REN-commendations

Advice and opinions from one friend to another. If you submit a recommendation I may give it a read!

[ren-commendations]

The Spell Book of Listen Taylor by Jaclyn Moriarty

6/10 part whimsy, mostly family drama, all the feelings. 

I first read this back in middle school, and it really stuck out to me. After I left middle school I wanted to find it again and it took me almost 7 more years to find this book again. I’m so glad to finally found it again. Re-reading it it was pretty similar to how I remember it, which was that is was good. The writing takes a bit of time to get used to, a lot of changing perspectives, but after a while you kind of fall into place and it’s not bad. 

There were some chapters I was less fond of than others, and moments where I didn’t care for certain characters as much as others, but even parts I liked less had a part to play in the greater narrative, so I cannot begrudge it too much.

The story follows Listen Taylor as she starts middle school, as well as experiencing conflict that arises from her dad’s girlfriend’s family secret. All of it ties together rather neatly and the author is really good at appealing to the emotional aspect of everything, which I enjoyed and why I wanted to re-read it. It really stuck out to me as experiencing life and emotions from someone else’s shoes. All the characters are flawed, and very human, but each have their own points to empathize with what they are going through and the decisions they make, which made me remember this book even all these years later. 

[ren-commendations]

The Tapestry (Series) by Henry H. Neff

8/10 goth academia YA fantasy. 

You like folklore? Mythology? Something people brand as “a coming of age” story? Existential dread? Well look no further! 

Honestly one of my favorite series, the worldbuilding is spectacular. The first book is not the best in the series, but after reading it, it sets up everything else so well it is worth the initial jump start needed to really delve into the world, and from there everything is smooth sailing. 

There are actual stakes, and the author commits to actions that occur. If I say anymore it would be spoilers and that would be a shame to ruin.

I initially read it back in elementary school, and actually never finished the last book. A couple years ago I picked it back up again and re-read the whole series, including the last book, and it was better than I had remembered it. The series does get darker than typical book series in this genre (YA Fantasy), but I think it allows for more depth and interest, and in the end I really appreciate how serious it gets. Just get past the first book. Trust me. 

The selling point for me isn’t the characters themselves, but the worldbuilding and how they interact with it. Especially later in the series, the whole setting just feels vast and also really hits you with that fantasy folklore existentialism. Which is always a plus. 

[ren-commendations]

A Pho Love Story by Loan Le

9/10 great YA love story.

Let me sell you on a Romeo and Juliet style romance story about two rival pho shops that is pretty self-aware. Very good stuff.

I think I’ve been reading a lot of bad romance novels that I’ve come to expect the worst, but I was pleasantly surprised by how not bad this story was. (not the most stellar review to start with, but hey, I’ve read some rather questionable stuff recently) The characters are all charming, and I’m a sucker for a good immigrant’s story.

The third act plot twist that most books have was well set up and will keep you curious of where things are heading. It was dramatic, but I personally did not think it was too heavy handed. I also like the fact they had a mentor-ish figure. They actually had quite a few, and all are very enjoyable to read.

The ending was nice and felt like an ending. I know this sounds kinda jaded ish, but I really enjoyed this book. Unfortunately I am not as great at writing reviews as one of the main characters are, but I definitely recommended giving this book a read!  

I also want to draw fanart for this, so that will be potentially in the works. What can I say, the author’s writing is inspiring. :D

[ren-commendations]

are you gonna do manga reviews?

perhaps i may, if people are interested. 

[ren-commendations]

Time Quintet (Series) by Madeleine L'Engle

8/10 fun space existentialism :D

You might know the book A Wrinkle In Time, and you might know that Disney made a movie out of it and a T.V. show too apparently (I have not watched it, and do not plan on watching it), but did you know there is a whole series around it? And it’s really good!

A Wrinkle In Time isn’t even my favorite book, I’m more partial to the other 3 books in this series, A Wind In the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, and Many Waters. Like, the first book was really good, don’t get me wrong, but the later books are better. And not many people read the later books, and that’s a travesty.

Each of these books deserves it’s own little summary thingy or something, but I’m not doing it. What I am pitching though, is the same deep stories about familial love and care and affection people have for each other. After all, what’s more important than Love?

Each of the characters are amazing. I personally like Calvin O’Keefe and Charles Wallace. Meg is a very relatable character, and I rather like her as well. I’ve read A Swiftly Tilting Planet and Many Waters so many different times, I’m surprised I haven’t memorized it by now. The twins are amazing protagonists when given the chance, and they really shined in Many Waters.

I heard that the author has written other books (Arm of the Starfish and whatnot) but I can’t ever seem to find them.....  

[ren-commendations]

The Woodcutter Sisters (Series)  by Alethea Kontis

10/10. excellent series.

Man, I don’t recommend this series enough, but boy oh boy is this series a great read! (I keep on forgetting the series’ name tho) This is like perfect for people who like fairytales and folklore type books. I love the twists and turns as well as the relatively simple storytelling style.

I would love to say more about certain elements about the book series (as a whole) as well as the books themselves, but a) that would be spoilers and I'm just here to recommend and b) I haven’t read these books in a few years, so my memory is a bit spotty. 

Man, writing this makes me want to re-read it again. I’ll see if I can find it. 

I’m not sure how popular this series is, but it’s amazing. I think the author is writing more? (I saw stuff on Goodreads when Googling her name) I sure hope she’s writing more, the stuff I read from her is phenomenal. 

I don’t remember much about individual characters, but for me the story isn’t exactly about the individual characters, but the journey and story that they are experiencing, and it has left an impression on me. I do remember liking the characters tho, just don’t remember the names (like I said earlier, it has been a hot moment since I last read this series) 

Each book (currently there are 3, Enchanted, Hero and Dearest) can be it’s own standalone book, but they all tie in together in wonderous ways. 

After I finish re-reading the books I might add stuff about characters I liked. 

[ren-commendations]

The Chronicles of Narnia (Series) by C.S. Lewis

9/10. It’s a good series. 

I mean, it’s a classical children’s fantasy novel, what isn’t there to like? My dear friend has not finished it, and she OWNS the series. The audacity! 

The Pevensies were interesting (Edmund was my favorite, to no surprise of anyone that knows me) I like Eustace as well. We’re here for. the. character. development. GROWTH! The best things. 

The only things I didn’t like was The Magician’s Nephew and The Boy and his Horse, but after reading the series and then re-reading the books, I enjoyed it more. It needs world built concepts first, at least, that’s how I felt. (So I usually recommend reading it by publishing order, but you do you, some people like reading it chronological order). 

The plot is very straightforward, it honestly could be a Dungeons and Dragons campaign, but it’s the characters and the world that draws you in. 

Honestly I still can’t believe my dear friend, who, by the way, loves to read, owns the WHOLE SERIES and STILL HASN’T READ IT YET. 

[ren-commendations]

The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel (Series) by Michael Scott (not the Office guy)

You should read this book. I personally rate it a 10/10. 

Interesting characters (I have my favorites, mainly Niten and Billy the Kid, but all of them are good). It’s the type of book series that once you pick it up you have to finish all of them. 

Good plot. And the plot twists hold up as well. For spoiler’s sake, I’m not saying what those plot twists are, but even re-reading the series knowing what’s coming, it was still an exciting journey. A lot of books like to do this third act major plot twist thing, which often times ends up screwing up the whole book for me, but this one made everything even better. 

You might need to polish up your knowledge on historical, mythological and folkloric stories because boy oh boy does Mr. Scott have everything. It’s his own take and world as well, so it melds in very well. I also prefer his version of Scathach the best out of all the books I’ve read. I mean, to be fair, she appears in only one other book series I’ve read. (another favorite, the Tapestry Series) 

There’s 6 books in total, and each book is very well written. I think my only complaint was that it ended. And I wanted more Niten, but that’s ‘cause I really liked him.