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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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 Merchant of Death

The Merchant of Death by D.J. MacHale
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the Pendragon series. I am working on reading it again since I didn't finish it the first time.

While I do appreciate the premise of the story, there is a lot of complicated plot points that are put in place to make everything work. So many worlds are included in the series that there is constantly issues with misunderstandings and the main character Bobby Pendragon not knowing what is going on. It's not like the longer things go on the more he understands. Things constantly seem to be in flux, which makes it difficult.

It makes sense that the bad guy does not play by the rules, but when Bobby is only explained things according to the rules, he is at a disadvantage when trying to actually do what he came to the land to do, which is save it. That's a lot of pressure to put on a teenager. Honestly, I think the book ended the way it did just so that there series could go on.

Author: D.J. MacHale
Parent content warning: Death
Age appropriate: Yes

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The Red Scrolls of Magic

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I think I know where this book fits in with the rest of the Shadowhunter books, but there are so many of them, that I could be totally off.

I feel like this book was chaotic. There was so much going on and so many random characters introduced for little to no reason. I have to say, I think I have a problem. I'm not really a huge fan of the Shadowhunter universe, but I keep reading the books, so take that for what you will.

Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK

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Thinking of You (but not like in a weird creepy way): A Comic Collection

Thinking of You (but not like in a weird creepy way): A Comic Collection by Beth Evans
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

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

I know this was a comic collection, but I was hoping there was some type of story behind each of the comics. Some of them seemed to just be there like a motivational poster. I get it, they are supposed to be motivational, but the style just wasn't for me.

Author: Beth Evans
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date: 2 May 2023

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So Who's Counting

So Who's Counting?: The Little Quote Book About Growing Older and Still Kicking Ass by Erin McHugh
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is one of those times when the number of stars does not necessarily reflect on the book. I gave it two stars just because I'm not sure I would ever read the whole thing cover to cover again. It's a quote book, I don't know of anyone that reads quote books multiple times cover to cover. It's a hard style of book to do. On that note, I do think that this would be the perfect gift to give to someone retiring or who is having a major birthday milestone. There are some very good quotes in there that are relevant no matter your age, which is why I would buy this book. That's why you buy quote books, so you can always go back and read those quotes that made you laugh or inspired you, and there are plenty of those in this book.

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

Author: Erin McHugh and Emily Luchetti
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date: 09 Apr 2019

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Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephan Pastis
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

While I'm not sure this series is for me, I did enjoy the word play and think that it is a great read for young readers just starting to get into longer books. The characters all play well off of each other, which helps the story to flow. The fact that there is a polar bear named Total just adds to the humor.

Author: Stephan Pastis
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: 2013

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Frank Einstein and the Brainturbo

Frank Einstein and the Brainturbo by Jon Scieszka
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This series is a great one for young readers, as an adult, I start to question things that were never meant to be questioned. If you are a reader that starts wondering about things like where all the adults are when things are happening, you will probably have the same issues I did. For kids, especially ones that are into science, this series is great.

Author: Jon Scieszka
Publisher: Turtleback Books
Publication Date: August 11th 2015

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When Vampires and Ninjas Collide

When Vampires and Ninjas Collide by J. Bennett
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

While this was a fun little story, I have to admit, I didn't like this one as much as the others in the series. I think it was because a lot of the action happened between random characters that were not in any of the other stories or Diedre with the Ninjas. There wasn't as much Nathaniel interaction as I would have liked. The Nathaniel parts were great, but I just wanted more of them.

Author: J. Bennett
Publisher: J Bennett
Publication Date: October 25th 2013

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Cogheart

Cogheart by Peter Bunzl
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book had an interesting premise and good plot twists, I just couldn't really get into it. I think the books target audience will like this a lot, so just because it wasn't a favorite of mine doesn't mean I wouldn't consider it a good book.

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

Author: Peter Bunzl
Publisher: Jolly Fish Press
Publication Date: 12 Feb 2019

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Homeroom Diaries

Homeroom Diaries by James Patterson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was a pretty deep read for something that had illustrations. Those types of books come around every now and then. For me, this is a book that is great for teens, and may even be something that will help them get through hard times, but was something that I think I will only read once. I would still highly recommend it.

I think my biggest issue with this book was the fact that most of the adults were just jerks. I kept wanting to scream at them for the way they were treating Margaret.

I don't know what to say about this book. There is a lot going on, and it is good at evoking emotions. I think it is just one of those books that would be good for everyone to read at least once. There is really something for everyone to get out of it.

Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Arrow (Young)
Publication Date: July 17th 2014

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