Scan barcode
crusoe's reviews
173 reviews
Wat wij zagen by Hanna Bervoets
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Prima verhaal maar niet heel spectaculair. Ik vond het mysterie van het ergste dat de hoofdpersoon zelf gezien heeft en hoe het inspeelt op haar verergerende mentale toestand wel spannend. Vooral ook omdat ze een onbetrouwbare verteller is.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Once you accept that Ready Player One is a book that was best enjoyed by nerdy, millennial, teen boys, it starts to become way more fun to read.
The writing isn't perfect and Wade being extremely overpowered is a disastrous recipe for shattering your suspension of disbelief. However, if you manage to turn your brain off long enough to get immersed in the apocalyptic world, you'll find a great story full of fun twists, sinister capitalistic villains to be beaten, nuggets of great speculative fiction and a nerdy quest that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
P.S. I'm of the rare opinion that this book isn't sexist. The world is, sure, because it's a worse version of our own, but both Aech and Art3mis are well-rounded characters (even if art3mis mirrors the manic pixie dreamgirl trope). Once you accept that Wade has a POV that is hella biased because he's a very horny teenage boy who is experiencing a first crush, this starts to make sense.
The writing isn't perfect and Wade being extremely overpowered is a disastrous recipe for shattering your suspension of disbelief. However, if you manage to turn your brain off long enough to get immersed in the apocalyptic world, you'll find a great story full of fun twists, sinister capitalistic villains to be beaten, nuggets of great speculative fiction and a nerdy quest that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
P.S. I'm of the rare opinion that this book isn't sexist. The world is, sure, because it's a worse version of our own, but both Aech and Art3mis are well-rounded characters (even if art3mis mirrors the manic pixie dreamgirl trope). Once you accept that Wade has a POV that is hella biased because he's a very horny teenage boy who is experiencing a first crush, this starts to make sense.
WildSpark by Vashti Hardy
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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? No
4.25
The personifate remind me a little of the Daemons from His Dark Materials and I would say the world-building is about as good as well! While the characters occasionally fall into stereotype (especially Cora), their relationships are endearing.
The world-building is definitely it's strongest part: this book could've been an instant classic if the story had been just a tad sharper, a tad cleverer. I was fully expectingEdwin to be Prue's brother since it was unclear at the beginning whether souls take their original voice and there were some plotpoints that hinted at it I think what ended up happening was a better way to deal with the topic of grief and letting go but I was disappointed that the plottwists that did happen were only very lightly hinted at.
The clear inspiration(wendigoos) behind the villainous personifate machines at the end also makes me take my rating down.
That said, I did enjoy this book. It was a very comforting read and it's great to give to fantasy loving middleschool kids.
The world-building is definitely it's strongest part: this book could've been an instant classic if the story had been just a tad sharper, a tad cleverer. I was fully expecting
The clear inspiration
That said, I did enjoy this book. It was a very comforting read and it's great to give to fantasy loving middleschool kids.
She Gets the Girl by Alyson Derrick, Rachael Lippincott
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I finished she gets the girl in a day; these chapters are like eating popcorn, it's hard to stop!
I think books by this author fall into the same category as Albertalli books in the sense that they're very comforting to read but not all that deep. The main characters were cute, I liked their character development and the activities they take on together but I do think their romance went from slowburn friendship to head over heels rather fast near the end. All in all, a nice read!
I think books by this author fall into the same category as Albertalli books in the sense that they're very comforting to read but not all that deep. The main characters were cute, I liked their character development and the activities they take on together but I do think their romance went from slowburn friendship to head over heels rather fast near the end. All in all, a nice read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Toxic relationship
Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 42%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 42%.
I really wanted to like this book, and truly it's not bad but I had a hard time getting invested in the characters and story. That's why I'm dropping it.
I like sci-fi, I like romance, but I don't think these aspects of the story lift each other up and the marketing was more focused on the romance which ended up taking a backseat to the sci-fi and mystery.
I like Kiem's and Jainan's characterization and their dynamic is okay but seeing Kiem go out of his way for Jainan only for Jainan to read this as him causing trouble for Kiem was extremely frustrating. The world-building also just did not speak to me much and I had a hard time keeping track of all the important side characters.
I like sci-fi, I like romance, but I don't think these aspects of the story lift each other up and the marketing was more focused on the romance which ended up taking a backseat to the sci-fi and mystery.
I like Kiem's and Jainan's characterization and their dynamic is okay but seeing Kiem go out of his way for Jainan only for Jainan to read this as him causing trouble for Kiem was extremely frustrating. The world-building also just did not speak to me much and I had a hard time keeping track of all the important side characters.
Down Under: Travels in a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
Reading a Bryson book is like eating cheesecake for me: I shouldn't do it too often but once in a while it's exactly what I need.
I don't think Down Under is as evocative as Bryson's other work and it has some points of repetitiveness. (There's only so many times you can talk about arid landscapes and small town museums before it becomes stale.) But generally speaking it was a fun ride.
I don't think Down Under is as evocative as Bryson's other work and it has some points of repetitiveness. (There's only so many times you can talk about arid landscapes and small town museums before it becomes stale.) But generally speaking it was a fun ride.
Fire and Ice by Erin Hunter
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I like the emphasis on how not having any kin in the clan makes Fireheart feel. It can be frustrating to constantly read about Fireheart's indecision regarding Tigerclaw and Greystripe but luckily there's more going on in the story. I think this part sets up a lot of important plot points for later on in the series.
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How to be Calm in a Busy World by Haemin Sunim
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
3.0
This book qualifies for the championship 'open deuren intrappen' (kicking in open doors) as we say in the Netherlands. I understand why it is popular because the succint advise and pretty art give it a broad appeal. The advice given is solid enough, however, it's especially good for those who have never given a critical thought in their life to their self-development.
That said, it made for a relaxing read.
That said, it made for a relaxing read.
Into the Wild by Erin Hunter
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It is true: Warriors really is middle grade game of thrones.
For me, this book was a great nostalgic read and I will be rereading the other books of the first series in the future. I love how distinct the behaviour and looks of each of the main characters is; you get a really good sense of their character. However, one issue I have is that the plot is very dense. A lot of things happen in a very short time which does not give the plot much room to breathe. That said, I am still smitten with this series and I'm looking forward to experiencing it all over again.
For me, this book was a great nostalgic read and I will be rereading the other books of the first series in the future. I love how distinct the behaviour and looks of each of the main characters is; you get a really good sense of their character. However, one issue I have is that the plot is very dense. A lot of things happen in a very short time which does not give the plot much room to breathe. That said, I am still smitten with this series and I'm looking forward to experiencing it all over again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Dracula by Bram Stoker
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
It is easy to see why this is a classic! Not only does it surmise all the popular tropes we now attach to vampires but the story is genuinely tragic and compelling.
Considering the many reviews that comment on the writing style; the style of diary entries and newspaper articles being hard to read, choosing to experience it ad an audio book was a good choice. Mike Bennet gives a nice dramatic tone to each of the characters which makes for a very pleasant reading.
Considering the many reviews that comment on the writing style; the style of diary entries and newspaper articles being hard to read, choosing to experience it ad an audio book was a good choice. Mike Bennet gives a nice dramatic tone to each of the characters which makes for a very pleasant reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail