evanbrow
Vancouver Public Library
evanbrow's Completed Shelf
Filter your results by...
evanbrow's rating:
Added Aug 17, 2021
The Haunting of Tram Car 015The Haunting of Tram Car 015, Book
by Clark, P. DjèlíBook - 2019Book, 2019
evanbrow's rating:
Added Dec 31, 2020
evanbrow's rating:
Added Dec 31, 2020
evanbrow's rating:
Added Dec 14, 2020
evanbrow's rating:
Added Dec 13, 2020
evanbrow's rating:
Added Nov 20, 2020
Comment:
Very interesting novel! The main character, who is only identified as "Chant," is in some form of captivity for the entirety of the book. Made for a very interesting read that necessitated evoking the setting's memory, history, knowledge, and the power of story to engage the reader. It does this quite well and employs an engaging cast of characters who cycle in and out, but always returns to the POV's schemes, deals, and tricks to gain his freedom. I'd say that it can lag around the middle and feel repetitive at times, but when this novel is working, it is such a good read.Very interesting novel! The main character, who is only identified as "Chant," is in some form of captivity for the entirety of the book. Made for a very interesting read that necessitated evoking the setting's memory, history, knowledge, and the…
evanbrow's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2020
Comment:
The best part was the cross-species, platonic relationship between Cora and Ampersand. The problem is that it is the only part that stands out. Long stretches of the novel are forgettable. Most of the side characters seem like caricatures. While the book teases a very interesting character in Nils Ortega on the very first page, we never meet him. Axiom's End is stuck in the middle for me: its core really works and drives the story forward, but everything else fails to lift it up to its potential.The best part was the cross-species, platonic relationship between Cora and Ampersand. The problem is that it is the only part that stands out. Long stretches of the novel are forgettable. Most of the side characters seem like caricatures. While the…
evanbrow's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2020
evanbrow's rating:
Added Sep 05, 2020
evanbrow's rating:
Added Aug 24, 2020
Comment:
Murderbot is definitely a character that deserved a full novel, and any chance to enjoy this blunt but reserved, sassy but secretly caring AI's POV is a treat, but I was a little surprised that the novel focuses so much on new faces and side characters, rather than the heavy hitters of the Preservation Aux survey team, especially Dr. Mensah. Once again, I found myself absolutely loving the AIs (Murderbot, ART, Murderbot 2.0) and never truly connecting to the humans. This novel was fun and interesting for a big fan of the novellas such as myself, but did less to advance Murderbot's emotional growth and series-long arc than each individual novella did. Ultimately, worth it for a fan of the series, but left a lot of potential on the table.Murderbot is definitely a character that deserved a full novel, and any chance to enjoy this blunt but reserved, sassy but secretly caring AI's POV is a treat, but I was a little surprised that the novel focuses so much on new faces and side…
evanbrow's rating:
Added Jul 27, 2020
Comment:
A touching and beautifully-drawn low sci-fi story about love in the far-future. The imaginative tech and lush world-building mixes so well with the genuine, steady, heart-enveloping story of romance, friendship, and community. I'll remember so many of these characters: Mia, Grace, Ell, Alma, Char, and especially Jules. I loved it. I longed to delve deeper into the sci-fi elements, but that wasn't what the story was about. It was merely a backdrop for a lovely relationship.A touching and beautifully-drawn low sci-fi story about love in the far-future. The imaginative tech and lush world-building mixes so well with the genuine, steady, heart-enveloping story of romance, friendship, and community. I'll remember so many…
evanbrow's rating:
Added Jul 20, 2020
Comment:
This finale uses its expanded length to weave together many different POVs into a satisfying, epic finale. Everything feels well thought-out and properly "big," including the scythedom, the Thunderhead, and the Tonists. Small notes I would give are for pacing in the second half of the book, how some characters got odd or underwhelming conclusions, and how brief the action of the climax was. But ultimately, it was a satisfying end to a trilogy that did an excellent job world-building and introducing interesting POV characters like Citra, Rowan, and Greyson.This finale uses its expanded length to weave together many different POVs into a satisfying, epic finale. Everything feels well thought-out and properly "big," including the scythedom, the Thunderhead, and the Tonists. Small notes I would give are…
evanbrow's rating:
Added Jun 28, 2020
Comment:
This sequel shakes things up, introduces an interesting new POV, and delivers some satisfying twists and turns. Scythe Anastasia has a very logical narrative progression and her story proceeds as expected, as she gains more influence and connections. Rowan, on the other hand, is transformed in an entirely new direction, with his purpose displayed in the first few chapters. A very good sequel that builds well with a fantastic conclusion. I'm very excited for the third and final novel in this series.This sequel shakes things up, introduces an interesting new POV, and delivers some satisfying twists and turns. Scythe Anastasia has a very logical narrative progression and her story proceeds as expected, as she gains more influence and…
evanbrow's rating:
Added Jun 04, 2020
Comment:
Far-future utopian sci-fi novel where grim reapers have become oath-bound public servants? Sign me up. Very cool concept. I loved the concept of the Scythes, especially how a different Scythe's journal entry would act as an epigraph in between each chapter. The twists and turns make sense, leading to a very satisfying ending. Works self-contained, but also leaves plenty of room for future instalments.Far-future utopian sci-fi novel where grim reapers have become oath-bound public servants? Sign me up. Very cool concept. I loved the concept of the Scythes, especially how a different Scythe's journal entry would act as an epigraph in between each…
evanbrow's rating:
Added May 26, 2020
Comment:
Quite an interesting novella detailing the last days of Tsar Nicholas II's reign over Russia and the rise of the Bolshevik-led Russian Revolution. The POVs are chosen well: the Tsar himself, the German Tsarina, an unnamed high official, the mad monk Rasputin, and a revolutionary man raising dragons (i.e. the red army) to oppose the monarchy. The story can be seen as a modern fairy tale, exaggerating and simplifying in its successful efforts to capture a historic period of time. Those who love fantasy, be warned that there is very little actual 'fantasy' in this story. The dragons are but a simple metaphor for opposing armies. But as a history nerd, this worked well for me.Quite an interesting novella detailing the last days of Tsar Nicholas II's reign over Russia and the rise of the Bolshevik-led Russian Revolution. The POVs are chosen well: the Tsar himself, the German Tsarina, an unnamed high official, the mad monk…
evanbrow's rating:
Added Apr 30, 2020
Comment:
Greatly enjoyed reading this book of stories focused on the South African upbringing of a rambunctious, witty, mixed-race young man. It is funny, educational, and gripping. By itself, the last story is worth it alone. Unpacking the colonial devastation that the South African apartheid regime is reason enough for this book to be important, but pairing that with the day-to-day of friendship, love, school, and semi-legal hustling breathes life into understanding a holistic view of the country.Greatly enjoyed reading this book of stories focused on the South African upbringing of a rambunctious, witty, mixed-race young man. It is funny, educational, and gripping. By itself, the last story is worth it alone. Unpacking the colonial…
evanbrow's rating:
Added Apr 18, 2020
Comment:
Contemplative and literary, but oftentimes too wordy and lacking a strong through-line. Skibsrud is adept at writing beautiful language, able to add resonant poetic meaning to the story of a woman slowly learning more and more about her dying father's past in the Vietnam War. But the other side of the coin is that all of the lyrical, evocative text can jumble together and leave you still searching for the basics to ground it all together: character, dialogue, narrative, setting. A mixed bag.Contemplative and literary, but oftentimes too wordy and lacking a strong through-line. Skibsrud is adept at writing beautiful language, able to add resonant poetic meaning to the story of a woman slowly learning more and more about her dying…
evanbrow's rating:
Added Apr 09, 2020
Comment:
Disappointing. An Arthur retelling that doesn't justify its existence. The majority of the characters aren't vivid, though the few positives include The Weeping Monk, Iris, and Arthur's brief family backstory. All of the chapters are about five pages long, which severely stunts the immersion into the story. Every scene felt cut short or not given room to breath. Seemed like it had a lot of promise, and was getting me interested many times, but never quite delivered.Disappointing. An Arthur retelling that doesn't justify its existence. The majority of the characters aren't vivid, though the few positives include The Weeping Monk, Iris, and Arthur's brief family backstory. All of the chapters are about five…
A Midsummer Night's DreamA Midsummer Night's Dream, Book
by Shakespeare, WilliamBook - 2015Book, 2015
evanbrow's rating:
Added Mar 21, 2020
Comment:
My favourite Shakespeare play. Doesn't hurt that I played Bottom in grade 12, but a funny, interesting mixture of intelligent buffoonery, well-plotted lover's quarrels, and enough magic and mysticism to give everything a fantastical flair. So why did I give it three stars? Plays are meant to be seen, and while it was enjoyable to read it, I keep feeling like I was missing the key element: the production. If you have a chance to see A Midsummer Night's Dream, do it.My favourite Shakespeare play. Doesn't hurt that I played Bottom in grade 12, but a funny, interesting mixture of intelligent buffoonery, well-plotted lover's quarrels, and enough magic and mysticism to give everything a fantastical flair. So why…
evanbrow's rating:
Added Mar 21, 2020
Comment:
A little disappointed in this sequel novel. While still inventive and far-reaching in its fantastical ambitions, I found it to be a little too complicated, with very few of the compelling supporting characters from The Golden Compass having a role. I wasn't a fan of Cittàgazze, the spectres, or transitioning the primary POV to be Will instead of Lyra. While it was enjoyable in parts (Dr. Malone, Stanislaus Grumman, and the witches being highlights), and while I still intend to read the third, it tempered my excitement for the trilogy.A little disappointed in this sequel novel. While still inventive and far-reaching in its fantastical ambitions, I found it to be a little too complicated, with very few of the compelling supporting characters from The Golden Compass having a role.…
evanbrow's rating:
Added Mar 13, 2020
Comment:
Very creative and engaging. Lyra is a spunky, strong-willed protagonist and the novel contains many great characters such as Pantalaimon, Iorek Byornison, Serafina Pekkala, Lord Asriel, and Mrs. Coulter. The daemons, the slightly-different parallel world, and the alethiometer are wonderful fantasy creations. I deeply enjoyed spending time in this universe. Still curious how the trilogy resolves, as this book isn't fully self-contained. My rating for The Golden Compass may change due to that.Very creative and engaging. Lyra is a spunky, strong-willed protagonist and the novel contains many great characters such as Pantalaimon, Iorek Byornison, Serafina Pekkala, Lord Asriel, and Mrs. Coulter. The daemons, the slightly-different parallel…
evanbrow's rating:
Added Mar 02, 2020
Comment:
Interesting characters, a rich backstory, and pages and pages of detailed description are a recipe for success in this first novel of a 14-book epic fantasy series. The magic is interesting and the lore is deep and well-grounded in how the world now feels and behaves. You can sense a lot of actions happening "off-screen," which I love about a good fantasy book. I always want to have a sense that the protagonists exist in a fluid, ever-changing world. While I do not intend to bang through all 14 novels in the series, I am sure I will get through it in time.Interesting characters, a rich backstory, and pages and pages of detailed description are a recipe for success in this first novel of a 14-book epic fantasy series. The magic is interesting and the lore is deep and well-grounded in how the world now…
evanbrow's rating:
Added Jan 28, 2020
Comment:
Exit Strategy is a satisfying "season finale" for the series, with a tease for more to come. With this novella's focus back on the original PreservationAux team (specifically Mensah), Murderbot's journey to find its purpose is handled well here. My third favourite Murderbot novella.Exit Strategy is a satisfying "season finale" for the series, with a tease for more to come. With this novella's focus back on the original PreservationAux team (specifically Mensah), Murderbot's journey to find its purpose is handled well here. My…
evanbrow's rating:
Added Jan 23, 2020
Comment:
Another good, fun, interesting sequel in the Murderbot novella series. While the plot was a little more complex and slightly less engaging than the first two novellas, it had a strong ending and did an excellent job further characterizing Murderbot's motivations and intriguing personality. I missed fleshed-out human characters like Dr. Mensah and fantastic A.I. characters like ART. However, Miki's story was done well. My fourth favourite Murderbot novella.Another good, fun, interesting sequel in the Murderbot novella series. While the plot was a little more complex and slightly less engaging than the first two novellas, it had a strong ending and did an excellent job further characterizing…
evanbrow's rating:
Added Jan 21, 2020
Comment:
A classic novella that tells one specific story very well. The detail is gripping and emotional. You really root for the old man and feel sympathy when he is in pain. Bittersweet and just. The ending raised the rating for me.
Comment: