If there were a gold standard for books, this would be it. Never in my life have I read a book as phenomenal and spirited and fierce as Six of Crows. Since the day of its publication, it has been my favorite book of all time. As much as I've loved the hundreds of books I've read since, nothing's ever come close to replacing Six of Crows for me.
Let me begin by ranting about Leigh Bardugo. I read her Grisha trilogy long before I devoured Six of Crows, and I've been her biggest fan for about forever. I've had the honor to grow up and mature in parallel with Bardugo's writing style, which is something I am unbelievably grateful for. In the hands of any other author, Six of Crows would surely have been a disaster, but Bardugo's remarkable talent as both a writer and a thinker make this book a true treasure.
The characters in this novel are, in fact, six of the greatest characters even written into existence. Bardugo somehow manages to flawlessly create a story told from six wildly different perspectives, but keeps it remarkably organic and fluid. And better yet, the characters are all real and independent and wonderfully flawed. And the diversity! I'm a sucker for diversity, and this book has it in oodles.
Six of Crows is full of nonstop action and powerful magic and even a little bit of romance here and there. It's a delightfully unpredictable and exhilarating read. Mysterious, adventurous, and breathtakingly beautiful, this book is spellbinding as can be. If I could make show more every single person I know join one gigantic book club and force them all to read a single book, you'd better believe that this would be it.
Six of Crows in an undeniable modern day literary masterpiece, and I will never be able to get enough of it. show less
Let me begin by ranting about Leigh Bardugo. I read her Grisha trilogy long before I devoured Six of Crows, and I've been her biggest fan for about forever. I've had the honor to grow up and mature in parallel with Bardugo's writing style, which is something I am unbelievably grateful for. In the hands of any other author, Six of Crows would surely have been a disaster, but Bardugo's remarkable talent as both a writer and a thinker make this book a true treasure.
The characters in this novel are, in fact, six of the greatest characters even written into existence. Bardugo somehow manages to flawlessly create a story told from six wildly different perspectives, but keeps it remarkably organic and fluid. And better yet, the characters are all real and independent and wonderfully flawed. And the diversity! I'm a sucker for diversity, and this book has it in oodles.
Six of Crows is full of nonstop action and powerful magic and even a little bit of romance here and there. It's a delightfully unpredictable and exhilarating read. Mysterious, adventurous, and breathtakingly beautiful, this book is spellbinding as can be. If I could make show more every single person I know join one gigantic book club and force them all to read a single book, you'd better believe that this would be it.
Six of Crows in an undeniable modern day literary masterpiece, and I will never be able to get enough of it. show less
Historical fiction has never exactly been my cup of tea, but thanks to the genius writing of Ryan Graudin, alternate history is quickly becoming a new favorite of mine.
I've fallen in love with so many more characters than I could possibly count over my many years of avid reading, but I'm almost certain that I've never adored a character quite as much as I adore Yael. She's a fiery shapeshifter with a knack for taking incredibly dangerous risks in order to exact revenge on those who have wronged her. In other words, she's an incredible main character and the literary love of my life.
The plot of this book moves along at a breakneck speed, and it's kind of phenomenal. Wolf by Wolf is filled to the brim with plot twists, backstabbing, revenge, redemption, love, enmity, and everything in between. There's never a dull moment.
Aside from having the single most intriguing premise of all time, this book has such complex characters and brilliant character development throughout.
The distinction between historical fiction and fantasy is more or less nonexistent in this novel— likely one many reasons it's so delightfully unique and imaginative. It might very well be the most peculiar book I've had the chance to read, which is the highest praise I can think of. There's nothing not to love about Wolf by Wolf.
I've fallen in love with so many more characters than I could possibly count over my many years of avid reading, but I'm almost certain that I've never adored a character quite as much as I adore Yael. She's a fiery shapeshifter with a knack for taking incredibly dangerous risks in order to exact revenge on those who have wronged her. In other words, she's an incredible main character and the literary love of my life.
The plot of this book moves along at a breakneck speed, and it's kind of phenomenal. Wolf by Wolf is filled to the brim with plot twists, backstabbing, revenge, redemption, love, enmity, and everything in between. There's never a dull moment.
Aside from having the single most intriguing premise of all time, this book has such complex characters and brilliant character development throughout.
The distinction between historical fiction and fantasy is more or less nonexistent in this novel— likely one many reasons it's so delightfully unique and imaginative. It might very well be the most peculiar book I've had the chance to read, which is the highest praise I can think of. There's nothing not to love about Wolf by Wolf.
There are a handful of extraordinary books in this world that I fault for turning me into a voracious reader. Many of those books remain favorites of mine to this day, but the one that has affected and continues to affect me the most is undoubtedly A Monster Calls.
Every aspect of this book radiates beauty. The words, the illustrations, the details and the emotions that litter every page— everything collides harmoniously to craft one of the moving novels I've ever encountered.
This story is not one to be taken lightly. Though it is tragic and serious and evocative, it is also achingly honest and strangely comforting. Conor is a character who will live inside readers' hearts for years after they peruse this novel. The monster will continue to plague readers' minds much like he haunts Conor himself, even long after the novel's end.
A Monster Calls is not a gentle book. It will ravage your heart. It will leave you angry and confused and empty. It demands rereads and it brings forth a multitude of unanswerable questions. It is often malicious and destructive and immensely frustrating.
Despite all this, I feel nothing but a deep love and admiration for this book. In my experience, no other novel has ever managed to be quite so devastatingly complex and artful. A Monster Calls is truly a novel unlike any other.
Every aspect of this book radiates beauty. The words, the illustrations, the details and the emotions that litter every page— everything collides harmoniously to craft one of the moving novels I've ever encountered.
This story is not one to be taken lightly. Though it is tragic and serious and evocative, it is also achingly honest and strangely comforting. Conor is a character who will live inside readers' hearts for years after they peruse this novel. The monster will continue to plague readers' minds much like he haunts Conor himself, even long after the novel's end.
A Monster Calls is not a gentle book. It will ravage your heart. It will leave you angry and confused and empty. It demands rereads and it brings forth a multitude of unanswerable questions. It is often malicious and destructive and immensely frustrating.
Despite all this, I feel nothing but a deep love and admiration for this book. In my experience, no other novel has ever managed to be quite so devastatingly complex and artful. A Monster Calls is truly a novel unlike any other.
As it turns out, Adam Silvera's favorite pastime is stabbing me in the heart.
I've been a devout fan of Silvera's ever since I devoured his debut novel, More Happy Than Not, a few months after its publication. Every time that I'm wholeheartedly convinced that he couldn't possibly get better at writing, his new books leave me astonished, bewildered, and overwhelmingly giddy.
A wise decision would be to heed this book's title before tearing through its heartrending pages. I feel inclined to include a warning, though: it's impossible not to fall in love with the two main characters, Rufus and Mateo. They're more than likely to make readers laugh, cry, throw the book in a paper shredder, guiltily buy a new copy, and cry some more. This book is bound to shatter anyone who has even the tiniest bit of a soul and/or a heart. But, you know, in a good way!
On a less depressing note, this novel has some of the most uniquely realistic writing I've ever had the pleasure of encountering. The main characters struggle with confusion and denial and a million other complex emotions, but they're also teenage boys who are meant to speak and act like teenage boys, and Silvera's writing style embraces this perfectly.
The beauty and diversity of They Both Die at the End are two of its most striking aspects. It's blunt and it's brutal and it's full of dark comedy, but it is nothing short of one of the most memorable and gorgeous books out there right now. It's poignant and haunting, but it is well show more worth every second and every tear. show less
I've been a devout fan of Silvera's ever since I devoured his debut novel, More Happy Than Not, a few months after its publication. Every time that I'm wholeheartedly convinced that he couldn't possibly get better at writing, his new books leave me astonished, bewildered, and overwhelmingly giddy.
A wise decision would be to heed this book's title before tearing through its heartrending pages. I feel inclined to include a warning, though: it's impossible not to fall in love with the two main characters, Rufus and Mateo. They're more than likely to make readers laugh, cry, throw the book in a paper shredder, guiltily buy a new copy, and cry some more. This book is bound to shatter anyone who has even the tiniest bit of a soul and/or a heart. But, you know, in a good way!
On a less depressing note, this novel has some of the most uniquely realistic writing I've ever had the pleasure of encountering. The main characters struggle with confusion and denial and a million other complex emotions, but they're also teenage boys who are meant to speak and act like teenage boys, and Silvera's writing style embraces this perfectly.
The beauty and diversity of They Both Die at the End are two of its most striking aspects. It's blunt and it's brutal and it's full of dark comedy, but it is nothing short of one of the most memorable and gorgeous books out there right now. It's poignant and haunting, but it is well show more worth every second and every tear. show less
You know the sort of book that makes you want to immediately flip back to page one once you've finished the final sentence? Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is exactly that book, and that is precisely what I found myself doing after I read it for the very first time three years ago. Since then, I've reread it five times and I'm incredibly excited for read-through number six. This book is one of the rare few that I can say with absolute certainty has changed my life.
Simon's voice and story are both charming as they are unapologetic, and no reader can resist loving him at least a little bit by the story's end. Although it's a love story, it's nothing like the hundreds of frustratingly dull slow-burn romances with archetypal characters and lousy plots. The writing of this novel is fast-paced, thoughtful, and engaging as can be. The romance flows naturally, and the clever character dynamics are some of the most admirable parts about the book.
The humor that is intertwined in Simon's clumsy, awkward, and often relatable stumble toward growing up and finding happiness makes this book all the more ingenious. In her debut novel, Becky Albertalli writes with a skill and grace that makes Simon's story so lively, impactful, and widely adored.
Adorable, inspiring, and insightful, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a book that belongs in every library and on every bookshelf. Simultaneously tackling important issues and providing an unparalleled source of entertainment, this book show more is a must-read for anyone and everyone. show less
Simon's voice and story are both charming as they are unapologetic, and no reader can resist loving him at least a little bit by the story's end. Although it's a love story, it's nothing like the hundreds of frustratingly dull slow-burn romances with archetypal characters and lousy plots. The writing of this novel is fast-paced, thoughtful, and engaging as can be. The romance flows naturally, and the clever character dynamics are some of the most admirable parts about the book.
The humor that is intertwined in Simon's clumsy, awkward, and often relatable stumble toward growing up and finding happiness makes this book all the more ingenious. In her debut novel, Becky Albertalli writes with a skill and grace that makes Simon's story so lively, impactful, and widely adored.
Adorable, inspiring, and insightful, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a book that belongs in every library and on every bookshelf. Simultaneously tackling important issues and providing an unparalleled source of entertainment, this book show more is a must-read for anyone and everyone. show less