Month: August 2023

Fiction · Horror · Thriller

Jaws

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Title: Jaws

Author: Peter Benchley

Performer: Erik Steele

Length: 9 hours 39 minutes

Series: N/A

Publishing Date/Publisher: April 7, 2009/Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Format: Audiobook

Review: 

This was, without a doubt, the worst book I have ever read and possible ever will read. I went in expecting a book about hunting down a shark that was attacking people (people who went into his home, but besides the point) and ended up reading about a failed marriage that happened to be imploding at the same time that a shark killed a few people. The marriage was the main plot point, the shark was maybe third in line, if we are being generous.

I understand failed marriages are a big plot device in thrillers and murder mysteries and all that, I don’t have a problem with it being the story, my problem is when the book is literally names Jaws and the book isn’t even about the shark. The characters are all horrible people who garnered no sympathy from me whatsoever.

There was also a part in the book that through me for an absolute loop and actually enraged me quite a lot- the wife plainly states that every woman has rape fantasies, something that is patently not true and extremely harmful as it can be used as an excuse for the violence. It was a disgusting thing to add, and while I am not here to kink-shame if that’s what spins your beanie, I am just pointing out that it is not an ‘every woman’ thing and should not be treated as such.

I haven’t seen the movie (one of the few in the world, I know) so I can’t say how it compares or contrasts, just that I have a deep hatred of this book.

In conclusion:

I was rooting for the shark the whole time.

Reader: Kymberly

Rating: Zero stars

Classic · Fiction · Historical

Les Misérable

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Title: Les Misérable

Author: Victor Hugo

Performer: Bill Homewood

Length: 67 hours 53 minutes

Series: N/A

Publishing Date/Publisher: April 29 2015/Naxos AudioBooks

Format: Audiobook

Review: At just shy of 68 hours long, this was longest book I’ve listened to, beating out Gone with the Wind by 20 hours. A lot of that time could have been saved if Hugo would stop rambling, but the rambles were pretty interesting (I learned about the Battle of Waterloo and the sewers of Paris), and they always linked back into the general storyline, even if just briefly. It took a while to get into the book because the first part is all about a man that sets the stage for the whole thing but the detail into this man’s life was extremely tedious and he was only mentioned briefly again maybe once or twice, but once the story started following Val Jean, it got more interesting.

Cosette and Marius were incredibly dramatic but entertaining, Javert needed to chill out, and Jean was perfect as always. That being said, I very much enjoyed it and the story was compelling (even if long). I can see why this is a classic and still revered.

Reader: Kymberly

Rating: 4

Fantasy · Fiction · Romance · Science Fiction · Young Adult

Double Review- Tress of the Emerald Sea

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Title: Tress of the Emerald Sea

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Page Count: 369

Series: Secret Projects/within Cosmere Universe

Publishing Date/Publisher: April 4, 2023/Gollancz

Format: Hardback

Review: 

This is easily in my top three books of all time. It was whimsical, delightful, and fun, and while the stakes for Tress were high, it was still a cozy fantasy. Hoid, the narrator, provided funny commentary while also dropping some profound wisdom throughout the story in a way that was surprising but welcomed.

The story is everything I could possibly want- pirates, sorcery, soulmates, and a very unique setting that I would love to live in, despite the dangers. I can’t get enough of this book and have read it three times in the past month (and am on another reread- it’s become a happy and safe place to escape to).

Reader: Kymberly

Rating: 5 stars

Review: 

Woooohooo back after a long hiatus (I had a baby!).

This was truly a delightful adventure. Fantasy books are rarely standalones, but this is a rare book that wraps up nicely without feeling too long or too short. Filled with quirky characters and infused with both humor and wisdom, this is a book that can appeal to nearly all ages. This is my first Sanderson book, so it was also my first foray into the Cosmere. Based on what I’ve read from other reviewers, there may be some characters, settings, or events of significance for fans of this author sprinkled throughout the story, but this did not hinder the reading experience for me in any way. The setting is particularly unusual and the oceans of spores felt more like characters than places. The spores are surprisingly integral to the storyline and drive the plot forward in unique and unexpected ways. I agree with Kym that although the characters are on a high stakes quest, the overall reading experience is very pleasant. I felt like I was learning and growing along with our well-intentioned and goodhearted heroine, Tress. Although I wouldn’t have minded a sequel, I am pleased with the way the story ended.

Reader: Bekah

Rating: 4 stars

Fantasy · Romance

The Princess Bride

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Title: The Princess Bride

Author: William Goldman

Page Count: 399

Series: N/A

Publishing Date/Publisher: 1999/Bloomsbury

Format: Paperback

Review: 

It is unusual for me to find a book where the movie version of it is tied in terms of quality, but this one definitely done that. The asides Goldman (and his alter-ego S. Morgenstern) put in perfectly align with the grandpa/grandson parts of the movie and it’s just as quotable. I loved the background into Fezzik and Inigo, which really explained their motives and how they ended up with Vizzini, I thought that was missing in the mvie.

The only thing I didn’t like were the parts where Westley slaps Buttercup (happens twice), which really rubbed me the wrong way and dropped the rating from a 5 to a 4.

Reader: Kymberly

Rating: 4 stars