RebelBelle13
King County Library System
RebelBelle13's Completed Shelf
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RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Feb 08, 2021
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Jan 28, 2021
Comment:
This was a fun YA romp with friendships, plenty of action, aliens, and superpowers. I remember seeing the movie when it first came out, and I don't recall it being very good, so I was a little hesitant to dive into this one. Thankfully, it was much better than I remember the movie being. The main premise is there are nine child survivors from the planet Lorien who came to Earth with their adult protectors, who would nurture them, help them grow into their abilities, and keep them on the move and away from the Mogadorians, another alien race who are set to kill the children so they can take over the Earth. The hitch is, the children are protected by a strange charm that only allows them to be killed in number order. As the story opens, child number 3 is killed. It's a different and interesting setup to be sure, which is what drew me into the story in the first place.
Most people take issue with the dumb decisions John (number 4) makes, rather like sending up fireworks and letting the bad guys know where he is. I disagree- I believe he was just acting like a teen, desperately trying to fit in and live as normal a life as possible, even though that was never in the cards for him. I loved how he never took any crap from the school bully, and even sought him and his buddies out and taught them a lesson after he and his friend Sam were hazed. Also a bonus, there were really no annoying characters in the book.
Now, the not-so-great stuff. The Garde (the numbered children) were WAY too powerful. Instead of getting one ability, like X-Men, these kids get multiple. They start out with super speed and strength, and develop others, like flame resistance, telekinesis, invisibility, element control... the list goes on. They are practically Gods. It's a little excessive, especially when you know the other half of the population, known as the Cepan (the adult protectors) don't have any abilities at all. That hardly seems fair. Henri, John's Cepan, really didn't clue John in on much of anything, and did the old withhold-information-to-draw-out-the-plot, not my favorite method of storytelling. There were some slow parts in text that felt like filler, just to show the passing of time.
Other than that, this was an interesting twist on the superhero story, and I'm intrigued enough to read the rest.This was a fun YA romp with friendships, plenty of action, aliens, and superpowers. I remember seeing the movie when it first came out, and I don't recall it being very good, so I was a little hesitant to dive into this one. Thankfully, it was much…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Jan 27, 2021
Comment:
I was looking for this book to scratch a particular itch, and, sadly, it didn't really do that at all for me. This is my first dabble with Sherryl Woods, and I have to say, it was... just ok. There are a couple of issues here, but let's start with the good stuff. The whole family owning and running the diner in Winter Cove, Florida, was a cute idea. It read quickly and didn't require me to invest a ton of time or brain power. Everything was surface level and readily accessible.
Now, the not-so-good stuff. The characters felt like stereotypes of themselves: the bad boy turned cop who has always had a thing for the girl who left town, the retired buddies who are bored and play private eyes, the tattooed, pierced druggie girl who protests for things without knowing why, the brother who no one understands and gets into drugs, and the girl who flew the coop and is torn between her new life and her old one. There's nothing new here. The mother gets over the suicide of her husband from two group meetings after sulking in her room for two months. (I know everyone deals with grief in their own way and in their own time but really?) There is massive insta-love between the two main characters- so much so that they spend THE FIRST NIGHT after she gets back on the couch together, after not seeing each other for ten years. The last minute reveal that one of the characters who goes to the diner every day is actually a retired executive chef and can help out so Emma can do her own thing (how super convenient). The fact that Matt, the cop, literally admits to dragging out the plot by withholding information from Emma. I could go on, but you get the point. There's too much convenience, and WAY too much repetition in the speech of the characters. They retread the same things, to each other and in their heads, over and over again to the point of me yelling at the pages.
This is fine if you're looking for a quick read that doesn't expect much from you, but there's not a whole lot of substance here that you can sink your teeth into.I was looking for this book to scratch a particular itch, and, sadly, it didn't really do that at all for me. This is my first dabble with Sherryl Woods, and I have to say, it was... just ok. There are a couple of issues here, but let's start with…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Jan 22, 2021
Comment:
Oh. My. Goodness. Did I love this book. This is the best space opera, the best science fiction (besides Doctor Who of course) that I have read in a really, really long time. The text is descriptive without being flowery. The authors aren't trying to show you how educated and high-brow they are (hello, Ancillary Justice) by taking forever to get to the point, or imparting each and every feeling of each character, or focusing on space politics (yeah, that's a thing). At no point was I bored, or felt like I needed to put the book down and take a break or reach for something else- and that's impressive given the size. I became immediately attached to Holden, Naomi, Alex and Amos. Miller quickly grew on me as well. The evolution of humans into space, into the Belt and on Mars made sense as did the growing tensions among Earth, Mars and the Belt. The authors tried as much as possible to base future science on fact rather than fiction, and the specifics of spaceships and flight didn't seem all that far-fetched. The introduction of the alien proto-molecule made the pace intense, and there were several points in the story where I was on the edge of my seat, desperately needing to know what happened next.
This is a huge world, with a lot more story to tell, and I can't wait to get to the next one.Oh. My. Goodness. Did I love this book. This is the best space opera, the best science fiction (besides Doctor Who of course) that I have read in a really, really long time. The text is descriptive without being flowery. The authors aren't trying to…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Jan 16, 2021
Comment:
This was a beautifully haunting and nostalgic novel. It was broken up into stories told by different species of people brought together to celebrate the being Last, who has been helping all of the residents of Driftwood throughout the Millenia. Last is, unironically, the last of his species, of which disappeared many lifetimes ago into the center of Driftwood, known as the Crush. After worlds have their apocalypse, they enter through the mist to become part of Driftwood, a circular dimension in which worlds enter in pieces and get smaller and smaller as they drift towards the center, until they disappear completely, and the inhabitants along with it. Last speaks hundreds of languages and doesn't know why he is continuing to exist when everyone else dies when their world reaches the Crush.
The novel presents itself in vignettes (or short stories) and although it gives the reader a broader understanding of the universe of Driftwood, it also stops you up. Every time a new species starts a story, you have to unlearn what you knew about the previous story- (the characters, the climate, the history, the language, etc) and learn an entirely new one. My other nitpick is that it was way too short. The author could have gone on for at least another 100 or so pages with stories about Last and I would have loved every minute of it. I really enjoyed my time with this one, and I hope there is a sequel in the future!This was a beautifully haunting and nostalgic novel. It was broken up into stories told by different species of people brought together to celebrate the being Last, who has been helping all of the residents of Driftwood throughout the Millenia. Last…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Jan 12, 2021
Comment:
Maybe it's because I haven't watched Star Trek in awhile, but this book didn't hit me the way I was expecting it to. I thought it would be a home run- my favorite TOG character has a secret son he can spend time getting to know and teaching, all while basing the story off a well-known episode, with tons of McCoy to boot? Sign me up! For whatever reason, it fell flat for me. The story dragged, even though it was only just shy of 200 pages. Spock treated his son with contempt for much of the story, which really didn't make for a decent reading experience. McCoy was more of a father to Zar than Spock was, honestly. I suppose it was mostly in character for him, since it was a sudden shock and he had to be thrust into parenthood, after having to collect Zar through a time-gate near a destroyed planet. I guess I was just expecting more from the story. It would have been better had they shown Zar more of the galaxy, including Earth and Vulcan, and he got to go to the academy or helped on the bridge of the Enterprise or something. As it was, it was serviceable, but forgettable. I'd highly recommend watching the TOS episode "All Our Yesterdays" before reading this book, or you'll be lost.Maybe it's because I haven't watched Star Trek in awhile, but this book didn't hit me the way I was expecting it to. I thought it would be a home run- my favorite TOG character has a secret son he can spend time getting to know and teaching, all…
The Flight of DragonsThe Flight of Dragons, DVD
DVD - 2010DVD, 2010
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Jan 09, 2021
Comment:
Great concepts, but poor execution. The idea that science and magic are at war with each other isn't a new one, but you hardly ever see it at odds on the animated screen. The plot here felt ridiculously rushed, and there was hardly any character development. Characters and races of fantasy folk just showed up and disappeared with hardly a rhyme or reason, and without sense or relevance to the plot. If I had seen this as a kid, I probably would have loved it, but through the critical eyes of an adult, you'll see quite a few flaws. It's fun, it's whimsical, but has no depth.Great concepts, but poor execution. The idea that science and magic are at war with each other isn't a new one, but you hardly ever see it at odds on the animated screen. The plot here felt ridiculously rushed, and there was hardly any character…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Jan 09, 2021
Comment:
This is a book that I wouldn't normally choose for myself. My 11 year old son wanted to read it, so we did so together. It was eye-opening. I have often wondered how children with autism view the world and how they process information. If this was even a glimpse into the mind of a child on the spectrum, than Baskin did her job admirably. It really helped me understand how they function with the majority of people that are neuro-typical. The narrative jumped around a bit, but that was the point- and I really enjoyed hearing Jason's thoughts and reading his stories on his story website. I really wish there was more about the convention Jason attended with his mother- I would have loved to read about other classes he attended. I would recommend this novel to anyone who would like to better understand a child on the spectrum.This is a book that I wouldn't normally choose for myself. My 11 year old son wanted to read it, so we did so together. It was eye-opening. I have often wondered how children with autism view the world and how they process information. If this was…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Jan 08, 2021
Comment:
I always feel very torn after reading an installment of the Goldy Bear mysteries. I love the writing (for the most part), the pacing, and the mystery, but I really can't stand most of the characters. Julian and Tom are really the only bearable characters in the entire cast. Everyone else is fake, conniving, miserable or nasty. Goldy's ex John is beyond abusive, and I can't imagine why he isn't in jail or why she doesn't have a restraining order against him. Every scene with him makes me cringe. Goldy's son Arch is annoying beyond reproach, and acts like a 6 year old instead of a 12 year old. Everyone else, from Goldy's clients to her neighbors, are nosey or simply unpleasant.
The mystery was rather engaging, and enough red herrings were thrown in to keep me guessing who the murderer was until the very end. The conclusion happened a little too quickly for my taste, and there was hardly an epilogue; but besides that, I was satisfied. The theme of cosmetics and facials really didn't hold my interest, but luckily Goldy's cooking and serving did. That being said, the recipes included didn't sound like anything I would want to make. Issues aside, it was a smooth, quick read and I did enjoy the mystery, if not the characters.
Quick heads up for those who might take offense to this- there are many, MANY mentions of people's weight and how they looked, with a condescending nature.I always feel very torn after reading an installment of the Goldy Bear mysteries. I love the writing (for the most part), the pacing, and the mystery, but I really can't stand most of the characters. Julian and Tom are really the only bearable…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Jan 08, 2021
Comment:
I fall in with majority opinion on this one- it was disappointing, to say the least. There are so many directions that Roth could have gone with this series, and to choose what she did really feels like a lost opportunity. Instead of really getting into the faction society, and writing five books- each one focusing on a different person choosing a faction and following them through the initiate process (which would have solidified the society in folks minds and had them staunchly rooting for their favorites, writing fan-fiction, sporting memorabilia of one of the five, and keeping folks attention), we are handed a run of the mill 'let's break down this post-apocalyptic society and attempt to rebuild it because it's wrong' shlock that we're all beyond tired of. Some of us would like to know the ins and outs of a dystopian society before you rip the whole thing down in a revolution.
This book, like the last installment, Insurgent, feels messy. We have characters venturing outside the fence, then back in, then random side characters dying, then a messy coup thrown together, not to mention the dual perspectives all of a sudden (why?) and characters acting completely different than we've known, or turning around on a dime and repenting for zero reasons. This is not even including the crazy non-sensical ending- I'm sure most of you know what it is, but I won't spoil it here.
It was simply too long, and too much wasted potential. If Roth decides to go back and write prequels about the factions, I'd be interested. As it stands, though, I won't ever want to revisit this series.I fall in with majority opinion on this one- it was disappointing, to say the least. There are so many directions that Roth could have gone with this series, and to choose what she did really feels like a lost opportunity. Instead of really getting…
Touched by An AngelTouched by An Angel, Downloadable Audiobook
by Morris, JonathanDownloadable Audiobook - 2011Downloadable Audiobook, 2011
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Jan 04, 2021
Comment:
(note- I read the physical copy of this story, not the audiobook. my review is based on the content of the story, not the quality of the audiobook!)
This Who romp was a lot of fun. The characterization of Matt Smith as Doctor 11 was spot on, and I could see him speaking the lines of dialogue in my head. Amy and Rory were well done also, and added enough to the story to warrant them being involved and not getting in the way. The story follows Mark Whitaker, a man sent back in time by the Weeping Angels inside his own timeline. Mark grapples with the loss of his wife, while living in the past and attempting not to run into his past self or change anything significantly. All this he does with the help of the Doctor and his companions, who appear at different points throughout Mark's timeline. The Weeping Angels play a major part in the story, and are constantly in play and show up almost every chapter. The story is fast paced and short, so it doesn't overstay its welcome or leave you wanting more. The ending is sad, of course (no spoilers here!) but it makes sense in the story itself and the world of Who, so that's all you can really ask for. I'd highly recommend it if you like 11 or the Weeping Angels.(note- I read the physical copy of this story, not the audiobook. my review is based on the content of the story, not the quality of the audiobook!)
This Who romp was a lot of fun. The characterization of Matt Smith as Doctor 11 was spot on, and I…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Jan 01, 2021
Comment:
The third installment of The Wolves Chronicles feels awfully similar to the previous entry, Black Hearts in Battersea. There are missing people, folks hiding their identities, and Hanoverian plot to overthrow the sitting king of England, which it is up to the children of the story to put a stop to. This time we get a different setting- on board a whaling ship to start, and then on the island of Nantucket. The story is fun and whimsical. It includes a pink whale that follows a sea captain around, and a huge cannon that is purported to fire across the Atlantic Ocean. These magical elements add a little something extra to the cozy, fireplace-read. Dido is a much better character in this installment than she was in the previous one, and Dutiful Penitence grows on you as she evolves into the best version of herself. It's a fun little adventure, and I honestly can't wait to get my hands on the next!The third installment of The Wolves Chronicles feels awfully similar to the previous entry, Black Hearts in Battersea. There are missing people, folks hiding their identities, and Hanoverian plot to overthrow the sitting king of England, which it is…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Dec 27, 2020
Comment:
This was a really fun read. Usually when you're promised ghosts or paranormal activities in a story, there are one or two incidents the author provides you with to satisfy their quota, and that is all you see. It seemed that every other chapter had a very intense encounter with the spirits at the motel, and it was extraordinarily creepy. Throw that in with a serial killer and the mystery of a missing woman in the early 80's and you've got yourself one hell of a page turner. Vivian Delaney is the woman from 1982 who is obsessed with finding the murderer of three local girls, and in the process gets more than she bargained for. Decades later, her niece arrives in the same town and ends up working the same shift at the same motel as her aunt, and she becomes embroiled in the same mystery. Carly isn't just trying to figure out who murdered the girls in the 80's though- she's also trying to find out what happened to her aunt, who disappeared one night from the motel without a trace. The book was fast paced and truly enjoyable, except for one aspect; Vivian and Carly were so similar in tone, and age, and personality that I had trouble telling who was speaking in each chapter. I sometimes found myself having to flip back to remind myself whose head I was in, and who was speaking. I truly enjoyed the paranormal aspects in this one, and that's what kept me turning the pages. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves a good ghost story, wrapped in a mystery, wrapped in a hunt for a killer.This was a really fun read. Usually when you're promised ghosts or paranormal activities in a story, there are one or two incidents the author provides you with to satisfy their quota, and that is all you see. It seemed that every other chapter had…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Dec 18, 2020
Comment:
I can certainly see why this is everyone's least favorite entry in the Anne of Green Gables series. It has the same vibe of the previous three, but the stop and start vignette nature of the stories and the epistolary format hampers the experience somewhat. None of the affectionate parts of the letters are included (they are all written to her fiance) which is good and bad. Readers have been waiting so long for Anne and Gilbert to get together, yet they are still denied seeing how they truly feel about each other. On the plus side, it might have been sappy and repetitive had it been included. This is not to say that this installment wasn't an enjoyable read. I had a good time with it- the stories were uplifting and the characters were quirky and interesting. Almost every segment ended well- with a couple getting together, families reunited, or ornery folks getting smoothed down and changed for the better by Anne. It still feels like the same cozy mug of hot cocoa that readers would expect from LM Montgomery at this point, even if it felt a little like the script for episodes of a feel-good TV show. I enjoyed my time with Anne in Windy Poplars, even though this wasn't my favorite book in the series so far. I can't wait for the next!I can certainly see why this is everyone's least favorite entry in the Anne of Green Gables series. It has the same vibe of the previous three, but the stop and start vignette nature of the stories and the epistolary format hampers the experience…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Dec 14, 2020
Comment:
I found this novel to be a very strong follow up to The Fifth Season- which, on the surface, seems like an extremely difficult task. Sophomore efforts often feel like filler, or take the story far off course from the direction and feel of the first. Jemisin continues the story without a hitch, giving us more of the characters that we loved (or loved to hate) from the first; Essun, Alabaster, Schaffa, Tonkee and Hoa, and we get brand new characters and perspectives in Nassun, Jija, Ykka, Hjarka, and many others. The story jumps back in between Essun and Nassun- Essun finds the comm of Castrima, and finds a home among the orogenes and stills that reside there, and learns from Alabaster how to control the obelisks. Nassun and her father's story follows their journey from Tirimo to the comm of Found Moon in the south, where Nassun can hone her skills and learn from orogenes and guardians alike about her powers. The second person narrative was easier to get into this time, and I found myself heavily invested in the story. The story itself was so immersive that at times I had a hard time getting into it, but then also had a hard time putting it down. There were some slow points mid-way, but the last hundred pages or so were riveting. I will definitely be rounding out the trilogy sometime soon.I found this novel to be a very strong follow up to The Fifth Season- which, on the surface, seems like an extremely difficult task. Sophomore efforts often feel like filler, or take the story far off course from the direction and feel of the first.…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Dec 10, 2020
Comment:
I had way more fun with this than I thought I would. I'd heard a lot of good things about the series, but was reluctant to jump in because it's so darn long. The library had a copy available one day on audiobook, so I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about. This isn't your typical 80's noire cop procedural- Naked In Death takes place in the future (about 40ish years from now) and Eve Dallas is everything you could want in a cop- nose to the grindstone, serious about the law and her role with it, and willing to fall head over heels into romance; as long as it doesn't jeopardize her job, of course. The murders are gritty and dark and meticulous. The stakes are high, and there was never a low point in the book where the plot dragged. I also wasn't expecting a steamy romance, but looking back, the book is written by Nora Roberts, so I suppose I should have seen that one coming. Roarke plays his part well as a young, rich and attractive businessman who falls for Eve and ends up assisting in her investigation. It's a quick, enjoyable read, if you enjoy cop procedurals, murder mysteries and a little bit of romance tossed in. I don't usually label a book with content warnings, but this novel touches on some topics that I think folks should at least be aware of before diving in (including incest, rape, and violent murder).I had way more fun with this than I thought I would. I'd heard a lot of good things about the series, but was reluctant to jump in because it's so darn long. The library had a copy available one day on audiobook, so I thought I'd see what all the…
Suitability
Ages 18
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Dec 10, 2020
Comment:
This novel just feels messy. It's ridiculously long for no particular reason, and I couldn't even begin to describe to you the plot- not because there is none, but because there seem to be so many things happening that have no point or consequence and I wouldn't be able to distill it down into a proper summary. There are a few key things I can recall about this book that will stick with me; we are introduced to Amity, Candor and the factionless, and understand their rules, their part in society and their way of life. Tris allows herself to get kidnapped and tortured at some point by the Erudite, and Marcus plays a rather important role because he's the last of the Abnegation privy to some important information. That's really it. The rest is just noise- a spy mission here, a chase scene there, someone shooting someone else, a side character dying. It felt like a disjointed yo-yo at times. This book really suffered from lack of editing. About 200 pages really should have been culled to make the story more succinct, and it would have pulled together nicely. As it sits? There's some good moments, but the bulk of it is forgettable and muddled.This novel just feels messy. It's ridiculously long for no particular reason, and I couldn't even begin to describe to you the plot- not because there is none, but because there seem to be so many things happening that have no point or consequence…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Dec 04, 2020
Comment:
I think this is one of those cases where I can understand why folks like this novella, but I don't think it's entirely for me. There's no info-dump or several chapters of exposition or set up- you're tossed right into the middle of the action in the future, on a far away planet with a genderless robot and its scientific survey team it's charged to protect. Information is provided seamlessly and effortlessly, and by the time I was halfway through the book I felt I had quite a good grasp on the world, its rules and the characters. The mystery was intriguing enough, and I found myself wanting to continue turning the pages to find out what happened next. It honestly felt like a Doctor Who story in some sections. It also felt like just the right length- any longer would have felt too long and drawn out, any shorter and I would have felt cheated out of the story specifics. The only thing I didn't like was the SecUnit self named Murderbot itself. The way it went out of its way to be anti-social and avoid people. The obsession with watching tv shows. The desire to do absolutely anything save what it was supposed to do really got old after awhile. You're a robot, this is your job- get over it. Other than that, this was a very well written, very well put together novella, and I enjoyed my time with it.I think this is one of those cases where I can understand why folks like this novella, but I don't think it's entirely for me. There's no info-dump or several chapters of exposition or set up- you're tossed right into the middle of the action in the…
Once Upon A TimeOnce Upon A Time, DVDThe Complete Third Season
DVD - 2014DVD, 2014
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Nov 20, 2020
Once Upon A TimeOnce Upon A Time, DVDThe Complete Second Season
DVD - 2013DVD, 2013
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Nov 20, 2020
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Nov 12, 2020
Comment:
I had to sit on this one for a day or so to gather my thoughts to talk about it. I went in not sure that I would like it, since I'm not a huge fan of mermaids. The idea was intriguing enough- the mermaid's ancestors were the pregnant slaves thrown overboard during the slave trade, and the babies born from them developed into mermaids. I think the thing that hit me the most was the whys behind it. Is this our world? Is the water magical? How did it turn humans into mermaids? Where is Yetu's home? Does her interaction with Oori take place in the far future, or the present? What is this war between humans and mermaids that was talked about? What happened? There are too many unanswered questions here, and they all could have been answered IF THE BOOK WERE LONGER. There are just way too many knowledge gaps for me to enjoy the story or find it believable. The book is a measly 160 pages. It would have been a beautiful, in depth, well rounded story at 200 pages more. It was also confusing. The story bounced from present to past, and I had trouble following what the heck was happening. A heading for the chapter or a little more explanation would have been key. The other thing that grinds my gears... four authors? Really? The music group wrote a song that inspired Rivers to write the story. Ok, so name them on the dedication page. Acknowledge them at the end. You don't need to have them as co-authors on a 160 page book. That's just absurd, and feels like a shameless plug in to sell the music group.
There's a few good things here. The inclusivity, in terms of gender roles and sexuality was wonderful, and flowed well with the story- it didn't feel forced or shoe-horned. The historians and the ceremony of the sharing of the history was a wonderfully unique idea. The way the mermaids talk- through electricity, makes sense and is something I haven't seen suggested before.
All in all, great ideas, but confusingly put together and at an unsatisfying length.I had to sit on this one for a day or so to gather my thoughts to talk about it. I went in not sure that I would like it, since I'm not a huge fan of mermaids. The idea was intriguing enough- the mermaid's ancestors were the pregnant slaves thrown…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Nov 11, 2020
Comment:
I feel like this book suffers from the 'great idea, zero follow through' issue. The dystopian set up is intriguing- post-apocalyptic Chicago, walled off from the rest of the world, and civilization is split up into five factions, and at the age of 16, you can choose which you'd like to belong to for the rest of your life. The focus (rather like Harry Potter in this sense) is rather narrow, which is disappointing. Like Harry Potter, which focuses mainly on the Griffindor house, Divergent focuses mainly on the Dauntless faction. We see every step of their initiation process- the fighting, the facing of fears, the sabotaging, the favoritism, the fear landscapes. But we see very little of Abnegation and Erudite, and NOTHING from Amity or Candor, which very frustrating, especially if you're a reader who finds yourself pulled towards one of those factions. I feel as though the novel would have been much more enjoyable if it followed several perspectives of kids crossing factions, so we'd get a better overall view of the society and how it functions. You can't expect me to care about a society's downfall if I've only seen a small portion of it. Not only that, Tris is a very divisive character. You either like her, or you don't, and that can sway how you feel about the novel itself. The only character I really cared about was Tobias, frankly. Overall, I'd say it was an interesting experience. I'm not sure I like where the story is headed, but I'll continue anyways.I feel like this book suffers from the 'great idea, zero follow through' issue. The dystopian set up is intriguing- post-apocalyptic Chicago, walled off from the rest of the world, and civilization is split up into five factions, and at the age of…
Little House on the PrairieLittle House on the Prairie, Book
by Wilder, Laura IngallsBook - 2004Book, 2004
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Nov 07, 2020
Comment:
Technically, this is a reread, but I haven't read it in 30 years. I don't remember much of it besides the building of the house and the digging of the well, so most of it was new to me. I didn't love this one as much as Little House in the Big Woods, only because the Ingalls family spent so little of their time actually in the finished house on the prairie. Most of the book was travelling, finding a place, then building everything. The moment they built the house and grounds the way they wanted it, they found they had to move again, which was quite frustrating. It was fascinating to see how the house was built, along with the doors, the fireplace, the floors and the well. It took two whole days to travel to the nearest town and back. I think what draws so many readers to this series is it's like reading about an entirely different world. Everything took hard work, and you really were responsible for your own lives- successes and losses. I really appreciate these books so much- they're like a warm blanket in times of stress, and an easy way to look back at how hard times used to be and how easy we have them now. I'm looking forward to the next, to be sure.Technically, this is a reread, but I haven't read it in 30 years. I don't remember much of it besides the building of the house and the digging of the well, so most of it was new to me. I didn't love this one as much as Little House in the Big…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Oct 30, 2020
Comment:
Well, this was uninspiring. There's nothing about this book that stands out to me and I will remember it for. It simply exists. It did nothing interesting or memorable. The characters were wooden and without depth. There were so many of them with the same personality I was confused as to who was who. The relationships didn't feel real. Sheila is attracted to Jerry in the beginning (ok, why?) and accepts an offer to fly all the way down to Mexico on the off-chance she might see him again, and drops him just as quickly as she was initially obsessed. Then she starts hanging out with Tony (one of the Ortega sons) and seems disinterested, and then at the end is willing to die for him? That type of sacrifice isn't earned, not even a little. I had no idea she had romantic feelings for him until the last minute. The relationship never blossomed. It didn't have a chance to, and I didn't care about it or believe in it. The mystery aspect should have been fleshed out more as well. There wasn't enough to get me engaged in the story, in the history of Mexico or the treasure that they were supposed to be after. Who is this guy who just showed up 2/3 of the way through? Why do we care? Many of the motivations of the characters were also confusing. I think this book would have been so much better had more been added- in the way of character depth, relationship growth, and backstory of the characters and history of the treasure. As it stands, it read quickly, it was a fine distraction, but it wasn't very good.Well, this was uninspiring. There's nothing about this book that stands out to me and I will remember it for. It simply exists. It did nothing interesting or memorable. The characters were wooden and without depth. There were so many of them with…
RebelBelle13's rating:
Added Oct 28, 2020
Comment:
Every time I'm brought back into Anne's world, I thoroughly enjoy myself. Montgomery's third installment in the Anne of Green Gables series is no different. Anne is attending college on the mainland, but there is still a good amount of nostalgia for Anne's girlhood days on Prince Edward Island. Anne makes new friends, and stays in touch with the old ones. They attend classes, keep house, gain pets, and court. This book covers Anne's entire college career, so there are many moments that are simply glossed over. I would have liked to have seen what one of her classes was like, for example. Or have her walk around the campus and describe it. We learn more about the people in Anne's life (past and present) than we do anything else. This is my only gripe. Anne truly enjoys college, and meeting new people, and living in Patty's Place, and visiting Avonlea, and those moments just burst from the page. This is another warm blanket, cup of hot cocoa on a winter's day book, and I really had a good time with it.Every time I'm brought back into Anne's world, I thoroughly enjoy myself. Montgomery's third installment in the Anne of Green Gables series is no different. Anne is attending college on the mainland, but there is still a good amount of nostalgia for…
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