.
One of the co-authors of the book sent me an Advanced Reading Copy in exchange for an honest review. ...more
While I do feel the final book (the two parts combined) of this book series is (like the series) a bit bloated, this was a strong ending. The finale tWhile I do feel the final book (the two parts combined) of this book series is (like the series) a bit bloated, this was a strong ending. The finale to this story has some of the finest world-building in the genre. While I enjoyed all of the history and lore that was revealed throughout the trilogy, the portions in this finale were of the best. Overall I think this is a good book series with a very good finale, and one that definitely will lead me to reading more of this author in this world in the future. 4.5/5...more
My 6th Dickens novel. I enjoyed the overall story, but found the pacing very inconsistent, as the story jumped around a bit too much for my tastes, anMy 6th Dickens novel. I enjoyed the overall story, but found the pacing very inconsistent, as the story jumped around a bit too much for my tastes, and had a few plot threads and characters that felt superfluous to me. I feel when Dickens is at his best, he's more focused on the main narrative than in this work. But I still enjoyed Dickens' mastery at creating such memorable characters, and appreciate his social commentary on the times, that even a century and a half later, still feels relevant. 3.5/5
Merged review:
My 6th Dickens novel. I enjoyed the overall story, but found the pacing very inconsistent, as the story jumped around a bit too much for my tastes, and had a few plot threads and characters that felt superfluous to me. I feel when Dickens is at his best, he's more focused on the main narrative than in this work. But I still enjoyed Dickens' mastery at creating such memorable characters, and appreciate his social commentary on the times, that even a century and a half later, still feels relevant. 3.5/5...more
I usually don't enjoy books that are mostly wall-to-wall action like this one, but Butcher infuses the story with no less than a half dozen meaningfulI usually don't enjoy books that are mostly wall-to-wall action like this one, but Butcher infuses the story with no less than a half dozen meaningful character moments that were significant, and the highlight of this book. This book has a lot at its heart in terms of the world and the conflicts within, but for me within these character moments Butcher shines. While I'm often frustrated with Harry's character in these books, in this installment I was wholly invested with his character and where the story went, especially in the times where Harry had some tough choices. My favorite Dresden novel so far!...more
I found this a stronger collection than the first one. I especially enjoyed The Four Devils, which followed the Marlowes when they learned of Hadrian I found this a stronger collection than the first one. I especially enjoyed The Four Devils, which followed the Marlowes when they learned of Hadrian being alive, and Kill the King, which followed an assassin and had quite the memorable conclusion! ...more
McCormack's Carnival is my favorite of the 8 Firefly novels I've read, but this one isn't quite up to that standard. While it's always fun to be reuniMcCormack's Carnival is my favorite of the 8 Firefly novels I've read, but this one isn't quite up to that standard. While it's always fun to be reunited with the crew of the Serenity, the story wasn't all that compelling, and the choice of a new character as narrator for half of the novel a bit of a miss for me....more
I liked this first half of the trilogy finale - or 3rd book in this 4-book trilogy - a LOT more than the previous installment. The pacing felt fluid wI liked this first half of the trilogy finale - or 3rd book in this 4-book trilogy - a LOT more than the previous installment. The pacing felt fluid with very few exceptions, I began to connect with the characters more, and the world-building aspects-the strongest component of these books in my opinion-really shined in this volume. It did feel a bit overlong, especially if you think of it as half of the series finale, but overall enjoyed this and look forward to reading To Green Angel Tower: Storm very soon. ...more
A very compelling read but also quite troubling. Haidt's thesis statement - that we're overprotecting our children in read life while underprotecting A very compelling read but also quite troubling. Haidt's thesis statement - that we're overprotecting our children in read life while underprotecting them online - rings very true. Although he gives strategies for change at the end, I honestly feel as a society we're too far gone to combat these problems. :( ...more
While most of this text in this volume is like the other works within The History of Middle-Earth, (namely pretty dry historical information and storiWhile most of this text in this volume is like the other works within The History of Middle-Earth, (namely pretty dry historical information and stories that J.R.R. Tolkien wrote to give his world depth), the unfinished story The Lost Road itself is quite different. Although only a few chapters from this time travel story remain, and they were a polished set of chapters that began a compelling story. It's too bad Tolkien abandoned the project as it was a tie-in from our world to Middle-Earth that I'm sure would have been a very interesting completed story. ...more
There's a lot to unpack in this one, so I'm not sure if my review and/or rating will remain the same in a few days, weeks, etc. It's evident why this There's a lot to unpack in this one, so I'm not sure if my review and/or rating will remain the same in a few days, weeks, etc. It's evident why this was a winner of the Booker Prize, as there are a myriad of themes explored, and with depth. This book is not for the feint of heart, as this explores several troubling story elements and themes, and does so with a main character that is full flawed and not very likable. But beyond the thematic depth, the writing was very lyrical; had I been reading on my Kindle I likely would have highlight passages to a great extent. I reserve my right to change my mind about this one with further reflection! ...more
Wow - a truly powerful memoir about a North Korean defector. The story was harrowing, tense, tragic, heartbreaking, full of hope and dozens of other eWow - a truly powerful memoir about a North Korean defector. The story was harrowing, tense, tragic, heartbreaking, full of hope and dozens of other emotions. I appreciated the nuance that the author told the story, especially when talking about her feelings and those of her family. I feel like this was an important read. ...more
Although I think I actually liked Howling Dark more, I feel Ruocchio is getting better with each installment of this series. Despite its length, I fouAlthough I think I actually liked Howling Dark more, I feel Ruocchio is getting better with each installment of this series. Despite its length, I found the narrative was actually pretty tight-the exception being the action sequences. I most enjoyed the middle third of this book with its political intrigue, some scenes with a character that returns to Hadrian's life, and its fantastical revelations of what is really going on with Hadrian and this universe-spanning conflict. I continue to struggle with Ruocchio's action sequences, however, as I find them a bit interminable and impossible to picture in my mind. But overall, a great installment in this series. 4.5/5...more
Well, Guy Gavriel Kay is officially 11 for 11 for me. Sometimes you find the right author at the right time whose works just resonate with you, and thWell, Guy Gavriel Kay is officially 11 for 11 for me. Sometimes you find the right author at the right time whose works just resonate with you, and that is the case for me and this author. I recently saw the author Janny Wurts describe Kay's writing as "lyrical nostalgia" and I absolutely love that description. This nostalgia is brought to life by finely drawn characters that feel real, a world that feels lived in, while taking part in events of the highest importance.
In this book, the third chronologically in a loosely related trilogy of stand alone novels, this nostalgia is on the page and always in the subtext of this empire mourning the fall of their city Sarantium 25 years prior. We meet small characters, who like in most of Kay's works, are trivial in the grand scheme of things, but through whose eyes we witness and feel the depth of events of this world torn apart by religion and culture. Kay continues to impress me at how memorable his characters become - even those that are barely on the page. With other authors these one-off characters would seem unimportant, but here they are often the point itself.
Kay's prose continues to impress, and I love the way he drops subtle bits of foreshadowing in such an elegant manner. His characterization is always imbued with a high degree of realism that make these characters feel real and quite human. And I often connect in such a meaningful manner that like most works by this author, I fought back tears several times while reading this book.
All this raving about ta book that I consider in the second tier of Kay's works. But I've discovered for me at least, that a lower tier work by Guy Gavriel Kay is simply better than just about anyone else. ...more
This was almost a perfect book for me right now. Jane Austen's writing is superb (and amongst the greatest writers I've ever read), and despite this bThis was almost a perfect book for me right now. Jane Austen's writing is superb (and amongst the greatest writers I've ever read), and despite this being a story of very low stakes, it still felt more important to the characters within. A great change of pace read for me, as this is only my second by this author (although I'm fairly confident I'll read more!). ...more
Definitely a "bounce back" installment from the series after the 8th book's disappointment for me. I know I repeat myself with this point in these shoDefinitely a "bounce back" installment from the series after the 8th book's disappointment for me. I know I repeat myself with this point in these short reviews, but I just love how Butcher continues to layer the world-building aspects: like sidelining characters or settings for several books and then bringing them back. I also really like how the stakes are continuing to raise, and there were several results of the climax of this one that I really look forward to seeing the long-term ramifications of. A fun read!...more
7 pretty good stories in the Sun Eater universe. I prefer the stories that do a bit of world-building to those that are just action sequences, which w7 pretty good stories in the Sun Eater universe. I prefer the stories that do a bit of world-building to those that are just action sequences, which were the bulk of this collection. ...more
I always have thought of myself as a "slow burn" literature type of reader: some of my favorite authors in this genre and others can be described as tI always have thought of myself as a "slow burn" literature type of reader: some of my favorite authors in this genre and others can be described as this type. But this book challenges that original thought, as this was one of the slowest books I think I've read, and the further I got into the book, the less I enjoyed it. I really enjoyed the first book, despite being critical of the plotting-namely that the non-Simon POVs felt felt forced and like tokens in the work-so I was pleasantly surprised to see the beginning of this book Williams employ an ever-changing point of view kind of narrative.
And at first, I enjoyed it... until it became a slog. At about the 3/4 point of the book I honestly had no desire to finish it. The story at that point in 10 or 11 different places by my count, and by the end I honestly only found one of the storylines interesting. My biggest concern going into the final book is that I honestly feel very little connection with the story or any of the characters; if I weren't leading a read along, I honestly wonder if I'd be reading the finale at all.
There were some great moments in this book, but barely enough to be above the "liked it" range for this book. I do hope that To Green Angel Tower works for me, as I do like his writing style, even if the beginning of this series I find extremely slow and inconsistent. ...more
It's been awhile (about 4 years and 9 books) since I enjoyed a Brandon Sanderson book this much. Sanderson is at his best when he is at his most imagiIt's been awhile (about 4 years and 9 books) since I enjoyed a Brandon Sanderson book this much. Sanderson is at his best when he is at his most imaginative, and that's how I'd describe this story of two linked protagonists in two otherworldly (yet familiar) settings. I enjoyed the artistic themes explored here and-although predictable-the evolution of the main characters' relationship was fun. And typical Sanderson, Yumi had a rock solid ending. Sanderson's favorite of his secret projects is my favorite as well! (Although I have not read The Sunlit Man yet)...more
I really struggled to connect with James' writing style, which is the most dense and flowery prose I've encountered in a long time. While I did enjoy I really struggled to connect with James' writing style, which is the most dense and flowery prose I've encountered in a long time. While I did enjoy The Turn of the Screw - the novella-length story in this collection - the rest of the short stories didn't do much for me. Turn of the Screw 4/5 This Collection 2.5/5 ...more
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