This past week, I finished:
Something Wicked by Alan Gratz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
2.5 stars, rounding up
I finished this last night, forgot to post about it here, and, when I sat down to type this up, forgot how I felt about it. Which is to say that I liked it well enough while reading, but it was kind of forgettable beyond that.
Here’s the thing, though: If Gratz wrote more of these, I would read every single one. He integrates and updates all of the elements and characters really well. And I will be forever amused that Horatio’s sisters are all heroines from other Shakespeare plays, and Gratz includes nods to their plays as well (Mona mentions a jealous soldier boyfriend; Kate can outargue/outsmart anyone). Also! Gratz hinted at a Tempest story in Horatio’s future.
So, you know. Three stars.
House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I read this because it’s the last in the Howl’s Moving Castle trilogy. This is the weakest of the three books, especially since I found myself putting it down and forgetting about it for days at a time.
I mean, it’s a fine way to pass the five minutes of pomodoro time at work, but other than that it’s pretty meh. What I liked most about it, though, is how obnoxious Charmain is. More books with difficult female characters, please!
Same Difference by Derek Kirk Kim
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.5 stars, rounding up
This story took a little while to grab me because it didn’t really become interesting until about 1/3 of the way through. I loved the ending, though, and I really liked that it’s basically a character study that takes these two kind of small moments and expands them out to show how we can be simultaneously really crappy people and genuinely good people.
Bonus points for Nancy and Simon’s most excellent relationship.
As of today, I’m reading:
I’m still making my way through Necessary Endings. But! I have also started rereading two books. One is The Cracks in the Kingdom, which I loved and am reading in preparation for the final book in the Colors of Madeleine trilogy out next week (!!!). The other is Silver Sparrow, which I loved and picked for my book club to read next month. Excitement!
Happy reading, everyone!
The Englishist 
ohh the Silver Sparrow looks really interesting and I definitely am looking that up after this. ;D But meh for a these mediocre and bleh books. Honestly sometimes I think the “meh” books are the worst because the fail to have ANY strong emotions. I haven’t read Howl’s Moving Castle, but I kind of want to…although maybe I should quit before the last book, if I do read them?! XD
Thanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!
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Wellllll, the third book is a little interesting, so I wouldn’t discount it completely. But you would also be perfectly fine to skip it.
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