Dog Mom

Warning: very clueless/helpless main character

Reviewed: 07-13-23

I understand the need to not have a Mary Sue-like main character, but the over compensation to the other end was too extreme. I had to stop listening 8 hours in because the need to throttle Erin was becoming too strong each time I tried to listen again.

Erin has no common sense whatsoever. You know that one coworker you wonder constantly about how they still have their job? Erin is far worse. She's a kid (20 year's old) but she acts like an 8 year old.

Concept of basic safety? No.
Concept of money or basic budgeting? No.
Concept of basic house keeping? No.

The cringing and secondhand embarrassment is too much to handle. I returned the book.

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Toxic relationship

Reviewed: 03-28-23

There are clear mentions of "dark" on the cover and in the title, but the relationship and interactions between Killian and Cilla come across as dysfunctional and toxic, which kills the romance IMO.

It feels like there's no real buildup to really be hurt/comfort and makes Killian's tender side fell too out of character. There's a lot of suspension of belief required when looking at Killian and Cilla's "growing" affection or love for each other. All I can think is: Their relationship is toxic and it's going to crumble whenever the beginnings of routine kick in and no longer fuel the drama that fuels their supposed love.

I'm not asking for funny or light hearted moments. I'm unconvinced of their affections toward each other.

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Thoroughly pleased ATLA fan!!

Reviewed: 02-07-23

I have never loved an origin story more than Kyoshi's. Of course she's the literal hero of the world and of course she's meant to save everyone, and yet her struggles feel real and tangible. Her fears and her feelings are sincere and clear. My own person life feels fraught with struggles even though they're truly trivial compared to weight of being the Avatar (ehhhh, trivial compared to anything really) but following Kyoshi in journey makes me feel more motivated to find strength in myself to do what I believe is right. This doesn't drown you in old timey wisdom, but allows you to sip it like a fine tea and adopt virtues along the way without even realizing it. I don't think the purpose of the story was to make the reader a better or more enlightened person, but cheering on Kyoshi through her story planted a seed of self-confidence and develop a better sense of morality in myself.

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Engaging overview of Agatha Christie's life

Reviewed: 12-31-22

The courses are structured with Agatha Christie's works in mind and puts her novels in context. It's a good short listen for Agatha Christie fans

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Better than the 3rd book

Reviewed: 08-12-22

The story line is a little better. But the characters are still aggravating to journey alongside with through the book. This is definitely not a book I would recommend to girls or women. I feel quite a heavy dose of toxic masculinity frequently and it's off-putting and frustrating to listen through as a woman. I understand that the female characters are all side characters, but they all feel so shallow. There are gimmicks and basic human reactions tacked onto the women, but then that's it. No more real insight into their mindset outside of the delicate motherly character trope, the femme Fatale trope, or the quirky manic pixie dream girl. I wish for a little female conversation and character building.

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Majority of the components aged well

Reviewed: 07-22-22

Majority of the technology featured in the story has aged quite well considering the world drastically and unpredictably changed in the past couple years with a pandemic. I wouldn't say that this book predicted any technological advancements, but it did pretty well in maintaining a believable environment, even if it resembles the late 2010s more than the what I imagine the 2050s would look like. The character reactions and motivations feel shallow and unfitting for a group of high school seniors though. It's hard to see the characters as children (which I heartily consider anyone under 20 to be) given how the new crop of Gen Z children have turned out. Overall a good and entertaining book if you crave some fantasy. Not so much for the slice of life (which a hefty portion of this book tries to tackle, but comes up short on) or sci-fi cravings.

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Warning: EXTREME ADORABLE!

Reviewed: 05-25-22

Prepare yourself for a hefty double-entree of cuteness overload and fantasy adventure. Pace yourself because there's also a large side of sweet and spiced humor, all heaped on a plate of solid gold. Gold that is a colorful universe and complex, relatable characters.

This book is so delectable and palatable for new and old adventure seekers, that I'm immediately coming back to this series for more helpings!

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Speechless. So good. So good.

Reviewed: 05-21-22

This trilogy is so good. I get that "good" is a vague and arguably useless buzz word, but holy cow was this trilogy good. It's got such a well thought out and natural plot with colorful and uncontrived characters. The story wraps up so cleanly. I hope this never gets turned into a movie or TV series for fear of ruining the delicate, but vast universe these booked have woven.

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Comical! Fun! And yet, the feels

Reviewed: 03-19-22

It's by no means dark or sad, and focuses on the whimsical and comical performances to tell a story, but the underlying importance and sacrifice by each of the historical figures covered cannot help but make you feel like you have not done enough to appreciate the life that fought for and built up for you.

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4 people found this helpful

Entertaining despite a saturation of modern movies

Reviewed: 12-20-21

In despite of formulaic modern movies and story telling, this mystery novel still entertains and maintains mystery that is not cliche or heavy handed. I'd imagine that this is one of those cases where a movie adaptation might struggle capture enough of the charm. Such colorful characters and comfortable pacing!

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