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lucybbookstuff's Reviews (381)
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
I liked this! It was very sweet.
I immersion read it, as most folks suggest (and I agree). I did not like the narration at first, but settled into it after 30 minutes or so.
The music was really nice. I loved the use of sound effects and song. And I really enjoyed the story. The impossible choice between sisterly devotion and romantic love. I ended up feeling quite emotional at some points, despite having a rocky start with the book. I'd encourage anyone who doesn't love the beginning to press on. It's so short anyway!
The only thing that still baffled me by the end was all thegrammar stuff. I really didn't get the point of all that. I am certain the exact same story could have been achieved without that seemingly random inclusion. It didn't ruin it, but it was a little confusing for no reason that I could fathom.
I immersion read it, as most folks suggest (and I agree). I did not like the narration at first, but settled into it after 30 minutes or so.
The music was really nice. I loved the use of sound effects and song. And I really enjoyed the story. The impossible choice between sisterly devotion and romantic love. I ended up feeling quite emotional at some points, despite having a rocky start with the book. I'd encourage anyone who doesn't love the beginning to press on. It's so short anyway!
The only thing that still baffled me by the end was all the
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I truly had no idea how I'd feel about this, but I'm happy to say I really liked it!
Vague spoilers ahead.
I was especially worried I'd find the complete lack of chapters or line breaks annoying, but I barely missed them. I found the prose and the story very propulsive, and I had no problem just chugging along. I also was afraid I'd be left very unsatisfied with the lack of answers about the world, but I'm not. I'd like to have them for sure... but I can see now that those details are entirely beside the point. The book had plenty to think about beyond the mystery.
This book raised some very interesting questions and, while we've heard them before, I would say the setting is unique enough that none of it felt trite. I really liked the narrator and her unique perspective on being human.
I definitely liked the beginning the most, when she was young and puzzling out her surroundings within the cage. It remained interesting throughout, but I did find it getting a bit tedious once they'd been "free" for a while. But not enough to make it an unpleasant experience.
Overall, I liked this and can totally see why it's such a modern classic! I will definitely return to it one day and see what other questions it may bring up.
Vague spoilers ahead.
I was especially worried I'd find the complete lack of chapters or line breaks annoying, but I barely missed them. I found the prose and the story very propulsive, and I had no problem just chugging along. I also was afraid I'd be left very unsatisfied with the lack of answers about the world, but I'm not. I'd like to have them for sure... but I can see now that those details are entirely beside the point. The book had plenty to think about beyond the mystery.
This book raised some very interesting questions and, while we've heard them before, I would say the setting is unique enough that none of it felt trite. I really liked the narrator and her unique perspective on being human.
I definitely liked the beginning the most, when she was young and puzzling out her surroundings within the cage. It remained interesting throughout, but I did find it getting a bit tedious once they'd been "free" for a while. But not enough to make it an unpleasant experience.
Overall, I liked this and can totally see why it's such a modern classic! I will definitely return to it one day and see what other questions it may bring up.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Just wept through the last 20 pages of this 😭
I loved this book. I wasn't sure I would, given its relatively mixed reviews, but I'm SO glad to report that it really worked for me.
I wouldn't call it a literary masterpiece or anything, but it's a great story that unfolds in such an engaging way, with nuanced characters and very readable prose.
It was very sad but also very hopeful. I thought Peters did a fantastic job of using the Sixties Scoop as a backdrop without specifically broaching the topic. It really got me thinking about how "North America" has treated the indigenous population with various horrific policies throughout the years since colonization. The fact that the Mi'kmaw family in this book is so incredibly loving and happy and close-knit... and they wanted to tear children away from these homes??? To benefit more oppressive white families? Ugh.
Anyway. Highly recommend this book. A great, quick read that will undoubtedly make you think.
I loved this book. I wasn't sure I would, given its relatively mixed reviews, but I'm SO glad to report that it really worked for me.
I wouldn't call it a literary masterpiece or anything, but it's a great story that unfolds in such an engaging way, with nuanced characters and very readable prose.
It was very sad but also very hopeful. I thought Peters did a fantastic job of using the Sixties Scoop as a backdrop without specifically broaching the topic. It really got me thinking about how "North America" has treated the indigenous population with various horrific policies throughout the years since colonization. The fact that the Mi'kmaw family in this book is so incredibly loving and happy and close-knit... and they wanted to tear children away from these homes??? To benefit more oppressive white families? Ugh.
Anyway. Highly recommend this book. A great, quick read that will undoubtedly make you think.
challenging
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
Oof. This was hard to read, in multiple ways.
VERY important history to be aware of. The exploitation of the Congo that began under King Leopold is still being upheld in many ways today (see: Cobalt Red). And nearly everyone in the Western world and beyond benefits from this exploitation. The least we can do is be informed.
I did find this rather dense. I listened to the audiobook only and it was definitely not my favorite audiobook experience. It's the same audiobook that was originally recorded when the book was published and it feels dated.
I zoned out quite a lot, which is certainly a me problem, but I think could have been helped by a more engaging narrator. However, I definitely still learned a lot and feel the injustice so deeply.
Definitely recommend.
VERY important history to be aware of. The exploitation of the Congo that began under King Leopold is still being upheld in many ways today (see: Cobalt Red). And nearly everyone in the Western world and beyond benefits from this exploitation. The least we can do is be informed.
I did find this rather dense. I listened to the audiobook only and it was definitely not my favorite audiobook experience. It's the same audiobook that was originally recorded when the book was published and it feels dated.
I zoned out quite a lot, which is certainly a me problem, but I think could have been helped by a more engaging narrator. However, I definitely still learned a lot and feel the injustice so deeply.
Definitely recommend.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is undoubtedly a masterwork of historical fantasy. But I do have to express that I'm a bit disappointed - only because I was promised by practically everyone that this is one of the best books of the series. But I ended up having to drag myself through it, and I find that I liked book 1 more.
The first half of this was very slow, but I enjoyed a lot of the character work, the kids especially. The second half was faster plot-wise, but I can't say I really enjoyed it much. 🫠 It was a lot of battle scenes, which don't do much for me, and a LOT of intricate descriptions of feats of engineering. I came to view this book as a kind of love letter to engineering.
And don't get me wrong, I find it all so impressive. I appreciate Liu's intelligence and I can feel how much fun he must have had nerding out over his creations. It's just not my thing, and I feel that these excessive descriptions bogged the book down. I think it at least needed illustrations to accompany all of it. I might have enjoyed these passages more with visuals.
All of that said, I love this world and I do really like the characters and Liu's writing. The very ending of this has intrigued me enough to continue. But I'm going to start taking my sweet. damn. time. finishing this series. No more trying to get them done in certain amounts of time. Making sure I got this book finished in July certainly didn't help my enjoyment. That works for me with some books, but apparently not these.
The first half of this was very slow, but I enjoyed a lot of the character work, the kids especially. The second half was faster plot-wise, but I can't say I really enjoyed it much. 🫠 It was a lot of battle scenes, which don't do much for me, and a LOT of intricate descriptions of feats of engineering. I came to view this book as a kind of love letter to engineering.
And don't get me wrong, I find it all so impressive. I appreciate Liu's intelligence and I can feel how much fun he must have had nerding out over his creations. It's just not my thing, and I feel that these excessive descriptions bogged the book down. I think it at least needed illustrations to accompany all of it. I might have enjoyed these passages more with visuals.
All of that said, I love this world and I do really like the characters and Liu's writing. The very ending of this has intrigued me enough to continue. But I'm going to start taking my sweet. damn. time. finishing this series. No more trying to get them done in certain amounts of time. Making sure I got this book finished in July certainly didn't help my enjoyment. That works for me with some books, but apparently not these.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book did absolutely nothing for me. 💀
Not only is the "meet cute" outrageously inappropriate, but it never convinced me afterwards why or how these people could fall in love. Like their meeting never should have happened in the first place, so I had a hard time suspending my disbelief. But I was willing to see how they get there, and... I just don't get it. Not one thing that happened between these two characters logically led to them falling in love. They just did, because... Kuang wanted them to, I guess lol.
Their pull towards each other felt only like a trauma bond and an inexplicable fountain of lust. One moment they could hardly stand each other, and the next they couldn't stay away. I couldn't grasp how or when that switch flipped. Also, much of the middle felt plotless and reptitive. So much "romantic" filler and bad smut instead of any real discussion of the MAJOR topics the book brings up. And the MMC had no personality beyond being horny for and in love with the FMC.
So I was mostly just bored and eye rolling (and, once the pet name "crackerjack" was introduced, retching). I thought about DNFing multiple times but 1) I pulled this from my TBR jar and felt a stubborn need to complete it, and 2) I have a hard time DNFing once I'm past halfway.
I think the writing here was fine. It read like a pretty standard romcom and I think she has the chops for it. But yeah... this premise was insane and so tonally wrong for a romcom. 💀 It could maybe have worked better and been done more justice in a more serious subgenre.
I did enjoy the setting of a writer's room / tv set and I wish there had been more of that.
Not only is the "meet cute" outrageously inappropriate, but it never convinced me afterwards why or how these people could fall in love. Like their meeting never should have happened in the first place, so I had a hard time suspending my disbelief. But I was willing to see how they get there, and... I just don't get it. Not one thing that happened between these two characters logically led to them falling in love. They just did, because... Kuang wanted them to, I guess lol.
Their pull towards each other felt only like a trauma bond and an inexplicable fountain of lust. One moment they could hardly stand each other, and the next they couldn't stay away. I couldn't grasp how or when that switch flipped. Also, much of the middle felt plotless and reptitive. So much "romantic" filler and bad smut instead of any real discussion of the MAJOR topics the book brings up. And the MMC had no personality beyond being horny for and in love with the FMC.
So I was mostly just bored and eye rolling (and, once the pet name "crackerjack" was introduced, retching). I thought about DNFing multiple times but 1) I pulled this from my TBR jar and felt a stubborn need to complete it, and 2) I have a hard time DNFing once I'm past halfway.
I think the writing here was fine. It read like a pretty standard romcom and I think she has the chops for it. But yeah... this premise was insane and so tonally wrong for a romcom. 💀 It could maybe have worked better and been done more justice in a more serious subgenre.
I did enjoy the setting of a writer's room / tv set and I wish there had been more of that.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This was a very sweet read!
I got this as a gift and had never heard of it before. Honestly only picked it up thanks to my TBR jar deciding my fate. And I'm glad I did!
It is a very lovely "book book" that does that theme very well, without being too cheesy or preachy. And also happens to tell multiple beautiful human stories with themes of forgiveness, both of yourself and others, and self-actualization, no matter your age. Also really appreciated the compassionate treatment of imprisoned women, by the characters and the author.
A bit cozier than I usually go for, but it was nice. :) And definitely well-written, and an appropriate length for what it is. Good audiobook too! (I ended up immersion reading most of it.)
There was one subplot I loathed 💀 and found almost entirely unnecessary. But at least it ended in a satisfactory way.
I got this as a gift and had never heard of it before. Honestly only picked it up thanks to my TBR jar deciding my fate. And I'm glad I did!
It is a very lovely "book book" that does that theme very well, without being too cheesy or preachy. And also happens to tell multiple beautiful human stories with themes of forgiveness, both of yourself and others, and self-actualization, no matter your age. Also really appreciated the compassionate treatment of imprisoned women, by the characters and the author.
A bit cozier than I usually go for, but it was nice. :) And definitely well-written, and an appropriate length for what it is. Good audiobook too! (I ended up immersion reading most of it.)
There was one subplot I loathed 💀 and found almost entirely unnecessary. But at least it ended in a satisfactory way.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh my GOD!!!!!!!
I'm gonna need 3-5 business days to process that ending! Absolutely incredible! There's no way I can put more than a few weeks between this and Ship of Destiny!
Much of this book was very slow setup - not complaining, it's all necessary and done so well, and I've know from the very start of Assassin's Apprentice that I can trust Hobb's process. And MY GOD did she come through with an epic Hobbicane!!! (My word for her wild endings, a la "Sanderlanche.")
The expansion of the lore in this trilogy is AMAZING. The way she feeds it to us in this book especially is so perfect. And just the lore itself..... it's hard to fathom how smart Robin Hobb is and how well-planned this entire series is. The tie-ins to events in the Farseer trilogy as well were so sparse but always SO exciting! And that one huge character realization I had... 🤌🏻🤩
The character development as well, for practically everyone in this book, was so good and often so satisfying. Hobb's character work and knowledge of humanity is seriously unmatched.
As always, I feel devastated that this series will ever have to end. But this time I feel less like I have to draw it out. Things are heating up substantially and I'm not going to be able to make it last as long as I originally planned. Let's do this. 👊🏻
I'm gonna need 3-5 business days to process that ending! Absolutely incredible! There's no way I can put more than a few weeks between this and Ship of Destiny!
Much of this book was very slow setup - not complaining, it's all necessary and done so well, and I've know from the very start of Assassin's Apprentice that I can trust Hobb's process. And MY GOD did she come through with an epic Hobbicane!!! (My word for her wild endings, a la "Sanderlanche.")
The expansion of the lore in this trilogy is AMAZING. The way she feeds it to us in this book especially is so perfect. And just the lore itself..... it's hard to fathom how smart Robin Hobb is and how well-planned this entire series is. The tie-ins to events in the Farseer trilogy as well were so sparse but always SO exciting! And that one huge character realization I had... 🤌🏻🤩
The character development as well, for practically everyone in this book, was so good and often so satisfying. Hobb's character work and knowledge of humanity is seriously unmatched.
As always, I feel devastated that this series will ever have to end. But this time I feel less like I have to draw it out. Things are heating up substantially and I'm not going to be able to make it last as long as I originally planned. Let's do this. 👊🏻
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is cheesy, a bit oversimplified, and almost certainly VERY historically inaccurate.
But damn if it didn't make me cry! 😭
Just a little weepy at the end there, but still. (If this ever becomes a movie, I will sob.) It was a lovely story. A sweet and defiant queer love story in a very cool setting, portraying many very relatable human experiences.
TJR is a writer of popcorn fiction. But what's another word for popcorn in this context? Accessible. This was a quick and easy read that still felt real and packed an emotional punch.
She may not be a master of prose or very subtle with her themes, but she can tell a damn story. Sometimes that's all you really need. It's not usually what I gravitate towards these days (I picked this up for book club), but it 1000% has value.
That probably sounds condescending, which is not my intention, but alas. I'm probably a bit of a snob these days, but I'll own it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Regardless, I'd like to thinkJoan and Vanessa are out there somewhere, married and growing old together. Frances is thriving in the life of her choosing. And Barbara is miserable and rotting. :)
Edit after book club: I'm raising my rating from 4 to 4.25! We had such a great discussion and I found myself sharing a lot of things I really liked about this book, so it deserves the boost. :)
But damn if it didn't make me cry! 😭
Just a little weepy at the end there, but still. (If this ever becomes a movie, I will sob.) It was a lovely story. A sweet and defiant queer love story in a very cool setting, portraying many very relatable human experiences.
TJR is a writer of popcorn fiction. But what's another word for popcorn in this context? Accessible. This was a quick and easy read that still felt real and packed an emotional punch.
She may not be a master of prose or very subtle with her themes, but she can tell a damn story. Sometimes that's all you really need. It's not usually what I gravitate towards these days (I picked this up for book club), but it 1000% has value.
That probably sounds condescending, which is not my intention, but alas. I'm probably a bit of a snob these days, but I'll own it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Regardless, I'd like to think
Edit after book club: I'm raising my rating from 4 to 4.25! We had such a great discussion and I found myself sharing a lot of things I really liked about this book, so it deserves the boost. :)
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Did this book need to exist? Maybe not. But this town deserved a grand finale.
Was it perhaps a bit too long? Yes. Would I still have read it if it were 2000 pages? Absolutely.
I just adore this community so much. You love them, you hate them, you cheer them on, you want to smack them. Most importantly, you understand them. Even if you'd never be them in a thousand years, even if you vehemently despise the sport they all worship. Backman's writing makes you feel like you live there anyway. Like these people are your people and you'd do anything for them, even when you'd also do anything to make them see sense.
He is one of my favorite character writers of all time. Even though Beartown didn't need to extend beyond book 1, I would read a new book about it every year. Just to be back with my people.
That said, he did seem to wrap it up here. And that's probably for the best.
I can't give this book 5 stars because it was too long and had perhaps a few too many threads. Some things felt a little too fleshed-out that didn't need to be, while others felt rushed and abrupt by the end. I also read it at a very busy time, so it had many stops and starts, which is my fault, but still probably affected my experience, and is definitely muddling my overall feelings about it.
It's not a 5 star book, but it's a 5 star series. A 5 star town. I love this town but also fuck this town. But only I can say that. Because it's my town.
Was it perhaps a bit too long? Yes. Would I still have read it if it were 2000 pages? Absolutely.
I just adore this community so much. You love them, you hate them, you cheer them on, you want to smack them. Most importantly, you understand them. Even if you'd never be them in a thousand years, even if you vehemently despise the sport they all worship. Backman's writing makes you feel like you live there anyway. Like these people are your people and you'd do anything for them, even when you'd also do anything to make them see sense.
He is one of my favorite character writers of all time. Even though Beartown didn't need to extend beyond book 1, I would read a new book about it every year. Just to be back with my people.
That said, he did seem to wrap it up here. And that's probably for the best.
I can't give this book 5 stars because it was too long and had perhaps a few too many threads. Some things felt a little too fleshed-out that didn't need to be, while others felt rushed and abrupt by the end. I also read it at a very busy time, so it had many stops and starts, which is my fault, but still probably affected my experience, and is definitely muddling my overall feelings about it.
It's not a 5 star book, but it's a 5 star series. A 5 star town. I love this town but also fuck this town. But only I can say that. Because it's my town.