Scan barcode
anna_curlyquotesediting's reviews
179 reviews
Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
adventurous
emotional
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
Overall? Loved it.
Just one, pretty minor, complaint: the first 30% or so of the book was mostly fighting and battles, which made the book drag. It could've done with some condensing without losing any substance.
I remember hearing in the past that many readers didn't like how the series ended. Personally, I like the ending. Everything gets tied up, but the bow is messy in a good way. Things aren't perfect; things can still go wrong.
Just one, pretty minor, complaint: the first 30% or so of the book was mostly fighting and battles, which made the book drag. It could've done with some condensing without losing any substance.
I remember hearing in the past that many readers didn't like how the series ended. Personally, I like the ending. Everything gets tied up, but the bow is messy in a good way. Things aren't perfect; things can still go wrong.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Torture and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Slavery, Suicide, and Pregnancy
Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
About the same pace as the previous book, Eldest, but Brisingr was definitely more character-focused.
Eragon does a lot of learning in this book. He grows up more than he did in Eldest, and I was glad to see him becoming more adult and growing into his own power as well.
Some of the series' biggest reveals are in these pages.
Overall, another great installment to The Inheritance Cycle!
Eragon does a lot of learning in this book. He grows up more than he did in Eldest, and I was glad to see him becoming more adult and growing into his own power as well.
Some of the series' biggest reveals are in these pages.
Overall, another great installment to The Inheritance Cycle!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and War
Minor: Racism
Eldest by Christopher Paolini
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
5.0
Eldest is much slower than Eragon, but it felt right. Necessary, even, after the upheaval of the first book. Eragon had some much-needed growing to do, and he got to do it. Which is a bit too convenient, but eh.
Eldest has a lot more lore. Like a lot more. I was happy to read through and be with Eragon through his (almost) book-long training montage, but many won't be so content. If you're only here for the action, you won't get much until the final few chapters.
It was interesting to see the new POV, and I'm glad it was included. It made for nice breaks in Eragon's slower, more cerebral, story.
Eldest has a lot more lore. Like a lot more. I was happy to read through and be with Eragon through his (almost) book-long training montage, but many won't be so content. If you're only here for the action, you won't get much until the final few chapters.
It was interesting to see the new POV, and I'm glad it was included. It made for nice breaks in Eragon's slower, more cerebral, story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: War
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Amelia Nagoski, Emily Nagoski
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
5.0
This is a book everyone should read, to be honest. It's geared toward women and (sometimes) hetero couples, because that's where most of the research is right now, but the authors acknowledge that and move forward smoothly and inclusively as best they can.
In some ways, I feel like I understand myself a little better now. And I feel inspired to be kinder to myself as well. I'll make friends with my crazy woman in the attic. Or at least try.
The audio quality was very good. I'm glad the authors were the readers, as I felt it added to the experience.
My one complaint was almost every time the word "patriarchy" was said, the authors would also add an "ugh" before continuing. It was funny the first few times--and I totally agree: patriarchy = ugh--but it got old pretty fast and would break my concentration.
I'll still be getting a physical copy of this for myself so I can take notes, highlight, and input my own comments.
In some ways, I feel like I understand myself a little better now. And I feel inspired to be kinder to myself as well. I'll make friends with my crazy woman in the attic. Or at least try.
The audio quality was very good. I'm glad the authors were the readers, as I felt it added to the experience.
My one complaint was almost every time the word "patriarchy" was said, the authors would also add an "ugh" before continuing. It was funny the first few times--and I totally agree: patriarchy = ugh--but it got old pretty fast and would break my concentration.
I'll still be getting a physical copy of this for myself so I can take notes, highlight, and input my own comments.
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
adventurous
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
5.0
I will always love this book.
Eragon shaped so much of my love of fantasy books and, later, my own writing.
The main characters learn and grow; they have flaws. And the book has real stakes.
My one complaint is that Arya's character is kinda flat, but she did spend most of the book unconscious, so I'll give her a pass for now.
Eragon shaped so much of my love of fantasy books and, later, my own writing.
The main characters learn and grow; they have flaws. And the book has real stakes.
My one complaint is that Arya's character is kinda flat, but she did spend most of the book unconscious, so I'll give her a pass for now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Slavery, Blood, Trafficking, Abandonment, and Alcohol
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
I'll be thinking about this book for a long time. There's really not too much more to say.
This book was heartbreaking. It was honest. It was real. It is 100% worth reading, for everyone. Either as a way to glimpse a life, glimpse part of someone else's experience, or understand your own.
McCurdy did an incredible job as narrator.
This book was heartbreaking. It was honest. It was real. It is 100% worth reading, for everyone. Either as a way to glimpse a life, glimpse part of someone else's experience, or understand your own.
McCurdy did an incredible job as narrator.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Vomit
Minor: Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
I didn't really enjoy the previous book, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, but I figured I'd give this one a shot before calling it quits.
Really it's more of the same. No real connection to the other books and no real character arcs. So I'm stopping now.
Really it's more of the same. No real connection to the other books and no real character arcs. So I'm stopping now.
A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Took over 50% of this book for it to pick up. It kept repeating itself over and over too, which lengthened it more.
All the family connections didn't feel cobbled together, per se, but there's still an unbelievable, not-quite-right, quality to the family tree. That, and it was painfully obvious who was a descendant of whom long before the reveal. However, for that, the book gets a pass from me, because it's for kids.
Overall, I struggled a bit through this one due to how repetitive it was, and it didn't seem to advance the series.
All the family connections didn't feel cobbled together, per se, but there's still an unbelievable, not-quite-right, quality to the family tree. That, and it was painfully obvious who was a descendant of whom long before the reveal. However, for that, the book gets a pass from me, because it's for kids.
Overall, I struggled a bit through this one due to how repetitive it was, and it didn't seem to advance the series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Bit weird, this one. Kinda like if The Magic School Bus had a religiously overtoned episode with an angel playing Ms. Frizzle. Not that A Wrinkle in Time wasn't also like that, but A Wind in the Door was less subtle about it.
I feel like I finished this book more confused than anything else. Not because I didn't understand the plot, but I had more of a "where is L'Engle going with this" after the events of the first book. The antagonistic force in this book wanted very different things than the antagonist in the first book. So I'm wondering how those are going to connect or, potentially, clash against one another in the future. The stakes would've been higher in A Wind in the Door if the reader had been given a reason for the imminent decline and death of a character. Instead, L'Engle just shrugs and says "just 'cause."
Overall, I still liked the book. Good descriptions, great explanations for typically difficult concepts (especially for kids,) and a new character to round out the cast of children a bit better.
I feel like I finished this book more confused than anything else. Not because I didn't understand the plot, but I had more of a "where is L'Engle going with this" after the events of the first book. The antagonistic force in this book wanted very different things than the antagonist in the first book. So I'm wondering how those are going to connect or, potentially, clash against one another in the future. The stakes would've been higher in A Wind in the Door if the reader had been given a reason for the imminent decline and death of a character. Instead, L'Engle just shrugs and says "just 'cause."
Overall, I still liked the book. Good descriptions, great explanations for typically difficult concepts (especially for kids,) and a new character to round out the cast of children a bit better.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I've loved this book since I first read it as a child, and I come back to it every now and then as an adult. I love how L'Engle emphasizes uniqueness as strength: "like and equal are not the same."
I know this book was written in a time when the fears of communism were rampant in the world, forced sameness and the death of the individual. And while A Wrinkle in Time is essentially about that, L'Engle spins those fears into strengths that a child can understand. I always finish this book feeling hopeful and glad of my uniqueness. I hope you do too.
I know this book was written in a time when the fears of communism were rampant in the world, forced sameness and the death of the individual. And while A Wrinkle in Time is essentially about that, L'Engle spins those fears into strengths that a child can understand. I always finish this book feeling hopeful and glad of my uniqueness. I hope you do too.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Confinement