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Vinod Khosla recommended Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder in Books (curated)

graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Night Pleasures (Dark-Hunter, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Okay, before I start my review, I have a little pet peeve about Sherrilyn Kenyon's writing: She'll switch from one character to another without warning. There I am, happily reading along from Amanda's viewpoint, when all of a sudden it's Kyrian. Ugh! I know I've read other authors who do the same thing, but somehow it flows better and isn't like - what just happened?! Okay, end rant.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I did like Fantasy Lover more than this one. While I don't always think Ms. Kenyon is the best writer (it sometimes feels disjointed to me) her world is very imaginative and interesting. The creatures/characters are intriguing, and the story was just plain fun to read. Hey, there's a tortured hero, what more do you need? I was really into it close to 200 pages in, then I had to put it down. The next day I picked it up and it didn't grab me as much as the day before. Though towards the end it started to pick up for me, and of course I'm a big sap for happy endings. That's why I read romances more than anything else. I don't know about other romance readers, but I've had a hard life and I need a little lightness in it. That's where romances help. Now that I've bared my soul (no pun intended - hopefully you'll get it if you've read the book), I think I'll get back to the review. Now where was I? I know that Talon will be in the next book in the series, but I can't wait to read about Acheron. If he doesn't have a book out now, Ms. Kenyon needs to start writing his story. Well, as I said before (I think), it was a fast and fun read!
Please excuse me if my review is a little disjointed (haha), I can't quite put into words how to explain how I felt about the book. Ah, oh well; can't win them all!
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I did like Fantasy Lover more than this one. While I don't always think Ms. Kenyon is the best writer (it sometimes feels disjointed to me) her world is very imaginative and interesting. The creatures/characters are intriguing, and the story was just plain fun to read. Hey, there's a tortured hero, what more do you need? I was really into it close to 200 pages in, then I had to put it down. The next day I picked it up and it didn't grab me as much as the day before. Though towards the end it started to pick up for me, and of course I'm a big sap for happy endings. That's why I read romances more than anything else. I don't know about other romance readers, but I've had a hard life and I need a little lightness in it. That's where romances help. Now that I've bared my soul (no pun intended - hopefully you'll get it if you've read the book), I think I'll get back to the review. Now where was I? I know that Talon will be in the next book in the series, but I can't wait to read about Acheron. If he doesn't have a book out now, Ms. Kenyon needs to start writing his story. Well, as I said before (I think), it was a fast and fun read!
Please excuse me if my review is a little disjointed (haha), I can't quite put into words how to explain how I felt about the book. Ah, oh well; can't win them all!

Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated The Blood of the Hydra (Elementals, #2) in Books
Jan 23, 2020
<b><i>I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
When I first read <i><a href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/arc-review-the-prophecy-of-shadows-by-michelle-madow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Prophecy of Shadows</a></i>, the book felt really slow. The pacing just didnt feel right and there wasnt enough action. But the series showed promise to get better (and like with any other book, theres the risk of the sequel being worse than that first book), so when I saw <i>The Blood of the Hydra </i>being available on Netgalley for request, I jumped at the chance because I wanted to see if the series would get better.
And I have to say: Wow. Despite the book has the feel of a love triangle on the horizon, <i>The Blood of the Hydra</i> is more interesting - Madow incorporates more mythology (rather than the first book, when Nicole is new to the world and learning everything about it). The characters undergo a development - in the first book, theres a bit of tension and a division, yet a sense of unity, among the five witches. In the sequel, there is still tension, but that tension from the first has noticeably died down.
<i>The Blood of the Hydra</i> is also more action packed than the first book. More monsters and more fighting involved - honestly, I enjoyed the sequel more than <i>The Prophecy of Shadows</i> and cannot wait to continue the series.
Side Note: I know I reviewed the third book before the second. Shh.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/mini-reviews-pt-2-zac-brewer-amie-kaufman-meagan-spooner-michelle-madow-dawn-rae-miller-jamie-blair/" target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
When I first read <i><a href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/arc-review-the-prophecy-of-shadows-by-michelle-madow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Prophecy of Shadows</a></i>, the book felt really slow. The pacing just didnt feel right and there wasnt enough action. But the series showed promise to get better (and like with any other book, theres the risk of the sequel being worse than that first book), so when I saw <i>The Blood of the Hydra </i>being available on Netgalley for request, I jumped at the chance because I wanted to see if the series would get better.
And I have to say: Wow. Despite the book has the feel of a love triangle on the horizon, <i>The Blood of the Hydra</i> is more interesting - Madow incorporates more mythology (rather than the first book, when Nicole is new to the world and learning everything about it). The characters undergo a development - in the first book, theres a bit of tension and a division, yet a sense of unity, among the five witches. In the sequel, there is still tension, but that tension from the first has noticeably died down.
<i>The Blood of the Hydra</i> is also more action packed than the first book. More monsters and more fighting involved - honestly, I enjoyed the sequel more than <i>The Prophecy of Shadows</i> and cannot wait to continue the series.
Side Note: I know I reviewed the third book before the second. Shh.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/mini-reviews-pt-2-zac-brewer-amie-kaufman-meagan-spooner-michelle-madow-dawn-rae-miller-jamie-blair/" target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>

Dana (24 KP) rated The Madman's Daughter (The Madman's Daughter, #1) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I am very glad I finally picked up this book. I got it for Christmas, but started reading so many other books that this one kinda got left behind. It is a great example of how creepy and intriguing can be mixed together in a very nice way. I loved the story itself. There were only a few moments where I felt that I c ould tell what was going to happen next. It kept me on the edge of my seat from the forst page. I really liked how all of the characters were named after other literary characters. It just made the book that much more fun for me. I would recommend this to anyone who likes gothic style horror and does not have a faint heart. There are a few scenes that can get intense and violent. I can't wait to start reading the next one!

Andrea Hill (14 KP) rated Amazon Kindle in Apps
Jul 16, 2018
Not a day goes by that I don't use my Amazon Kindle.
I love Amazon Kindle. As a real bibliophile I didn't think I could ever break my addiction to the printed world. But it did. I love how easy the world of books is to access and how many genres ate available. I have a condition called fibromyalgia which makes my joints weak and painful. This made it difficult to read books in bed which is my favourite thing. Thankfully with Amazon Kindle it is light enough to use and read with one hand, so very easy for me to use on my pad. Plus with Amazon Kindle on my phone, I am never without my latest or favourite books. I read do.much I joined kindle unlimited to save myself some money. £7.99 A month, bargain.

ashezbookz (32 KP) rated A Humble Heart (Hollywood Hearts, #1) in Books
Jul 5, 2018
Another favourite author of mine - after coming off of Neighbour from Hell this is quite a different pace to come to and read. This book is very adorable and sweet, and actually has quite a bit of excitement, suspense maybe - action with the celebrity aspect. Throws a different light on that type of life I wonder if that's how all celebrity life is or if they live a more "normal" type of celebrity.
I like the book writer aspect and the kids, oh I love kids in books when written right, though sometimes I definitely felt the kids were written older then they were, it didn't bother me too much. This was a re-read for me though i can't remember when I read it for the first time (I read neighbour from hell repeatedly so I figured I'd re-read this series, not sad I did).
I like the book writer aspect and the kids, oh I love kids in books when written right, though sometimes I definitely felt the kids were written older then they were, it didn't bother me too much. This was a re-read for me though i can't remember when I read it for the first time (I read neighbour from hell repeatedly so I figured I'd re-read this series, not sad I did).

Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated Vassa in the Night in Books
Oct 1, 2018
I enjoyed this book, more than I expected in the beginning. it's been on my tbr list for a while and I was excited to finally read it but it didn't hook me from the start like I'd hoped. I stuck with it and as the action picked up I couldn't put it down. I would have liked a little more backstory on bea and babs and vassa's mom and I think vassa herself could have used a little more development but overall I was pleased with the story. Even tho it's based on a Russian folk story I think it stands alone for those, like myself, who aren't familiar with the original. the characters are unique and beautiful prose is scattered throughout. the ending was nicely done, tying things up but also leaving it open for a sequel should the author choose to write one.

Rachel Maria Berney (114 KP) rated Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life in Books
Dec 5, 2018
Real Life Stories (1 more)
Brooks' Experiences as a Writer
If you are planning an epic like LOTR or Shannara, you need to read this
I always wanted to be a writer when I grew up, I loved reading. I don't write much now, but when I was, I read lots of 'How to Write' books. Most are crap. This is one that is worthy of a read.
You can not deny that Terry Brooks has nailed the epic fantasy journey, better than Tolkein, it's still going strong. I love his writing and his stories. Although I didn't take as much from this as King's On Writing, I did enjoy reading it and seeing a little into the man behiind the books. This book is not just for wannabe writers, it's for his fans as well, you learn a little more about how Shannara and Landover came about.
You can not deny that Terry Brooks has nailed the epic fantasy journey, better than Tolkein, it's still going strong. I love his writing and his stories. Although I didn't take as much from this as King's On Writing, I did enjoy reading it and seeing a little into the man behiind the books. This book is not just for wannabe writers, it's for his fans as well, you learn a little more about how Shannara and Landover came about.

Book Divas (227 KP) rated The Crow Box (Shadow and Ink #1) in Books
Jul 16, 2019
I believe this is the first time I've read a book that has left me perplexed on how many stars I should give it. It started a bit slow for me and then I found myself feeling sad for Corbin and her hoarding mom. From there I experienced moments of horror and confusion and just when I thought I had figured out the truth, a pebble was thrown across my path which caused me to take a detour. "We're all mad here" kept scrolling across my mind as I got deeper into the thick of it.
The storyline was interestingly written and many times poetic. I want to describe Corbin as a strong young woman who deals the best way she can with her circumstances but does she really? I can with all certainty say that readers will enjoy the complexity of this story
The storyline was interestingly written and many times poetic. I want to describe Corbin as a strong young woman who deals the best way she can with her circumstances but does she really? I can with all certainty say that readers will enjoy the complexity of this story