Review: The Mayor of Casterbridge

The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.75 stars. It's been a while since I read a classic, and I picked this one up on my mom's recommendation (technically I listened to it on Librivox . . .). I had a hard time deciding what to rate this one! On one hand, I enjoyed it and was engaged the entire time I was listening. Also, Hechard's character was fascinating! On the other hand, I was so incredibly frustrated with Henchard for pretty much everything he did, starting with giving his wife and child away right at the beginning of the novel. I mean, what a horrible, awful thing to do! I felt like I spent so much of the book thinking "No, no, no, no, don't do that!!" Also, I know it was the time they lived in, but all the referenced to "the weaker sex" and blatant sexism annoyed me. That said, Henchard was one of the most dynamic characters I've ever read about because he was so flawed and real. I think Hardy really wrote an incredible book. I will absolutely read more by him in the future!

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Review: The Mayor of Casterbridge

The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.75 stars. It's been a while since I read a classic, and I picked this one up on my mom's recommendation (technically I listened to it on Librivox . . .). I had a hard time deciding what to rate this one! On one hand, I enjoyed it and was engaged the entire time I was listening. Also, Hechard's character was fascinating! On the other hand, I was so incredibly frustrated with Henchard for pretty much everything he did, starting with giving his wife and child away right at the beginning of the novel. I mean, what a horrible, awful thing to do! I felt like I spent so much of the book thinking "No, no, no, no, don't do that!!" Also, I know it was the time they lived in, but all the referenced to "the weaker sex" and blatant sexism annoyed me. That said, Henchard was one of the most dynamic characters I've ever read about because he was so flawed and real. I think Hardy really wrote an incredible book. I will absolutely read more by him in the future!

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Review: Flamecaster

Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed it, but took me forever to get through. It wasn't that it wasn't interesting; I just had a lot going on in the past month that made it hard to find time to actually read (baby in the hospital, start of school, etc.). I think I definitely lost something taking so long to read it. I kept forgetting what was going on, since I read in such short chunks. Still, I was never bored, and I love Chima's writing!

The book was really good, but it felt like the beginning of something much larger to me. There were more unanswered questions than answers. Also. . . (view spoiler)[ Dragons????? That could be a game-changer for this world. I was also so sad about Han's death... I understand why some people just put down the book at that point, but it was worth it to keep going. (hide spoiler)] I wish we didn't have to wait until April for the next one!! Overall I just really enjoy Chima's writing and I can't wait for the next one!

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Review: Stars Above

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great little collection to add to a great series! I have been reading these follow the recommendation of Trina from the "Between Chapters" booktube channel, and it was a great way to read it. I especially enjoyed the last story, because I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to the characters from the series after finishing Winter. The whole series is a solid 4 stars for me and this short story collection definitely added to it. I really enjoyed it!

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Review: Winter

Winter by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a fun series! I really enjoyed the entire series, and this one was especially good. Maybe even 4.5 stars. I know I felt sad when the story was over because I wouldn't be reading about these characters anymore. I've looked up fan art because I was curious about what other people thought these characters looked like. To me, that means I was pretty interested in the series.

I think it was incredibly creative to rewrite these fairy tales into one big story. I love fairytales and retellings, and I especially love when several fairy tales are woven together well. Meyer did just that, and it was lots of fun! I don't think the story was particularly deep, and some of the characters seemed a little flat to me, but overall it was very enjoyable. I was very satisfied with conclusion.

I just have the last short story in Stars Above to finish before I am completely done. I'm glad Meyer is writing more, because I am really sorry this is over!

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Review: Anthem

Anthem by Ayn Rand
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5-3.75 stars. I enjoyed it! All I'd heard about Rand's writing was that it was decent, but that her philosophy on life was not so good. Given that, I enjoyed this novella a lot more than I expected to. I still don't know much about Rand's ideas about life (I should probably research them just so I know what I am talking about), but I found the theme of Anthem interesting. I can see how the theme of the novel, taken to an extreme, could be problematic. It seems that she highly values individualism, and I wonder if her other novels have the same theme. The story itself though reminded me a bit of The Handmaid's Tale at least in that it was a dystopian society set in a future where everyone and everything is highly controlled. It was a very quick read and certainly held my attention! I probably will read more by her at some point.

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Review: Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies

Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love anything Rowling writes. It was very short, but I enjoyed reading this collection that included a lot of background information about some of our favorite characters (McGonnagall, Lupin, Trelawney, etc.) and topics related to them (anamagi, werewolves, etc.). Almost everything could be found on Pottermore for free and I thought it was too short (although I always want more), but this was a nice arrangement and I really enjoyed learning more about these characters!

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Review: Daughter of Smoke & Bone

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 or maybe even 4.5 stars. I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this! I picked it up somewhat randomly at a book sale for $1, and honestly wasn't that intrigued by the cover. I saw it was on Overdrive to listen to through my library, so I decided to listen to it as well. I really liked the narrator's voice. I am somewhat picky about the voices I like when listening to an audiobook, but I found hers to be smooth, expressive, and enjoyable to listen to.

I also really appreciated Karou's character. She was just very likable, as was her friend, Zuzana. I just love a book with a great female friendship! I've never read a book that had anything to do with angels before, and it's not a subject matter I'd usually be drawn to. However, I was completely drawn into the story and actually had a hard time stopping myself from listening to it when it was time to go to bed. Also, (view spoiler)[ that ending!!! Whoah! I was very surprised and genuinely sad and horrified for Karou. I hope that somehow at least Brimstone is still alive, although it sounded pretty definite. I am so curious about where the story is going to go from here. (hide spoiler)]. I just can't wait to read the next one! Unfortunately, it is currently checked out of our library, so I'll have to wait until it is returned. I would highly recommend this one though to anyone who enjoys YA and fantasy!

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