I started this book with low expectations. It's very rare for thrillers nowadays to be rated over 4.1 stars so I didn't want to get very excited. HencI started this book with low expectations. It's very rare for thrillers nowadays to be rated over 4.1 stars so I didn't want to get very excited. Hence, I picked up the audiobook. At around 15%, I realised that the story is good but I'm not feeling it. We have three different perspectives in two different timelines. The narrator used the same tone which was not only boring but also made me lose focus while reading. I finished a good part of the book before realising that I don't know what is actually going on. I stopped and skimmed through the chapters I finished in the audio and continued. The first two parts were slow but they are important to build the characters (who are very well-written, by the way)....more
While I enjoyed this novel and practically finished it in to time once the story got going, I did find it one dimensional sometimes. The topi3.5 stars
While I enjoyed this novel and practically finished it in to time once the story got going, I did find it one dimensional sometimes. The topics it handled could’ve been more complex. I did round it up to 4 though because it’s a fast paced and fun read featuring likeable characters. Review to come. ...more
A Criminal Justice is my least favourite in this series. It’s very far fetched and features too many perspectives. I have read the previous 3 books anA Criminal Justice is my least favourite in this series. It’s very far fetched and features too many perspectives. I have read the previous 3 books and enjoyed the thriller/legal mix but this installment featured too much corruption, unrealistic events, and well, boring plotline. I was bored a lot reading it that I found myself skimming, especially in the middle part. The series is still worth checking out but I wouldn’t recommend this novel....more
This book was underwhelming compared to Beartown. Lots of useless chit chat. A friend warned me it’s not as good but I still expected a bette2.5 stars
This book was underwhelming compared to Beartown. Lots of useless chit chat. A friend warned me it’s not as good but I still expected a better story.. I have been looking forward to this book but I can now say I’m disappointed. Not say it was terrible because it’s not. It’s just not good enough....more
This book does feel like one of Hannah’s earlier books yet it has her style and she’s a talented writer. It probably could’ve used more polishing (somThis book does feel like one of Hannah’s earlier books yet it has her style and she’s a talented writer. It probably could’ve used more polishing (some expressions were repeated too many times in different ways and there was too much focus on the looks). Still, it’s an okay WWII story. But definitely not one of my Hannah’s favorite books....more
Honestly, this book was much better than I expected. I haven’t been enjoying WWII stories lately and I only learned that it involves a WWII part afterHonestly, this book was much better than I expected. I haven’t been enjoying WWII stories lately and I only learned that it involves a WWII part after starting it. The chapters were also very long. Surprisingly, the order which Picoult used to tell, worked for me. The audibook was also well narrated with different narrators for each perspective. My only critique would be about the romance for it felt rushed and unnatural to me....more
At last, I am done with this book. I am a big fan of urban fantasy books and this one sounded like something I'd usually enjoy. Unfortunately, I didn'At last, I am done with this book. I am a big fan of urban fantasy books and this one sounded like something I'd usually enjoy. Unfortunately, I didn't. I didn't find the story particularly original but it's okay this genre is bound to get repetitive. That wasn't my main issue but rather finding something to like. This book is just so meh.
I expected more of Stark, the main character. He was rash and reckless, he didn't make a proper plan and instead just acted in the spur of a moment. Even if (strategically) it made no sense. I honestly didn't care much about his background nor personality. The other side characters didn't stand out either.
Although there was some action going on throughout the book, I was still bored. I wasn't invested in the story nor cared about what was going on. I don't understand the hype at all. The last part eventually was more interesting than the rest of the book but it didn't matter since I didn't feel anything about (anything) up to that point anyway. There are much better UF out there. I haven't read many with a male read so this book feels like a missed opportunity to have something more original than hell/heaven matters....more
So this book wasn’t disappointing after all! I was honestly worried I might not enjoy it (look at the rating, a drop from the first two and that rarelSo this book wasn’t disappointing after all! I was honestly worried I might not enjoy it (look at the rating, a drop from the first two and that rarely happens in series). Fear not, Sanderson is as good as ever writing gripping and enjoyable stories. But yes, I do agree that this book read mostly as a filler. The thing is, I enjoyed the filler part more than the events directly related to the overall story! > so I didn’t mind....more
This isn't the type of book that pulls you in from the first page. Nor first chapter. However, once you start understanding what is going on, once theThis isn't the type of book that pulls you in from the first page. Nor first chapter. However, once you start understanding what is going on, once the adventure starts, you'll find yourself hooked and fixated on each line.
We've come a long way with cover design. Sure enough, we can still find terrible book covers but nothing that can measure to the 90s book covers. They were terrible and will probably discourage many modern readers from picking them up.
But I assure you. Heroes Die is so much better than its premise or its first page design.
We have here a mix of fantasy and science fiction but I'd lean more on the first genre and you'll see why. In the story here, to put things simply, we have two alternative worlds that exist at the same time, where conditions to live as human beings are almost the same. So this book is set in the future where people are categorized into different casts. People known as actors are sent for adventures in this other world that's called Ankhana. Viewers get to see them live and experience what those adventurers are experiencing using advanced tech (the sci-fi part). In these different dimensions, we have gods, magic, and sword fighting. Here comes the fantasy part and since most of the book is in Ankhana, I would consider maybe dark fantasy as its first genre. Our hero, Hari as known on Earth or Caine in Ankhana is one of the most successful and strongest actors in this other world. He sets off to rescue his Earth wife Shanna who is also an actress in Ankhana and I'm loosely using the term rescue here because he needs to warn her mostly that she's about to die if she doesn't return ASAP to earth.
Once the adventure starts, Caine doesn't take a break. The book is mostly told from the third perspective and we see it from different character's PoV with a main emphasis on Hari and Shanna. Caine's perspective reads from the first perspective. I believe the author wanted to give the reader also the "viewers" perspective where we get to experience things firsthand from Caine's. It worked very well.
The thing is, this book can be read as a standalone. I read the premise of the sequel; it's very different from this book here and I honestly don't think I'm going to read it. Hence, Heroes Die can easily pass as a standalone fantasy if you don't want to commit to a long series.
The characters here aren't black and white. Hari/Caine isn't all bad nor all good. He fights yes but he also has a brilliant mind that comes up with top notch plans. However, I had this feeling that only a few characters were painted in a good picture other than our main character and his wife. We have a few characters here and there but with not much spotlight. Then we had a few gray characters like his Majesty and the Emperor. But if someone is "bad" they are awfully so, they rape, they kill, they have this weird thinking and it was annoying. Lots of "lusting" and "sexual" things going on that didn't feel necessary at all nor added anything to the story. To give an example, many when given a particular impressive weapon/gem/etc. had this sexual look on them or whatever.
But yeah these were minor issues that became less and less as the story progressed. The Emperor is definitely an impressive character, multilayered and yes he's not perfect but he also cares about his people.
So in sum, read this book if you want a fast paced fantasy that is a mix of two worlds with well written characters and an epilogue that would make you feel okay with yourself if you didn't pick up the next book....more
Objectively, this is a solid fantasy book. Subjectively, I was bored a lot reading it.
I haven’t read a military fantasy in a long time and now this boObjectively, this is a solid fantasy book. Subjectively, I was bored a lot reading it.
I haven’t read a military fantasy in a long time and now this book made me realise I no longer have the patience for it. I might have been okay with this subgenre once but now I need more action to keep me invested. However, the characters were well written. I also enjoyed some parts, particularly near the end. I might read the sequel if it follows a different system (I will have to check).
If you enjoy military fantasy, reading this book is a must. If you don’t, I’d skip it. Not to say the novel is bad (truly it’s not) but the structure makes it difficult to enjoy if you don’t appreciate a book full of military related details....more
Wow. This book was enlightening. I already familiar with the situation in North Korea, its relation with South Korea and the world. But. I didn’t knowWow. This book was enlightening. I already familiar with the situation in North Korea, its relation with South Korea and the world. But. I didn’t know how people are loving there. Sadly, a lot of the content was something we’d read about in dystopia or alternative universe. A must read for anyone who want to learn more about Notth Korea. ...more
I added this book to my tbr a while ago based on the recommendation of one of my GR friends. However, it was too long of a while ago. I completely forI added this book to my tbr a while ago based on the recommendation of one of my GR friends. However, it was too long of a while ago. I completely forgot it's NA. I haven't read one of those in years. So when I downloaded the audiobook and read the summary, I reconsidered reading it in the first place. However, I had no other downloaded audiobooks at that time so Bright Side and I were stuck together for several days.
Luckily, the book wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. It is one of the NA books that I understand why people might love. Kate is such a warm & genuine character and she is truly the highlight of this book and the best thing about it. She's someone who is very positive and optimistic although her life was never easy. I can never match her energy. However, I might say that she might have been painted too perfectly (I didn't mind but it should be mentioned nonetheless).
The main issue was probably the lack of events happening in the middle of the book. It's very slow-paced and little progress was taking place. We meet people, and the MC speaks with people. Those people meet people. That's basically it. Since I read some reviews before starting this book, I had an idea where it was heading (they were spoilers free but I've read enough of those books to pick up hints). I didn't mind the ending honestly and yes I was also sad. I admired the writing of several characters at the end and it's obvious Holden has a talent for this genre.
As someone who doesn't like romance, I still found it a good book for this genre because it's not the only thing going on. Kate has several friends and the secondary characters were likeable and had their suitable share of the spotlight.
As for the audiobook, we had two narrators for one for Kate and another Keller's chapters. The narration was good, I would recommend reading the book in this format if you enjoy audiobooks.
In sum, this book wasn't bad, not great but also not a disaster. It didn't have a nauseating romance. The side characters also had some personality! The FMC was the bright side of the book for sure. Would recommend it to the fans of this genre but not if you don't like romance. ...more