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dyslexzak's reviews
249 reviews
Story Trumps Structure: How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules by Steven James
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I don’t necessarily agree with everything thought on writing out across, but still this is one of the most densely packed books on writing fiction I’ve ever read.
In a good way. There’s a brilliant piece of insight on every few pages. Things that aren’t in every book on writing.
I personally plot out my stories ahead of time - the exact opposite to what this book is recommending - but still I’ve learned so many actionable pieces of advice that I can use to improve my writing.
In a good way. There’s a brilliant piece of insight on every few pages. Things that aren’t in every book on writing.
I personally plot out my stories ahead of time - the exact opposite to what this book is recommending - but still I’ve learned so many actionable pieces of advice that I can use to improve my writing.
The Gift by Lewis Hyde
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.0
Some of it was very interesting, but I found parts hard to understand. The later chapters on particular artists were incredibly dense and difficult to understand. I wasn't sure what it had to do with the overall subject of the book.
Overall, probably worth reading for artists, but I think you'd get the most out of it by skipping around and only reading the parts that interest you most.
Overall, probably worth reading for artists, but I think you'd get the most out of it by skipping around and only reading the parts that interest you most.
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised, but this is a very impressive novel. The characters felt so real. The situations flowed from one to another so simply, it felt like I was seeing their characters' whole lives.
The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
When I started this story, I was worried. There are a lot of distracting and unnecessary synonyms for 'said' to begin with.
It opens with a sequence made up entirely of dialogue and dialogue tags, but once that ended, I was invested. And with the first raising of the stakes at about the 25% mark, I was hooked and didn't notice another dialogue tag throughout.
It opens with a sequence made up entirely of dialogue and dialogue tags, but once that ended, I was invested. And with the first raising of the stakes at about the 25% mark, I was hooked and didn't notice another dialogue tag throughout.
Berserk, Vol. 19 by Kentaro Miura
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
We really get to know some of the newer characters. It's amazing how well characterised they are in so little time.
They are so believable. I understand their motivations and yet there is still mystery to them. The sort of mystery that lets you trust there's something there, and not that the writer just needs them to serve a purpose. Every character in the story is there because it makes sense for them to be there, acting on their motivations, goals, and fears.
It's excellent story telling.
They are so believable. I understand their motivations and yet there is still mystery to them. The sort of mystery that lets you trust there's something there, and not that the writer just needs them to serve a purpose. Every character in the story is there because it makes sense for them to be there, acting on their motivations, goals, and fears.
It's excellent story telling.
Mischief Acts by Zoe Gilbert
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The feel of this book is perfect.
I think aided by the structure of the faintly connected stories. Some of them I didn't enjoy as much as others, but that's the way when each chapter is somewhat different to the last.
This felt like an ambitious book and with that in mind, it was impressive in execution.
I think aided by the structure of the faintly connected stories. Some of them I didn't enjoy as much as others, but that's the way when each chapter is somewhat different to the last.
This felt like an ambitious book and with that in mind, it was impressive in execution.
Berserk, Vol. 18 by Kentaro Miura
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Really starting to enjoy some of the new characters that I didn't much care for before. We're learning a lot more about them and it's revealing that there's more depth to them than appeared to be the case.
The tension is really rising now. I can't wait to see what happens next.
The tension is really rising now. I can't wait to see what happens next.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R.R. Martin
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
An impressive collection of stories. They seem so delightfully meandering and yet by the end, you realise that every little detail was necessary.
The structure of short novellas in a mostly episodic series is really approachable and enjoyable.
You don't have to know anything else about the world of A Song of Ice and Fire, or the Game of Thrones TV show to enjoy this book. Everyone should read it.
The structure of short novellas in a mostly episodic series is really approachable and enjoyable.
You don't have to know anything else about the world of A Song of Ice and Fire, or the Game of Thrones TV show to enjoy this book. Everyone should read it.
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Really streamlined little book. No fluff.
I thought the autobiographical first half was interesting and set up the second half nicely.
The latter half was the most interesting to me, and I appreciated that it didn't out stay its welcome. What needed to be said was said and then the book ended.
Everyone should read.
I thought the autobiographical first half was interesting and set up the second half nicely.
The latter half was the most interesting to me, and I appreciated that it didn't out stay its welcome. What needed to be said was said and then the book ended.
Everyone should read.
Slow Horses by Mick Herron
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
If you like this sort of thing, this is a good one.