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thebooknerdscorner's reviews
1179 reviews
Sun Memos by Ziggy Alberts
5.0
"sun memos" is a beautiful collection of poetry divided into four segments that touch on what it truly means to be human featuring eye-opening statements that may work to change your perspective.
I didn't know quite what to expect when I received "sun memos" in the mail, but it is truly a wonderful collection of poems. I love the lyrical nature of the poems (which is to be expected due to the fact the author is a singer and songwriter); the way the words rolled off my lips felt really nice when I read them aloud.
The first section entitled "Buddhist Hotline" talks about time, mortality, and the human condition of always wanting more as fast as possible. I really respect Alberts' perspective on time and how we should cherish it always.
The second portion is called "Honeypot" and focuses on love, women, and healthy romance. This section felt so sweet and personal, yet could be applied to almost any romantic relationship in various ways. His devotion is clear, and it feels magical when this devotion is signaled towards you.
The third segment, "Concerned on behalf of The Universe," is a really deep one. It discusses things such as the passing of time, being present in the moment, and working to make one's life meaningful with memories rather than souvenirs.
The final segment is called "Lightwork" and focuses on observing the natural world around you and the lessons that it has to teach. It shows how humans and nature can coexist in each others presence, and how humanity can use each other as support. This segment also showcases living for oneself and creating valuable memories.
Overall, I really loved my time reading this collection and could see myself revisiting it quite frequently since I own it. I never would have picked this one up for myself, but I am glad that this book made it into my hands. I appreciate down to earth people who are willing to share their perspective on life and the world around them. I enjoyed reading Alberts' work and I will most definitely be checking out his music in the future. If you like poetry for thought, this might be a great collection to check out.
I didn't know quite what to expect when I received "sun memos" in the mail, but it is truly a wonderful collection of poems. I love the lyrical nature of the poems (which is to be expected due to the fact the author is a singer and songwriter); the way the words rolled off my lips felt really nice when I read them aloud.
The first section entitled "Buddhist Hotline" talks about time, mortality, and the human condition of always wanting more as fast as possible. I really respect Alberts' perspective on time and how we should cherish it always.
The second portion is called "Honeypot" and focuses on love, women, and healthy romance. This section felt so sweet and personal, yet could be applied to almost any romantic relationship in various ways. His devotion is clear, and it feels magical when this devotion is signaled towards you.
The third segment, "Concerned on behalf of The Universe," is a really deep one. It discusses things such as the passing of time, being present in the moment, and working to make one's life meaningful with memories rather than souvenirs.
The final segment is called "Lightwork" and focuses on observing the natural world around you and the lessons that it has to teach. It shows how humans and nature can coexist in each others presence, and how humanity can use each other as support. This segment also showcases living for oneself and creating valuable memories.
Overall, I really loved my time reading this collection and could see myself revisiting it quite frequently since I own it. I never would have picked this one up for myself, but I am glad that this book made it into my hands. I appreciate down to earth people who are willing to share their perspective on life and the world around them. I enjoyed reading Alberts' work and I will most definitely be checking out his music in the future. If you like poetry for thought, this might be a great collection to check out.
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
5.0
In this action-packed start to a fantastical duology, ten semidioses compete in five aggressive challenges in order to claim the realm's greatest honor: to become this decade's Sunbearer and complete the sacred ritual of Sol to maintain peace and prosperity throughout the land.
Teo, the seventeen year old trans son of the goddess Quetzal, has finally come of age that he could be chosen to compete in the Sunbearer trials. But he's not worried. As a Jade, he knows that the only way he'll be participating in the trials is through spectating. The prestigious children of the major gods, referred to as Golds, have trained their entire lives for this competition, but as the son of a minor god, or a Jade, Teo knows his place on the hierarchical god chain. Teo is a bit worried about his best friend Niya, who is a Gold child of the god Tierra. But when the day for the selection comes, something unprecedented occurs: not only is Teo selected to compete, but another Jade by the name of Xio is, too. Can the three underdogs survive these dangerous trials, or will they end up on the bottom of the totem pole and end up as a sacrifice to the great god Sol?
After reading "Cemetery Boys," I was ecstatic to read any book by Aiden Thomas. And "The Sunbearer Trials" did not disappoint! Once again, Thomas hits gold with a fantastic fantasy read featuring Mexican culture, a transgender protagonist, and important societal issues in a magical setting. One of my favorite things about Thomas' writing style is their humor. There were so many times that this book had me cackling and my sister literally turned to me and was like, "Are you okay?" I love the witty way that the dialogue is written and the banter between friends seems so authentic between Teo, Xio, and Niya. Also, there were some sneaky pop culture references to the most random of things which often had me giggling.
Despite this book taking place in a magical world, there are many modern issues that this book addresses in a nonchalant way including themes such as gender identity, unjust social hierarchies, and self identity. Both Teo and Xio are transgender, so they have some really solid conversations between bros about transitioning and becoming proud of their image and themselves as people. The social hierarchy between the Golds, Jades, and Obsidians is also highly problematic. The Golds never interact with mortals and believe that they are superior to them, while the Jades are viewed as lesser to the Golds. The Obsidians have been cast out of society in its entirety, leaving them destitute and angry. I think that this scenario is easily compared to many things happening in our world and leaves room for many intriguing discussion points.
Another thing I love about Thomas' books is the Mexican culture and folklore. Though Thomas constructs their own mythological world in this one, Mexico's influence is breathed into every single page. All of the gods/dioses are named in Spanish, Mexican food is everywhere, and our main character is even part Quetzal! The quetzal has got to be my favorite bird, and I loved seeing them be such an important part of this story. I also like how Teo's wings added to the gender dysphoria that he felt, because he was born with the brown wings of a female quetzal. I thought that this was a brilliant way to enhance the gender themes in this book while taking advantage of the magical setting.
The biggest downfall of this book had to be it's predictability. That was "Cemetery Boys'" one major flaw, too, so this might be a weakness in Thomas' writing. However, I feel that the writing style, the creative story plot, the humor, and all the other elements make up for this minor flaw. I would love to see Thomas shock me one of these times, but I guess we'll see.
Overall, I love "The Sunbearer Trials" in its entirety. Fantasy is my favorite genre and any time I can get fantasy books featuring LGBTQIA+ characters, I truly am a happy camper. After two reads, I'm pretty confident that Aiden Thomas will be an auto buy author from here on out. This book is often pitched as "Percy Jackson" meets "The Hunger Games," and I'd say this tagline is actually pretty accurate. It combines the demigod status and humor of "Percy Jackson" and the high stake games that these kids have no choice to compete in from "The Hunger Games." If this sounds like a fun combo, then be sure to check this one out! I cannot wait to get my hands on the second installment!
Teo, the seventeen year old trans son of the goddess Quetzal, has finally come of age that he could be chosen to compete in the Sunbearer trials. But he's not worried. As a Jade, he knows that the only way he'll be participating in the trials is through spectating. The prestigious children of the major gods, referred to as Golds, have trained their entire lives for this competition, but as the son of a minor god, or a Jade, Teo knows his place on the hierarchical god chain. Teo is a bit worried about his best friend Niya, who is a Gold child of the god Tierra. But when the day for the selection comes, something unprecedented occurs: not only is Teo selected to compete, but another Jade by the name of Xio is, too. Can the three underdogs survive these dangerous trials, or will they end up on the bottom of the totem pole and end up as a sacrifice to the great god Sol?
After reading "Cemetery Boys," I was ecstatic to read any book by Aiden Thomas. And "The Sunbearer Trials" did not disappoint! Once again, Thomas hits gold with a fantastic fantasy read featuring Mexican culture, a transgender protagonist, and important societal issues in a magical setting. One of my favorite things about Thomas' writing style is their humor. There were so many times that this book had me cackling and my sister literally turned to me and was like, "Are you okay?" I love the witty way that the dialogue is written and the banter between friends seems so authentic between Teo, Xio, and Niya. Also, there were some sneaky pop culture references to the most random of things which often had me giggling.
Despite this book taking place in a magical world, there are many modern issues that this book addresses in a nonchalant way including themes such as gender identity, unjust social hierarchies, and self identity. Both Teo and Xio are transgender, so they have some really solid conversations between bros about transitioning and becoming proud of their image and themselves as people. The social hierarchy between the Golds, Jades, and Obsidians is also highly problematic. The Golds never interact with mortals and believe that they are superior to them, while the Jades are viewed as lesser to the Golds. The Obsidians have been cast out of society in its entirety, leaving them destitute and angry. I think that this scenario is easily compared to many things happening in our world and leaves room for many intriguing discussion points.
Another thing I love about Thomas' books is the Mexican culture and folklore. Though Thomas constructs their own mythological world in this one, Mexico's influence is breathed into every single page. All of the gods/dioses are named in Spanish, Mexican food is everywhere, and our main character is even part Quetzal! The quetzal has got to be my favorite bird, and I loved seeing them be such an important part of this story. I also like how Teo's wings added to the gender dysphoria that he felt, because he was born with the brown wings of a female quetzal. I thought that this was a brilliant way to enhance the gender themes in this book while taking advantage of the magical setting.
The biggest downfall of this book had to be it's predictability. That was "Cemetery Boys'" one major flaw, too, so this might be a weakness in Thomas' writing. However, I feel that the writing style, the creative story plot, the humor, and all the other elements make up for this minor flaw. I would love to see Thomas shock me one of these times, but I guess we'll see.
Overall, I love "The Sunbearer Trials" in its entirety. Fantasy is my favorite genre and any time I can get fantasy books featuring LGBTQIA+ characters, I truly am a happy camper. After two reads, I'm pretty confident that Aiden Thomas will be an auto buy author from here on out. This book is often pitched as "Percy Jackson" meets "The Hunger Games," and I'd say this tagline is actually pretty accurate. It combines the demigod status and humor of "Percy Jackson" and the high stake games that these kids have no choice to compete in from "The Hunger Games." If this sounds like a fun combo, then be sure to check this one out! I cannot wait to get my hands on the second installment!
Can't Take That Away by Steven Salvatore
5.0
An emotional rollercoaster of a read featuring the courage of a group of students to stand up for the rights of all students, especially those in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Carey Parker dreams of being a diva like their idol Mariah Carey. They have the vocal talent to back up their dream, but unfortunately, their confidence has slipped over the years. Having to constantly fight to be identified in the way that they want to be identified is no easy battle, and some homophobic encounters with certain classmates has only worsened Carey's performance anxiety. When Carey meets Cris, they finally feel seen and as though they can act one hundred percent themselves. With this newfound romance comes an unexpected wave of confidence and Carey decides to audition for Elphaba in their school's production of "Wicked." Unfortunately, not everyone is happy about this iconic female role being played by a genderqueer person who appears masculine. This sets off a chain of events that Carey could never have seen coming. And it seems as though they are somehow the revolutionary face of these events.
"Can't Take That Away" features so many things that I absolutely love seeing in books. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, gay romance, music, theatre, awesome role models, diverse characters, an amazing found family, and awkward young love. This book has so many elements that I adore it came as no surprise that I absolutely consumed Carey's story in one day.
First and foremost, I feel as though I must touch on the diverse range of characters in this book. Our main character is a genderfluid music loving diva, and I absolutely love their personality and attitude. Cris, the love interest, is a bisexual Filipino. Carey's therapist, Dr. Potter, is a lesbian as are a couple of the other side characters. The theatre director, Mr. Kelly, is gay and honestly, one of the coolest role models I've seen in a book. He stands up for his students no matter what, and I love his take on the literature he discusses with his students. There was also significant representation of black, Latinx, and other such cultures, so really, Salvatore did a fantastic job of including diverse characters without seeming as though they were trying to include every sexuality, ethnicity, etc, under the sun.
Another highlight is the found family. I genuinely enjoyed all six of the characters that make up Carey's friend group, especially his two best friends, Joey and Monroe. These twin girls are as different as night and day, and yet I really loved both of them. Cris occasionally rubbed me the wrong way, but most of my problems with him involved the fact that he is a poor communicator, which is entirely realistic and honestly, relatable. Words are hard, but I wish Cris would have been more open to sharing. Luckily, Carey was also a poor communicator, so that was a burden they were both forced to deal with when it came to their relationship. But enough of that side tangent. I love when there is a solid group of friends that are there for each other through thick and thin. I must admit, there were few platonic relationships in this friend group, but hey, humans can't choose their feelings for one another.
Carey goes through so much throughout this story. Between the sexist comments and homophobic slander from Max and Mr. Jackson, the fact that their grandma has Alzheimer's, and the messy strands they have created between their best friends and their boyfriend, I really felt for everything this kid was going through. They had to shoulder so much during the course of this tale, and I respect that they were willing to speak up against all the injustices that were happening in their community and round up people from across the country who were willing to hear their voice and their side of the story (with the help of their squad, of course).
And finally, I just want to touch on the use of music. I love when an author heavily weaves songs and lyrics into their tale and Salvatore did a flawless job with this one. Carey's obsession with their namesake was very wholesome and I found it neat that this is true in the author's own life. The fact that Carey uses music to bond with both their boyfriend and their grandmother shows one the power that music can harness and the bonds that it can help forge. When words fail, Carey turns to music, and I find that very magical. The fact that "Wicked" is highlighted in this tale and that Carey gets to play Elphaba is also rad. I love the themes of friendship and acceptance in "Wicked," and I feel that it very nicely coincides with the messages present withing "Can't Take That Away."
Overall, I love "Can't Take That Away" and all the difficult topics that it conquers. Between standing up for minorities, finding one's identity, fighting for what one believes in, and demanding justice, I think everyone will be able to find a part of this story immensely relatable. I love the characters, the musicality, the theatre aspect, and the diverse representation. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of Adam Silvera or who is interested in learning more about the LGBTQIA+ community as a whole. But I would recommend this story to just about anyone, because it's a great example of how we are all different but are all human. :)
Carey Parker dreams of being a diva like their idol Mariah Carey. They have the vocal talent to back up their dream, but unfortunately, their confidence has slipped over the years. Having to constantly fight to be identified in the way that they want to be identified is no easy battle, and some homophobic encounters with certain classmates has only worsened Carey's performance anxiety. When Carey meets Cris, they finally feel seen and as though they can act one hundred percent themselves. With this newfound romance comes an unexpected wave of confidence and Carey decides to audition for Elphaba in their school's production of "Wicked." Unfortunately, not everyone is happy about this iconic female role being played by a genderqueer person who appears masculine. This sets off a chain of events that Carey could never have seen coming. And it seems as though they are somehow the revolutionary face of these events.
"Can't Take That Away" features so many things that I absolutely love seeing in books. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, gay romance, music, theatre, awesome role models, diverse characters, an amazing found family, and awkward young love. This book has so many elements that I adore it came as no surprise that I absolutely consumed Carey's story in one day.
First and foremost, I feel as though I must touch on the diverse range of characters in this book. Our main character is a genderfluid music loving diva, and I absolutely love their personality and attitude. Cris, the love interest, is a bisexual Filipino. Carey's therapist, Dr. Potter, is a lesbian as are a couple of the other side characters. The theatre director, Mr. Kelly, is gay and honestly, one of the coolest role models I've seen in a book. He stands up for his students no matter what, and I love his take on the literature he discusses with his students. There was also significant representation of black, Latinx, and other such cultures, so really, Salvatore did a fantastic job of including diverse characters without seeming as though they were trying to include every sexuality, ethnicity, etc, under the sun.
Another highlight is the found family. I genuinely enjoyed all six of the characters that make up Carey's friend group, especially his two best friends, Joey and Monroe. These twin girls are as different as night and day, and yet I really loved both of them. Cris occasionally rubbed me the wrong way, but most of my problems with him involved the fact that he is a poor communicator, which is entirely realistic and honestly, relatable. Words are hard, but I wish Cris would have been more open to sharing. Luckily, Carey was also a poor communicator, so that was a burden they were both forced to deal with when it came to their relationship. But enough of that side tangent. I love when there is a solid group of friends that are there for each other through thick and thin. I must admit, there were few platonic relationships in this friend group, but hey, humans can't choose their feelings for one another.
Carey goes through so much throughout this story. Between the sexist comments and homophobic slander from Max and Mr. Jackson, the fact that their grandma has Alzheimer's, and the messy strands they have created between their best friends and their boyfriend, I really felt for everything this kid was going through. They had to shoulder so much during the course of this tale, and I respect that they were willing to speak up against all the injustices that were happening in their community and round up people from across the country who were willing to hear their voice and their side of the story (with the help of their squad, of course).
And finally, I just want to touch on the use of music. I love when an author heavily weaves songs and lyrics into their tale and Salvatore did a flawless job with this one. Carey's obsession with their namesake was very wholesome and I found it neat that this is true in the author's own life. The fact that Carey uses music to bond with both their boyfriend and their grandmother shows one the power that music can harness and the bonds that it can help forge. When words fail, Carey turns to music, and I find that very magical. The fact that "Wicked" is highlighted in this tale and that Carey gets to play Elphaba is also rad. I love the themes of friendship and acceptance in "Wicked," and I feel that it very nicely coincides with the messages present withing "Can't Take That Away."
Overall, I love "Can't Take That Away" and all the difficult topics that it conquers. Between standing up for minorities, finding one's identity, fighting for what one believes in, and demanding justice, I think everyone will be able to find a part of this story immensely relatable. I love the characters, the musicality, the theatre aspect, and the diverse representation. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of Adam Silvera or who is interested in learning more about the LGBTQIA+ community as a whole. But I would recommend this story to just about anyone, because it's a great example of how we are all different but are all human. :)
Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley
5.0
A thrilling story full of emotion and heart that dives into heavy topics surrounding the mistreatment of Native American's bodies both living and deceased.
Perry Firekeeper-Birch has always thrived in her identity. She's the carefree twin who is always willing to speak her mind as well as a proud inhabitant of Sugar Island. She knows that she is going to spend her summer spending her time fishing and relaxing with her family. That is, until she crashes her Auntie Daunis' Jeep and is forced to work as an intern at the local museum in order to pay for the damages. Her new employer, Cooper "Kooky" Turtle, introduces her to NAGPRA, the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act. Perry had never stopped to consider how many of her relatives are stuck behind glass across the globe, but now that she knows, her perspective will never be the same. Being the daredevil and troublemaker that she is, Perry comes up with a plan to take some repatriations into her own hands.
I really ended up loving this book. Right away, I couldn't help comparing it to "Firekeeper's Daughter." I love Daunis and Jamie, and the plot of the first one was just so compelling. With a bit of time though, I came to appreciate Perry in her own right and the topics in this book really ended up tugging at my heartstrings. I'd say this is a sequel that stands up to the first one, and the inclusion of characters from the first novel really made reading this book feel like coming home.
I think the thing I liked most about "Warrior Girl Unearthed" was the themes that were touched on. Boulley is super passionate about her people, and you can feel this through the topic matter that is explored. As I alluded to earlier, NAGPRA, or the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act is a huge part of this story. There are so many native remains and burial items that have still yet to be returned to their tribes so that they can be properly reburied. It was hard to read about Perry learning about this tragedy in real time and my heart goes out to all those whose loved ones are being held by museums, private collectors, and grave robbers.
The other way that Boulley tackles how Native American's are mistreated is through investigating the MMIWG2S, or the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People. A heartbreaking amount of Native women, girls, and two-spirit people disappear and remain missing often due to the lack of government authorities searching for them. It was eye-opening to read about Perry having to deal with some people she knew personally going missing. Boulley also talks about how IWG2S people are physically abused through rape, sexual grooming, and being fetishized by creepers. These issues are running rampant all over, and I'm so glad that Boulley is using her literary voice to bring awareness to these things.
It is very difficult to read about Native Americans being dehumanized, but it only makes it more important to talk about. There is a point in the book in which I felt like throwing up due to how dehumanizing it got, but I feel that this really highlights how horrible this can get. I read "Firekeeper's Daughter" as a class readalong, and I feel that "Warrior Girl Unearthed" has just as many prevalent things to discuss and I would totally recommend reading it with a buddy, a book club, or even with an entire class.
I talked about a bunch of heavy things, but there are a bunch of great lighthearted things about this book, too. Perry's attitude is phenomenal, which leads to a bunch of chaotic banter with her twin sister, her friends, and even her colleagues. She also has a brilliant mind (though hers is not nearly as scientific as Daunis'), which made it fun to follow her train of thought as she planned her nefarious schemes and tried to string together the mysteries that were occurring throughout this book.
Though I didn't love the romance in this one as much as I did in "Firekeeper's Daughter," I still found it to be a cute element that added to the story. Perry's relationship with Erik is super complicated and felt authentic (though it isn't nearly as messy as Daunis' thing with Jamie; oof). I liked the awkward conversations between the two, and I have hope that something more could develop between the two despite all that goes down in this book.
Overall, "Warrior Girl Unearthed" is a super solid book that really tugged at my heartstrings and made me feel for all of the characters. Boulley conquers some really difficult topics with this one, which I feel makes it perfect for discussion. I think after reading this one, I can say that Boulley is a master at her craft and that I am willing to read any book she decides to write. I would love to see more installments in this fictionalized version of Sugar Island. I cannot recommend these books enough!
Perry Firekeeper-Birch has always thrived in her identity. She's the carefree twin who is always willing to speak her mind as well as a proud inhabitant of Sugar Island. She knows that she is going to spend her summer spending her time fishing and relaxing with her family. That is, until she crashes her Auntie Daunis' Jeep and is forced to work as an intern at the local museum in order to pay for the damages. Her new employer, Cooper "Kooky" Turtle, introduces her to NAGPRA, the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act. Perry had never stopped to consider how many of her relatives are stuck behind glass across the globe, but now that she knows, her perspective will never be the same. Being the daredevil and troublemaker that she is, Perry comes up with a plan to take some repatriations into her own hands.
I really ended up loving this book. Right away, I couldn't help comparing it to "Firekeeper's Daughter." I love Daunis and Jamie, and the plot of the first one was just so compelling. With a bit of time though, I came to appreciate Perry in her own right and the topics in this book really ended up tugging at my heartstrings. I'd say this is a sequel that stands up to the first one, and the inclusion of characters from the first novel really made reading this book feel like coming home.
I think the thing I liked most about "Warrior Girl Unearthed" was the themes that were touched on. Boulley is super passionate about her people, and you can feel this through the topic matter that is explored. As I alluded to earlier, NAGPRA, or the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act is a huge part of this story. There are so many native remains and burial items that have still yet to be returned to their tribes so that they can be properly reburied. It was hard to read about Perry learning about this tragedy in real time and my heart goes out to all those whose loved ones are being held by museums, private collectors, and grave robbers.
The other way that Boulley tackles how Native American's are mistreated is through investigating the MMIWG2S, or the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People. A heartbreaking amount of Native women, girls, and two-spirit people disappear and remain missing often due to the lack of government authorities searching for them. It was eye-opening to read about Perry having to deal with some people she knew personally going missing. Boulley also talks about how IWG2S people are physically abused through rape, sexual grooming, and being fetishized by creepers. These issues are running rampant all over, and I'm so glad that Boulley is using her literary voice to bring awareness to these things.
It is very difficult to read about Native Americans being dehumanized, but it only makes it more important to talk about. There is a point in the book in which I felt like throwing up due to how dehumanizing it got, but I feel that this really highlights how horrible this can get. I read "Firekeeper's Daughter" as a class readalong, and I feel that "Warrior Girl Unearthed" has just as many prevalent things to discuss and I would totally recommend reading it with a buddy, a book club, or even with an entire class.
I talked about a bunch of heavy things, but there are a bunch of great lighthearted things about this book, too. Perry's attitude is phenomenal, which leads to a bunch of chaotic banter with her twin sister, her friends, and even her colleagues. She also has a brilliant mind (though hers is not nearly as scientific as Daunis'), which made it fun to follow her train of thought as she planned her nefarious schemes and tried to string together the mysteries that were occurring throughout this book.
Though I didn't love the romance in this one as much as I did in "Firekeeper's Daughter," I still found it to be a cute element that added to the story. Perry's relationship with Erik is super complicated and felt authentic (though it isn't nearly as messy as Daunis' thing with Jamie; oof). I liked the awkward conversations between the two, and I have hope that something more could develop between the two despite all that goes down in this book.
Overall, "Warrior Girl Unearthed" is a super solid book that really tugged at my heartstrings and made me feel for all of the characters. Boulley conquers some really difficult topics with this one, which I feel makes it perfect for discussion. I think after reading this one, I can say that Boulley is a master at her craft and that I am willing to read any book she decides to write. I would love to see more installments in this fictionalized version of Sugar Island. I cannot recommend these books enough!
The Last Full Measure by Trent Reedy
2.0
The conclusion to the "Divided We Fall" trilogy showcases an America ripped apart by a devastating civil war and the threat of nuclear warfare.
I'm so glad that I finally made it through this trilogy. I can't even say these books are bad, but they most definitely do not fall into a genre that I would want to be reading again. They're just too full of gore, politics, and militaristic things for me to really enjoy them despite the valid points that Reedy is trying to bring to life.
One thing that I really couldn't believe about this book is that, once again, the action doesn't really start until about halfway through the book despite it being the third book. And a big majority of this book is the characters trying to move from location A to location B while being chased down by people with big guns. I don't find this kind of action very exciting, so I was left feeling rather bored.
I enjoyed the ending quite a bit though. Things in North America got really intense and it was sad to see the horrific things happening in the former United States. The war had only been going for a year and there were many scenarios that very closely resembled those occurring during Nazi occupied territory during World War II. These segments were difficult to read, but I found them to be the most influential and valuable part of this narrative. The loss that Danny deals with and the guilt that he feels towards these events is another part of this book that I enjoyed consuming due to the heartfelt and personal connections felt throughout humanity.
Overall, I can't say that I'm leaving the "Divided We Fall" series with happy memories, but the series most definitely gave me some familiarity with a new type of genre that I hadn't interacted with previously. My ride with Danny Wright and the crew has finally come to an end and I can say without doubt that the characters were most definitely the highlight of the series. They may be a bunch of idiots who seriously cannot make any intelligent decisions, but they're loyalty knows no limits. I love how devoted the friend group is to one another even during the hardest of circumstances and this conviction for one another kept me turning the pages until the very end.
I'm so glad that I finally made it through this trilogy. I can't even say these books are bad, but they most definitely do not fall into a genre that I would want to be reading again. They're just too full of gore, politics, and militaristic things for me to really enjoy them despite the valid points that Reedy is trying to bring to life.
One thing that I really couldn't believe about this book is that, once again, the action doesn't really start until about halfway through the book despite it being the third book. And a big majority of this book is the characters trying to move from location A to location B while being chased down by people with big guns. I don't find this kind of action very exciting, so I was left feeling rather bored.
I enjoyed the ending quite a bit though. Things in North America got really intense and it was sad to see the horrific things happening in the former United States. The war had only been going for a year and there were many scenarios that very closely resembled those occurring during Nazi occupied territory during World War II. These segments were difficult to read, but I found them to be the most influential and valuable part of this narrative. The loss that Danny deals with and the guilt that he feels towards these events is another part of this book that I enjoyed consuming due to the heartfelt and personal connections felt throughout humanity.
Overall, I can't say that I'm leaving the "Divided We Fall" series with happy memories, but the series most definitely gave me some familiarity with a new type of genre that I hadn't interacted with previously. My ride with Danny Wright and the crew has finally come to an end and I can say without doubt that the characters were most definitely the highlight of the series. They may be a bunch of idiots who seriously cannot make any intelligent decisions, but they're loyalty knows no limits. I love how devoted the friend group is to one another even during the hardest of circumstances and this conviction for one another kept me turning the pages until the very end.
Burning Nation by Trent Reedy
2.0
The second installment in the "Divided We Fall" trilogy that spotlights the rebel state of Idaho vs the United States of America.
Danny and his friends are desperately fighting to keep the federal government of the United States out of the Republic of Idaho. Unfortunately, Danny is high up on the United States' most wanted list. Can Danny and the gang protect Idaho and the ones they love, or will they be captured by the federal government of a nation that they once devoted all their loyalties too?
Honestly, I just finished this book and don't remember much of what happened. In the beginning, there was a bunch of sitting around doing pretty much nothing in this underground bunker. Eventually, they leave that bunker and hide in a different place. I feel that this is much of what this book encompassed: moving from one hiding spot to the next. Not what I'd call a very thrilling read.
Another thing I remember is that Danny cheats on his girlfriend, JoBell. This was very frustrating to me and I feel the only thing it added to the story was unnecessary drama. It did allow Sweeney to make a cringe "Twilight" reference, but even the joke was sexist. *sigh* Will he have character growth someday? I seriously hope so.
Beyond these two things, the only other takeaway from this book was gore and warfare. Things exploded, people were shot, stabbed, and ripped apart, and America tears itself apart with little to no explanation. I'm not a huge fan of violence, so I didn't find any of this to be very enjoyable to read. I know I am not the target audience of this series, but I'm here reading them anyway so I guess I'm sharing my opinions about them.
Overall, "Burning Nation" was a boring read full of grueling violence, cheating, politics, and repetitive behavior. I didn't particularly like the first one, but this one was way more boring to me. The only reason I'm really continuing at this point is to see which members of the friend group die. There is no way they can all make it out alive and I'm curious to see how the author deals with this.
Danny and his friends are desperately fighting to keep the federal government of the United States out of the Republic of Idaho. Unfortunately, Danny is high up on the United States' most wanted list. Can Danny and the gang protect Idaho and the ones they love, or will they be captured by the federal government of a nation that they once devoted all their loyalties too?
Honestly, I just finished this book and don't remember much of what happened. In the beginning, there was a bunch of sitting around doing pretty much nothing in this underground bunker. Eventually, they leave that bunker and hide in a different place. I feel that this is much of what this book encompassed: moving from one hiding spot to the next. Not what I'd call a very thrilling read.
Another thing I remember is that Danny cheats on his girlfriend, JoBell. This was very frustrating to me and I feel the only thing it added to the story was unnecessary drama. It did allow Sweeney to make a cringe "Twilight" reference, but even the joke was sexist. *sigh* Will he have character growth someday? I seriously hope so.
Beyond these two things, the only other takeaway from this book was gore and warfare. Things exploded, people were shot, stabbed, and ripped apart, and America tears itself apart with little to no explanation. I'm not a huge fan of violence, so I didn't find any of this to be very enjoyable to read. I know I am not the target audience of this series, but I'm here reading them anyway so I guess I'm sharing my opinions about them.
Overall, "Burning Nation" was a boring read full of grueling violence, cheating, politics, and repetitive behavior. I didn't particularly like the first one, but this one was way more boring to me. The only reason I'm really continuing at this point is to see which members of the friend group die. There is no way they can all make it out alive and I'm curious to see how the author deals with this.
Divided We Fall by Trent Reedy
3.0
America's unsteady government and the ever increasing political divide between parties is brought to life in this pre-dystopian story featuring the state of Idaho against the federal government.
Danny Wright appears to be an average senior. He loves football, his truck, the rodeo, and his girlfriend JoBell. But he is also an active soldier in the Idaho National Guard. While the rest of his friends are out partying, Danny is sent on a dangerous mission to stop protesters in Boise. When his gun misfires and causes a massacre to ensue, Danny's world can never be the same again. The state of Idaho takes a stand against the federal government and things get more heated as the lines between right and wrong start to blur and loyalties begin to fade.
When I first started this book, I thought that I was going to hate it. It is rifled with politics, military jargon, and action scenes that I found rather boring. However, I found it to be an interesting enough read, though I know many portions of it flew over my head. I was invested in Danny's relationship with his mother, enjoyed the romance sub-plot, and found the balance between Danny's life as a high school student and as a soldier to be intriguing enough to keep the pages turning.
There were quite a few things that I blatantly didn't enjoy about this book though. I found the news articles to often be pointless and distracting from the actually story. I suppose that they highlighted the divisiveness that the country was going through, but I feel that they didn't add much in the long run. I also really didn't appreciate the racist and sexist comments made by one of Danny's friends, Sweeney, the entire book. I didn't find it funny or endearing at all and wish that the author would have crafted his character in a bit of a different way, though I do suppose this leaves room for potential growth as the series progresses.
Overall, "Divided We Fall" was a very mid-tier book for me. There were aspects of it that I enjoyed, but it was a bit too militaristic and political for me to truly enjoy. Depending on how the series progresses will decide whether I have positive feelings towards it in its entirety. I feel that the books are only going to be filled with more politics and warfare from here on out, so I'm interested to see if I'll end up liking the future installments in this series or not.
Danny Wright appears to be an average senior. He loves football, his truck, the rodeo, and his girlfriend JoBell. But he is also an active soldier in the Idaho National Guard. While the rest of his friends are out partying, Danny is sent on a dangerous mission to stop protesters in Boise. When his gun misfires and causes a massacre to ensue, Danny's world can never be the same again. The state of Idaho takes a stand against the federal government and things get more heated as the lines between right and wrong start to blur and loyalties begin to fade.
When I first started this book, I thought that I was going to hate it. It is rifled with politics, military jargon, and action scenes that I found rather boring. However, I found it to be an interesting enough read, though I know many portions of it flew over my head. I was invested in Danny's relationship with his mother, enjoyed the romance sub-plot, and found the balance between Danny's life as a high school student and as a soldier to be intriguing enough to keep the pages turning.
There were quite a few things that I blatantly didn't enjoy about this book though. I found the news articles to often be pointless and distracting from the actually story. I suppose that they highlighted the divisiveness that the country was going through, but I feel that they didn't add much in the long run. I also really didn't appreciate the racist and sexist comments made by one of Danny's friends, Sweeney, the entire book. I didn't find it funny or endearing at all and wish that the author would have crafted his character in a bit of a different way, though I do suppose this leaves room for potential growth as the series progresses.
Overall, "Divided We Fall" was a very mid-tier book for me. There were aspects of it that I enjoyed, but it was a bit too militaristic and political for me to truly enjoy. Depending on how the series progresses will decide whether I have positive feelings towards it in its entirety. I feel that the books are only going to be filled with more politics and warfare from here on out, so I'm interested to see if I'll end up liking the future installments in this series or not.
The Curse of King Midas by Colleen M. Story
Everyone knows the basics of the story of King Midas, but "The Curse of King Midas" brings it to life in a unique and refreshing way. King Midas was a real king who ruled the kingdom of Phrygia (now a part of Turkey) at the height of its power in the eighth century B.C. I knew next to nothing about this man besides the fact that he is randomly brought up in Greek mythology and that his story is a warning to young children not to be greedy. Story's novel follows him from his childhood as a small boy whose mother was killed by the brutal King Sargon II all the way up to Midas acquiring the golden touch and wreaking revenge on his nemesis. So long story short, I learned a bunch about what King Midas' life might have been like.
This book has a wide cast of characters and most of them caught my interest when I was in their perspectives. We follow King Midas, King Sargon II, two morally gray goddesses (Katiah and Denisia), Midas' children Princess Zoe and Prince Anchurus, Midas' advisors (also known as FAX), Elanur (Midas' sister), Prince Emir (King Sargon's runaway son), and a mysterious young boy called Little Bird. I must admit, it was often difficult to keep track of so many characters at once, but once I got the hang of who everyone was, it became a much easier read. I found Emir's and Anchurus' perspectives to be the most engaging, but all of the characters played an important role and I eventually came to understand why all of the perspectives were kept in play.
I think my favorite thing beyond the characters was the complicated allegiances in this book. It is so hard to figure out who is on Midas' team and who allies themselves with Sargon. The shifting loyalties are real in this one, and I found myself often changing my opinions on characters and whether I viewed them as "good," "bad," or "other."
I'm not sure how necessary it is to keep the series rolling, but I suppose us readers will get to learn more about the real King Midas as the books progress. The fact that he no longer possesses the golden touch by the end of this one will make him less interesting as a character, but I am interested to see if he can keep the peace in his kingdom and if he will be reunited with the rest of his family. Also, the morally gray goddesses are looking extra suspicious at the end of this one, so I'm sure they will be a major source of conflict in the following books.
Overall, "The Curse of King Midas" was an interesting book that played with both history and mythology to string together a harrowing tale of revenge and heartbreak. I found it a bit slow at times, but beyond that it was well structured and really engaging to read. I enjoyed my time with Story's tale, and I am interested to see what the rest of the series will entail. If you are a fan of Greek mythology, historical novels, or revenge stories, I would highly recommend this book!
4.0
The classic story of King Midas is brought to life in a whole new way in this tale of revenge that draws inspiration from Greek myths as well as the real King Midas.
Everyone knows the basics of the story of King Midas, but "The Curse of King Midas" brings it to life in a unique and refreshing way. King Midas was a real king who ruled the kingdom of Phrygia (now a part of Turkey) at the height of its power in the eighth century B.C. I knew next to nothing about this man besides the fact that he is randomly brought up in Greek mythology and that his story is a warning to young children not to be greedy. Story's novel follows him from his childhood as a small boy whose mother was killed by the brutal King Sargon II all the way up to Midas acquiring the golden touch and wreaking revenge on his nemesis. So long story short, I learned a bunch about what King Midas' life might have been like.
This book has a wide cast of characters and most of them caught my interest when I was in their perspectives. We follow King Midas, King Sargon II, two morally gray goddesses (Katiah and Denisia), Midas' children Princess Zoe and Prince Anchurus, Midas' advisors (also known as FAX), Elanur (Midas' sister), Prince Emir (King Sargon's runaway son), and a mysterious young boy called Little Bird. I must admit, it was often difficult to keep track of so many characters at once, but once I got the hang of who everyone was, it became a much easier read. I found Emir's and Anchurus' perspectives to be the most engaging, but all of the characters played an important role and I eventually came to understand why all of the perspectives were kept in play.
I think my favorite thing beyond the characters was the complicated allegiances in this book. It is so hard to figure out who is on Midas' team and who allies themselves with Sargon. The shifting loyalties are real in this one, and I found myself often changing my opinions on characters and whether I viewed them as "good," "bad," or "other."
I'm not sure how necessary it is to keep the series rolling, but I suppose us readers will get to learn more about the real King Midas as the books progress. The fact that he no longer possesses the golden touch by the end of this one will make him less interesting as a character, but I am interested to see if he can keep the peace in his kingdom and if he will be reunited with the rest of his family. Also, the morally gray goddesses are looking extra suspicious at the end of this one, so I'm sure they will be a major source of conflict in the following books.
Overall, "The Curse of King Midas" was an interesting book that played with both history and mythology to string together a harrowing tale of revenge and heartbreak. I found it a bit slow at times, but beyond that it was well structured and really engaging to read. I enjoyed my time with Story's tale, and I am interested to see what the rest of the series will entail. If you are a fan of Greek mythology, historical novels, or revenge stories, I would highly recommend this book!
Now I Rise by Kiersten White
3.0
The bloodthirsty Lada the Impaler and her loyal to a fault brother Radu the Handsome are faced with even higher stakes in book two of White's "The Conqueror Saga."
After going against both her beloved brother, Radu, and her sporadic lover, Mehmed, Lada Dracul has failed to acquire the throne of Wallachia. Now, she will do anything it takes to win back the kingdom that is rightfully hers. Even if it means betraying the only allies that have ever been on her side. Unfortunately, brute force alone isn't enough to get Lada everything she wants in life. If only she had her brother by her side. . . But Mehmed has sent Radu to Constantinople as a spy to gain intelligence in hopes of turning the tide of his conquest. In the city of Mehmed's desires, Radu is conflicted in many ways. Where should his loyalty truly lie? With Mehmed, who has only ever used him as a tool, but at least values him as a friend? With his sister Lada, who has also used him time and again to achieve her nefarious schemes? Or the the innocent people of Constantinople, who have done nothing to deserve the bloody deaths that Mehmed's plans for them? Radu has never felt more torn in his life, and it only becomes more messy as he becomes closer to his "enemies" within the cities walls. Both siblings will have to sacrifice much to achieve their ambitions, but are they even fighting for the right things?
White has truly penned a historical masterpiece with this series. However, I just didn't enjoy reading this book nearly as much as the first one. I feel that the majority of the plot just went around in circles as the siblings tried to decide where their true allegiances lie. I understand that war and political alliances are beyond messy and there really isn't another way to write a series like this that isn't sometimes long winded with actions that are seemingly pointless or detrimental in the long run. Personally though, this just isn't my favorite type of book.
One thing I enjoyed about this one is seeing the struggles that Radu and Lada both experienced with their loyalties, sexualities, and life desires. Both siblings want to run back to Mehmed, whom they both desire for various reasons. However, destiny has flung them deep into the path of conquest and they must choose to either fight or die in the complicated webs of war. Lada still struggles with her identity as a woman, but is also starting to learn to cope with it more. There are many plans and tactics that she employs that only function due to her womanhood and she begins to realize that if she was born a man, she probably wouldn't have turned into the fighter that she is today. Radu on the other hand, is still grappling with his forbidden love and is confronted with an entirely different issue of the heart: another man that he can't seem to stop thinking about. I found it interesting to read of Radu's struggle with his feelings and my heart truly goes out to this poor kid. He has already been through so much pain in his life, and the fact that he has fallen for two people who don't return his love is quite tragic for the poor lad. On a side note, I really love the platonic relationship he has with his wife Nazira. It is so sweet and I love the extreme lengths the two of them are willing to go for each other. Of course, this makes Radu's situation even more complicated.
Once again, the historical atmosphere of this series truly takes my breath away. It is so easy to be swept away in White's words and imagine this alternative history that she has created. I'm not a huge history buff, but I can still feel all of the effort that she put into writing this series and I'm astonished by how much research she must have put into Lada, Radu, and Mehmed's story.
Overall, I wish that "Now I Rise" would have been a little less repetitive and that the action would have picked up a tad faster. I still really enjoyed reading about the trio's complicated web of history that they are creating amongst the three of them, but I could feel the book start to drag as I got about halfway through. I'm intrigued to see how this series ends, especially because I know a bit about history and things don't really go all that swell for Lada or Mehmed's real life counterparts. I'm interested to see if Radu can someone skirt his way to a happily ever after or if the author boldly bends history to her whim. However, I think I'm going to take a bit of a break before diving into the next one. These books are long, historical reads and I can already start to feel the burnout. I think I'll enjoy the book more if I pause for a bit and read something else, so that is the course of action I'm going to take.
After going against both her beloved brother, Radu, and her sporadic lover, Mehmed, Lada Dracul has failed to acquire the throne of Wallachia. Now, she will do anything it takes to win back the kingdom that is rightfully hers. Even if it means betraying the only allies that have ever been on her side. Unfortunately, brute force alone isn't enough to get Lada everything she wants in life. If only she had her brother by her side. . . But Mehmed has sent Radu to Constantinople as a spy to gain intelligence in hopes of turning the tide of his conquest. In the city of Mehmed's desires, Radu is conflicted in many ways. Where should his loyalty truly lie? With Mehmed, who has only ever used him as a tool, but at least values him as a friend? With his sister Lada, who has also used him time and again to achieve her nefarious schemes? Or the the innocent people of Constantinople, who have done nothing to deserve the bloody deaths that Mehmed's plans for them? Radu has never felt more torn in his life, and it only becomes more messy as he becomes closer to his "enemies" within the cities walls. Both siblings will have to sacrifice much to achieve their ambitions, but are they even fighting for the right things?
White has truly penned a historical masterpiece with this series. However, I just didn't enjoy reading this book nearly as much as the first one. I feel that the majority of the plot just went around in circles as the siblings tried to decide where their true allegiances lie. I understand that war and political alliances are beyond messy and there really isn't another way to write a series like this that isn't sometimes long winded with actions that are seemingly pointless or detrimental in the long run. Personally though, this just isn't my favorite type of book.
One thing I enjoyed about this one is seeing the struggles that Radu and Lada both experienced with their loyalties, sexualities, and life desires. Both siblings want to run back to Mehmed, whom they both desire for various reasons. However, destiny has flung them deep into the path of conquest and they must choose to either fight or die in the complicated webs of war. Lada still struggles with her identity as a woman, but is also starting to learn to cope with it more. There are many plans and tactics that she employs that only function due to her womanhood and she begins to realize that if she was born a man, she probably wouldn't have turned into the fighter that she is today. Radu on the other hand, is still grappling with his forbidden love and is confronted with an entirely different issue of the heart: another man that he can't seem to stop thinking about. I found it interesting to read of Radu's struggle with his feelings and my heart truly goes out to this poor kid. He has already been through so much pain in his life, and the fact that he has fallen for two people who don't return his love is quite tragic for the poor lad. On a side note, I really love the platonic relationship he has with his wife Nazira. It is so sweet and I love the extreme lengths the two of them are willing to go for each other. Of course, this makes Radu's situation even more complicated.
Once again, the historical atmosphere of this series truly takes my breath away. It is so easy to be swept away in White's words and imagine this alternative history that she has created. I'm not a huge history buff, but I can still feel all of the effort that she put into writing this series and I'm astonished by how much research she must have put into Lada, Radu, and Mehmed's story.
Overall, I wish that "Now I Rise" would have been a little less repetitive and that the action would have picked up a tad faster. I still really enjoyed reading about the trio's complicated web of history that they are creating amongst the three of them, but I could feel the book start to drag as I got about halfway through. I'm intrigued to see how this series ends, especially because I know a bit about history and things don't really go all that swell for Lada or Mehmed's real life counterparts. I'm interested to see if Radu can someone skirt his way to a happily ever after or if the author boldly bends history to her whim. However, I think I'm going to take a bit of a break before diving into the next one. These books are long, historical reads and I can already start to feel the burnout. I think I'll enjoy the book more if I pause for a bit and read something else, so that is the course of action I'm going to take.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories by Washington Irving
3.0
Classic gothic tales by one of America's first successful writers.
My edition of this book only includes "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," "Rip Van Winkle," "The Specter Bridegroom," and "The Devil and Tom Walker." All of these are gothic stories that showcase some fantastical element (usually ghosts) and focus on themes such as the passing of time, not being greedy, and punishment for those who have wronged.
I read "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" due to the fact that I picked up a retelling of it and realized I had no idea what was going on. I must say, reading the story helped me better understand the modern retelling I read, but I wasn't super excited about the story itself. Ichabod's a creep, the writing is superfluous, and the endings is ambiguous. I must admit, the way the ending is written allowed for the entire retelling to occur. The Headless Horseman is a cool character though, and I would be interested to see more modern writers take the idea of him and twist it in some way.
"Rip Van Winkle" is an intriguing little tale about a man who goes up to a mountain, falls asleep, and returns to a world that he doesn't recognize. I am highly fixated on the concept of time, so I must admit that this one freaked me out a bit. Going to bed one day and waking up decades later would be a literal nightmare and this story caused my brain to spiral a little bit. So a bit creepy due to the things it made me think about, but not really due to the writing or the "ghosts."
"The Specter Bridegroom" was the story that I enjoyed reading the most. It follows this man who is supposed to trek to this castle to wed this girl, but is attacked and killed by thieves. His friend is meant to tell the kingdom what has occurred, but finds himself drawn to the suppose-to-be bride. I found the way that the characters were described in this one to be hilarious due to the changing the of time periods, which made it a fun read. The way the princess behaves is actually laughable in this day and age, which makes me really consider how stories are viewed differently over time.
"The Devil and Tom Walker" pretty much just existed for me. It's another tale of some guy finding the treasure of Captain Kidd and trying to claim it as his own. In this one, Tom makes a bargain with the Devil to keep the loot, which ends up ensnaring his soul for good. I found it pretty boring and surface level, but at least it was short. It was also super obvious to tell that this one was just a cautionary tale written to say "don't be greedy" and "be careful what you wish for."
Overall, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories" are cautionary tales from the 1700s that still exist to this day. I understand how these stories would have been horrifying back when they were written (riding your horse through the woods at night, inexplainable forces being ghosts, the Devil himself coming to get you if you sinned), but now, they are pretty lack luster. I appreciate the legacy that Irving has helped establish, but I personally don't find his tales to be anything special. They're not horrible, but they don't stand out compared to anything else I've read either.
My edition of this book only includes "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," "Rip Van Winkle," "The Specter Bridegroom," and "The Devil and Tom Walker." All of these are gothic stories that showcase some fantastical element (usually ghosts) and focus on themes such as the passing of time, not being greedy, and punishment for those who have wronged.
I read "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" due to the fact that I picked up a retelling of it and realized I had no idea what was going on. I must say, reading the story helped me better understand the modern retelling I read, but I wasn't super excited about the story itself. Ichabod's a creep, the writing is superfluous, and the endings is ambiguous. I must admit, the way the ending is written allowed for the entire retelling to occur. The Headless Horseman is a cool character though, and I would be interested to see more modern writers take the idea of him and twist it in some way.
"Rip Van Winkle" is an intriguing little tale about a man who goes up to a mountain, falls asleep, and returns to a world that he doesn't recognize. I am highly fixated on the concept of time, so I must admit that this one freaked me out a bit. Going to bed one day and waking up decades later would be a literal nightmare and this story caused my brain to spiral a little bit. So a bit creepy due to the things it made me think about, but not really due to the writing or the "ghosts."
"The Specter Bridegroom" was the story that I enjoyed reading the most. It follows this man who is supposed to trek to this castle to wed this girl, but is attacked and killed by thieves. His friend is meant to tell the kingdom what has occurred, but finds himself drawn to the suppose-to-be bride. I found the way that the characters were described in this one to be hilarious due to the changing the of time periods, which made it a fun read. The way the princess behaves is actually laughable in this day and age, which makes me really consider how stories are viewed differently over time.
"The Devil and Tom Walker" pretty much just existed for me. It's another tale of some guy finding the treasure of Captain Kidd and trying to claim it as his own. In this one, Tom makes a bargain with the Devil to keep the loot, which ends up ensnaring his soul for good. I found it pretty boring and surface level, but at least it was short. It was also super obvious to tell that this one was just a cautionary tale written to say "don't be greedy" and "be careful what you wish for."
Overall, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories" are cautionary tales from the 1700s that still exist to this day. I understand how these stories would have been horrifying back when they were written (riding your horse through the woods at night, inexplainable forces being ghosts, the Devil himself coming to get you if you sinned), but now, they are pretty lack luster. I appreciate the legacy that Irving has helped establish, but I personally don't find his tales to be anything special. They're not horrible, but they don't stand out compared to anything else I've read either.