Rachel Shaw

Favorite audio ever

Revisado: 09-15-24

Reread Review of Dune!

The list of books I’ve read three or more times is quite small, but I just finished my third listen to the audiobook of *Dune*. I probably don’t need to tell you—it’s solidly on my list of favorites. I adore it because it tightly walks the line between science fiction and fantasy, giving me everything I love about both genres.

If you haven’t read this one and are considering giving it a try, I highly recommend starting with the audiobook. I’ve read sections with my eyes, and while I still enjoyed them, the audiobook adds a dramatic and musical element that creates an irresistible pull.

Plot - 5
Writing and Editing - 5
Character Development - 5
Narration - 5
Personal Bias - 5
Final Score - 5

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Built off of the first super well!

Revisado: 01-04-24

I was way more plugged into this book than the first CC book. I think the world building of the first carried well into the second for a more entertaining reading experience. I will have a ton of fun talking about this book with friends for the foreseeable future.

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Cute, but longer than necessary

Revisado: 09-27-22

I don’t think there is an romance author out there who captures banter the way Kylee Scott does. I love it and it’s what makes me come back to her books again and again even if every once in awhile they aren’t what I’m looking for. Sadly, this was one of the ones from her that I didn’t love. The story was cute, but it felt extremely slow because the central conflict wasn’t compelling.

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Loved

Revisado: 05-25-22

Have you been wanting a “good-guy” spin on necromancy? Well look no farther than Sabriel by Garth Nix! This book is a fascinating, but lighter, take on one of the darker themes of fantasy. Sabriel has just gotten word that her father, a powerful necromancer, has gone missing. In order to find him she must travel through the realms of death.

Characters and events are introduced in exactly the right places. The odyssey style plot initially had me question my interest, but the narrative quickly picked up, making me totally immersed.

The highlight of Nix’s writing is that despite the “young adult” status of Sabriel, the prose is advanced and evocative. His style is wonderfully frank. Nix discusses elements of human biology that many authors allude to awkwardly with a refreshing directness that I appreciate.

I truly enjoy all of the characters, but I would have liked to experience greater depth from them. They were rich enough that I could tell there was room for more. As this is a trilogy, I have a feeling that this desire may be satisfied in the later installments.

After completing the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson, I’ve been searching for a YA fantasy that will bring me the same type of book high. Sabriel and the Old Kingdom series seem to be exactly what I have been looking for. I cannot wait to continue with the rest of the books!


Plot - 5
Writing and Editing - 5
Character Development - 4
Personal Bias - 5
Final Score - 4.75

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This book is DIVINE

Revisado: 06-08-21

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
August, the person not the month, is stuck in a pattern of negativity that she desperately wants to leave. To separate herself from toxic familial patterns she moves to NYC in an apartment with an eclectic group of people. Not long after her move, she encounters a dashing woman on the subway and things start to take off in an unexpectedly fantastical fashion.
Every stage of the plot felt intentional and purposeful. While I love relationship development, I feel that many romances struggle with staggering plots when providing their characters with romance-building opportunities. That was not at all the case here and it was refreshing.
Much like Red, White, and Royal Blue, this romance had me laughing as much a sighing. McQuiston’s quirky descriptions of everyday life make the mundane activities of her character as engrossing as the mystical ones.
Every single character in One Last Stop overflowed with dimensions. They all felt hyper-real, and it depresses me that they are not people I could spontaneously meet someday.
This book is divine. Romance lovers, like myself, will be left speechless. I think skeptics of the genre would find things to love as well because August and Jane’s relationship grows alongside a story steeped with cultural meaning and enrichment.
Plot – 5
Writing & Editing – 5
Character Development – 5
Personal Bias – 5
Final Score: 5

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Felt like watching speed chess

Revisado: 05-29-21

In part two of the Six of Crows Duology Kaz Brekker and his crew continue their daring undertaking to set the world to rights.
I was eager to dive back into the world of the Ketterdam after devouring the first installment. Much like the previous book, following all the action and hijinks felt a little like trying to watch speed chess. I was aware that a more brilliant mind than mine was behind what was going on, but I got lost trying to follow the moves. I will likely have to return to this book several times before gaining a true understanding of the events.
Crooked Kingdom is lengthy but written in a direct way that outlines actions and feelings with a punch while still giving the reader a clear picture of events. With as many perspective and situational shifts as there are, it is a relief that the prose is not burdened by unnecessary flourishes.
The characters continue in their impressive growth, but I did not feel that it carried the same weight as the first. To be fair, I think that is generally hard to do in a sequel when the individuals are already so established.
By far, my favorite element of this series is that it honors neurodivergent people. That felt special to me as I fall into that category and it is rarely done this well. I cannot directly speak to all the other numerous ways that Bardugo was inclusive, but I can imagine them being equally as impactful to those populations.
Plot – 4.5
Writing & Editing – 5
Character Development – 4.5
Personal Bias – 4
Final Score: 4.75

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Good writing, terrible main character

Revisado: 05-21-21

The Summer Job
Birdy takes on a summer job in Scotland with a borrowed resume, a move that is equal parts opportunistic and foolish.
The Summer Job contains heaps of humorous phrases like, “only mildly ostentatious,” that made me giggle. I was immediately struck by the superb ambient descriptions, both sensory and physical. (Do not even get me started on the mouth-watering breakdown of food and wine.) There are also a host of astute observations of human behavior and motives that added dimension to a simplistic plot.
Because the entire premise of the story revolves around a colossal lie, much of the book is anxiety-inducing. The protagonist has very real personal challenges, but her troubled backstory was not enough to excuse her excessively bad judgment and unparalleled selfishness.
I struggled to get through this one. The overall writing and scene-setting were some of the best I have read in a contemporary romance novel (feels more like general fiction) and I am intrigued to see what Lizzy Dent writes in the future. My aversion to this story boils down to my intense dislike of the main character. Her idiocy and self-destructive tendencies knew no bounds and I felt sorry for everyone else in the story.
Plot – 4
Writing & Editing – 4
Character Development – 3
Personal Bias – 2
Final Score: 3.25

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Compelling Story and Lyrical Writing

Revisado: 04-09-21

I have discovered that I struggle to like a book if I dislike or cannot relate to at least one of the primary characters. This is something I have been working to overcome, but it has been a constant struggle. Because of this, I found it refreshing that Alina’s personality comes off the page as instantly relatable. Her thought patterns are natural and casually humorous, making her an easy character for me to like. The story was compelling, and the writing was lyrical. I got through Shadow and Bone extremely quickly. Unfortunately, that means that I did not get to enjoy it for as long as I would have liked. Good thing there are two more!

Plot – 4
Writing & Editing – 5
Character Development – 5
Personal Bias – 4
Final Score: 4.5

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a supremely convoluted and heart stopping story to sink your teeth into.

Revisado: 03-31-21

Last Girl Gone is told through the eyes of a journalist who will sacrifice anyone and anything for the sake of a good story. Once you get past her personality issues, there is a supremely convoluted and heart-stopping story to sink your teeth into. Portions of Last Girl Gone detail extreme child abuse. If I had known that going in, I probably would not have read it. There were too many unpalatable elements throughout the story for me to get excited about it, but it is an absorbing read that I think many would appreciate.
Plot – 4
Writing & Editing – 4
Character Development – 3
Personal Bias – 2.5
Final Score: 3.375

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Ward is excellent as always

Revisado: 02-24-21

I have yet to read a book by Penelope Ward I dislike. You can tell she does her research and is excellent at writing compelling characters and sexy stories.

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