Sunday, 19 July 2015
Currently Reading: 'The Raven Boys' by Maggie Stiefvater
Raven Boys and Fox Socks...
After much reccomendation, I have decided to give 'The Raven Cycle' a second attempt.
I picked this book up a few months ago and just could not get into it, but now that I'm giving it a second chance I'm really enjoying it.
What do you think of the series?
--Helia
Friday, 17 July 2015
Book Review: Wonder
'Wonder' by R. J. Palacio
Rating: 5 stars
I seem to keep getting in a slump of reading several books in a row that I really cannot get into, only to reach this wonderful period of time where I keep discovering more and more beautiful books.
Wonder is one of these beautiful books. I don't know why I didn't read it sooner, but I fell in love with it very quickly. What really got me about the book was how real it felt. The author provides the viewpoints of August, as well as the other children in his life - and all of their behaviour is such a lovely demonstration of the different kinds of people there are in this world.
Wonder is about the kind people and the unkind people, and the people who learn and grow from their previous actions.
“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.”
Find this review on Goodreads
--Helia
I seem to keep getting in a slump of reading several books in a row that I really cannot get into, only to reach this wonderful period of time where I keep discovering more and more beautiful books.
Wonder is one of these beautiful books. I don't know why I didn't read it sooner, but I fell in love with it very quickly. What really got me about the book was how real it felt. The author provides the viewpoints of August, as well as the other children in his life - and all of their behaviour is such a lovely demonstration of the different kinds of people there are in this world.
Wonder is about the kind people and the unkind people, and the people who learn and grow from their previous actions.
“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.”
Find this review on Goodreads
--Helia
Wednesday, 8 July 2015
Book Review: The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August
'The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August' by Claire North
Rating: 5 Stars
Harry August's memory normally begins to return to him around age four - the memory of living this same life several times before.
Harry is stuck in an endless loop, living the same life over and over again from birth to death. He is a kalachakra, and he isn't the only one.
This story jumps between Harry's first fifteen lives, and how he manages to shape a new future for the world that he never intended, and how he must undo it all before it is too late.
The pace of the book was a little distracting to begin with, but after a few pages, the rhythm became familiar - anectodes building on the changes in Harry's future lives and how he chooses to live each of them differently - all of them building up to a chilling finale.
Find this review on Goodreads
--Helia
Rating: 5 Stars
Harry August's memory normally begins to return to him around age four - the memory of living this same life several times before.
Harry is stuck in an endless loop, living the same life over and over again from birth to death. He is a kalachakra, and he isn't the only one.
This story jumps between Harry's first fifteen lives, and how he manages to shape a new future for the world that he never intended, and how he must undo it all before it is too late.
The pace of the book was a little distracting to begin with, but after a few pages, the rhythm became familiar - anectodes building on the changes in Harry's future lives and how he chooses to live each of them differently - all of them building up to a chilling finale.
Find this review on Goodreads
--Helia
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
Book Review: Throne of Glass
'Throne of Glass' by Sarah J. Maas
Rating: 5 stars
Where do I begin?
This book takes place in the fantasy setting of my dreams - an element of our historical society intertwined with forests and magic - a pleasant contrast to the current obsession with urban and dystopian novels.
Unfortunately the setting did not get the amount of attention I was hoping for, pulling more focus towards the action and characters, but for over 400 pages, not once did I want to skip a paragraph because of long winding, detailed descriptions of each and every element of the castle.
No - what really stands out in this book is the protagonist. Imagine The Mortal Instruments' Isabelle Lightwood with a dash more development and personality (if it's possible), and you have Celaena Sardothien. You will not find a female protagonist like this often. The world's greatest assassin feared by everyone who could kill you just with a glance, who can be fierce and rock a ball gown if she wishes. Yes - Celaena isn't your typical girly girl, nor is she cold, calculated and heartless. She isn't forced to fit into a particular personality package, and romance doesn't save her - she saves herself.
And she is not the only three dimensional female character, for Celaena befriends princess Nehemia, whose goal is to protect her people from the King's tyranny.
Of course the book would contain romance. A love triangle, at that. But the friendship between Nehemia and Celaena is of the truest kind, and this is the relationship that Throne of Glass should be remembered for.
Along with the Queen and the ladies of the court, all of whom have the capacity for complexity and hidden motives, this book is led by the women. If anything, it's the male characters that are underdeveloped. This book isn't about what they want, it's about what the women want and the means they will take to achieve it. The men are the supporting act. The women make the choices, and they are respected for them.
Find this review on Goodreads
--Helia
Rating: 5 starsWhere do I begin?
This book takes place in the fantasy setting of my dreams - an element of our historical society intertwined with forests and magic - a pleasant contrast to the current obsession with urban and dystopian novels.
Unfortunately the setting did not get the amount of attention I was hoping for, pulling more focus towards the action and characters, but for over 400 pages, not once did I want to skip a paragraph because of long winding, detailed descriptions of each and every element of the castle.
No - what really stands out in this book is the protagonist. Imagine The Mortal Instruments' Isabelle Lightwood with a dash more development and personality (if it's possible), and you have Celaena Sardothien. You will not find a female protagonist like this often. The world's greatest assassin feared by everyone who could kill you just with a glance, who can be fierce and rock a ball gown if she wishes. Yes - Celaena isn't your typical girly girl, nor is she cold, calculated and heartless. She isn't forced to fit into a particular personality package, and romance doesn't save her - she saves herself.
And she is not the only three dimensional female character, for Celaena befriends princess Nehemia, whose goal is to protect her people from the King's tyranny.
Of course the book would contain romance. A love triangle, at that. But the friendship between Nehemia and Celaena is of the truest kind, and this is the relationship that Throne of Glass should be remembered for.
Along with the Queen and the ladies of the court, all of whom have the capacity for complexity and hidden motives, this book is led by the women. If anything, it's the male characters that are underdeveloped. This book isn't about what they want, it's about what the women want and the means they will take to achieve it. The men are the supporting act. The women make the choices, and they are respected for them.
Find this review on Goodreads
--Helia
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