Easy to swallow while still providing something to chew on. The cover is atrocious and misleading. While the book had its share of sarcasm it was not Easy to swallow while still providing something to chew on. The cover is atrocious and misleading. While the book had its share of sarcasm it was not a comedy and was much more on par with the likes of Taylor Jenkins Reid. Focusing on alcoholism, self-loathing and general insecurity, the story was still able to tackle those issues without turning into Leaving Las Vegas. Things end in a positive note. Readers who like stories about LA will immediately recognize the washed-out, hollow and numb feel akin to every story I’ve read set in this city....more
An interesting look at the Holocaust that focuses on the survivors’ lives after the war. Not too dark but appropriately weighty. A good book for middlAn interesting look at the Holocaust that focuses on the survivors’ lives after the war. Not too dark but appropriately weighty. A good book for middle school....more
This was like a missing Full House episode with its easy, quick resolutions and contrivances. Would have benefited from further development and protagThis was like a missing Full House episode with its easy, quick resolutions and contrivances. Would have benefited from further development and protagonists who resembled actual 12-year-olds. Henkel still possesses that quiet, zen style, though....more
This would have made a great movie, especially if it had been made during the war years. All of the elements came together to make an inspiring story This would have made a great movie, especially if it had been made during the war years. All of the elements came together to make an inspiring story about redemption, heroism and love. I felt some of the writing was rushed at times but then a bit awkward at others. However, I enjoyed it a lot. It was just too short. I would have liked less information and more character interaction. I think that could have come together better if charismatic actors had portrayed the characters, to lend more depth to the story. Film also would have glossed over much of the wordiness. I really enjoy stories of World War II. While not as heroic as the heroes would seem at times, there were still many unparalleled stories of courage, and these kinds of stories make one believe in the goodness of human beings. This was based on a true story. I’d like to know how much....more
An amazing addition to the graphic novel canon. A bit unwieldy due to the sheer amount of plot lines (and the cliffhanger was brutal), but it was visuAn amazing addition to the graphic novel canon. A bit unwieldy due to the sheer amount of plot lines (and the cliffhanger was brutal), but it was visually brilliant and a real original....more
So good. The culmination of everything that came before. I love stories about women who come to know, understand and harness their power. This story dSo good. The culmination of everything that came before. I love stories about women who come to know, understand and harness their power. This story dealt with literal and figurative power, both, and it was riveting from beginning to end. A very human protagonist, who finds her way through courage and all that other other good stuff you look for in a classic fairytale....more
That went to a dark fucking place. Not as funny as the first one, partly because the events were much more serious. Not enough refresh between volumesThat went to a dark fucking place. Not as funny as the first one, partly because the events were much more serious. Not enough refresh between volumes made things difficult, too. Have a drink after finishing. You'll need it....more
So this was so good! Glad I had all day to read it. I wasn't planning on it, but I couldn't put it down. The character voices were great. I could easiSo this was so good! Glad I had all day to read it. I wasn't planning on it, but I couldn't put it down. The character voices were great. I could easily differentiate between them, but the narrative still felt cohesive. Serious topics were dealt with appropriately without changing the tone of the work, and it was fun a light overall, without getting stupid. I felt it ended a little abruptly, but i enjoyed it so much it didn't matter. The music angle was great, but it didn't overwhelm the story. It was just right....more
Very short, which made the events feel rushed. It was like I was experiencing months in a period of weeks. Overall, the story succeeded rather than diVery short, which made the events feel rushed. It was like I was experiencing months in a period of weeks. Overall, the story succeeded rather than didn't, but it felt like a first novel. I'd probably read more of her work actually if it seems appealing....more
This was really good! Still kind of overwrought at times, with lots of wordy hand wringing and sighing, but I think Laini Taylor succeeded with this. This was really good! Still kind of overwrought at times, with lots of wordy hand wringing and sighing, but I think Laini Taylor succeeded with this. It was actually very like much Daughter of Smoke and Bone, but this was really much better executed. It could have been shorter, but there was so much great foreshadowing and most of the characters actually felt fully realized. I'm wondering what the second volume will be like given the way this one ended; I actually wouldn't mind if this just ended as is, though it was full of dread and unhappiness....more
Read this is two days. It was predictable and sentimental but the writing flowed easily and naturally. I found the general milieu to be very cooked upRead this is two days. It was predictable and sentimental but the writing flowed easily and naturally. I found the general milieu to be very cooked up casual hipster, that is, the whole thing was too perfectly artsy, but I found the characters to be raw enough to resonate beyond type, particularly Rachel. Good for fans of Melina Marchetta or Jaclyn Moriarty....more
Despite the presence of a fantastical element I would still file this under realism. Nadia and Saeed go through a door to escape their war-torn land. Despite the presence of a fantastical element I would still file this under realism. Nadia and Saeed go through a door to escape their war-torn land. The story is very timely and showcases the complications of interpersonal relationships strained by war, as well as the growing hostility toward migrants around the world....more
Excellent character voice and a good examination of white privilege and racism. At times this was a little cliched and unfocused though. Would have beExcellent character voice and a good examination of white privilege and racism. At times this was a little cliched and unfocused though. Would have benefited from editing, but also a great setting too....more
I'd like to say this was ok, but it wasn't. It turned out to be endless, and I found the ending pointlessly dragged and sort of fell flat to me. I wasI'd like to say this was ok, but it wasn't. It turned out to be endless, and I found the ending pointlessly dragged and sort of fell flat to me. I was angry I had to read so much for so little to happen....more
So much fun. I loved that Holmes was a girl. Heavily indebted to the original premise, which is fine in this case, because there was a lot of meta stuSo much fun. I loved that Holmes was a girl. Heavily indebted to the original premise, which is fine in this case, because there was a lot of meta stuff going on that made it interesting. I'm not sure if some of this takes a lot of cues from the tv show rather than the books, but that was actually ok anyway. The dynamic was funny and engaging and felt genuine....more
This was ill-conceived and filled with holes. Not what I expected, based on the description, which led one to believe that perhaps some kind of deep, This was ill-conceived and filled with holes. Not what I expected, based on the description, which led one to believe that perhaps some kind of deep, emotional exploration would take place. The fantasy element made no sense most of the time, and the story just wandered aimlessly to a cliched action movie-style ending. No thanks....more
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