Prepare yourself for a very fun and entertaining read. "Eternal Curse" is one of those books that can be read in basically one sitting, so much fun it is to be with its characters and so fast is the pace of the plot, with things happening here and here so boredom doesn't set in and with a not overly complicated and easily to jump in world.It all starts with Chloe, whose mother just died, arriving to a new town, to start a new life with her aunt, uncle and cousin Abby. The story is seamlessly set up, with a start that allows the characters to have a background but also an environment for new opportunities and dangers to arise.Chloe, of course, pretty soon meets pretty boy Trent, also new in town, and things start to get complicated. This relationship is well developed and it was fun to see these two together, and there is a nice streak of humor that keeps them relatable. But Trent and Chloe, even if the center of the story, are not the only two characters, and many others have a chance to shine, even if, being in the background, their roles are less developed.The best thing is how fun it all is. From page one, the author does a great job in making the reader want to continue reading, to see what is going to happen and what new mystery or danger awaits Chloe. It was so easy to jump into this world and start to care for the characters and to want to know more of them. And the writing helps, the style perfect for this type of book and nicely reflecting the inner world and way of thinking of a young person, their fears and desires.There are some shortcomings, though, that stop the novel from being more, something special. The first is the aforementioned similarities with some very famous novels/TV shows, which leave the reader with some sense of déjà vu. For some readers this will be a plus, but for others, it could be a little bit repetitive.Otherwise, the story (and the characters' motivations) sometimes feels rushed, in such a way that, even if things never become boring, it feels that slowing down the pace a little bit would have given the characters a little more space to breathe and develop their feelings more. There is a very important plot development around one third into the book that plays a vital role in the characters' actions, but pretty soon it feels brushed off, as if it, almost, never happened. I think it would have been better to dwell a little more on the impact of those events in the inner world of the characters and their everyday life (the story would have been longer, though, and the pace may have suffered).Also, there are sometimes when I, personally, wanted Chloe to be stronger, more independent. It is something that happens more than I like in these kind of YA books, and maybe it is just me, but Trent, as other male characters, feels too strong and overprotective compared with Chloe, who seems to need an anchor. Kudos, though, to the author, because those behaviors have a reason to be and it makes sense that Chloe behaves the way she does. But, stronger Chloe would have been better for me.One last point that could be improved is a little problem with Chloe, that pops up a couple of times. Some character says: 'This happened to me' and Chloe compares that with her own situation and experiences. Doing that internally is normal, human, but then she seems to have the need to tell the other characters it, as if they were competing in difficulties or problems, and it makes her seem a little bit whiny, as if she was belittling the other character's feelings or experiences.But, if you have the chance, and you like the genre, read it. It is fun, it is fast, the characters are easy to be with, and the story offers a lot to enjoy.The best: the characters are easy to relate to; the story is read in a breeze; the beginning, that sets up things prettily, and the ending, which leaves the reader wanting to know more about the charactersThe worst: feeling of déjà vu'; the story feels rushed in some partsAlternatives: well, if I say "Twilight" no one will be surprised, right?; there are many YA out there, like "The Lunar Chronicles" or "The Hunger Games" that are also a lot of fun to read6.5/10(Read in English)*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to the author and booksirens for the copy*
In my last review I was saying that there are some authors that sound pedantic, that, while reading them, come out as people who seem to think too highly of themselves, and I put a particular group as an example of where you can find many of these authors. Well, I was kind of lying. Because while reading this first volume of "ノルウェイの森" ("Norwegian Wood") by Haruki Murakami, I got the same feeling: that the author thinks he is amazing, his writing amazing and he becomes intoxicated with his own words.That is not to say that the book is bad or Murakami doesn't know how to write, because he does. But he becomes repetitive in the long soliloquies that many characters in this book say, and in how our 'hero' seems some kind of twisted male fantasy, with so many women relying on him to tell him their life stories. The style is good, dreamy, and there are some quite beautiful moments, but having a random character who we just met deciding to tell Toru all about themselves, reeks a little bit. And it is also kind of creepy.Let's see how things evolve in the second volume (and yes, I read it around fifteen years ago, but I don't remember anything).The best: the writing styleThe worst: repetitive; all those female characters revolving around our ToruFurther reading: I preferred Murakami's "Sputnik Sweetheart" (I read it when I was way younger, though) or a smaller work like "東京奇譚集"; Shion Miura, Jaume Cabré... are other authors that remind me of him.5.5/10(Japanese)
As it just happened to me with the Kjartan Fløgstad's book I read before this, this is one book that left me with the feeling the author is a snob that thinks too much of himself. It may be just me, but normally, when this feeling happens while I am reading a book, it is always a white, middle-aged man (it can be younger or older, but the white man is almost always there). It may be just me, but "Ventajas de viajar en tren" just feels like an ego-trip from someone who thinks they are SO smart.The story, to call it something because this is one of those stories within stories type, starts with a woman going home in a train. And I will leave just there, because even if I felt the author squandered his opportunity, I don't want to tell more than I already did.And why didn't I like it? Because, as I said, the writing style felt too full of itself, snobby and posh. And the 'story' per se is not so interesting as Orejudo seems to think it is, repetitive, a little creepy (very, and not in a good way) and not particularly smart. With so many better works out there, it feels pointless to read this.The best: I have a weakness for the story within story moldThe worst: snobby, repetitive, poor writing style, creepyAlternatives: well. the obvious one is Jan Potocki's "Manuscrit trouvé à Saragosse"; if you have already read it, you can try...: Kjartan Fløgstad, David Foster Wallace, Virginia Woolf, Karl Ove Knausgård, Margaret Atwood, Shiwon Miura, Kôtarô Isaka, Jaume Cabré...4/10(Spanish)
This is not a bad book at all. N.D. Jones knows how to write, creating characters, setting and atmosphere with a few strokes, in an engaging style that, even if at the beginning is a little bit difficult to follow what is going on, the author throwing you to a whole new world, is easy on the eye, and good in giving flow to the story. The characters, even if of the cardboard type, are relatable, easy to like (and/or hate) and do not overstay their welcome.However, I have to say that "Crimson Hunter" left me kind of cold. Because, even with all the metal, witches, and werewolves in another world (or maybe because of that), it has nothing that makes it stand out from the herd of similar novels, nothing new here that you haven't read or seen before, and probably done better. The relationships are stereotypical, the whole plot can be inferred after, like, one third of the book (or less) and, for a book about witches and werewolves, it lacks... how can I say it... oh, yes, magic. Also, I found the constant sexy scenes between Oriana and Marrok pointless and without adding much to the story, the characters or anything at all. Maybe I am a prude, but I need some reason for characters to get naked.You may not regret reading it. But I think there is better out there.The best: the style suits the story; the characters are enjoyableThe worst: it is not particularly original; too many 'steamy' moments for my tasteAlternatives: hmmm... Karen Chance, "The Dresden Files"... I haven't read much, actually, of urban fantasy, to which, even if very different, this books reminded me of; Marissa Meyer's "The Lunar Chronicles" is a good option too5/10(English)*Thank you to the author and booksirens for the copy*
In the middle of nowhere (ok, in Norway, in a little industrial city which economy is based on oil, and where 'crazy' capitalism has taken over), some characters' lifes get entangled with surprising consequences.But who cares about the plot? Because it is pretty clear that Fløgstad doesn't. This is a story that goes from A-ish to somewhere-ish, with simply depicted but full of life characters, whose motivations are a little bit cardboard-y. And that is because Fløgstad cares more about atmosphere, situations, use of language and criticize the modern (and not so modern) capitalist consummerist world.And how does he fare? He actually does a really good job at it, with a great use of language (smartly translated; I can't read Norwegian), beautiful depicted situations and a clear critique of Norway and the world. At the same time, it is all kind of a mess, the story getting more and more convoluted as it goes along, difficult for the reader to care for the characters and what goes on, and with a couple of situations/comments on society that seem a little bit old fashioned (or they come out that way).Interesting read but it fizzles a little bit along the way.The best: Fløgstad knows how to write (and the translation is great); the sarcasm and irony that permeates the textThe worst: it is all kind of a mess; the unnecessary 'physical' momentsFurther reading: David Foster Wallace, Virginia Woolf, Karl Ove Knausgård, Margaret Atwood, Shiwon Miura, Kôtarô Isaka, Jaume Cabré...7/10(Castilian translation by Kirsti Baggethun & Asunción Lorenzo)
Mary Sue & Gary Sue fall in love in this boring romantic story that ticks all the boxes with only one twist, the fact that both characters are cancer patients, which gives us a lot of cringey moments, as Green doesn't seem to know how to develop a story or characters.And it all starts well enough, Hazel and Augustus's introduction funny and relatable. However, it is pretty soon that one notices that both characters (their illness apart) are too perfect, handsome, beautiful, smart, already in university even though Hazel is still sixteen and also a writer of poetry... etc., etc., on top of both of them being basically the same character: Augustus and what for Augustus a perfect female would be, a strange wish fulfillment of a male's idea of a female. Even Isaac is basically the same character. And throwing into the mix a random and very cringey character doesn't help the story (view spoiler). And also, Augustus being kind of a sacrificial lamb for Hazel, the prince in a shining armor that comes to bring light to the depressed female, didn't sit very well with me.Poor romance with a twist that seems to have been put there just to make readers cry, "The Fault in Our Stars" lacks.The best: the beginning; some humor; the story is easy to followThe worst: read the first thirty, forty pages and you have already read all character development; the plot is very simple and basic and goes downhill pretty fast; the characters are very poorly drawn; the humor becomes repetitive; I can't believe this love story; the protective maleAlternatives: just read Jane Austen, or Margaret Atwood, or Marian Keyes...5/10(English)
Picture me pleasently surprised by "Immortal Defiance", a fantasy book well grounded, that instead of centering on big fights and journeys, decides to center on the relationship between Dulcea, an elven enchantress, and Krath, a vampire.At the beginning we find Dulcea in danger, betrayed by one of her own warriors and in the hands of her enemies. Enemies that are going to sacrifice her to their god, so she becomes his maid for all of eternity.But then, out of the blue, Krath appears and saves her. Krath being a vampire and not very willing to let her go back to her war.What follows is an interesting and enjoyable (and sometimes a little bit worrisome for me, Dulcea too willing to put herself under Krath's influence) story, Dulcea's fears and desires being shaped by her new acquaintance, a vampire that makes her see things in a new way. It is a nice touch that the author has decided to center on the characters and she has a knack to make them relatable and interesting, even if a little bit stereotypical.The story (this is the first volume of a trilogy) is well developed, even if there are too many flashbacks to tell of what has come before, and sometimes I wished the plot developed faster, but these are minor quibbles. Also, Maybrooke's writing style is perfect for the genre, with a good balance between dialogues, description and a good care into developing the atmosphere and the scenery, the world in which the story happens.A good fantasy book. And a nice first step into a new world full of mysteries and adventures waiting to happen.The best: the relationships between the characters are well developed, and they feel alive; that Maybrooke can pull Dulcea and Krath's relationship offThe worst: the relationship between our two heroes sometimes falls into the worrisome, the masculine dominating the femenine (decide whatever you want about this); the plot could go fasterFurther reading: this kind of books falls into the David Gemmell or Terry Pratchett (minus the humor) fold: good characters (and maybe not so much plot)6/10(English)*Thank you to the author and booksirens for the copy*
