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dannilmp's reviews
70 reviews
- 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
2.0
This series is starting to feel as though its dragging its heels now, I'm not sure we needed a third installment at all? It seems the character writing becomes sloppier the more books we progress through. If I'm being honest, I don't like either of the twins characters and this is not something that will change over the course of the rest of the series I'm sure. There was nothing really that captivated me about Children of Dune and I'll only be continuing the series because there's nothing worse than leaving a series half read.
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Incest, and Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Minor: War
- 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
2.0
Of all the books in the series, this one didn't stick out much to me so it's hard to think of anything I actually enjoyed while reading it as I write this review months after I finished the novel. Watching the plot against Leto unfold was quite interesting, due to Leto's character I didn't think they would be able to plot anything against him at all without him being able to detect and ruin it.
Sometimes, the writing in this book was not great, especially when it came to Leto I starting to monologue on certain mundane things. I know he has all these great powers now but, it seemed to me that he just enjoyed hearing the sound of his own voice by trying to philosophise all these little things. That or he just really didn't like talking to some people and wanted to bore them to sleep?
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Incest
- 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? No
2.75
The world building in this novel is superb, the politics, religion, factions, and planets are very well fleshed out and don't leave you wanting for much more information. If you have all of your wits about you when you start this book then I think you'll be able to keep up with the plot quite well. The touch of the passages from different sources before each chapter was a good addition as at times they revealed more than the reader yet knew, so it really got me thinking about certain characters or plot points throughout.
On the other hand, I felt like the characters themselves were not given as much attention as the world around them, they felt very flat in comparision. At times I would have to re-read certain parts of the text to see if I had understood something and even then there were times I don't believe I had a full understanding, especially when it came to the politics plot points. So while the story and world were good, I think this book fell slightly on the delivery of those points.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Death of parent
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
For being only a novella length book, Carrie really packs a punch in such a short number of pages. The use of mixed media from excepts, transcripts and newspaper clippings was a nice touch. Introduced before the reader has too much knowledge which helps to keep you on your toes just wondering how such catastrophic events come to be toward the end of the book. I am so glad that King's wife made him finish writing this novella.
Bullying is a topic close to my heart so I must admit some scenes made me quite uncomfortable but this didn't stop me from finishing the book. But boy, King sure does love his
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying and Fire/Fire injury
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It is King's ability to write a good atmospheric horror setting that makes me enjoy all of his work so much, the descriptions of the vampires, of their creation, their impact on the town and the rest of the living is so stomach churning,
I must say I wasn't a fan of the epilogue section of the novel, I thought this dragged out, didn't really add much more to the story but also didn't help to make the ending of the novel any clearer. In fact I think the epilogue muddied the experience and put me off of any ideas of a re-read any time soon.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think it's the otherworldy mysteries of Beyond the Wall and dragons and remnants of magic that mostly kept me interested in this book. Had it been just a plain world setting as the backdrop I would have put this book down long before the last pages. I enjoyed following through the different perspectives of all the characters and almost getting a dragon's eye view of the entire world rather than just one small section.
On the other hand, the writing is very dark at times, uneccesarily so and involves far more rape, murder and pillaging that I think is ever needed in any series. But it does convey such a sense of darkness to the world and ensures the reader is fully aware that this will not, in any way shape or form, be a happy world.
Graphic: Death, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
While I didn't like Jack Torrence's character, I must commend King on being able to write a character that I hate but love at the same time? Jack's character is very well written and watching his descent into madness while caring for the hotel made shivers crawl down my spine. Certain scenes made me put the book down to process, including both the bathtub scene and
I don't think Wendy got enough character development, or at least she seemed like the least important member of the family during their stay. I still think she was well written regardless, but I would have liked to have seen some of the supernatural in her as well as the boys.
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Alcohol
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I really enjoyed getting involved with this book and taking the time between sections to review the facts and try to deduce the case. Taking breaks is made a little easier as the whole book is told through texts, emails, phone records and the like. I must admit I hadn't gotten the murderer right so I was still suprised when all the case wrapped up and I had been completely lead astray by red herrings!
While both the book and the experience were highly enjoyable, my reasoning for the lower star rating is the fact that I cannot see myself reading the book again now that I know the answers to the questions. Maybe if I re-read it I could see where I had gotten my facts wrong the previous time or maybe retrospectively I could put more clues together. I may re-read it one day but it certainly won't be any time soon.
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
My favourite story from this collection is the one where the months of the year are telling stories to one another. There was just something so other worldy about it that it just captivated me. I loved the way it wasn't entirely clear cut at the end and there was some thought to be had about the ending itself. The problem with Susan was another good one, mainly because I have always loved the Narnia series and I think Neil's short story was a fitting addition to the tale.
There were a few poems in this collection and while I did read through them, I don't think I fully appreciated them as poetry isn't really my thing. But they did serve as a nice little break between longer pieces. I would recommend this book if you prefer reading in short bursts as you can take the time to put the book down and digest whatever hellish concept you've just finished reading.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Pedophilia
- 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
3.75