Smashbomb

Search

Search results

All (4528)

Content

Louise (64 KP) rated A Discovery of Witches in Books

Jul 2, 2018

Reading the reviews for this book, I knew it was going to be one of those reads, it’s a bit of a marmite book, you either love it or hate it. In my case I liked it enough to finish and want to continue to read the next one in the series.When I finished the book that was it. I didnt have loads of questions consuming me, it was just ok? what am I going to read next?

Diana Bishop is the female protagonist, she has descended from a very distinguished line of witches, however Diana does not use her powers that she has inherited, not since her parent’s died. Diana, a scholar is studying at a the Oxfords Bodleain Library as a historian. Unknown to her, she calls a bewitched alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782. Finding nothing of interest to her apart from a funny feeling and an off putting text, she returns it to the stacks without a futher thought. Soon there are daemons, vampires and witches swarming around the library in search for this particular manuscript as it has been lost for 150 years and has all the answers from their past and to their future.

Deborah Harkness did a great job with the development of the two main characters Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont, and even the sub characters, you got to see all their traits and mannerisms.

Diana is the female protagonist she is very bold, outgoing, hardworking and sometimes just damn annoying. She is a witch that doesn’t want to use her powers but is forced to as she needs to protect herself, in the book she is feisty and then other times whiney and saying she can’t do certain things.

Matthew Clairmont is a Vampire that has existed for over a Thousand years, who is currently a geneticist and falls in love instantly with Diana, however, he is very possessive (a vampire trait….supposedly) has moodswings and just generally annoying at times.

The first half of this book is very slow paced and is more of the character building and the relationship developing between the two. The second half is much faster paced as you get more action and magical elements added to it.

There is insta-love but not in the normal way, they don’t show each other that they have feelings for one another for several days but it is a gradual build up, however the book only spans 40 days according to Harkness and I cant believe they are that involved with each other so quickly, I had to take a step back, realising that all this had happened in such a short space of time.

There is also references to a lot of historical figures and wars, so if you like a bit of history in your fiction then this could be for you. There is also no sex scenes in this book, only referencing to kissing, cuddling and a bit of fondling.

One thing that I didn’t like in this book was all the french that was used (I am not french or learnt any either) However, I think Harkness added this to feel more authentic as that was where Matthews mother Ysabeau lived.

I will definitely be reading the second book in the trilogy as I am intrigued to find out what happens next.

I rated this book a 3 out of 5 stars.

Kudos

Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Everything, Everything in Books

Jan 23, 2020

I'm part of a reading challenge on this app called Habitica where I have to read a book turning into a movie this year, so Everything, Everything kind of got picked because of that. (I know it's problematic. The reading challenges are the only reasons why I chose to read the book.)

Anelise and I were also throwing out random books from our library for hours and this was the first that we both had a copy of or could borrow from the library, so here we are.

 I was hoping to learn more from Everything, Everything than I actually did. Madeline Whittier, aka Maddy, is someone who has SCID - an immune disorder where those affected basically have to be isolated from everything. I learned virtually nothing but the bare bones definition of SCID for the duration of the book:
<ul>
<li>You have to be isolated from the world</li>
<li>Anything, ANYTHING can trigger a reaction</li>
<li>It is basically a very miserable life</li>
</ul>
<div>Let's be honest: it's the dictionary definition.</div>
And everything is so WHITE. White walls, white rooms, white bookshelves - I like the occasional white but ALL white is associated with hospitals. I suppose hospital is the atmosphere Yoon is going for? Still, though. Hospitals do have a splash of color somewhere? At least I'm pretty sure they do, but I'm that one kid who rarely went to the hospital.

So if you want the really quick version: the romance is the plot. I'm usually not a fan of contemporary romance, but I've been on a contemporary streak lately after reading some amazing books lately in the genre. The romance between Mandy and Olly is adorable - seeing their limited interactions, IMs, emails, etc. and even when they saw each other outside of those. If you don't mind a cute romance or have a curiosity to know more about SCID, then Everything, Everything might be up your alley. But I like learning things. This is why I'm still Ravenclaw and not Gryffindor, so Pottermore is wrong, I tell you. WRONG.

I thought the layout was interesting and different, making the book seem quicker. I also loved the illustrations - they complemented the story really well and felt like a nice addition.

Despite the cute romance, interesting layout, and amazing illustrations, I am still disappointed with the ending. It's one of those endings that might depend on the reader’s preferences, but I thought it was a screwed up ending where some of the characters have HUGE issues. I know I have my own issues of life, but this one is a really messy issue and I'm surprised no one got even a tiny bit suspicious for what? 16, 17 years?

I know there are some out there who will turn around and say that Everything, Everything is a fantastic novel. It is! But the ending ruined everything, and I cannot add this to my collection of shove worthy books.

<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/everything-everything-by-nicola-yoon/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>

Kudos

Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Twelfth Grade Kills (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, #5) in Books

Jan 23, 2020

Original Review posted on <a href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2013/01/review-twelfth-grade-kills-by-heather-brewer.html">Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Original Rating: 4.5

 It's been awhile since I last read the series (read: last year) so I'm pretty vague on details (I know. It's sad that my memory details are so vague. On an awesomous vampire series. But I know enough where I can at least know almost all of what's going on the last one :)) on the finale. And now that I've read the series, I think I see why my friend actually gushes over the series (imagine my poor ears after hearing it in Book Battle 24/7 last year - well, not exactly 24/7).

 I suggest you know what you're doing if you're reading Twelfth Grade Kills because you definitely don't want to end up in the sorry hole with this kid (read: me. Not that I skip books. I honestly don't. Because if I do, it's my mom's random library book choices fault). The book simply has too much going on that if you're reading from the series backwards, I'm suggesting you go back and read from Eighth Grade Bites and onward (not that anyone would read backwards in a series). Or if you're not paying attention to what you're reading, you'll be missing out on a LOT so do yourself a favor and pay attention. ^_^

 After reading Eleventh Grade Burns over the summer, I just HAD to read the last book due to it's killing cliff-hanger. But the thing is, I got thrown off at the end. I'm still going "Say What?" and pondering over what happened as I'm typing this. I mean, you don't usually see a cliff-hanger on the finale of books... do you? Chances of it happening are rare, lol (at least in my knowledge of reading. Even those with spin-offs don't seem to have it... do they?). There's always a happily ever after and so on. In this case though, there may be a happy ending, but be prepared to be thrown off.

 What I really hate though? Practically everyone dies. Which I find disappointing. Dx (No more awesome cookies and frosting fights??? ;( )

 The one thing I find epically funny is the fact vampires don't sparkle (read: be prepared for some meme(s)). Edward Cullen would disagree. On the good side though? Professor Snape agrees. So, in no offense to Twilight peeps (oh hey. Just because I'm not a fan of Twilight doesn't mean I bash it. I just found the quote funny and it well... reminded me of Twlight. Yes, I'm asking for mercy of the tomato throwing).
<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uTrufQilgqQ/UQHUwxlSdpI/AAAAAAAAA60/T0RB6OMYRqY/s200/Snape+Vampire+Funny.jpg"; width="290" height="180"/>
Caption: They're fairiesss O_O

 It might be a risk to my health, but I kinda agree (yes, a risk to my health... but I might be exaggerating a bit over there). So if you're looking for a series in which no one is a sparkling fairy vampire, I suggest you should check this series out. Because apparently, I think I need to grab some kleenex before the computer erupts on fire (that would be BAD). And then go gush to my friend mentioned above some day. (By the way, why another awful cliff-hanger? I only have so many hands. But at least I can get The Slayer Chronicles from the school library soon :D.)

Kudos

Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated The Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten, #2) in Books

Jan 23, 2020

Original Review posted at <a title="The Iron Traitor" href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2013/11/review-the-iron-traitor-by-julie-kagawa.html">Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>

Note: Formatting and pictures have been removed due to copy and paste

Before Reading:
 I thought I had to wait an additional 3 weeks maximum to get my hands on the county library's ebook copy of The Iron Traitor.

 But then a genie decided to grant my wish – or was it because there were more holds on it? – and the county library bought a second copy, much to my enthusiasm and glee that I wouldn't have to wait for about 3 weeks (all I'm going to respond to your envy, L, is to go put yourself on the hold list before it gets bigger or buy a copy. Sorry! Dx).

 And then I realized I was going to have juggle with multiple books (more than the usual). >_< I feel like making an anime face that's saying, "OMG, WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!" and then facepalming. Or doing a classic headdesk with the hair fanning out. :p

 So I essentially had to wing it out and check it out on the last day it would be held for me... and then attempt to finish it within 3 weeks.

 Looks like I need to lock myself in my room again and turn off the – oh, wait. I can't turn off the laptop. It's an ebook. -_- Mother, we need to have a mother-daughter talk of going to the library ASAP.

 Looks like my challenge for the next 21 days is to avoid doing tasks that can be put off until a bit later. (I'll fail alright... but all that matters is that I'll hopefully not have to stick myself to the hold list and wait for a few more months.) o_o

 Despite all that, I was still literally "dancing" on books.

 But there's no torturous cliffhanger at the end like it was in The Eternity Cure, is there Julie? :O x30

After Reading:
 No. Just. NO. *shakes head in a "Nope, that wasn't what I just read. Nope. I don't believe this at all. I'm sleeping and someone needs to pinch me and then I'll be awake and everyone will be living a happily ever after, despite the fact they're not real." (I wish they were. :p)*

 You know what? Forget that I asked that last question about torturous cliffhangers. It's going to happen.

 And it shall be EXCRUSIATING.

 Simply because I – and possibly many others – have to wait a year. >_< Julie, you are officially an evil author.

 But I still love your writing. Why? Because while it may be set in the same world as Books 1-4 in the series, it's still amazingly well-written and there are still surprises in store that are totally unexpected.

 (psst! Recommendation! Go. Read the series if you haven't; you have a lot of awesomeness to catch up to! :o)

 But I'm still not happy with the ending.

 I'll deal with it. And survive.

 I think. O_o

 Oh, and I was thankfully spared from having to deal with reading so many books. *phew* On the bright side of everything, I'm also spared from staying on the hold list. Not that I mind rereading The Iron Traitor.

 And I forgot another thing... can I have a gremlin? :D? Razor's simply adorable.

<blockquote>Sometimes, the simplest answers are the hardest to see.</blockquote>