Still charming and fun. I wish the sponsorship product placement was a little less intrusive, but I also get that sponsorship helps publish the book. Still charming and fun. I wish the sponsorship product placement was a little less intrusive, but I also get that sponsorship helps publish the book. I like how this book captures the intensity of Lunella's feelings, as well as the inability to see beyond her own nose that is so characteristic of kids, and particularly gifted kids. It's not my favorite Marvel book, but I'm excited that it exists. I'm betting in a couple years Moon Girl will be one of my kids' first comics....more
3.75 stars. I gave volume #1 four stars, and although I really liked the expansion of the cast and the deepening of the lore here, volume 2 didn't see3.75 stars. I gave volume #1 four stars, and although I really liked the expansion of the cast and the deepening of the lore here, volume 2 didn't seem as much like a complete arc than the previous volume. Definitely left me wanting to know more and see what happens....more
I'm really sad to give this volume such a low rating, but it was just... weak. Maybe it's not fair of me to expect so much but the book has been so goI'm really sad to give this volume such a low rating, but it was just... weak. Maybe it's not fair of me to expect so much but the book has been so good for so long that this volume feels like a pretty big let-down. I had to reread parts of it several times just to make sure I hadn't missed something that would make it better.
I could forgive the first story for being a voting informational pamphlet it a) it had come out before election day, and b) it had maybe not gone quite so farfetched with the outcome of the plot. The second story has some potential with regard to privacy and digital information (and some good character development for the supporting cast) but the ending is just... bad. I enjoyed the third story, about Bruno's adventures at school in Wakanda but it was just a one-off and I'm a sucker for anything Wakanda.
I'm hoping this was just an off day for the Ms Marvel creative team. I get that every issue can't be perfect but, fair or not, I just plain expect more from this book....more
Solid 4 stars, maybe higher, for the story and the art. Minus a star for padding the length of the book with excerpts of three non-consecutive issues Solid 4 stars, maybe higher, for the story and the art. Minus a star for padding the length of the book with excerpts of three non-consecutive issues of New Avengers for some reason? Perhaps if I had been reading New Avengers I would appreciate the reminder of Black Panther's part in all of that, but as it was, it meant the story proper finished far before I expected, and was filled with what largely amounted to nonsense (at least to me personally). Disappointing, but not the fault of Black Panther or Coates or the rest of his team....more
4 stars bumped to 4.5 by the climax which was amazing and wonderful and [insert current internet expression for wholesome i.e. "my crops are watered" 4 stars bumped to 4.5 by the climax which was amazing and wonderful and [insert current internet expression for wholesome i.e. "my crops are watered" etc].
I am all about this series and hope to see the characters again soon. It all just makes me so happy....more
Better than the previous books for sure, and a good end for the series.
I wanted to like this installment but one thing just got under my skin. I've mBetter than the previous books for sure, and a good end for the series.
I wanted to like this installment but one thing just got under my skin. I've mentioned that I wasn't fond of the trick in previous books where half-finished conversations are used to ramp up tension ("I should have asked about...." or interrupted chats about plot development). This book stepped way over the line when the first-person narrator decided not to let us in on the plot. Twice. Like, he knew what he was doing but refused to tell us. It felt cheap to me, and not exactly respectful of me as a reader.
Oh well. Rachel Elizabeth Dare continues to be the best ever, and the gods are only the second-worst ever, and Blackjack saves the day and dents Priuses. There was a surprisingly high body count, given how this series seems to be pitched a little younger than, say, Harry Potter. I might have liked to spend a little more time on the repercussions of all that death, though they are treated respectfully (just a bit as an afterthought), but for a youngish YA it did a decent job. I suppose the implication that there's a known afterlife changes things a bit, and it's just my own feelings about death and afterlife that are bringing it down.
Anyway, I'm glad I've read the series, since I can definitely see my now-four-year-olds getting pretty into this stuff when they're a little older and now I'm prepared. I'd still recommend D'Aulaire's mythology books way before Percy Jackson, but then again I've been known to be a fuddy duddy in my time. Kids these days, etc....more
An improvement in the series for sure. New characters are a welcome addition, particularly Nico. There's still a fair bit of literal deus ex machina, An improvement in the series for sure. New characters are a welcome addition, particularly Nico. There's still a fair bit of literal deus ex machina, which I've mostly learned to live with and be amused by, and more of the "I'll start to say something important and then just stop because Reasons" stuff that gets on my nerves because it feels like artificial anticipation-building. But the Big Plot is moving forward and that's good to see. Not like I'm going to stop now, anyway, right?...more
I DEMAND MORE BRAIN DRAIN. I mean, there's plenty of our good friend Brian in this volume but I am hard to satisfy on that front.
The overall plot of tI DEMAND MORE BRAIN DRAIN. I mean, there's plenty of our good friend Brian in this volume but I am hard to satisfy on that front.
The overall plot of this volume was maybe a little less inspired than previous volumes, but it's the little support stuff that makes USG a must-pull for me. The actual lessons in computer history! The tiny alt text on most pages! Basically everything about Nancy! I continue to be here for all of it....more
I switched to ebook in the middle of this one and I think it helped. Honestly, the audiobook narrator doesn't help my perception of Percy as mediocre I switched to ebook in the middle of this one and I think it helped. Honestly, the audiobook narrator doesn't help my perception of Percy as mediocre and on the less-smart side, so switching to words on a page was an improvement. It just meant I couldn't work on my knitting while reading, so meh.
These books continue to be quite hit-or-miss for me. Once I'm caught up on the Riordan oeuvre I could probably attempt a dissertation on which books worked for me and why because it's frankly fascinating to me how very into the Magnus Chase books I can be, while feeling quite ambivalent about Percy.
I think the most disappointing thing about this book was that I was actually really into the twist at the end of book 2 that subverted the Chosen One narrative a bit, but this book totally undoes that subversion... only to re-subvert it later maybe? and then un-subvert again? I feel like Riordan maybe should have committed to making the prophecy ambiguous, or just charge forward with the Chosen One thing, not try to have it both ways? Or maybe kids are more into this?
The other annoying bit of this book is the absence of [REDACTED SPOILER CHARACTER] through 90% of the book. They're usually the saving grace when Percy's being obtuse, which I suppose is why they had to be shunted out of this story, but still.
Finally, I wasn't a huge fan of the characterization of Artemis and her Hunters. I know Riordan is capable of more nuance than "ew boys"/"all men are scum" so it's a shame to see that kind of thing here. Maybe I'm just bitter as someone who tolerated many MANY years of being taunted as a "feminazi" but I feel like there was an opportunity for this to be a group of girls/women who eschewed heterosexual love/sex/etc for a variety of entirely valid reasons, rather than essentially making it a cootie shot.
Anyway, there's enough to this series that I want to see it through-- the big ideas are fun, most of the characters are interesting on their own, I think maybe it's just Percy that I find dull, and we're stuck with him as our narrator. Plus from what I hear this cast is showing up in the last Magnus Chase book so it's now ::checks calendar:: 24 hours late for me to catch up....more
I hate it when my star rating reflects more about me than the book. I'm pretty sure this book is quite good! But therWow. Not at all what I expected.
I hate it when my star rating reflects more about me than the book. I'm pretty sure this book is quite good! But there's a lot going on that touches a lot of my particular exposed nerves, so I can't say that I exactly enjoyed reading it.
I like the narrative framing, and the math and literature references. I'm a little annoyed that there's some very specific events foreshadowed (is it foreshadowing when they tell you what's going to happen eventually?) that must come in a later volume, as it makes this volume feel foreshortened. That's due to the nature/pace/schedule/business of trade paperbacks I'm sure, but holding a bound volume that doesn't have a complete arc isn't my super favorite thing.
Anyway, highly recommended for those of a philosophical bent and who don't need to be cheered up....more
Expands on the universe from the first with some awesome new characters. The mythological stuff is as bonkers as usual, but the interpersonal stuff isExpands on the universe from the first with some awesome new characters. The mythological stuff is as bonkers as usual, but the interpersonal stuff is where this book (and series) really shine.
Though apparently I'm going to need to go back and read like 7+ previous books before the third Magnus book comes out. Not super thrilled about that, but I'm hoping the crossover will pay off.
The narrator on this audiobook was quite good as well....more
I really enjoyed the way this installment upended much of the world we've gotten used to. I did like that things finally seemed to be working out for I really enjoyed the way this installment upended much of the world we've gotten used to. I did like that things finally seemed to be working out for Toby et al, but I also appreciate that a) comfortable life doesn't make for much of a story and b) the way McGuire went about upending things was very interesting and not a bunch of cliche let's-torture-the-protagonist stuff.
Though I always wish for more Ludiaeg, I will forgive. I'm very excited to see the larger mythology of the series coming into play and I can't wait to watch it play out.
The bonus novella was nice-- I do appreciate April O'Leary-- but I'm not quite sure what implications the events of the story will have in the rest of the universe. It rather specifically undoes much of the stakes of a previous book, so I'm curious as to whether McGuire wanted to write a fix-it, or whether she has plans for the characters involved.......more
Another audiobook for me, so I'll admit the experience is likely different than if I'd read it on paper/screen.
That being said, wow. A couple books inAnother audiobook for me, so I'll admit the experience is likely different than if I'd read it on paper/screen.
That being said, wow. A couple books into Percy Jackson and I was mostly just coasting on inertia and the knowledge that my kids will likely be interested in that sort of book some day. They're functional for what they are, but didn't really grab me. Magnus Chase, on the other hand? I'm all in.
Maybe it's because I know much more about Greek mythology so much of Percy Jackson plots feel obvious and telegraphed. But I know a fair bit about Norse myths and didn't have that problem here. My three main hypotheses for the difference are that a) Riordan has really hit his stride at this point, or b) the characters are older to begin with, or c) the darker tone (which I feel is pretty true to the Norse source material). Probably a combination of all three.
I loved Sam, and Magnus was much less of a "mediocre kid but OMGCHOSEN" than Percy. And Hearth and Blitz! And [spoiler redacted]!
I just dug the whole thing. Sure, the Percy tie-in was a little tenuous but maybe it'll have payoff sometime? Otherwise why would they bring it up more than once? I mean, if it was just to snag Percy readers, the link would just have been in the first couple chapters and then forgotten, right?
Don't answer that. I'm excited to see where this goes. Though I note I've once again gotten myself into a series that isn't complete yet... boo....more
It's a quick read, and probably a useful refresher. I didn't enjoy it much, mostly because I'm currently experiencing a creative block and reading thiIt's a quick read, and probably a useful refresher. I didn't enjoy it much, mostly because I'm currently experiencing a creative block and reading this book just made me uncomfortable. I think that's good and healthy, hence the three stars, but it just felt like forcing myself to eat my vegetables at the moment. Definitely dogeared a few pages as reminders to myself though, and hopefully I can get out of my rut soon....more
2.5 stars. I liked the story better than the first, but it still has a case of not-meant-for-me. Mostly mediocre protagonist who gets to be hero for u2.5 stars. I liked the story better than the first, but it still has a case of not-meant-for-me. Mostly mediocre protagonist who gets to be hero for unspecified reasons, and a fair bit of deus ex machina (though perhaps the latter is to be expected given the setting). I'm sure it'll be great when my kids are older, but I'm pretty meh on the series so far. Entertaining enough for listening to while running or knitting though.
Note on the audiobook: the reader was not really my style. I didn't really agree with the voice characterizations on several characters, and he tends to end sentences as if they're all questions and/or he's incredulous about what he's saying. Again, perhaps a function of it not being For Me (or perhaps because I'm imagining reading the book out loud to the kiddos someday and thinking of how I'd do it differently...)...more
I wanted to like this book, I really did. But I couldn't turn off my editing brain the whole time. First, the afterword about compositing of characterI wanted to like this book, I really did. But I couldn't turn off my editing brain the whole time. First, the afterword about compositing of characters and rearranging of the actual timeline should really have been a preface so the reader already knows that we're being shown essentially staged reenactments. Second, I wish the book had been structured chronologically, rather than loosely grouped into chapters that each vaguely centered a different inmate-- the result was that several anecdotes were told multiple times and the narrative seemed jumbled. Maybe it's just that in 2017 we have multiple seasons of OITNB with nuanced portrayals of women inmates as complex humans, but I also felt like the portrayals of the women in this book (copyright 2001) seemed flat and sometimes cartoonish. I'm also sort of the choir in this case, in that I'm all for arts and education programs in prisons, so maybe the stories here aren't necessarily aimed at me. So it wasn't unpleasant, but I wanted more from the book than what I got, I guess.
(Also, Shakespeare doesn't seem to feature a whole hell of a lot, given the title, but that's as may be)...more
This book felt like a bit of a tonal shift from the first two, though that could also be the time elapsed between when I Jemisin is so good it hurts.
This book felt like a bit of a tonal shift from the first two, though that could also be the time elapsed between when I read the first two and this one. That's not a criticism, just a note. The depth added to the world of this trilogy in the third installment is staggering.
And I'm not sure I could love the climax of this story more. It's everything I could possibly want.
I am so glad Jemisin was able to quit her day job and be a full-time writer. I can hardly believe all the books prior to this were written in her spare time, and I can't even imagine what she'll be able to do next!...more
Good for a quick review, since it's been a while since my youthful Shakespeare phase. Not sure it would have been as useful had I not already known moGood for a quick review, since it's been a while since my youthful Shakespeare phase. Not sure it would have been as useful had I not already known most of the major players (no pun intended) though....more
I have been a big fan of Lindy West's writing-- both content and style-- for ages now, since her days at Jezebel, so I don't know why it took me so loI have been a big fan of Lindy West's writing-- both content and style-- for ages now, since her days at Jezebel, so I don't know why it took me so long to finally read her book! I cried, I laughed, I cried some more. Like my experience with Felicia Day's book, there are some bits toward the end that are hard to read, since the internet was a decidedly ugly place for both women at about the same time and in similar ways, but West does find ways to end on a hopeful note....more
Highly recommended, but I do think that Every Heart a Doorway should be read first. I think reading Sticks and Bones first would take away a bit from Highly recommended, but I do think that Every Heart a Doorway should be read first. I think reading Sticks and Bones first would take away a bit from EHaD, plus knowing what happens in EHaD definitely enhanced my reading of this book.
Quick, beautiful read.
And... hit me a little close to home a couple times, as a parent of twins. Yikes....more