Normally, I do book reviews that have 1000 words or more. I’ll still be doing those, but I have found more and more books where I feel like giving a review but am unable to because there is simply not enough content for me to make the review 1000+ words. So I’m branching out and starting to write mini book reviews for those books that just don’t hit the mark. It also gives me a chance to review books that I just didn’t finish for certain reasons.
For this mini-book review, I’ll be focusing on the following books—half of which I did not finish:
- Zodiac Academy: The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
- Peter and Wendy by J. M. Barrie
- The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
- The Archeduke by Elizabeth Wheatley
- The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
- Curvey Girls Can’t Date Quarterbacks by Kelsie Stelting
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
Format: ebook
I’m not one to shy away often. My own novels have lots of gore and whatnot. Often, there’s a good reason for the events that take place and I have the attitude that if there is a reason for it, then I can handle it. But I had to stop reading after the tenth chapter of this novel. One topic that does make me enjoy a story that much less is BDSM or themes around SA and Harrassment.
Usually I skip those scenes, especially if I picked up a book I expected to be spicy. However, with Zodiac Academy, it was another level. The two protagonists are new to their powers which means other fae have cohersion abilities and can force the two women to do their bidding without question.
There’s a scene where the sisters are nearly forced to kiss one another by their classmates. None of the teachers tell them off or get involved. It’s seen as acceptable behaviour at the academy. The teachers also use cohersion, especially to drink the blood of their students. This book gave me vibes that suggested it would lead to r**e and I just didn’t want to be there for it.
I have looked ahead on forums. Apparently the whole lack of concent issue throughout the novel has a good reason revealed by book 4. But that would mean putting up with the series for 3 whole books to learn why the book has such an ICK vibe. I cant be dealing with that. According to readers, there is no official r**e on the page, but the Trigger Warning Database suggests that there is later on in the series.
Peter and Wendy by J.M Barrie
Format: audiobook
This was a shortish book, which you can expect from a children’s book. I really enjoyed the narrator and how he brought the story of Peter and Wendy to life. I found it interesting how close to the book Disney actually kept the 1953 film, from the jealous Tink to Captain Hook and his men. But the book does have the other tidbits too, such as Peter’s memory loss when people or objects are out of his sight. A memory loss that extends to the loss boys but not at the same degree. The story was engaging for all ages. Mostly, what I loved was that the story was told in an almost folktale way, addressing the audience.
The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
Format: audiobook
A large part of the reason I didn’t finish this book is because of the narrator. The person reading just has to sound right for me to be able to listen to them and the narrator for this audiobook just didn’t have that perfect melody for me. However, I also just found the first pages not very interesting.
They always say that if you don’t grip the reader by the first 5 pages, then you have lost them. The same pretty much applies to films—a film has 10 minutes to draw in the audience before they lose interest. I’m not sure how long they would say that an audiobook has but I would probably say 5-10 minutes. I tried for three chapters and I was just not interested.
The Archeduke by Elizabeth Wheatley
Format: ebook
I’ve reviewed Daindreth’s Assassin in a longer post. The Archeduke is part of the same story but instead of being told from the point of view of the female protagonist, it is told by Daindreth, the Archeduke, who is battling demons that have been thrust upon him.
The book doesn’t really add more information to the story that the audience isn’t already aware of. It does, however, show how the demon affects the Archduke more, building onto the world. I found hearing from the Archduke’s perspective a nice little touch, and it is well written.
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
Format: audiobook and physical
I have tried so many times to get into Discworld. So, so many times. The Colour of Magic was great. I’m currently listening to The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents. But a lot of them, especially the ones with Tiffany Awning are just… not doing it for me, including The Wee Free Men. I tried to read the physical book, and when that didn’t work, purchased the audiobook. I just find it so utterly DULL.
Yet, the reason I’ve been trying to get into Terry Pratchett books? I was told by several people that my writing style oddly reminds them of Pratchett. I wanted to see why but am finding his books to be marmite. Ah well!
Curvey Girls Can’t Date Quarterbacks by Kelsie Stelting
Format: audiobook
The only reason I listened to this book is because I saw the first few pages on a facebook ad and JUST HAD TO KNOW the rest. It’s actually really engaging. There’s this mother who is convinced that her overweight daughter is pregnant… only it’s not pregnancy, it’s not poor dieting, it’s a medical issue.
Rory is bullied for her weight. To prove that fat people can date, she makes a bet with a cheerleader, the person to get a date with her crush first wins. Through it, Rory learns about managing relationships and to accept who she is. A good book for Young Adults dealing with the complexity of emotions and relationships.