The Fifty Year Sword; A Review

The Fifty Year Sword by Mark Z. Danielewski
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I agree with another review of this book, stating that MZD is an experimental storyteller. He wants to test limits and boundaries.

I loved the stitch work art in this piece, and I found the story to be interesting, but nothing that kept me on the edge of my seat. Maybe I'll have to check out a video of the "live performance" to see what I think.

My criticism for this book is it felt like it tried too hard. It wanted to make leaps and bounds and keep you hooked, but I felt like I was going through the motions, reading it. All the characters but one have extremely odd names, and this didn't add to the book, but instead confused me because apparently this book is supposed to take place in Eastern Texas.

Overall I'd say it's an interesting and quick read, but nothing worth critical acclaim.

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The Mapmaker's War; A Review

The Mapmaker's War by Ronlyn Domingue
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While I found the plot of this book to be mesmerizing, I found it hard to get "in" to the narrative and really submerse myself in the story. The characters felt distant and at times dull to me. I felt as if I never really knew any of them. And perhaps this distance was on purpose, but it made it hard for me to feel the strong emotions and sense of peace and understanding that this book spends so much time describing.

I also found the story to at times feel pointless. I understand it was written as if it were an autobiography, but it also didn't quite feel like that; I got the impression that the story within the life was more important than the life which told the story, but this separation was muddled and confusing at times.

I would like to read the sequel, and see if I still have the same feelings - I suppose we'll find out.

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Booklikes/Goodreads Tag

I have just discovered Booklikes, and I am currently trying to figure it out (we'll see) but I found this fun tag from Bookwormblurbs so I thought I'd give it a go.

1. What was the last book you marked as 'Read'?

 The Tenth City by Patrick Carman

2. What are you 'Currently Reading'?

 I am reading both Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman as well as Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

3. What was the last book you marked as 'To-Read'?

 Into the Mist by Patrick Carman, it's a sort of prequel to the Land of Elyon series (of which is The Tenth City)

4. What book do you plan to read next?

 Uff. Good question. I've sort of started 1Q48 by Haruki Murakami, but it may be the Book Your Brains Out book of the month to read, so I'm holding off to see what we pick (and if it is indeed that book, it'll be that I read next)

5. Do you use the star rating system?

 I try to, as well as actually writing out a review (although sometimes it's a rather short review that I write)

6. Are you doing a 2014 reading challenge?

 I am! I picked a modest number of 20, which isn't really a challenge at all, but mostly because as of this spring I graduated with my BA and so I was quite busy and did not have time for pleasure reading. At one point I read about 100 books a year, and I'd like to get back to that again.

7. Do you have a wishlist?

I have some books on my amazon wishlist, but I would like to get all the books on my "to read" list (which is already quite long but is also ever-growing)

8. What book do you want to buy next?

Good question. Probably the last book in the Across the Universe trilogy, which is Shades of Earth. I somehow ended up with one pretty cover for Across the Universe and an ugly one for A Million Suns, so I'd also like to get a copy with a nice cover (and then I'd bookcross the one that I currently have)

9. Do you have any favorite quotes? Would you like to share a few?

 “I remember wishing the moment would hold forever; that we could be fixed there, laughing and iridescent... Then I got panicky because I knew it would pass; that it was passing already.” Tina Howe, Painting Churches

10. Who are your favorite authors?

 J. K. Rowling, J. R. R. Tolkien, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, to name a few

11. Have you joined any groups?

Not on goodreads/booklikes, but on leafnotes, yes. 

12. Are there any questions you'd like to add to this tag?

No (: 

I tag:

Anyone and everyone!

A Million Suns by Beth Revis

A Million Suns by Beth Revis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There are a lot of twists and turns in this book, and it's a good followup to the first book in the trilogy. It's not a particularly hard book to read, so I sped right through it, but the story is captivating and it left me excited to read the next book.

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A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin

A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is a lot going on in this book.

From court intrigue to murder to torture to love, this book has a lot of everything and then even more after that.

I would say the biggest downfall of this book, and the series, is how emotionally draining they are. You learn to either not invest in any of the characters, or to brace yourself for a world of sadness and grief. I find that even being numb to the characters can be draining, however.

Then there's also the length of the book - my copy was 1128 pages long (not including the appendix). That makes for some dedicated reading, and it's because of that that I always need to take a break between books.

While it is initially hard to keep track of all the characters in the series, by this point it's fairly easy A) because about 1/3 of the characters are dead and B) the same names keep popping up over and over (the only people this does not apply to are the Freys. Fuck the Freys, there are far too many of them and they're basically all awful).

I think this book has a good mix of POV characters, so there's sure to be a favorite or two in there for everyone. I do wish we could branch out and see some different POV characters, as we basically have the usual her save for Jaime and Sam (was Sam a POV character in the second book? It's been so long I can't remember now). Especially people not from/on Westeros, but maybe that's just me who would like that.

The plot has both simmered down and started to stir up again with this book, as some kings die, new kings are made, and we finally being to approach "the Others" in this book (although not as much as I would have liked).

It's a good book part of a good series, but you really need to dedicate yourself to the task. You cannot half-ass this series. If you can't give it your all... Well, there's the TV show and easily a million other books to read. But if you have the time, it's well worth it.

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The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful book and quite the quick read. It reads to me like a fairytale for adults, with mystery and wonder. This book will leave you wanting more stories like this, but feeling satisfied with the end and with the story itself.

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An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not my favorite John Green book.

While I liked the characters as individuals, and the premise of the story, it just didn't come together at the end.

Also, I hated the tones of "girls are prettier when they don't wear makeup!" because I am seriously sick of hearing that shit and I expected more from John Green.

I'm not even sure that I would recommend this.

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Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An easy read, this book is quick and hard to put down.

I will admit that the book starts off rather slow, and there's a lot of telling instead of showing, as it were, but there are moments where the author really captures how certain emotions feel (which is hard to do with only words).

I'm eager to read the next book!

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