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the_midwest_library's reviews
733 reviews
Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Okay so this was fabulous, which I was extremely happy about because I did DNF Blacktongued Thief (I didn't vibe with the MCs humor).
This was super compelling from a historical and political/religious standpoint, I thought the characters were fabulous. The story is darker which I appreciated. Some of the theming was a bit repetitive but that's like such a nitpicky complaint. Overall a fabulous read
This was super compelling from a historical and political/religious standpoint, I thought the characters were fabulous. The story is darker which I appreciated. Some of the theming was a bit repetitive but that's like such a nitpicky complaint. Overall a fabulous read
Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
3.5
3.5 rounded up
Spoiler Free Review
Alright, wow we finished this magnificent beast. I just want to preface this review by saying I have been reading Sanderson's books for years, but I read his books for his world building, his unique magic systems and his characters first and foremost. I do not read his books with a cosmere forward enjoyment perspective. I think that's important to preface in the beginning of this review because I believe that if you are somebody who really loves those cosmere forward elements that this will probably be a knockout for you.
While there are so many spectacular moments within this book, I really think that the overall flow, prose, and editing of this installment of the series was the weakest of all five books. Specifically with pacing issues and with a bloated narrative structure which swapped back and forth excessively between povs, sometimes after a single paragraph.
I had a great time with the last 400 pages of this book, but I am getting very tired of waiting to have a great time until the last few hundred pages of these books. But let's talk about what I loved...
I absolutely adored Adolin in this installment, and found the direction his character went in extremely compelling. I really liked what we got from Szeth and NB, as well as Dalinar (for the most part).
Some things that I did not love include how preachy and meta Kals arc became in this book. It really took me out of the book several times and his characterization was extremely jarring for me, especially just coming off a reread of RoW. I had an issue with the very end of Dalinar's arc in this book and I felt as though it undermined the impact of his choices and growth (BT iykyk).
I can reflect on this book and acknowledge that I had such a spectacular time and there were such spectacular moments within this book. But when I look at this book as a whole I think to myself, did this book give me the same feelings that I got when I read The Way of Kings for the first time? The answer is no. It's nowhere close. I think that there were too many pots on the stove and the plot was lost amongst all of the Easter eggs that I'm sure I will think are amazing five books from now. But I'm not five books from now, and what the plot gave me in this specific book, I do not think lived up to any of the other books in the series for me personally.
That is not to say that this is not a phenomenal book. I am a fairly harsh reviewer but I try to be an honest and a fair reviewer. I love this series! I love these characters! But this book felt odd and overworked to me.
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Okay let's talk about what I loved and didn't love about this bad boy.
What I loved: the world is fascinating, the political system is so juicy and just reeks of manipulation from page 1 which I ate up. I loved our characters and found them all deeply flawed but all exceptionally likeable still which is a hard balance to maintain.
What I didn't love: I felt like some elements of the overall plot were predictable....which really annoyed me because some of the plot is like WHOA WHAT!?! I'm not saying the story was cliché but some of the elements just felt tired compared to how spectacular some other elements were. I also did not find the romance necessary or wanted. It felt rushed in the timeframe the book covers and frankly I think it took away from some of the characters integrity at time.
But frankly overall this is a spectacular book about control, sexism, racism, colonization, history erasure. Some really complex themes that I really enjoyed.
What I loved: the world is fascinating, the political system is so juicy and just reeks of manipulation from page 1 which I ate up. I loved our characters and found them all deeply flawed but all exceptionally likeable still which is a hard balance to maintain.
What I didn't love: I felt like some elements of the overall plot were predictable....which really annoyed me because some of the plot is like WHOA WHAT!?! I'm not saying the story was cliché but some of the elements just felt tired compared to how spectacular some other elements were. I also did not find the romance necessary or wanted. It felt rushed in the timeframe the book covers and frankly I think it took away from some of the characters integrity at time.
But frankly overall this is a spectacular book about control, sexism, racism, colonization, history erasure. Some really complex themes that I really enjoyed.
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
3.0
Alright so....this is a weird one to review. Firstly, the premise may be a bit meta/triggering for some. You really have to be comfortable with a story that really smacks you in the face with your own mortality.
I think the book was a bit "live, laugh, love" for me at times. I also think some of the character arcs were a bit stop and go pacing wise.
Overall it was a really interesting read, maybe it will grow on me in the rear view.
I think the book was a bit "live, laugh, love" for me at times. I also think some of the character arcs were a bit stop and go pacing wise.
Overall it was a really interesting read, maybe it will grow on me in the rear view.
The Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.0
I finally read the last of the Sanderson Secret Projects. I saved this one for after my reread of the Stormlight Archive and I'm so glad I did!
Overall I think this book has some seriously spectacular callbacks and Easter eggs, both retrospective and prospective. I really enjoyed our main character and I definitely caught on very quickly as to who this book was about but I know other readers spent the whole book wondering who exactly Nomad was. So the cryptic nature of how his POV was provided I think was great.
My biggest gripe with the book is that I really felt like this book specifically was just kind of floating in space out in the cosmere without anything to really ground it. I think that the selling points for this specific book are those Easter eggs and those callbacks, and those little sprinklings of potential future secrets that we are getting. I think the plot of this book if I were to look at it independently was weaker for me.
Overall, I had a really enjoyable experience. I'm glad that I waited to read this until after my reread, but this definitely is not an impactful story for me as a Sanderson reader. I have felt more impact from some of his short stories and novellas compared to this from a plotting standpoint.
Overall I think this book has some seriously spectacular callbacks and Easter eggs, both retrospective and prospective. I really enjoyed our main character and I definitely caught on very quickly as to who this book was about but I know other readers spent the whole book wondering who exactly Nomad was. So the cryptic nature of how his POV was provided I think was great.
My biggest gripe with the book is that I really felt like this book specifically was just kind of floating in space out in the cosmere without anything to really ground it. I think that the selling points for this specific book are those Easter eggs and those callbacks, and those little sprinklings of potential future secrets that we are getting. I think the plot of this book if I were to look at it independently was weaker for me.
Overall, I had a really enjoyable experience. I'm glad that I waited to read this until after my reread, but this definitely is not an impactful story for me as a Sanderson reader. I have felt more impact from some of his short stories and novellas compared to this from a plotting standpoint.
Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was the pick for my irl bookclub, overall I thought the story was really compelling but the writing style and presentation may be a barrier for some.
The story is told over several short story "chapters" which do not really have any chronological ordering to them, but instead are tied together through theming. The flip flopping back and forth between events/ages/timelines is a bit jarring.
However, the overall impact of the story at large is great. I particularly enjoyed the weaving of the directional theming (red, white, black and yellow) throughout the book. I thought the narrative voice was fairly strong and the story really challenges a lot of indigenous stereotyping.
The story is told over several short story "chapters" which do not really have any chronological ordering to them, but instead are tied together through theming. The flip flopping back and forth between events/ages/timelines is a bit jarring.
However, the overall impact of the story at large is great. I particularly enjoyed the weaving of the directional theming (red, white, black and yellow) throughout the book. I thought the narrative voice was fairly strong and the story really challenges a lot of indigenous stereotyping.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Sexual assault
Gwelf: The Survival Guide by Larry Macdougall
medium-paced
5.0
This is absolutely adorable and the perfect book for me to pickup. This book has wonderful illustrations which guide you through the city and the world of Gwelf. Where should you shop? What supplies will you bring? And will you meet friend or foe?
It was super cute. I'll probably pick up the second one eventually.
It was super cute. I'll probably pick up the second one eventually.
Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
4.0
Monza, Monza, Monza what ever will we all do with you?
Did I enjoy this? Absolutely!
Was it my favourite installment in the world? No.
I enjoyed the cast of characters and I thought that the parallels between Monza and her physical... difficulties (to keep it spoiler free) were going to be a nice foil against Glokta's but I honestly felt like as the plot proceeded her issues were not really as meaningful in terms of her journey. So I think I just had a mismatched expectation and saw that as a bit of a lost opportunity. But frankly that's such a nitpicky complaint of my own making.
The side characters were good, the little "reveal" in this was interesting but I think the writing was on the walls with that one hahaha. I'm curious how this will impact the next installments in the world.
Did I enjoy this? Absolutely!
Was it my favourite installment in the world? No.
I enjoyed the cast of characters and I thought that the parallels between Monza and her physical... difficulties (to keep it spoiler free) were going to be a nice foil against Glokta's but I honestly felt like as the plot proceeded her issues were not really as meaningful in terms of her journey. So I think I just had a mismatched expectation and saw that as a bit of a lost opportunity. But frankly that's such a nitpicky complaint of my own making.
The side characters were good, the little "reveal" in this was interesting but I think the writing was on the walls with that one hahaha. I'm curious how this will impact the next installments in the world.
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 11 by Kamome Shirahama
4.0
I enjoyed this installment, as always. I do find that the volumes of this manga are a bit formulaic, every volume is laid out extremely similar in terms of how the narrative flutters back and forth between the main plot for that volume and the fluff haha. It doesn't take away from the enjoyment but it does kind of always crack me up while reading them.
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
informative
fast-paced
4.0
I quite loved this. The intersection of class, race and gender in the discussion of feminism is an absolute necessity. I don't think this was a deep dive into the topics by any stretch but it's such a great conversation starter for many of these issues.