Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I've read this book twice, neither time really liking it. Why read it a second time? Because I'm doing the Rory Gilmore reading challenge and for some reason have decided that even if I have read a book before, I have to read it again in order for it to count. So, here we are.

I get that Elphaba is misunderstood and not really the person that everyone makes her out to be, but she's not helping herself either.

I really wish this book just focused on the characters and didn't go so deep into the politics and religion. There was just so much going on for a book that was supposed to be the back story for the wicked witch of the west. There were whole scenes that she wasn't even a part of. They had nothing to do with the main story.

The whole book feels very like it is just surface level. The characters don't seem to have any real depth to them and events feel forced. I don't think there will be a third read.

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One of Us Is Dead

One of Us Is Dead by Jeneva Rose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was basically a five star read. I'm not a fan of the spice, so it's a 4.75.

I couldn't put this book down. The first couple chapters, I was reading other books at the same time, but that quickly changed. This book had my whole focus. It felt like watching reality TV or reading a gossip magazine.

One of Us Is Dead is about members of Buckhead's social elite who will do anything to stay on top. The wives all hang out at a very exclusive salon and basically have their own version Housewives of Buckhead. From the title and from the beginning of the story it is clear that one of the housewives we meet is in fact in the present, dead. Throughout the book, hints are dropped as to who died, why, and who killed them. Maybe it's because this was my first thriller/mystery, maybe I'm just not good at puzzles, but I didn't see the ending coming. I mean, that's a good thing. It's not fun to know how the book is going to end before you get there.

I will say, I see this book being listed as a thriller, and I'm not sure I get that. I would say more of a literary fiction/mystery type book. I don't know, I need to read more thrillers to be able to know what makes a thriller a thriller.

I'm putting this book down as a guilty pleasure. It is one that you read and you just hate the characters, but at the same time, you can't wait to see what they do next. I think that's one of the reasons I read it so fast, the characters were doing so many unexpected things and really just had such life to them, that I felt emotionally invested in their lives. I am rambling, but I just finished the book, and my mind is still processing. I should probably have written this after I had sat with my thoughts for a while, but here we are.

As a last thought, I was really worried when I got close to the end. I was worried that the ending was somehow going to be a let down. That last line was amazing. It was the best way the book could have ended.

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The Fallen Hero

The Fallen Hero by Katie Zhao
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm going to put a disclaimer at the beginning of this review. This is the second book in the series, and the series is clearly not over, but I can find nothing online about how more books are in the works, so the wait could be a while.

For me personally, this was a step down from the first book. I couldn't get behind the characters as much, especially the new ones. Ashley and Jordan just act so young. I get that this is a middle grade book, but it was a sudden flip from the way most of the characters acted in the first book. They are in a life or death situation, you would think that would affect them somehow.

I will say, I am glad that some things were explained early on in this book. I was left wondering at the end of the first one, and I'm not that patient of a person, so I'm glad the wait was short. Even if it took a while to come to a solution, I'm just happy there was an explanation so quickly.

This book really felt like a filler, so I'm hoping a third book comes out some time in the near future. The premise was interesting and it kept me reading, it just doesn't seem as finished as the first one, which in a way I understand since it is a series, but it makes it hard to review.

Age appropriate: Yes

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Now Before the Dark

Now Before the Dark by Sam Hooker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was my first time annotating a book, so it took a while for me to finish. I really noticed the great lines and just how many times I physically started laughing out loud.

Now Before the Dark is the final book in the Terribly Serious Darkness series. It follows the main character Sloot Peril as he tries to fix the narrative after the events of the second book. Even as a demon, Sloot is still sweet little Sloot, and he struggles to complete his task. Luckily, he has his friends and a new acquaintance, his bard Igor. I just love how persistent Igor was. He had a plan for his new career, and he was not going to let anything stand in his way, even Sloot.

I love all the different relationships between the characters, even those people have with Willie, who is kind of an annoying character. He really redeems himself and shows growth in this last book. In fact, there is a ton of character growth in this book for main and minor characters. Sloot and Myrtle are just adorable. I found one of my favorite descriptions of a kiss during one of their interactions. "Myrtle leaned in and gave Sloot the sort of kiss that make poets go sonnet." I mean, if you don't know poetry, then maybe it's just a line, but I really like it. Add to that the fact that Myrtle had been imprisoned at level 99 of the demon realm while Sloot is a level 100 demon, and it was a long time coming.

I will say the relationship between Vlad and Greta almost broke me. I still haven't decided how I feel about their ending. I was on Greta's side, wanting to shake everyone.

There are so many different characters, and they are all so fun. Since the first book, I've really liked the lawyers, it seems silly to say, but I do. Especially when they are in cahoots with the likes of Winking Bob. All the little side notes they randomly insert into conversations make me smile.

I will say, having annotated this book, I did notice that Sloot's thoughts got more philosophical (gasp), closer to the end, and especially at the end. Of course, I'm not sure Arthur would agree.

Some favorite lines.
* I am possessed aren't I? What does that mean for my tax liability? Can I claim a dependent?

* You don't need luck when your fate is your own.

* We are what the world makes us, thought Sloot. And we in turn make the world.

* "Every family is good," said Sloot, "until the world makes them otherwise."

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The Dragon Warrior

The Dragon Warrior by Katie Zhao
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Okay, I have been moving away from middle grade books, which I used to love, but I am so glad I read this. Honestly, age up the characters a little, and it is so close to being a YA read, at least the YA I grew up with.

The Dragon Warrior is about Faryn Liu a mixed race Chinese girl growing up in San Francisco's China Town as part of the Jade Society. The Jade Society for centuries has protected the world from demons, but slowly lost sight of their role. During the latest Chinese New Year not only do the demons come back, but the long awaited Heaven Breaker is revealed. Faryn along with her little brother, and old best friend are sent on a quest by the gods to reach their fabled island, completing side quests along the way.

For the most part, I really enjoyed the characters. I found Faryn to be a really good main character that was able to carry the story. It is clear why the gods chose her, she is still a child, so she is not always making the best choices, but she tries to see the best in a person, and wants to do the right thing.

Moli was great. She did not want to be there, but she ended up showing time and time again that she was more than anyone ever thought she was. I really think that her character had the greatest growth, and I really loved her more than even Faryn.

Faryn's little brother Alex was the worst character for me. I understand that he is the little brother, but he was too much. He was always trying so hard to be more and deciding that he didn't need to listen to his sister even when she knew what was actually going on. I really hope his character has some redeeming qualities in the second book.

There are so many Chinese gods in the book that it's hard to keep straight, but that's okay, there is a glossary in the back in case you get lost, or just want to know more about them. Strangely, I didn't get names as mixed up as I normally do.

I am going to read the next book right away because this was a wonderful read. I was not prepared for the ending, although honestly, I should have been, I don't know why I was so thrown.

Age appropriate: Yes
Content Warning: Death, One split second of a gender fluid character, if that's a problem for you, here is your warning

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Big Mushy Happy Lump

Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Andersen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think I love Sarah's Scribbles so much because they are relatable, especially to someone like me, a millennial with anxiety who is constantly overthinking EVERYTHING. It's nice to see that I'm not alone in my weird thoughts, and have a chance to laugh about them. I think that's why I enjoyed this collection in particular, there was a focus towards the end on dealing with overthinking, which I do in abundance. Sarah showed perfectly how someone who really deals with overthinking and anxiety sometimes struggle in what may be normal situations. You're brain plays funny tricks on you.

I really appreciate how Sarah manages to keep such an upbeat tone no matter what it is she is writing about. It really makes the books fun to read. Also, this collection has one of my favorite comics, so that is always a plus.

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Jade City

Jade City by Fonda Lee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My true rating is 2.5 stars.

I had a really hard time getting into this book. It just seemed to drag for me. Aside from the slow pace, I also really struggled with who was who. I will totally admit, I struggle with keeping characters straight to begin with, but this book gives each character multiple names, which made everything even more difficult.

I think I'm just not the right reader for this type of novel. I mean, besides my moments of confusion, Fonda Lee can write some beautiful sentences. "You give a man something to live up to, you tell him he can be more than he is now, more than other people think he’ll ever be, and he’ll try his godsdamned best to make it true." I mean, I love that sentence.

Part of me wants to continue with the series, because I now know who everyone is, and I think I know how the clans work, so maybe I will enjoy it more. You know what? After thinking about it for a whole two minutes or less, I think I will read the next one. I read this one really slowly, and that may have also been part of my problem.

Long story short, this is not my favorite book, but I'm going to read the next one in the series before deciding how I really feel about this world.

Content warning: Sexual content, Murder

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Herding Cats

Herding Cats by Sarah Andersen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This will be a short review because it's Sarah's Scribbles, not a normal novel that's hundreds of pages long. That being said, you can never go wrong with Sarah's Scribbles, and the section at the end talking about continuing to do what you love no matter what anyone says was really needed right now. Seriously, words of wisdom.

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Where's My Cow?

Where's My Cow? by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have been waiting to read this since I first read about this book in one of the Discworld books. Forgive me for not remembering which one, it's been a couple years, and there are many. The fact that this exists at all warms my heart.

At first I thought it was going to be the same story as what is in the main book. I was wrong. I would recommend reading some of the Discworld books before reading this. All lot of Discworld characters are mentioned, and it's fun to know who they are instead of just reading about them with no reference point.

I loved the illustrations. They were definitely different than what I had in my head for how I thought the characters looked, but they were beautiful. For some of the characters, I had had a hard time picturing them, so having that image in front of me gave my brain the push it needed.

All in all, highly enjoyable.

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Fourth Wing

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My real rating is somewhere between 2.5 and 2.75. I can't decide on a final number. I rounded up because Goodreads doesn't give you the option to do partial stars.

This book reminds me of Twilight, in the way that everyone seems to have become obsessed with it. We are all focusing on the story and deciding that that is amazing while ignoring the poor writing. There is enough swearing in this book to fill at least two or three chapters. It was so prolific, and all I could think was that swearing is the language of the uneducated. Is that the truth? No. But it didn't help lift the writing up. It was like the author couldn't think of any other way to express emotion besides throwing an F-bomb repeatedly. It made all of the characters flat. If they had any lines where they showed emotion, they showed it the same way, F-bombs and other swear words. I don't swear, so I may just be hyper sensitive to it, but I don't think that is it. I truly think that there are indescribably high amount of swear words in this book. I get it, it's New Adult and not YA. In theory, the author is writing for adults and not kids, but that doesn't mean common decency just flies out the window. Also, with all the publicity this book has received, there is no way teens are not reading this, which terrifies me.

Past the swearing comes my second problem, which I feel is an even bigger problem because I know teens are reading this. There are EXTREMELY graphic sex scenes. I was listening to the audio book, and had to switch over to the kindle version because my mother was in the next room and the sex scenes were headed towards 10 minutes in length or longer. This book is high fantasy. There were plenty of ways to put that the characters were together without turning it into complete porn.

I'm so frustrated with this book. The premise was great. It could have been everything everyone is saying it is. Take away the unnecessary parts mentioned above, give it some better writing, and it would have been great. The actual storyline was interesting, and the ending made me almost want to read the sequel that is coming out, almost. I just know that there will be more of the same in the next book, and I can't deal with that. Let's just say, I'm disappointed.

Content warning: Graphic sex, Language, Murder

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The Summer I Turned Pretty

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I know this is YA, but it is written as juvenile. The story fell flat and the characters felt one-dimensional. I think things may have been better if so much of the rambling had been taken out. The book was unnecessarily long. Nothing happened for most of it.

I found Belly annoying. She spends so much of the book complaining and fighting with everyone. For being the main character, there doesn't seem to be much about her to like. Of course, there doesn't seem to be much to like about any of the characters. How are all of these relationships happening with these personalities?

I don't see the allure of this book. How is it so popular? There is no way I would be able to stand watching the show. This has been enough of The Summer I Turned Pretty for me.

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The Great Pencil Quest: Another Wallace the Brave Adventure

The Great Pencil Quest: Another Wallace the Brave Adventure by Will Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Honestly, I love Wallace the Brave, so I would have been shocked if I had not loved this collection of comics. Sterling is still my number one favorite character, but I am a little sad. I feel like he grew up a little in this book, and I want him to stay the crazy little kid he's always been. I'm not ready for him to sound reasonable. Of course, there was more of him in this volume than in the previous four, so I can't really complain.

Will Henry is great with keeping continuity not only between one comic to the next, but from one year to the next. I have the other four volumes, and while the how changes, the annual events that happen in the summer, still happen. It's fun to see how things will play out.

The characters are all lovable, from the main character Wallace all the way down to the farmer who was around for a couple pages. If you want a quick fun read that will make you smile, this is something I would recommend.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am absolutely in love with this book. Eleanor is such a complex character. She seems very one dimensional at the beginning, but slowly gains depth as more of her story comes to light. I'm still thinking about the ending and what it means in regards to what was going on in Eleanor's life throughout the novel. You know it's a great novel if you finish it and it leaves you just thinking about what happened for a while after.

At first, I was thinking Eleanor was like me, than quickly realized that is not the case. She has no sense of social norms and ends up in incredibly awkward situations almost 100% of the time. I always cheered for her when she actually understood what was going on and picked up on social cues. This changes when she meets Raymond, an IT guy at work who slowly breaks her out of the routine she has had for years.

I love the character development Eleanor has with Raymond. It is not sudden, but gradual. Since Eleanor is narrating, you get her thoughts on their first interaction, and everyone after, and you can see how her thoughts slowly change over time. She goes from total disgust to acceptance that he is not going to go away to liking the fact that he is there. He is basically her window into a completely new world that she is hesitant to enter.

I have to say, even as I write this, I'm thinking about the ending and more of it is clicking in my head. Anyway...I need to talk about Mummy, because that was a terrifying character, and she was only ever someone Eleanor talked to. She was never physically around, but she made a huge impression on Eleanor and myself. Mummy is of course Eleanor's mother, and the way she talks to Eleanor helps explain why Eleanor is the way she is. Let's just say, I'm glad the character is rarely heard from.

Of course, all in all, an absolutely lovely book. I've been struggling to find good books lately, and this one was so refreshing.

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Red Rising

Red Rising by Pierce Brown
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I think I'm going to be in the minority and say that I really was not a fan of this book. It seems like this is a five star read for most people, but it just wasn't for me. Maybe I'm just not a sci-fi person. I think a big part was the language. I know, it's an adult book, Pierce Brown can use whatever language he so chooses, but it was a lot. For me, it took away from the actual story and just made me cringe.

I had heard it referred to as Hunger Games in space, and the book mentions capture the flag. Mix those together, and that's kind of what it is. The Hunger Games version of capture the flag...in space.

The premise is interesting, it just missed the mark for me. Darrow wasn't a character I really saw myself rooting for. I was never worried about what would happen to him, because he was written to be perfection personified basically. How can anything happen to someone like that? Even when bad things happened, it seemed more like a throw away to say, "See, he has hardships, too." Honestly, I found none of the characters really endearing. Is this just what a sci-fi novel is like? Do I just need to read more of the genre to realize how good this book is?

Content Warnings: Language, Murder

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The Blonde Identity

The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a quick and fun read. I feel like a broken record repeating what I have seen in other reviews, but this is similar to an adult Gallagher Girls book.

The story starts with the main character waking up with no memory of who she is, where she is, or what is going on. It only escalates when she finds herself the target of multiple enemies. Luckily for her, one mysterious hot guy comes to her rescue and helps her escape. He explains that all of her struggles are because of something her twin did. Everything could go back to normal if only anyone knew where to find this mysterious twin.

The rest of the story follows the main character Zoe and our hot guy as they try to stay alive and figure out how to find the problem twin.

There were some laugh-out-loud moments, especially during fake honeymoon scenes and when jumping scenes. I can't even explain the jumping scenes more without giving something away.

Zoe's internal monologue really makes the book. I think it would have just made it weird if everything that was going on in her head was spoken out loud, but the fact that the reader has the ability to just know what is going on in her mind, makes it funny without the cringe.

There is no way this will be a standalone, the book ends with a leadup to a new story. This book was one that was enjoyable to the point that I will be reading the sequel when it comes out.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: 08 Aug 2023

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