Tag: reading

Book Reviews

A History of Opera Review

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A History of Opera by Carolyn Abbate and Roger Parker   

Rating: ⭐️⭐️/5

I bought A History of Opera over a year ago because I work for an opera company and I thought I might as well learn more about opera itself. This was a slow read for me. Have I enjoyed other music history books more than this one? Yes. Was it a bad book? No.

There was a lot more music analysis in A History of Opera than I thought, but I should’ve expected that because music history always involves at least some music analysis. I did like learning a bit more about the opera giants that I’ve heard so much about in school and work, such as Mozart, Verdi, and, of course (unfortunately), Wagner. I also liked that the book encompasses the very beginning of opera’s formation to the present-day struggles of composers writing new operas and the museum culture of opera. I would have liked a bit more storytelling regarding the actual history of opera, but overall it was an okay read.

If you love music history and music analysis/theory and are interested in opera, you will enjoy A History of Opera.

Book Reviews

A Thousand Ships Review

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A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes  

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I know what you are thinking. Another Greek mythology fiction book centering around the Trojan War? Really? We all know the tales of the war between the Trojans and the Greeks, and we all know the names Odysseus, Achilles, and Hector. I read this particular book because A Thousand Ships tells the story of the women in the Trojan War.

Greek mythology has never been kind to women, and there were some miserable endings for some of these women, such as Creusa and Iphigenia. However, some stories seemed to end horribly, but somehow the women found their victory or contentment in their ending. I love that Natalie Haynes tells the stories that need to be told. Brough a voice to women who were merely side characters in the famous stories of the Trojan War.

Also, I love how Penelope’s chapters get more and more sarcastic and bitter towards her husband, Odysseus. I also loved that the story centers mostly around what happened after the Greeks won the war. The author does offer some flashbacks, such as why the Trojan War even began. No, it wasn’t because of Helen and Paris, and it all had to do with Gaia and the scheming of the gods.

I enjoyed A Thousand Ships, and now I’m looking to read more books about the women’s perspective of Greek tales and tragedies.

 

Book Reviews

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue Review

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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab   

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is no doubt my favorite book I’ve read this year. Actually, it is in my top ten favorite books of ALL TIME! V.E. Schwab has given me the most exquisite gift I could ever have. The irony of the book is that this is the most unforgettable book. I was wary at first to read a book where the main character is forgotten by everyone she meets because I thought it would only be super sad. But I was happily amazed by the joy and light found with Addie’s story, even in the darkest of curses.

Seeing how her curse of being immortal and forgotten affects how she lives was fascinating in every way because Addie had to find ways to maneuver around the curse and still live her life as best she could. I loved reading about her life through the centuries from 1714 to 2014, and it was super cool to see Addie find ways to still leave her mark on the world through other artists’ art and music. Addie LaRue’s relationship with Luc, aka the darkness, was a never-ending game of tit for tat. I appreciate that Addie never gave up on herself and gave in to surrendering to the complex god. She is one of the strongest female characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about.

Henry Strauss’s curse and the reason behind him making a deal with Luc broke my heart. My poor Henry. He deserves all the love the world can offer, and I was so happy Addie and Henry met and had a reprieve from the cursed lives even for just a few precious months. I enjoyed his ending in the book. I’m not going to say what happens because I don’t want to spoil it, but I’m happy for my boy.

I was so sad to finish the book and finish my journey with Addie LaRue. Part of me wants to start all over again. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is THAT good.

Book Reviews

Circe Review

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Circe by Madeline Miller  

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

As a fan of Greek mythology, I am always excited to read a retelling of classic stories. Madeline Miller has given me an unforgettable gift, and I love this book with my entire being! I have heard of Circe obviously from the Odyssey, but being enveloped into her world and seeing the trials she has faced, I came to really love her as a character.

I loved seeing the author’s reasons why Circe became this powerful witch on Aiaia that transformed sailers into animals. I loved seeing Circe’s tale begin with her birth and continue until her final moments. I loved seeing her come into her powers. I loved that everything was not as it seemed when it came to her relationships with her family. Madeline Miller made me absolutely fall in love with Circe’s journey. I was so happy to see how the book ended.

Of course, it was interesting to read the tale of Odysseus’ time in Aiaia from Circe’s point of view, and seeing the son created from their time together was a great read. I loved the twist at the end involving Telemachus and Telegonus. While reading, I wished for more time with these characters to see Circe and Telemachus’ next chapter in life come to pass. But at least we got a glimpse of it!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Greek mythology and complex female character.

 

Book Reviews

A Court of Frost and Starlight Review

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A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas  

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Once, again Sarah J. Maas delivers nothing but pure beauty and emotion in words. A Court of Frost and Starlight may be a novella, but it works perfectly into the series, bridging the gap between ACOWAR and future books. It is basically a holiday special since they celebrate the Winter Solstice much like you would celebrate Christmas. A constant characteristic throughout the entire novella is the warmth and love of family. After all these characters have been through in the war with Hybern, seeing them come together once more to celebrate and just be together was beautiful.

I love that the author gave us POV’s from not only Feyre but Rhysand, Mor, Nesta, and Cassian! Seeing into their internal struggles offers readers a small clue into what will happen later on. The absolute turmoil inside Nesta’s mind in ACOFAS is enough for me to forgive her attitude and want to see what happens to her in the next book. I like that we caught a glimpse into what happened to Mor that day Eris found her in the Autumn Court after her family hurt her. Sarah J. Maas gave only brief glimpses of what these other characters are dealing with, but those small moments excited me for the future.

I also love that while Feyre is struggling, she finds herself truly happy by the end of the book! She has been through so much that I think she needed the reprieve from the drama. Also… I can’t wait to see Feysand’s baby!!!!! I’m just so happy for my girl Feyre.

Side note: I find myself loving Elain more and more. I wasn’t expecting that at all.

 

 

Book Reviews

A Court of Wings and Ruin Review

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A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas  

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I would first like to start by saying, I was not ready emotionally or mentally for the twists and turns of A Court of Wings and Ruin. Not ready at all. Just when I think I know where the story is going, Sarah J. Maas switches it up. This book was a perfect ending to the war with Hybern. If I had to describe ACOWAR in only a few words, they would be: Epic. Heartwrenching. Bittersweet.

Feyre was obviously her usual badass self, but in the first portion of the book, when she is in the Spring Court, the author shows the truly cunning aspects of Feyre’s character. And then, throughout the book, she was the one using every resource, intelligence, and power she had to win the war against Hybern. That strength she has is one of the many reasons Feyre has become one of my favorite characters ever.

Also, I will admit I didn’t hate Elain or Nesta this time around. I was never a fan of either of them…but ACOWAR made me see them a bit differently. I love how Elain is a seer, and Nesta has these crazy powerful abilities. Good for them. I’m excited to see where their stories go from here.

Of course, Rhys was the best mate ever, as usual. The fact that he is willing again and again to sacrifice himself for his family and people shows how selfless and amazing he is as a High Lord. I can’t wait to see more of him and Feyre in future books.

The final battle was epic in every way imaginable. Very Avengers: Endgame-esque. You will not want to put the book down.

 

Book Reviews

A People’s History of the United States Review

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A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn  

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This book has to be the best historical, non-fiction book I have EVER read. I truly enjoyed every second of it. The book doesn’t repeat what we learn in school, where the elite, white political and economic leaders are the stars and heroes. No. This is a story about the real people of this country: the African Americans, the Native Americans, the poor lower class, the workers, the immigrants, and the liberated women. The author wanted to “awaken a greater consciousness of class conflict, racial injustice, sexual inequality, and national arrogance,” and he did just that.

I love that I learned something new within each chapter. I liked that Zinn didn’t go into detail about battles and war leaders in the Revolution, Civil War, or World Wars, but instead discussed the citizens in the US that were most affected by the violence. I also appreciated that Zinn showed the ugly truth instead of hiding it, such as the slaughter of Native Americans by the “great” Christoper Columbus, the hypocrisy of our founding fathers, and the US’s everyday actions that embraced the corporations and the rich but left the poor and oppressed to suffer.

A People’s History of the United States is a book I highly recommend to anyone who loves history and wants to see from a different point of view than what is pushed on us throughout our schooling.

Book Reviews

Slayer Review

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Slayer by Kiersten White 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

THIS BOOK WAS FREAKING AMAZING! As a girl who grew up loving Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I immediately jumped to buy Slayer when I saw it in the bookstore. This book exceeded my expectations! The main character, Athena aka the LAST SLAYER EVER, was the perfect amount of award teenager mixed with quirky humor mixed with an identity crisis. I love that Athena grew up in the Watcher society because we get to see the Watcher’s from a different point of view. I thought it was really interesting to see that Buffy is the ultimate villain to Athena during most of the book. It’s so opposite of what we saw in the tv show.

I enjoyed seeing the complex relationship between Athena and her twin sister Artemis. They both are going through so much shit that the other can’t fully grasp. They both love each other but in the end find that they can’t be what the other person needs. Kiersten White is always great at showing the push and pull of a bond between sisters.

I also love the internal battle in Athena. She doesn’t quite fit as a Slayer or a Watcher and her realization in the end that she can be both was pretty awesome. I absolutely love her.

And the twist at the end…OH MY GOD! My anxiety was turned all the way up! I was hoping the every prophecy would come to pass in this book but obviously there is so much more that needs to be discussed in the next book. I’m honestly really worried about Athena and Artemis’s relationship with this big, bad Buffy like prophecy. I can’t wait to read the next book!

Book Reviews

The Blonde Review

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The Blonde by Anna Godberson 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I actually bought this book YEARS ago and finally took a moment to read it and I am so happy I did! This thrilling story of Marilyn Monroe being a Russian spy and spying on the President while falling in love with him was heart wrenching at times. Of course the author mixed in enough historically accurate information to make the fictional novel seem almost as if it really did happen. I love that Marilyn was more than her beauty in this story by showing how truly intelligent she was as a character. I also loved that a true romance was built between Marilyn and Jack. (Even if her intentions weren’t exactly innocent at first.) I was not so happy with how their relationship ended though. That broke my heart.

The novel follows two characters: Marilyn and an FBI agent Douglass Walls. I liked that we got this twist of seeing an FBI agent trailing Marilyn because of her communist husband but somehow finding this whole secret plot to take down the President by a Russian organization. I just hate that Agent Walls messed up everything Marilyn tried to plan to save her man. Overall I really loved the book. As a Marilyn Monroe fan, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the way Anna Godberson portrayed her.

Book Reviews

The Phantom of the Opera Review

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The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I’ve grown up loving Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” so recently I decided to give the book a try. I actually had no idea there was a book until my trip to Paris when we visited the famous opera house.

This was a nice, short read after taking on the 850+ book in my prior post. I was surprised to see that the story is written as if it is a historical biography instead of a novel. The main point of view throughout the book is written from the author’s narrative instead of a characters. It was slightly weird at first but I soon got caught in the wonders of the mysterious Opera ghost. I loved the background info the reader is given about the Opera ghost aka Erik. If you enjoyed the musical and like to read, I would recommend this book to you.