Tag: 3 Star Reviews

All 3 Stars Reviews In One Place

“A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” By James Joyce Review

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The portrayal of Stephen Dedalus’s Dublin childhood and youth, his quest for identity through art and his gradual emancipation from the claims of family, religion and Ireland itself, is also an oblique self-portrait of the young James Joyce and a universal testament to the artist’s ‘eternal imagination’. Both an insight into Joyce’s life and childhood, and a unique work of modernist fiction, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is a novel of sexual awakening, religious rebellion and the essential search for voice and meaning that every nascent artist must face in order to blossom fully into themselves.

I gotta admit that this book was much better than I expected it to be, because I had expected to not like this book and give it a 2 star rating at tops before I got into the book. But after reading this book I need to admit that I liked this book much more than I expected even thou I didn’t quite love it, but I still like it.

The plot in this book is very interesting and enjoyable. And I had a lot of fun with this book as I was reading it. The plot in this book talks about reflecting on life experience to and your coming of age story which I liked a fair share, because I personally like a lot the coming of age books. Which easily made me give this book some extra points for doing.

The narrative of this book is very basic, as I said the book has very promising aspect but the way it is gives us makes it feel like a generic college novel about the main character trying to find himself and what he wants to do in life which we all face at some point in our lives.

But at the same time I found this book to get very repetitive at times and some of the descriptions and moments in this book would get pretty wordy. Which made me bored of this book a few times as I was reading this book. I personally think that at least 100 pages could have been cut out of this book making this book better, which really shows how many repetitive it was and how unnecessarily long the descriptions were at times in this book.

The characters in this book were okay, we don’t get a lot of characters in this book but those characters we actually got in this book were pretty okay. I personally didn’t have a lot of strong feelings about the characters in this book because I didn’t care about them or hate them. Yes the characters could have been better in this book but they were for the most part bearable unlike characters in other books which I really hated.

The writing style was okay for the most past, but as I’ve said above it gets pretty receptive and the descriptions get way out of hands very quickly in this book. I don’t know if it typical of this author because this book is the first book I’ve read from James Joyce, but if his writing style is the same in his other books as in this one, I think I will have to pass his other books.

I Give This Book 3 / 5

“Common Sense” By Thomas Paine Review

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An immediate sensation across the thirteen colonies, Common Sense extolled Paine’s belief that government should be simple and represent the will of the people, acting not as an oppressor but as a body to protect society. His clear and persuasive argument appealed to the common people, impressing on them the importance of secession from Great Britain. Six months after Common Sense was published, independence was declared, and the American Revolution was born.

Before we get into this review I need to say that I was prepared to severely don’t like this book, but after reading it I actually think that it is a solid read.

I gotta say that after reading this book, I believe it should be forced onto current politicians to read this book because 90% of the politicians we have now seem to be lacking a lot of common sense (the pun intended by the way)

If you are interested in politics as I am, then you really should read this book because it touched on a lot of political points which everyone interested in politics should think about at some point. This book also asks a lot of political questions which are really inserting to think about like “should we seek Reconciliation with England or Independence from her?”.

The writing style in this book is pretty outdated. Because it was published in 1776, which is solid 249 years ago, so in that time the language used have changed its fair share. 

I really recommend this book for everyone to read, because it talks about history and politics. Even thou a lot of this book is outdated and the heavy old English might not be likable for a lot of people. 

This book is a very short read because it barely above 100 pages. And I personally read it in under 2 hours in one sitting. Which really shows that good book doesnt need to be long to still be good.

I Give This Book 3 / 5

“The Green Hornet Strikes! #1: Preview” By Brett Matthews & Ariel Padilla Review

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Special 10-page preview! WHO IS THE GREEN HORNET? A hero? A criminal? He doesn’t even know, himself… In a near future where the financial crisis never resolved, Chicago is more corrupt than ever. The rich are few and wield unimaginable power and influence. The poor are countless and live without hope. Gangs vie for control of the streets. Heroes have long been forgotten… Until now. Witness the birth of a new GREEN HORNET in THE GREEN HORNET STRIKES! #1. An ultimate tale in the making, THE GREEN HORNET STRIKES! Features the writing of acclaimed Lone Ranger scribe Brett Matthews, cover artist John Cassaday and interior artist Ariel Padilla!

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And I’m gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

The previews gives us the introduction to a modern spin on the Green Hornet and at the same time it is setting up a world filled with crime and justice which I personally found to be very intriguing and interesting.

But I need to admit that the storyline feels a bit rushed, leaving some plot points underdeveloped. Which really disappointed me in a way. 

The characters in this preview are okay for the most part. The main characters have a very interesting dynamics and they are pretty compelling as characters. But their backstories and motivations could benefit from further exploration. At the same time there is no character development happening in this preview. 

When it comes to the side characters in this preview they have no personalities or anything that makes them standout. And because of this they are very forgettable and they don’t add anything to the plot of this preview.

The artwork in this preview is pretty fun and good. Because it effectively conveying the action-packed scenes and urban atmosphere which this preview tries to give us. The illustrations complement the narrative well, enhancing the overall experience with a gritty, stylish flair.

This preview gives us the themes of justice and vigilantism. And for the most part these themes are well-presented but at times they feel very unexplored and seem shallow at times. 

So will I buy and read the full version of this comic book ? Maybe. My list of all the books and comic book is already very long but if I find some time to squeeze in the full version of this comic book then yes I will read it.

I Give This Book 3 / 5

“Cruel Winter with You” By Ali Hazelwood Review

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For two former childhood friends, a blustery winter storm stirs some frosty—and scorching—memories in a delightful short story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood. All newly minted pediatrician Jamie Malek wants is to borrow a roasting pan for Christmas dinner. Unfortunately, that requires her to interact with Marc—her best friend’s troublemaking brother, who’s now a tech billionaire. He’s the one who got away. She’s the one who broke his heart. Outside, a howling blizzard. Inside, a crackling fire. Suddenly, being snowbound with the man she never expected to see again might not be such a bad way to spend a winter’s night.

I got to be honest here about one thing. I read this book last Christmas and I just forgot to review it last year in the holiday season. So I decided to publish this review this Christmas season.

I gotta admit that this book is far from being a good Christmas book, of course I haven’t read a lot of Christmas books in my time but the few I’ve read makes me say that books isn’t. one of the good Christmas books. This book is more of those overly cheesy and sweat Christmas books which borderline to be being a book about a upcoming serial killer of a fictional character. 

But I gotta admit that I enjoyed this book in a way. Its fast pacing, have a decent plot and it is interesting. Even thou the Christmas spirit isn’t that big in this book.

The characters here are very good, which really surprised me because I wasn’t expecting the characters to be that good as they were. The characters are very few in this book but the once we get here, have for sure a lot of personality to them. Which makes them easy to tell apart. And there is something which make them interesting. Which for sure made me give this books some extra points for. 

The plot here are okay for the most part. It travels back in time a lot to help explain the drama between the two main characters, which really makes this plot better in a way but at the same time the whole thing of telling us what happened in the past makes it a little confusing to follow the plot. 

The writing style in this book was very YA typical. Which nears means that its very easy to read and quick to read. But at the same time the writing style plays very well with the plot of this book. Which I cant complain a lot about the writing style.

I Give This Book 3 / 5

“Monster Me: Lion Queen” By iPOP! Labs Review

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LeMon’s adventure has her testing out the goods of 3 LIONS. But what will happen when those 3 lions find out a MONSTER has been messing with their stuff? Includes a teacher’s guide.

I need to admit that, this comic book is better than the other comic books I’ve read in this series so far. But as always I will explain everything in this review. So stay tuned.

This comic book in a way, blends elements from fantasy and self-discovery in this comic book, which I personally really liked. However there are times where the comic book gets pretty shitty and overpowers the engagement part of this comic book. 

The story in this comic book follows the same characters as the other comic books in this series, but it those it in a much better way than the other comic books in this series I’ve read and I mentioned this aspect in the previous reviews of the comic books in this series.

The concept of this comic book is pretty intriguing. It explores the themes of empowerment and self-acceptance in kids which of course this comic book is meant for.

The storyline in this comic book occasionally leans on clichés aspects of fantasy stories and comic books for children which for me personally didn’t help because im not the biggest fan when it comes to the generic clichés and stereotypes used in comic books or books in general.

However if it comes to the pacing in this comic book, it has the same problem as the previous comic books I’ve read in this series. And the problem is of course that the pacing is very uneven and inconsistent. There are certain sections of this comic book which are dragging for far too long while other sections feel very rushed. The uneven pacing is more or less disrupting the narrative flow for me personally and it makes the story very difficult to get immersed in it.

The characters in this comic book are pretty well made. But all of the characters in this comic (and in the whole series) feel pretty generic. Because they don’t have any backstory and we don’t learn anything about them. Which really make them feel one-dimensional and like they were only created to carry forward the story and noting else.

The dialogs in this comic book are pretty compelling but at times there lack emotions and feel very generic at times. Which really doesn’t help this comic book when it comes to be liking this comic book more. 

The writting style in this comic book is pretty simple, because it is meant for children than adults like myself. So of course the language in this comic book (and the entire series in general) will be easy and simple. But I need to admit that the descriptions which this comic book has captures the fantastical elements of the story which this comic book has. 

I Give This Book 3 / 5

“Out There Vol. 1: Preview” By R.C. Monroe Review

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Free preview of OUT THERE VOLUME 1! Meet Miriam, a pretty bartender determined – somewhat – to change the less savory aspects of her lifestyle. When she runs into John, a mysterious, almost saint-like ascetic, it appears she may have found the mentor she didn’t even realize she was seeking. Or maybe just another unhealthy obsession.

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And I’m gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

I need to admit here that this preview offers us, an intriguing preview of the full comic book. One of the things which I found to be intriguing in this preview are the world aspect of it. The world in this preview blends the familiar with the mysterious which I personally liked a lot. 

The stage is set very nicely in this preview for an adventure that promises depth and intrigue. But there were a few moments in this preview where the world building in this preview could be more detailed and more interesting to actually get us interested enough to buy and read the full version of this comic book.

This preview introduced us to characters with some unique traits and potential for growth in the full version of this comic book. But the preview also gives us some glimpses that some of the characters at times are lacking the depth needed for the readers to actually like the characters and of course interested enough in them to pick up the full comic book and not just this preview. 

The preview doesn’t offer us, any character backgrounds or character’s motivations, which really didn’t help me want to pick up the full version of this comic book. Because this preview didn’t leave invested in the character journeys enough to make me want to buy and read the full version of this comic book. 

The plot in this preview offers us a pretty solid framework for the full comic book with moments of intrigue and suspense.

But at the same time the preview gave us some glimpses into the uneven pacing, where some of the moments in this preview felt like they were dragging for too long, where at the same time other parts felt like they were very rushed. I personally aren’t a big fan of this, because in my opinion the uneven pacing affects the overall flow and engagement I have the the comic book or regular book I’m reading. 

The artwork in this preview is pretty appealing and I liked it a lot. Because the visuals in this preview effectively convey the tone of the story. And at the same time the artwork complements the narrative well.

But there times where the artwork falls weak because some panels in the artwork aren’t the best, and they could benefit from more detail which would enhance the plot in general.

So the big question is now “will I read the full comic book after reading this preview?”. My answer to that question is “maybe”. I would like to read the full version of this comic book, but it is very far down on my list of all the books and comic books I want to read before I die, and I don’t know if I’m ever gonna read the full version of it but I am not crossing it out to never reading it.

I Give This Book 3 / 5

“Monster Me Vol. 1: No Fair” By iPOP! Labs Review

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This 3-issue edition includes All Phone & Games, Body Chemistry and Newmon. Join in on the adventure as Newmon and his fellow classmates experience cyberbullying, learn about nutrition and tackle bullying together. Includes a teacher’s guide.

I need to admit that I liked this book better than the previous comic books I’ve read in this series. But of course I will explain everything I liked and didn’t liked about this comic book in this review. So lets get into this review. 

I gotta say that this comic book finally makes the world of this comic book and the whole series slightly intriguing while also having a lot of potential. Even thou it falls short on some aspects like the previous comic books I’ve read in this series. 

This comic book has a fun backdrop for the story, and it a way it offers us a mix of the ordinary and the fantastical which a lot of younger readers will probably like a lot. 

The big thing which this comic book does better than the previous comic book I’ve read from this series is that it finally makes the concept of this series of blending blending everyday life with monster-infused adventures was actually engaging and interesting in this comic book.

The characters are finally getting some form of actually having personalities, which of course didn’t happen in the previous comic books I’ve read in this series. The fact that the characters are starting to have some form of having personalities gives us a solid foundation of how this series can improve in the future. 

But there are moments in this comic book where the come characters feel pretty under-explored, which of course makes this comic book feel like it lacks depth and backstory to some of the characters. Which again affects how the readers can connect with those under-explored characters in this comic book. 

The plot in this comic book is pretty straightforward. At the same time as if offers us a light and enjoyable read, even thou it lacks some aspect which would make this comic book interesting. 

The pacing remains steady for the most part in this comic book. But there are times where the pacing changes slightly but it was still noticeable, at least for me it was.

There are also moments in this comic book, where the comic book lacks tension and excitement which would really make me engaged in the plot throughout the entire comic book, and not just some parts of this comic book. 

At the same time the plot in this comic book has some predictable moments and moments which are pretty similar to moments from other comic books in this series. Which of course affects the whole “unique plot” aspect of this comic book. 

The narrative in this comic book could have been better, because it is very simple and it doesn’t offer us a lot of good descriptions and dialogues. The descriptions and dialogs feel almost the same as in the previous books in this comic book series. Which is that the descriptions and dialogs feels like being one step away from feeling like it was written by ChatGPT

The artwork of this comic is the same as in the previous comic book in this series. Which of course means, that the artwork is very simplistic and it lacks a lot of details. 

The writing style in this comic book is very simple and easy to follow. Which of course is very suitable for the target audience of this comic book and the whole comic book series which is around 5 to 9 year old.  

I Give This Book 3 / 5

“Shakespeare’s Sonnets” By William Shakespeare Review

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The Arden Shakespeare has long been acclaimed as the established scholarly edition of Shakespeare’s work. Now being totally reedited for the third time, Arden editions offer the very best in contemporary scholarship. Each volume provides a clear and authoritative text, edited to the highest standards; detailed textual notes and commentary on the same page of the text; full contextual, illustrated introduction, including an in-depth survey of critical and performance approaches to the play; and selected bibliography.

Let me give you a quick explanation of why I’m again reviewing William Shakespeare. In December I got an Kindle, and I was playing around with it and I say that this e-book was for free on the “Prime Reading” category so I decided to read the short stories and poem of William Shakespeare because I really enjoyed reading his work the first time around. So I decided to review this book because some of my opinion about the William Shakespeare’s work included in this book have changed.

This book contains all the sonnets written by William Shakespeare and I gotta admit that reading them second time after I read them for the first time in 2022 which by now is 2 years ago. 

2 years ago I rated most of William Shakespeare’s sonnets as 1-star or 2-star reads but now I would say that most of them I would have rated them higher than that. Not 5-star reads but decent 3-star and 4-star reads. I personally think that, that is some very much personal growth on literature. 

If you want me to re-review all of the sonnets individually again then let me now in the comments because I will gladly do that if there is interest for that.

I Give This Book 3 / 5

“A Court of Frost and Starlight” By Sarah J. Maas Review

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Feyre, Rhysand, and their friends are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly altered world beyond, recovering from the war that changed everything. But Winter Solstice is finally approaching, and with it, the joy of a hard-earned reprieve. Yet even the festive atmosphere can’t keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, her concern for those dearest to her deepens. They have more wounds than she anticipated-scars that will have a far-reaching impact on the future of their court.

This book is between book 3 and book 4 in “A Court of Thorns and Roses” book series. 

I gotta say that this book is less impressive than the 3 previous books in this series, because this book follows multiple characters like Feyra, Rhysand, Kasjan and Morrigan. All of their perspectives talk about how they deal with the events of the third book in the series as they prepare for Christmas.

I gotta say that the plot was okay for the most part, its not as fun and interesting for me personally as the 3 previous books in this series were. This book dense involve any battles or war meetings instead it focuses on what I said above. 

Even thou this book is about preparing about Christmas it doesn’t have the Christmas vibe a lot of books about Christmas have, which made me deduct a few points because of it.

This book is pretty short, my copy of this book has 265 pages, and this book has quiet a few Feyre and Rhy’s naughty scenes. To be very honest here I didnt expected to have so many of them in such a short book this one is.

In this book we also got the see the characters from this universe having a normal lives which really wasn’t that existing for me personally but it was still fun to get to see that happen. 

The writing style in this book wasn’t as impressive as it was in the 3 previous books in this series which really made me disappointed in a way. But still it might not have been the most impressive writing style in this series but it was still much better than some other books ive read to this point. But if you want me to give you a straight answer about the writing style I gotta say that it was pretty decent.

The characters here were very good, you could easily see in this book that the characters really matured and changed in a way since the events of book 3. Which really made me happy.

I Give This Book 3 / 5

“The Art of ReBoot Preview” By Various Review

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The Art of ReBoot is the most comprehensive collection of art from the groundbreaking CGI animated series. It features conceptual design illustrations from UK legend, Brendan McCarthy (Judge Dredd, Shade the Changing Man, Solo). Also illustrations from Scott Lee (PITT Crew) and Dean Ormstrom (Lucifer) and many others. The artbook also features a 10 page section of new artwork from leading industry artists. A must-have for any ReBoot and animation fans!

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And I’m gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

This preview offers us the artistic journey behind “ReBoot. Which ive heard was a big part of a lot of people’s childhoods but not mine since I never heard about this series before reading this preview.

The artwork is very stunning and it offers us a unique animation style to this preview. Since the illustrations are vibrant and showcase the creativity that went into bringing the digital world of Mainframe to life.

We as readers get the behind-the-scenes glimpses of character designs, concept art, and the evolution of the visual style throughout the series.

One of the things which annoyed me a lot in this preview was the lack of cohesive narrative. Since the storyline in this preview often feels disjointed and lacking in depth. We don’t get a lot of context about the creative process or insights into the challenges faced by the artists and animators of this series.

The information we do get in this preview feels somewhat surface-level, which can leave fans craving a deeper exploration of the show’s legacy.

In my opinion this preview could have included more diverse perspectives from the various contributors. While there are some interesting anecdotes, the voices feel limited, and a broader range of insights would have enriched the overall experience. Because I think it would have helped to capture the collective effort that went into creating such an innovative series.

I Give This Book 3 / 5