Scan barcode
twirl's reviews
100 reviews
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
4.0
I guess right! Kinda…
This started out seeming like any typical detective book. I found it interesting how most of the scenes were one on one interviews, something I actually quite liked. I enjoy how the smallest of clues are placed before the reader, without my even noticing. It is very satisfying when Poirot begins to string these clues together with the larger, obvious clues, for a grand reveal. Once I realized what was happening, I was giddy with anticipation of what was to come. And honestly, that ending? Very satisfying.
This started out seeming like any typical detective book. I found it interesting how most of the scenes were one on one interviews, something I actually quite liked. I enjoy how the smallest of clues are placed before the reader, without my even noticing. It is very satisfying when Poirot begins to string these clues together with the larger, obvious clues, for a grand reveal. Once I realized what was happening, I was giddy with anticipation of what was to come. And honestly, that ending? Very satisfying.
Out of Touch: How to Survive an Intimacy Famine by Michelle Drouin
2.5
The topic of this book is a big one- and one that sorely needs addressing. However, I felt like the author didn’t really address the issue. Many times it felt like a tangent on another unrelated topic, as well as woes about technology because “back in my day”. The tips were mostly common sense and while I certainly learned some facts about marriage and life expectancy, I didn't learn very much about what I came to learn. Chapters 2 & 3 were the most insightful on the topic, as well as the summary tips at the end of each chapter. I'd recommend reading that, but not the whole book.
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black
2.0
As expected, this book is not anything like its full versions. Similar to book 1.5, it is from a different perspective with the goal of filling in some of the story gaps and providing insight onto the characters actions and backstory. Some of the insight on scenes we read about earlier in the series was interesting, but the rest felt like fluff background as well as a small story on an event that happened after book 3. I don’t love “and then” storytelling (which, as I said in my review of book 1.5, these .5 books tend to have) but being that this is the final book of the series, I was hoping it would have a more epilogue feel, with some insight on how life was going after the events of the 3rd book. And maybe more romance, rather than self pity.
But not a bad book, and a quick read.
But not a bad book, and a quick read.
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
4.0
This book was cheesy, so so cheesy. But it was also very fun in its cheesiness. I just love a book with a queer cast of characters who are just full with life and love. It makes me really crave that kind of queer community, where you are surrounded by people who support you no matter what and make you laugh endlessly.
The love story was fun, and I really enjoyed how the author’s knowledge of New York and other things made the character feel real.
A fun read.
The love story was fun, and I really enjoyed how the author’s knowledge of New York and other things made the character feel real.
A fun read.
The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
3.0
This series was pretty good. I loved the political drama and the slow burn romance. Book 2 was certainly the best of the series. All 3 books had great plot twist and character development moments, but book 1 and 3 had moments of really slow progression as well as whiplash moments.
This book kind of annoyed me with its side plot points (specifically with her twin) that just did not make sense. I was surprised that they never really circled back on that and addressed what happened or at least used it to help the plot in another way aside from the beginning. This book also hinged the ending on a twist that was very obvious. However, it wrapped up nicely.
All in all, a great series, with two good books and one great one.
This book kind of annoyed me with its side plot points (specifically with her twin) that just did not make sense. I was surprised that they never really circled back on that and addressed what happened or at least used it to help the plot in another way aside from the beginning. This book also hinged the ending on a twist that was very obvious. However, it wrapped up nicely.
All in all, a great series, with two good books and one great one.
The Wicked King by Holly Black
4.0
Vibes matched the first book 100%. Except more unexpected plot twists and oh my god you did NOT end the book that way!
The Lost Sisters by Holly Black
1.5
I have come to realize that 1.5 books (or anything .5 in a series) are not something to have high expectations for. Their purpose is to make money, not to tell a story. Often, .5 books are written to not be a required reading in a series, which leads them to have little story, and little value. Even with the lack of a story, I hoped for deeper development of characters, insight that made them feel more real, but the writing felt stiff and it lacked the enjoyable qualities that the first book had.
This book covers the sisters perspective of the entirety of the first book. Being that the sister was my least favorite character in book one, it was no surprise that I found her insufferable in this book too. Even as she provides her own perspective, the character feels flat and dull. Her motives don’t make sense, in both book 1 and this 1.5 telling, I don’t quite understand why she makes the choices she does, which makes it confusing and frustrating. I don’t sympathize with her and her choices, even as she begs the reader for forgiveness, all the while skirting the responsibility of her actions. I did like the insight that two scenes provided. However, I felt like this could have been more dramatically revealed (and it might be) in book 2, alongside Jude’s reaction.
Being that I liked only two scenes that made up a small fraction of the book, I’d definitely recommend skipping this, especially if you weren’t a fan of Jude’s sister in book 1.
This book covers the sisters perspective of the entirety of the first book. Being that the sister was my least favorite character in book one, it was no surprise that I found her insufferable in this book too. Even as she provides her own perspective, the character feels flat and dull. Her motives don’t make sense, in both book 1 and this 1.5 telling, I don’t quite understand why she makes the choices she does, which makes it confusing and frustrating. I don’t sympathize with her and her choices, even as she begs the reader for forgiveness, all the while skirting the responsibility of her actions. I did like the insight that two scenes provided. However, I felt like this could have been more dramatically revealed (and it might be) in book 2, alongside Jude’s reaction.
Being that I liked only two scenes that made up a small fraction of the book, I’d definitely recommend skipping this, especially if you weren’t a fan of Jude’s sister in book 1.
Goodbye, Eri by Tatsuki Fujimoto
4.0
How interesting! Those mind bending moments were great, really made me go “wait- what?!”. Surprising how much character can be built in such a short graphic novel. I especially loved the frames that were still, repeats of the same moment with the slightest of changes. They affected the pacing in a cinematic way.
Also, I think the need to add an element of fantasy is so Tatsuki Fujimoto.
Also, I think the need to add an element of fantasy is so Tatsuki Fujimoto.
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
4.0
Everyone: The Gods cannot intervene with the mortals and half bloods! It’s against the rules!
Artemis, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, Zeus, Poseidon, Dionysus: I won’t tell if you won’t ;)
A great story! I laughed, I cried, and I also got confused.
Artemis, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, Zeus, Poseidon, Dionysus: I won’t tell if you won’t ;)
A great story! I laughed, I cried, and I also got confused.