Word Revel
Book blogger, recent Sociology grad in her twenties. Stares at labels when no books are in sight. Disproportionately reads YA. This is a companion blog to http://wordrevel.com.
Shatter Me
Initial thoughts: This book pleasantly surprised me. I had no idea what to expect. Even though I had never read the synopsis and avoided reading all forms of reviews, Shatter Me was right up there on my TBR pile for quite some time. The prose was unexpected. It's different to say the least. I think that's where most of Tahereh Mafi's creativity shone through. Plot-wise, not an awful lot happened, though it seems like a promising set-up for the sequel. One thing that I could've done without was the excessive romance. It kinda felt misplaced to me, even if it added to the mystery that shrouded Juliette's strange abilities. Oh and Juliette blushed a lot. I'm surprised her face wasn't perpetually red.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Audiobook rating: 3.5 starsBook rating: 4 stars
Initial thoughts: Somehow Stephen Fry's narration didn't quite charm me as much as the book itself. I think to some degree the accent bothered me a little. I'd say it's authentic British and all, which fits with the setting but my head hurt every time Fry swallowed the "h" in "forehead". I also didn't like the voice he spoke for Hagrid. Those "r"s he spoke on behalf of Hagrid drove me mad.
In any case, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone didn't fail to entertain, of course. The beginning before Harry Potter entered Hogwarts was just too funny. A cat reading a map and street signs, a stranger hugging Mr Dursley on the streets, owls crowding the skies of London during the day, and so on. So many strange things happened, which still are funny with every re-read.
We Were Liars
April 16, 2015Full book review is now up on Word Revel.
April 6, 2015
Initial thoughts: What on earth did I just stay up to read for? To finish a book that left me wishing I hadn't. For once I concede that the hype got to me. I had grand expectations, especially with everyone going on about "the twist" and when I finally got to "the twist" I just thought, "That's it?" Because half-way through the book I started questioning the whole setting and before everything was revealed, I had already figured out what that twist was.
The writing style was jumpy. I didn't appreciate that, although it could be said to be reflective of the narrator's state of mind. She's a very unreliable narrator, mind you. The whole book came off as a pity party and I hardly found myself caring about any of the characters. Was I supposed to feel indignant about race and class? I think so. Did I feel indignant? Yes. But not about race or class. I felt indignant about reading yet another book that I didn't enjoy.
The Singles
The Singles is one of those books that left me feeling indifferent. At 241 pages and one wedding weekend, there really wasn't much to it. The humour was lost on me. Sure, there were awkward moments, which could've been funny but they left me cringing. Also, the portrayal of all the wedding guests who were single as weird kind of grated on me. Not all single people are weird and not all weird people are single. Yet that's the sense that I walked away with from this book.Maybe it would've worked better as a play because visually, it might've been more entertaining. As a novel though, it really was just a means of passing time. I should've spent that time catching up on TV shows or read more interesting books.
Knowing that I will never re-read this book makes me sad about shelf space. Maybe I should donate it to my local library since I can't think of anyone I would recommend it to. It's not exactly a book I would wish on anyone. I found it too dull for that.
Rebel Belle
Initial thoughts: When I first started reading Rebel Belle, I couldn't decide if it was meant to be a book of parody. Things were funny and ridiculously over the top with a rather witty character. The more I read though, the more I became inclined to believe that this wasn't meant to be a work of parody — just a fantasy book in good jest. Bonus points for the down-to-earth nature of the characters and the presence of adults who actually enforced curfew. Somehow though, I didn't really see the point of the plot and despite the cliffhanger, I have no interest in continuing with the sequel. Read this if you're looking for humorous fantasy. There aren't enough of those.
Shadow and Bone
April 29, 2015Book review is up on Word Revel.
March 28, 2015
Initial thoughts: Eh. That's the first description that comes to mind. Interjections count! It's just that as much as I loved the setting, the writing didn't impress me. The pacing wasn't as strong as I thought it could've been. The plot points were strung up well but the connections lacked finesse. In terms of characterisation, the depth was lacking and just overall I thought the book was okay. I wish a glossary of some sort would've been included because while Russian-inspired, the "foreign" words weren't always Russian but made-up terms. That made reading rather cumbersome as well.
Can You Keep a Secret?
Initial thoughts: Maybe I should've read Can You Keep A Secret? before I've Got Your Number because the latter was published much later in Sophie Kinsella's writing career and was way funnier. A lot of the times I wanted to smack the protagonist's head because she was so incredibly naive and shallow, it wasn't even funny anymore. At least there were believable instances and who doesn't dread office politics? So there's that. Had I read this book before I've Got Your Number, I probably would've given it 3 stars because without comparison, it would've been a slight bit less painful to read. I know I spent a fair bit rolling my eyes. Although, as an early work, it did display Sophie Kinsella's ability to write well because the prose was pleasant to read.
The Miniaturist
Initial thoughts: I AM FINALLY DONE READING THIS BOOK! I cannot describe the relief I feel about being done with it because I reckon it put a damper on my will to read over the past three weeks. Most of the books I did finish during that time were audiobooks because the narrator dictates the pace. But for The Miniaturist, it was up to me to set my reading pace and let me tell you, it was difficult to keep reading.There are two reasons I didn't give up on this book: (1) I spent money buying the book, and (2) I read it for a read-a-long, so not finishing it would've meant no contribution from me in our discussion. There were so many promising elements but the prose, the characterisation, the plot — everything fell short of the mark. What saved The Miniaturist from being a zero-star read for me is that there were surprising elements that I hadn't expected. Beyond that, the book only left negative impressions on me.
The Raven Cycle #3: Blue Lily, Lily Blue
Initial thoughts: I felt... underwhelmed. Yes, that's the word, underwhelmed. Blue Lily, Lily Blue didn't hold my attention as well as the first two books. I partly peg this to the fact that I didn't have that much time to read over the past two weeks. But when I did have time, I wasn't entirely looking forward to continuing with this book either. It was decidedly slow and for the first 55% of the book, there was no semblance of direction. It was like being stuck in a labyrinth with no way out, and not the kind of fun labyrinth you voluntarily signed up for during a funfair of sorts.The first half of the book basically let me down. I was bored and had half a mind to give up. But I had unanswered questions from the first two books to which I wanted answers. Instead of unfurling, they just became foggier. I'm glad I know how the book ended and I will continue with The Raven King when it comes out but part of me thinks I should've just read a spoiler-induced summary, so I won't be lost when I read the final book in the series.
In any case, Maggie Stiefvater's prose continued to be beautiful. That really was the saving grace of Blue Lily, Lily Blue for me.
Saphirblau
Audiobook rating: 4 starsBook rating: 3.5 stars
Initial thoughts: I was so disappointed when I checked Onleihe (German e-library system) because all I could find was the abridged audiobook. Then happily, I found the unabridged version on Audible and promptly used a credit on it.
Sapphire Blue, as English speakers will know this book as, was as every bit as funny as Ruby Red, if not more so. Kerstin Gier injected humour that very well balanced the dramatic tension. Although, speaking of dramatic tension, Sapphire Blue was missing a grand plot twist or at least some form of climax. Generally, I didn't feel like I learnt much more in this second book than in the first. For the most part, the entertainment value for me came from being able to dive back into this world because I quite liked Ruby Red. I hope Emerald Green will bring the excitement that was missing for me in Sapphire Blue.
I've Got Your Number
Audiobook rating: 4.5 starsBook rating: 4 stars
Initial thoughts: This book was so ludicrous yet hilarious! I was in stitches half the time and couldn't keep myself from smirking throughout the rest of the book. The plot itself is largely predictable, although there were a few twists woven in along the way. Overall, it was a splendid pick-me-up during a stressful week for me. Also, take-away point: don't ever cheat at Scrabble—it's not worth it xD
The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2)
Actual rating: 4.5 starsInitial thoughts: *blinks slowly and then again and again and again* I have no words right now. Except, things will henceforth only get crazier and crazier and crazier. I know; that's a lot of "and"s and repetitions. My vocabulary has clearly been stunted. I'm sure dreams weren't the only things these people could steal from. They stole my words.
Fairest
Actual rating: 4.5 starsInitial thoughts: This book will make you question all your morals because you will find yourself feeling sorry for Queen Levana. I don't think I've ever felt this degree of sympathy towards such a cruel villain before but then at the end my world was restored again because hey, covert biological warfare against Earth (Cress) and breeding of beasts (in Scarlet) and killing her own niece just to conquer the throne (in Cinder) were all terrible things.
Fairest offered a worthwhile glimpse into the twisted mind of Queen Levana. I felt that in some ways I understood her better as a person, while in other ways I could see why she acted the way she did (from avoiding mirrors to her insecurities). Needless to say, I didn't like her. Yet I read and enjoyed the whole book, which for me showed a great deal of craftsmanship on the part of Marissa Meyer as the author.
The Raven Boys
Initial thoughts: Where do I begin? I'm still trying to grapple with the book but somehow I feel genuinely sorry that I didn't like this book more because there's just so much excitement surrounding this series. The prose and the narration were impeccable and the setting with the myth of Glendower was more than original. Perhaps it's the premise that I got stuck on. Blue had been told since she was young that if she kissed her true love, he would die.For all her cautious, nay, sensible ways, avoiding any sort of kiss, in case she'd kiss her true love, that tension and danger because of it didn't feel all too real. On the other hand, I liked that The Raven Boys lacked any sort of overbearing romance. It focused on the other issues at hand, like chasing a god, searching for ley lines and generally introducing all the complex characters and their traits.
Also, I'm glad I started with the audiobook because Will Patton's narration style is exactly how I like it — engaging without being overdone. He added rhythm to Maggie Stiefvater's lyrical words and paired together, it was perfect. Thankfully, I already have the audio CDs of The Dream Thieves on reserve at my public library.
The Boyfriend List: 15 Guys, 11 Shrink Appointments, 4 Ceramic Frogs and Me, Ruby Oliver
Initial thoughts: E. Lockhart's organization of the book was very clever. Writing a story based on a list while still keeping the story straight with a non-linear plot can't be easy. Yet she pulled it off remarkably well. In some ways, it made me think of Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison. Perhaps because at this point, feel like reading throwbacks to my early teenage years. I might not have experienced all these things but I sure well knew people who did.Ruby was a quirky yet relatable character. I had a lot of empathy for her because of the position she was in — (legitimately) misunderstood by her friends, left to fend for herself against bullying, while trying to survive day to day in high school. All this while trying to grapple with her panic attacks.
The Boyfriend List could've had more depth though, given that that Ruby's story revolved around recounting 15 guys and other events to her psychiatrist. Despite some metafictive elements, I thought that as a reader, I wasn't pulled enough into Ruby's world.
Vendetta
Actual rating: 2.5 starsInitial thoughts:I generally enjoyed reading Vendetta and will likely pick up the sequel when it releases next year. Sadly, I had a couple of gripes that were too major for me to overlook.
Firstly, Persephone, better known as Sophie. She was such a dense protagonist! How does it take two years to finally read up the news on whom her father had accidentally killed? Not when the victim was part of the Mafia. That kind of news doesn't just slip by the daughter of a man convicted of manslaughter. That put a huge dent in the plot for me. Funny thing is, she thought someone else was naïve.
Secondly, twists are crucial to mystery novels. The twists were pretty basic. Nothing major really happened, except for the expected mystery tropes.
At the end of the day, I'd recommend it more for the romance than the mystery. The writing style's much better suited for that. I think what made Vendetta so readable despite the general underdevelopment was the prose. For that, I'll surely look out for books Catherine Doyle publishes in future.
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