Tag: review

Reviews

Binti Series Review

by amyleighreads2 Comments on Binti Series Review

Binti – I really enjoyed this first book of the series. We are established in the world pretty quickly and we are learning about space and the other lifeforms as Binti is. I thought she was a little naïve at first but as the story progressed we see her undergo a pretty big emotional upheaval, especially after the massacre she witnesses on the Big Fish. A lot of the mathematical equations and treeing went right over my head but I was still able to comprehend what was happening and enjoy the story as a whole. ⭐️4/5 stars

Binti: Home – This installment of the series was a little chaotic. I could definitely relate to Binti and her feelings of homesickness and the need to go back home and reestablish her sense of self. I like that we see more of the relationship between her and Okwu and the introduction of Mwinyi definitely added more depth and complexity to the story line. Binti just seemed a little frantic and not in control of herself a lot in this book. I think all of the events that have happened have definitely caught up to her and she breaks down a lot in this book. ⭐️3/5 stars

Binti: The Night Masquerade – This installment was a again kind of too chaotic for me. We see a lot of the repercussions from the previous books come into play here and we are given a lot of answers to questions that have been put forth throughout the story line. There is a pretty steady buildup of tension throughout the course of the story line but the ending was a tad anticlimactic. I had no doubts that Binti would be okay and then travelling to Saturn after interpreting the messages her edan was sending her only for a recommendation for the Oozma Uni. I guess I can appreciate how it has come full circle but I was expecting something different. ⭐️3/5 stars

Reviews

Cinderella is Dead Review

by amyleighreads3 Comments on Cinderella is Dead Review

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

Its 200 years after Cinderella found her prince, but the fairy tale is over. Teen girls are now required to appear at the Annual Ball, where the men of the kingdom select wives based on a girl’s display of finery. If a suitable match is not found, the girls not chosen are never heard from again.

Sophia’s character was likeable. She wasn’t like a new all-time favourite or anything but I appreciated her for what she was. She’s very spirited and grounded in her beliefs and won’t be compromised by what the societal expectations are of her, even though it is very dangerous. I think she was still just a little naïve in her approach, not listening to reason and just flying off the cuff with no plan at the start. I think over the course of the story we see her evolve and become a lot more patient and willing to see other perspectives than her own.

I would have liked to see Sophia and Erin’s relationship a little more before the opening scene if that makes sense. We are just kind of thrust into the story and we see Sophia bearing her soul to this girl get rejected and then the next girl that comes along Sophia falls for her. Sure we see her battling with her emotions and she has to go and say goodbye to Erin closing off that relationship but I just thought her rushing into the next romance was unnecessary. I don’t think she needed to be in love with Constance at all, it didn’t really add anything to the plot and I think I would have liked it a lot more if she was just friends with Constance and didn’t just write off Erin.

I thought the concept of the story and the retelling aspect to be compelling; I just thought the execution was a little underdeveloped. I would have appreciated going a lot more in depth with all of the characters and their backgrounds. I felt it was a little lacking in the atmosphere of the story, it was quite bleak and one dimensional for me. I never really made a connection to anyone I just kind of along for the ride.

Overall I just think the novel as a whole read a little younger. The characters are all pretty juvenile and one dimensional. The twists that were thrown in were entertaining but still predictable. There was nothing in there that really took me by surprise and shocked me in any way. I appreciated the diversity in the characters and the topics that were discussed but I wasn’t wowed in any way by this story.

⭐️2/5 didn’t love it, kind of average…

Reviews

The Weight of the Stars Review

by amyleighreads3 Comments on The Weight of the Stars Review

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

The Weight of the Stars revolves around Ryann who is used to taking new kids at her school under her wing and helping them out. So when her teacher asks her to try and get through to Alexandria she takes on the challenge. Since Ryann is kind of a space nerd she recognises who Alexandria is, the daughter of an astronaut who volunteered for a one-way trip to the edge of the galaxy.

Ryann is a joy I absolutely love her. The way she takes care of her brother and his kid and how she just accepts all her friends for who they are and vice versa. She really has had a lot happen to her in her life and regardless she still gets up everyday and makes an effort to show up for those around her.

The way Alexandria came across for the majority of the book was very broody and angry. I can understand how her life would have been a struggle growing up knowing her mother chose to leave her and never see her again. But I think she definitely evolves over the course of the storyline and we see her soften and become more calm and sure of herself. After being offered what she thought was her dream and realising that it’s actually not for her at that time I felt showed how much just her friendship with Ryann and the others altered her perspective.

I think all of the characters in the book were distinct and diverse. I think it covers a range of very heavy topics that a lot of kids in high school have to deal with that is very relevant in todays society. I love the fact that each of them has their own personal journey they are undertaking and how each of them will drop whatever they are doing to help each other out.

I loved the build up of intensity to the storyline. It starts off quite innocuous and kind of innocent and it really morphs into this poignant tale of friendship and heartache. The scene after Tomas spills to everyone what happened at SCOUT and James runs off with Ryann chasing him was honestly so moving. I teared up multiple times throughout and left this book feeling impacted by what I just read.

⭐️5/5 I cried, this was wonderful!

Reviews

The Missing of Clairedelune Review

by amyleighreads1 Comment on The Missing of Clairedelune Review

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

The Missing of Clairedelune continues pretty much straight after the events of A Winter’s Promise. Ophelia has now been thrust into the spotlight by Farouk and promoted to vice-storyteller where she has to perform stories for Farouk and the entire court every evening.

Ophelia really goes through an emotional and psychological journey throughout the course of the story line. We see her overcome so many obstacles and try and manoeuvre her way through this completely foreign and at times dangerous court. I loved the fact that she finally stands up for herself, from telling Thorn how she truly feels and stepping out of her mother’s shadow and becoming her own person.

I liked that we see some repercussions from the first story filter into this book. In particular the murder of the Dragons and the food shortage that is a result of that. We see just how important Thorn’s job is and the scope of what he has to deal with on a daily basis.

I still wish we could learn more about Thorn. Even though he is one of the main protagonists we still don’t really know him. He is pretty much always there in the background but there is still this air of mystery surrounding him and we don’t truly know where his loyalties lie. He does open up more and eventually explains to Ophelia what his plans are but again we just don’t get enough of them together for me to truly believe in his love.

The direction the plot went in was a complete surprise to me. To be perfectly honest I wasn’t all that interested in Farouk and his origin. It does add a layer of intrigue and mystery but I was much more interested in Ophelia and the investigation surrounding the missing.

The structure of the story was a little strange to be honest. Although I was completely invested in what was happening it felt disjointed and a touch nonsensical at times. I found I really had to focus on what was going on at all times otherwise I would end up completely confused.

A solid continuation of the storyline, I still have so many unanswered questions. I am highly anticipating the release of The Memory of Babel next month.

⭐️4/5 I’m still intrigued, engaged and want to know so much more!!

Reviews

The Kingdom of Copper Review

by amyleighreads3 Comments on The Kingdom of Copper Review

*SPOILERS INCLUDED*

The Kingdom of Copper takes place about 5 years after the events of The City of Brass. Ali is trying to make the most of his banishment while his mother is manoeuvring for him to come back home. Nahri is trying to make her life bearable after marrying Muntadhir in the form of establishing a hospital in the city.

I like the fact that the main plot isn’t focused solely around Nahri like I felt the first book was. It really went more in depth with a few more of the side characters.

Though Nahri’s situation is pretty precarious I still wish she would of stood up for herself a little more in the book. When we see her go toe to toe with the King was when I felt she really shone in the book. I love that we get to see her commitment and passion go into this hospital project and seeing how hard she fought to have the Shafit included really displayed how at the core she is still just that thief from Cairo standing up for her beliefs.

Ali’s character development in this book was interesting to read. From his banishment and how he has had to adapt to the harsher way of life in the desert and then thrust back into the court life at Daevabad was entertaining. Now that he has fallen out of favour with his father every thing that he does definitely has higher stakes and there is the very real threat of him being assassinated hung over his head from every angle. The magical aspect of his plot line was very intriguing as well. From his family connection to the Narid and then disclosing to his mother what was happening to him and then trying to figure out what kind of powers he inherited when they took over his body.

Dara realty took a back seat in this instalment of the series. I found when we came to his perspective I wasn’t all that interested in what was happening. I thought the twist about Nahri’s mother being alive was very interesting and added another layer to the storyline, but it was too shrouded in mystery. Dara not being in complete control of his situation and not knowing what Manizheh was planning I found to be frustrating at times.

With all that being said I thoroughly enjoyed where the direction of the plot was going. It was a little slower paced at time and I felt like the ending was a little rushed but I overall enjoyed the build up of anticipation of the book. There were a lot of twists and turns along the way and it was very unpredictable. There are various plans and threads being woven throughout the course of the story and it was gratifying to see how it ended.

⭐️4/5 stars I can’t wait to read The Empire of Gold!!