Tag Archives: science fiction

2017, Book Review

[Review] The Gauntlet – Karuna Riazi

3 Comments 

Book Title: The Gauntlet
Author:     Karuna Riazi
Number of pages:  298

Synopsis:

When twelve-year-old Farah and her two best friends get sucked into a mechanical board game called The Gauntlet of Blood and Sand—a puzzle game akin to a large Rubik’s cube—they know it’s up to them to defeat the game’s diabolical architect in order to save themselves and those who are trapped inside, including her baby brother Ahmed. But first they have to figure out how.?

(re: Goodreads @ The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– Middle Eastern Jumanji; board game with puzzles although present in third person re: readers may find difficulty in participating in the game too
– The culture and heritage of the characters just are and are not trivialized
– Challenges lack urgency and reads as though failure is rarely a possibility; some plot holes left unresolved
– Protagonist/heroine is one to look up to; a role model of wit and resourcefulness
– Lots of inclusion of food

Initial Thoughts

I had so much excitement for this book yo.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of The Gauntlet from Simon and Schuster Canada.

Continue reading [Review] The Gauntlet – Karuna Riazi →

2017, Book Review

[Review] Carve The Mark – Veronica Roth

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carve-the-mark-veronica-roth-review-scorecard

Book Title: Carve the Mark
Author:     Veronica Roth
Number of pages:  468

Synopsis:

carve-the-mark-book-coverIn a planet where violence and vengeance rule, in a galaxy where some are favored by fate, everyone develops a currentgift, a unique power meant to shape the future. While most benefit from their currentgifts, Akos and Cyra do not—their gifts make them vulnerable to others’ control. Can they reclaim their gifts, their fates, and their lives, and reset the balance of power in this world?

(re: Goodreads @ Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– Two narrators alternating between first (Cyra) and third (Akos) POV
– World building is fragmented; lacks cohesiveness and not enough substance to support the vast world(s) this book is set in
– Conveniently written characters and plot devices
– Google articles per racism and ableism for Carve the Mark; also the triggering meaning behind the book title is related to self-harm
– Currentgifts (abilities) are unoriginal if you’re familiar with X-Men etc.
– Villains, what villains?

Initial Thoughts

Here is my attempt at a conscientious review fully aware of the criticism this book has garnered.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Carve the Mark from Chapters Indigo.

Continue reading [Review] Carve The Mark – Veronica Roth →

2016, meme, top ten tuesday

The Thinker Awards: 2016 Edition (Best in 2016 Fiction)

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The Thinker Awards is posted under the umbrella of Top Ten Tuesday, an original weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. 

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This Week’s Theme:
The Thinker Awards
(Best in 2016 Fiction)

Initial Thoughts:

Welcome to The 2016 Thinker Awards wherein the “Best Of” 2016 books are featured. This year, I have enlisted six panelists to join me in showcasing their faves.

The 2016 Thinker Award Panelists:

Maria @ Big City Bookworm
Jesse @ Books at Dawn
Jenna @ Reading with Jenna
Ambur @ Burning Impossibly Bright
Patty @ Bookish Wander Love
…and yours truly.

At the end of all this, please do let me know: which book do you think deserves the “Best Overall” title!

Continue reading The Thinker Awards: 2016 Edition (Best in 2016 Fiction) →