#reviewer — Public Fediverse posts

I’ve reviewed indie books on my blog for quite a few years.

It’s disheartening to see how many self-published books are using LLM-generated covers these days.

A few have slipped past my screening procedure, but I really try to avoid books that do this as i get better at noticing the tells for such covers.

I’ve actually started switching to reviewing more traditionally published books because of this.

#Reviewer #Books #BookReviewer #Blogging

@bookstodon

I’ve reviewed indie books on my blog for quite a few years.

It’s disheartening to see how many self-published books are using LLM-generated covers these days.

A few have slipped past my screening procedure, but I really try to avoid books that do this as i get better at noticing the tells for such covers.

I’ve actually started switching to reviewing more traditionally published books because of this.

#Reviewer #Books #BookReviewer #Blogging

@bookstodon

Penelope Douglas Won Me Back: My Thoughts on Corrupt

Before picking up Corrupt, I was honestly a little nervous to read another book by Penelope Douglas. My only experience with her writing was Punk 57 (which I ADORED reading at 23) and right after, Credence. While I understand why Credence has a devoted fanbase, it wasn’t a book that worked for me. Because of that, I went into Corrupt with some hesitation and wasn’t sure if Douglas’s writing style or storytelling would deliver the dark romance I was craving this time around.

Boy, am I glad I gave her another chance.

I haven’t felt this hot and bothered by a book in a while.

One of the things I appreciated most was how Douglass paced the story. Rather than overwhelming readers with information from the start, the mystery unfolds at a digestible pace. The Horsemen are introduced to us as bullies, but they’re written with enough mystery and intrigue that I couldn’t stop wanting to learn more about them. The balance between spice, tension, and plot just felt right for me. However, the larger plot doesn’t come together until about 50-60% mark, which could be a drawback for readers who like faster-paced stories.

Thankfully, Erika and Michael’s chemistry carried me through the slower build. Their tension was addictive. There were multiple moments where I had to put my Kindle down and stare into space for a second to decompress. And the locker room scene? Yeah. I won’t be forgetting that one anytime soon.

I enjoyed the dual timeline and the glimpses into the Horsemen’s histories. Kai completely stole every scene he was in. Every time he disappeared from the page, I found myself wondering when he was coming back. If his book is next, I’ll be a very happy girl!

My biggest issue with Corrupt is that I still feel like I barely know Michael. By the end of the book, I understood Erika inside and out– her fears, motivations, and growth. Michael? Not so much. Considering everything he goes through and everything revealed at the end, I expected to come away with a stronger understanding of who he is beneath the tough exterior.

Overall, it was incredibly addictive. Even with the slower start and my complaints about Michael’s characterization, I tore through this book in two days. I’m already desperate to continue the series, partly because I need answers and partly because I’m hopelessly invested in the Horsemen.

Kai’s book can’t come soon enough.

As for Damon… well. Those who have read Corrupt know exactly why I’m approaching that book with caution.

And with Will? I know I will be crying.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Penelope Douglas Won Me Back: My Thoughts on Corrupt

Before picking up Corrupt, I was honestly a little nervous to read another book by Penelope Douglas. My only experience with her writing was Punk 57 (which I ADORED reading at 23) and right after, Credence. While I understand why Credence has a devoted fanbase, it wasn’t a book that worked for me. Because of that, I went into Corrupt with some hesitation and wasn’t sure if Douglas’s writing style or storytelling would deliver the dark romance I was craving this time around.

Boy, am I glad I gave her another chance.

I haven’t felt this hot and bothered by a book in a while.

One of the things I appreciated most was how Douglass paced the story. Rather than overwhelming readers with information from the start, the mystery unfolds at a digestible pace. The Horsemen are introduced to us as bullies, but they’re written with enough mystery and intrigue that I couldn’t stop wanting to learn more about them. The balance between spice, tension, and plot just felt right for me. However, the larger plot doesn’t come together until about 50-60% mark, which could be a drawback for readers who like faster-paced stories.

Thankfully, Erika and Michael’s chemistry carried me through the slower build. Their tension was addictive. There were multiple moments where I had to put my Kindle down and stare into space for a second to decompress. And the locker room scene? Yeah. I won’t be forgetting that one anytime soon.

I enjoyed the dual timeline and the glimpses into the Horsemen’s histories. Kai completely stole every scene he was in. Every time he disappeared from the page, I found myself wondering when he was coming back. If his book is next, I’ll be a very happy girl!

My biggest issue with Corrupt is that I still feel like I barely know Michael. By the end of the book, I understood Erika inside and out– her fears, motivations, and growth. Michael? Not so much. Considering everything he goes through and everything revealed at the end, I expected to come away with a stronger understanding of who he is beneath the tough exterior.

Overall, it was incredibly addictive. Even with the slower start and my complaints about Michael’s characterization, I tore through this book in two days. I’m already desperate to continue the series, partly because I need answers and partly because I’m hopelessly invested in the Horsemen.

Kai’s book can’t come soon enough.

As for Damon… well. Those who have read Corrupt know exactly why I’m approaching that book with caution.

And with Will? I know I will be crying.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Does Mastodon have people who review comics? I was recommended try to find out people willing to give my comicbook - or the Web comic - an honest review.

I cannot provide book copies, but the webcomic is entirely free to read in Tapastic, and the first 100 comics are the ones shown in the comicbook. It isn't exactly same experience visually, as the book contains bonus art and comics, but technically it is the same thing.

#comics #ComicReview #Reviewer #WebcomicReview #Bookstodon #FediHelp

Does Mastodon have people who review comics? I was recommended try to find out people willing to give my comicbook - or the Web comic - an honest review.

I cannot provide book copies, but the webcomic is entirely free to read in Tapastic, and the first 100 comics are the ones shown in the comicbook. It isn't exactly same experience visually, as the book contains bonus art and comics, but technically it is the same thing.

#comics #ComicReview #Reviewer #WebcomicReview #Bookstodon #FediHelp

Everything She Ever Wanted by Ann Rule

Hello beautiful people! Welcome to a new review! For this review, I get into an Ann Rule true crime book that focuses on the life and crimes of Patricia Taylor, who reigned terror on those around her in the 1970’s. While this wasn’t my favourite Ann Rule book I’ve read so far, it was still an interesting case and well written overall.

People of focus in the book:

Pat Taylor Allanson– Easily the most fascinating and frustrating part of this story. Watching her behaviour escalate over time is honestly disturbing, especially because so many people around her either ignored it, enabled it, or excused it. The deep dive into her life, family, and relationships adds a lot to understanding how everything spiralled the way it did.

Tom Allanson – Pat’s current husband at the time of the crime and an interesting character throughout the story. Ultimately allows his marriage to Pat to push him to do things people could never imagine. Is arrested for the crimes and continues to have a horrifically toxic relationship with Pat for many years.

Walter and Carolyn Allanson – Tom’s parents and not huge fans of Pat. Are murdered in the basement of their home one night, which leads to an exposure of Pat for years to come.

Clifford and Maggie Radcliff – Pat’s parents, who are aggravating people to read about. Defend their daughters’ insanely poor behaviour for years, financially support her, and excuse pretty much everything she does, showing us how this woman ended up this way.

My Review

As mentioned above, Everything She Ever Wanted isn’t a favourite of the Ann Rule books I have read, but it is still an enjoyable, interesting read overall. I did rate the book a 6.5/10, not because of how it was written, but more so the pace and the fact that there are a few unanswered and confusing bits to the book. I appreciated that Ann didn’t play sides or excuse poor behaviour from anyone who was in Pat’s life. She does have sympathy for some things that maybe I don’t, but I can appreciate her ability to be open to presenting all perspectives. I also enjoyed getting to dive into a case I had never heard of before, and it is a bit older, but it is a bit of a slower read and a touch repetitive.

In this true crime story, Ann Rule explores the disturbing case surrounding Pat Allanson and the manipulation, control, and violence that followed her throughout her life. Pat became under the scope of the law when the parents of her husband, Tom, were murdered in their home. Tom, not being Pat’s first marriage and her having a reputation of being a bit of a scammer raise eyebrows of those around her, including her successful in-laws. Obsessed with living a life exactly as she envisions, Pat makes many choices to push herself to the top, crushing the ones who love her under her foot all the while. With no care but to be seen as this amazing, successful, attractive woman, Pat’s crimes come to light in a desperation to be something she’s not. As the book unfolds, it examines not only the crimes themselves, but also the family dynamics, relationships, and warning signs that surrounded Pat for years. Through extensive background and investigation, the story paints a picture of how dangerous behaviour can grow unchecked when the people around someone continually look away.

Overall, this was a really interesting true crime story, especially because it’s an older case I had never heard of before. One thing I always appreciate about Ann Rule’s books is how deeply she dives into the people involved, and this one definitely does that. You don’t just get the crime itself; you get the history, the family dynamics, the relationships, and the environment surrounding everything that happened.

And honestly, that was both one of the strongest and weakest parts of the book for me. The deep dive into Pat’s life was fascinating. Seeing how her parents and the people around her played such a huge role, while also seemingly doing nothing to stop her behaviour, was genuinely disturbing. It becomes this ongoing pattern throughout the book where people excuse things, ignore red flags, or enable behaviour that clearly should’ve alarmed them.

But at the same time, it makes for a pretty exhausting reading experience. Not because the book is bad, but because you spend hundreds of pages watching people fail to intervene in increasingly concerning situations. It’s frustrating in a very realistic way, which I think was probably the point.

The biggest issue for me was the pacing. The book felt very repetitive at times. I understand that a lot of the repeated details and background information were relevant to building the case and understanding the people involved, but it often felt like we were circling the same points over and over again. It slowed things down quite a bit and made parts drag more than necessary. I also felt like certain elements never fully clicked into place for me, particularly regarding Tom and the events at his parents’ house. There’s a lot discussed, but I still finished the book feeling uncertain about exactly what happened there.

That being said, the story itself is undeniably compelling. Even when the pacing lagged, I still wanted to keep reading because the case is just so bizarre and unsettling.

Overall, this definitely isn’t my favourite Ann Rule book, but I’d still recommend it to true crime readers because the story itself is incredibly interesting. Just be prepared for a slower, more detailed read that focuses heavily on the people and psychology behind the case rather than nonstop momentum.

Everything She Ever Wanted by Ann Rule

Hello beautiful people! Welcome to a new review! For this review, I get into an Ann Rule true crime book that focuses on the life and crimes of Patricia Taylor, who reigned terror on those around her in the 1970’s. While this wasn’t my favourite Ann Rule book I’ve read so far, it was still an interesting case and well written overall.

People of focus in the book:

Pat Taylor Allanson– Easily the most fascinating and frustrating part of this story. Watching her behaviour escalate over time is honestly disturbing, especially because so many people around her either ignored it, enabled it, or excused it. The deep dive into her life, family, and relationships adds a lot to understanding how everything spiralled the way it did.

Tom Allanson – Pat’s current husband at the time of the crime and an interesting character throughout the story. Ultimately allows his marriage to Pat to push him to do things people could never imagine. Is arrested for the crimes and continues to have a horrifically toxic relationship with Pat for many years.

Walter and Carolyn Allanson – Tom’s parents and not huge fans of Pat. Are murdered in the basement of their home one night, which leads to an exposure of Pat for years to come.

Clifford and Maggie Radcliff – Pat’s parents, who are aggravating people to read about. Defend their daughters’ insanely poor behaviour for years, financially support her, and excuse pretty much everything she does, showing us how this woman ended up this way.

My Review

As mentioned above, Everything She Ever Wanted isn’t a favourite of the Ann Rule books I have read, but it is still an enjoyable, interesting read overall. I did rate the book a 6.5/10, not because of how it was written, but more so the pace and the fact that there are a few unanswered and confusing bits to the book. I appreciated that Ann didn’t play sides or excuse poor behaviour from anyone who was in Pat’s life. She does have sympathy for some things that maybe I don’t, but I can appreciate her ability to be open to presenting all perspectives. I also enjoyed getting to dive into a case I had never heard of before, and it is a bit older, but it is a bit of a slower read and a touch repetitive.

In this true crime story, Ann Rule explores the disturbing case surrounding Pat Allanson and the manipulation, control, and violence that followed her throughout her life. Pat became under the scope of the law when the parents of her husband, Tom, were murdered in their home. Tom, not being Pat’s first marriage and her having a reputation of being a bit of a scammer raise eyebrows of those around her, including her successful in-laws. Obsessed with living a life exactly as she envisions, Pat makes many choices to push herself to the top, crushing the ones who love her under her foot all the while. With no care but to be seen as this amazing, successful, attractive woman, Pat’s crimes come to light in a desperation to be something she’s not. As the book unfolds, it examines not only the crimes themselves, but also the family dynamics, relationships, and warning signs that surrounded Pat for years. Through extensive background and investigation, the story paints a picture of how dangerous behaviour can grow unchecked when the people around someone continually look away.

Overall, this was a really interesting true crime story, especially because it’s an older case I had never heard of before. One thing I always appreciate about Ann Rule’s books is how deeply she dives into the people involved, and this one definitely does that. You don’t just get the crime itself; you get the history, the family dynamics, the relationships, and the environment surrounding everything that happened.

And honestly, that was both one of the strongest and weakest parts of the book for me. The deep dive into Pat’s life was fascinating. Seeing how her parents and the people around her played such a huge role, while also seemingly doing nothing to stop her behaviour, was genuinely disturbing. It becomes this ongoing pattern throughout the book where people excuse things, ignore red flags, or enable behaviour that clearly should’ve alarmed them.

But at the same time, it makes for a pretty exhausting reading experience. Not because the book is bad, but because you spend hundreds of pages watching people fail to intervene in increasingly concerning situations. It’s frustrating in a very realistic way, which I think was probably the point.

The biggest issue for me was the pacing. The book felt very repetitive at times. I understand that a lot of the repeated details and background information were relevant to building the case and understanding the people involved, but it often felt like we were circling the same points over and over again. It slowed things down quite a bit and made parts drag more than necessary. I also felt like certain elements never fully clicked into place for me, particularly regarding Tom and the events at his parents’ house. There’s a lot discussed, but I still finished the book feeling uncertain about exactly what happened there.

That being said, the story itself is undeniably compelling. Even when the pacing lagged, I still wanted to keep reading because the case is just so bizarre and unsettling.

Overall, this definitely isn’t my favourite Ann Rule book, but I’d still recommend it to true crime readers because the story itself is incredibly interesting. Just be prepared for a slower, more detailed read that focuses heavily on the people and psychology behind the case rather than nonstop momentum.

Book Review: The Burnt Sugar Club

The Burnt Sugar Club introduces us to the exhaustion, competition, and emotional burdens carried by five women — Iris, Emerald, Emma, Ava, and Hope. Each of them is struggling with issues of her own, and the author beautifully explores the idea of perspective throughout the narrative. Often, we assume someone else’s life is easier or better than ours, without truly knowing the battles they are fighting behind closed doors.

Beyond the usual “grass is greener on the other side” idea, this story focuses on women who silently carry responsibilities, emotional fatigue, and expectations that the world rarely notices. The book begins by addressing one of the most important realities in many women’s lives — burnout. It captures the unexplained exhaustion that never really allows women to stop working, caring, or fulfilling responsibilities. No matter what happens, there is always this silent expectation to keep going.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the novel is the absence of a specific location, ethnicity, city, or country. The story feels universal because it could belong to women anywhere in the world. The experiences of Hope, Emerald, Ava, Iris, and Emma are relatable irrespective of where the reader comes from. Their emotions and struggles feel familiar, making the narrative deeply personal and comforting at the same time.

The five women meet by chance and gradually form a friendship that becomes the emotional backbone of the story. As the author herself describes them, they are chaotic yet comfortable, burned, scarred, and changed. Their shared meeting place becomes symbolic of the larger theme of the novel, and I loved how this space slowly transforms into a place of safety, healing, and understanding for all of them.(read the book and find out the place)

While the book mainly explores female friendships, it was refreshing to see men portrayed as allies as well. The author does not dismiss the individuality of a character, irrespective of gender, and allows every person in the story to contribute meaningfully to the narrative.

Each woman brings something relatable to the table and, in many ways, makes readers reflect on themselves. As the story progresses, something much more drastic comes to light, and The Burnt Sugar Club becomes more than just a group of women finding solace in one another. It evolves into a story about survival, emotional support, and rediscovering oneself.

The novel beautifully captures the essence of female friendships — women lifting each other up even when they themselves are struggling. Mental health and the idea that “it’s okay to not be okay” are addressed naturally and sensitively throughout the book. The author also does not shy away from awkwardness, flaws, and imperfections that are often hidden or ignored.

Talking about the writing style, especially considering this is a debut novel, Akoparna B delivers confidently with a distinct narrative voice. I appreciate how she remains consistent with her storytelling style and avoids unnecessary dragging or over-explaining. The writing stays engaging and emotionally grounded.

One character experience that stayed with me the most was Hope’s journey. She represents every “good girl” learning to finally choose herself — someone creating boundaries, taking up space, and no longer constantly giving pieces of herself away for others.

There were moments where I wished for slightly more character development for Emerald, but overall, the book flows smoothly and keeps you invested till the very end. The Burnt Sugar Club is an emotionally relatable debut that celebrates friendship, vulnerability, healing, and the quiet strength women carry every single day.

Book Review: The Burnt Sugar Club

The Burnt Sugar Club introduces us to the exhaustion, competition, and emotional burdens carried by five women — Iris, Emerald, Emma, Ava, and Hope. Each of them is struggling with issues of her own, and the author beautifully explores the idea of perspective throughout the narrative. Often, we assume someone else’s life is easier or better than ours, without truly knowing the battles they are fighting behind closed doors.

Beyond the usual “grass is greener on the other side” idea, this story focuses on women who silently carry responsibilities, emotional fatigue, and expectations that the world rarely notices. The book begins by addressing one of the most important realities in many women’s lives — burnout. It captures the unexplained exhaustion that never really allows women to stop working, caring, or fulfilling responsibilities. No matter what happens, there is always this silent expectation to keep going.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the novel is the absence of a specific location, ethnicity, city, or country. The story feels universal because it could belong to women anywhere in the world. The experiences of Hope, Emerald, Ava, Iris, and Emma are relatable irrespective of where the reader comes from. Their emotions and struggles feel familiar, making the narrative deeply personal and comforting at the same time.

The five women meet by chance and gradually form a friendship that becomes the emotional backbone of the story. As the author herself describes them, they are chaotic yet comfortable, burned, scarred, and changed. Their shared meeting place becomes symbolic of the larger theme of the novel, and I loved how this space slowly transforms into a place of safety, healing, and understanding for all of them.(read the book and find out the place)

While the book mainly explores female friendships, it was refreshing to see men portrayed as allies as well. The author does not dismiss the individuality of a character, irrespective of gender, and allows every person in the story to contribute meaningfully to the narrative.

Each woman brings something relatable to the table and, in many ways, makes readers reflect on themselves. As the story progresses, something much more drastic comes to light, and The Burnt Sugar Club becomes more than just a group of women finding solace in one another. It evolves into a story about survival, emotional support, and rediscovering oneself.

The novel beautifully captures the essence of female friendships — women lifting each other up even when they themselves are struggling. Mental health and the idea that “it’s okay to not be okay” are addressed naturally and sensitively throughout the book. The author also does not shy away from awkwardness, flaws, and imperfections that are often hidden or ignored.

Talking about the writing style, especially considering this is a debut novel, Akoparna B delivers confidently with a distinct narrative voice. I appreciate how she remains consistent with her storytelling style and avoids unnecessary dragging or over-explaining. The writing stays engaging and emotionally grounded.

One character experience that stayed with me the most was Hope’s journey. She represents every “good girl” learning to finally choose herself — someone creating boundaries, taking up space, and no longer constantly giving pieces of herself away for others.

There were moments where I wished for slightly more character development for Emerald, but overall, the book flows smoothly and keeps you invested till the very end. The Burnt Sugar Club is an emotionally relatable debut that celebrates friendship, vulnerability, healing, and the quiet strength women carry every single day.

Guys, guys. #Mixtape is an 7/10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXhc5jeEyZs

Is a vanagloried visual-novel, with very good presentation, as interactive as watching a movie with a pause/play button.

Visual novels are niche. Mixtape is not transformative, but reminescent, and it's good at re-evoking those feelings of old.

But a 10/10? Mixtape ain't no Ocarina of Time.

#Videogames #Gaming #Games #VisualNovel #Reviews #Review #Reviewer #LegendaryDrops

Guys, guys. #Mixtape is an 7/10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXhc5jeEyZs

Is a vanagloried visual-novel, with very good presentation, as interactive as watching a movie with a pause/play button.

Visual novels are niche. Mixtape is not transformative, but reminescent, and it's good at re-evoking those feelings of old.

But a 10/10? Mixtape ain't no Ocarina of Time.

#Videogames #Gaming #Games #VisualNovel #Reviews #Review #Reviewer #LegendaryDrops

18 Lazy Summer Sides You Should Make on Repeat https://www.diningandcooking.com/2621881/18-lazy-summer-sides-you-should-make-on-repeat-2/ #allrecipes #CornOnTheCob #DotdashMeredith #Italia #Italian #ItalianPicnicFood #ItalianPicnicRecipes #italiano #italy #PicnicFood #PicnicRecipes #reviewer #SummerSideDish #SummerSideDishRecipes

18 Lazy Summer Sides You Should Make on Repeat https://www.diningandcooking.com/2621881/18-lazy-summer-sides-you-should-make-on-repeat-2/ #allrecipes #CornOnTheCob #DotdashMeredith #Italia #Italian #ItalianPicnicFood #ItalianPicnicRecipes #italiano #italy #PicnicFood #PicnicRecipes #reviewer #SummerSideDish #SummerSideDishRecipes

18 Lazy Summer Sides You Should Make on Repeat https://www.diningandcooking.com/2621881/18-lazy-summer-sides-you-should-make-on-repeat-2/ #allrecipes #CornOnTheCob #DotdashMeredith #Italia #Italian #ItalianPicnicFood #ItalianPicnicRecipes #italiano #italy #PicnicFood #PicnicRecipes #reviewer #SummerSideDish #SummerSideDishRecipes

18 Lazy Summer Sides You Should Make on Repeat https://www.diningandcooking.com/2621881/18-lazy-summer-sides-you-should-make-on-repeat-2/ #allrecipes #CornOnTheCob #DotdashMeredith #Italia #Italian #ItalianPicnicFood #ItalianPicnicRecipes #italiano #italy #PicnicFood #PicnicRecipes #reviewer #SummerSideDish #SummerSideDishRecipes

25 Irresistibly Good Cookie Bar Recipes

You don’t have to decide between cookies and brownies. Cookie bars are the perfect two-in-one dessert. Plus, they’re easy to make, easy to serve, and guaranteed to be a hit. Learn how to make decadent homemade cookie bars with these sweet recipe ideas. 01 of 25 The Best …
#dining #cooking #diet #food #RecipeTopics #allrecipes #cookiebars #credit #LemonBars #Recipes #reviewer
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2606093/25-irresistibly-good-cookie-bar-recipes/

25 Irresistibly Good Cookie Bar Recipes

You don’t have to decide between cookies and brownies. Cookie bars are the perfect two-in-one dessert. Plus, they’re easy to make, easy to serve, and guaranteed to be a hit. Learn how to make decadent homemade cookie bars with these sweet recipe ideas. 01 of 25 The Best …
#dining #cooking #diet #food #RecipeTopics #allrecipes #cookiebars #credit #LemonBars #Recipes #reviewer
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2606093/25-irresistibly-good-cookie-bar-recipes/

25 Irresistibly Good Cookie Bar Recipes https://www.diningandcooking.com/2606093/25-irresistibly-good-cookie-bar-recipes/ #allrecipes #CookieBars #credit #LemonBars #RecipeTopics #Recipes #reviewer

25 Irresistibly Good Cookie Bar Recipes https://www.diningandcooking.com/2606093/25-irresistibly-good-cookie-bar-recipes/ #allrecipes #CookieBars #credit #LemonBars #RecipeTopics #Recipes #reviewer

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Hello beautiful people! Welcome to a new review! For this review, I get into Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, a highly beloved and talked-about science fiction novel. Now, personally, I am not much of a science fiction gal, so I really wasn’t sure what I was going to think. I ended up really enjoying the book (science and math stuff aside) and found the world and the characters to have really shone through, making it such an enjoyable read.

Main Characters:

Ryland Grace: Such an unexpectedly great main character. He’s smart (obviously), but not in an intimidating way. He questions things, messes up, figures it out, and brings a lot of personality to what could’ve been a super technical story. He made this book so much more approachable and, honestly, really fun to follow.

Rocky: I won’t say too much because it’s better to experience it, but one of the best parts of the book. The dynamic here is something I did not expect, and it adds so much heart, humour, and depth to the story.

Eva Stratt: The scientist who creates the mission that Grace goes on often butts heads with Grace on their ideas, but in a respectful, professional way.

My Review

As mentioned, I went into Project Hail Mary not really knowing what I was getting into or if I would like it. I did not expect to love this as much as I did. Sci-fi isn’t usually my go-to, and anything involving heavy math, science, or engineering? Also not my thing. So I went into this a little hesitant, but this book makes it so accessible. I didn’t really understand those aspects of the book, but I also didn’t feel like I needed to to really grasp what was going on in the story. You can feel the characters’ emotions, and that often showed me more than the science and math did. I rated Project Hail Mary a 9/10 rating, and would totally recommend it to people like me who don’t usually check out science fiction, or aren’t usually drawn to those types of stories.

In Project Hail Mary, we follow Ryland Grace when he wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. As his memory slowly returns, he realizes he’s on a mission to save Earth from a catastrophic threat that could wipe out all life. As he pieces together what’s happening, the story jumps between past and present, showing how the mission came to be, and how Grace ended up being humanity’s last hope. Along the way, unexpected connections form, and the scope of the mission becomes even bigger than initially imagined. We, the readers, are spun a gorgeous world in space through the eyes of someone who never expected to be up there.

So yes, due to the plot of the book and Grace’s role in it, the book includes a lot of science, math and engineering. Yes, there’s complex problem-solving. But I never felt like I needed to fully understand every detail to stay engaged. The way it’s written keeps things clear enough that you can follow along without getting lost, which made a huge difference for me and how I was pulled into the book. What really pulled me in was how the story unfolded. The connections that are made throughout, especially the ones you don’t see coming, are so well done. It takes things in directions I never would’ve expected, and it just works.

And Grace as a character? Loved him. He carries the story in such a natural way, and you actually enjoy being in his head as everything unravels. He makes the high-stakes, end-of-the-world mission feel personal and grounded.

I will say, it’s a little unsettling how some of the issues in this book don’t feel that far off from real life. Like, it’s sci-fi, but also, not entirely? That added an extra layer of tension for me.

The space aspect was also just really cool. It’s such an out-of-reach concept for most of us, and I loved getting to fully dive into that world and go along for the ride. It felt immersive without being overwhelming.

And the ending? So good. It wrapped things up in a way that felt satisfying and meaningful, which isn’t always easy with a story this big.

I’m also really curious to see how the movie adaptation turns out, whether it sticks close to the book or switches things up a bit.

Overall, this completely surprised me in the best way. Super engaging, surprisingly emotional, and just a really fun (and slightly terrifying) ride through space.

I hope you enjoyed this review! Thank you for checking it out! Feel free to subscribe to the page to be one of the first to know when I release a new review!

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Hello beautiful people! Welcome to a new review! For this review, I get into Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, a highly beloved and talked-about science fiction novel. Now, personally, I am not much of a science fiction gal, so I really wasn’t sure what I was going to think. I ended up really enjoying the book (science and math stuff aside) and found the world and the characters to have really shone through, making it such an enjoyable read.

Main Characters:

Ryland Grace: Such an unexpectedly great main character. He’s smart (obviously), but not in an intimidating way. He questions things, messes up, figures it out, and brings a lot of personality to what could’ve been a super technical story. He made this book so much more approachable and, honestly, really fun to follow.

Rocky: I won’t say too much because it’s better to experience it, but one of the best parts of the book. The dynamic here is something I did not expect, and it adds so much heart, humour, and depth to the story.

Eva Stratt: The scientist who creates the mission that Grace goes on often butts heads with Grace on their ideas, but in a respectful, professional way.

My Review

As mentioned, I went into Project Hail Mary not really knowing what I was getting into or if I would like it. I did not expect to love this as much as I did. Sci-fi isn’t usually my go-to, and anything involving heavy math, science, or engineering? Also not my thing. So I went into this a little hesitant, but this book makes it so accessible. I didn’t really understand those aspects of the book, but I also didn’t feel like I needed to to really grasp what was going on in the story. You can feel the characters’ emotions, and that often showed me more than the science and math did. I rated Project Hail Mary a 9/10 rating, and would totally recommend it to people like me who don’t usually check out science fiction, or aren’t usually drawn to those types of stories.

In Project Hail Mary, we follow Ryland Grace when he wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. As his memory slowly returns, he realizes he’s on a mission to save Earth from a catastrophic threat that could wipe out all life. As he pieces together what’s happening, the story jumps between past and present, showing how the mission came to be, and how Grace ended up being humanity’s last hope. Along the way, unexpected connections form, and the scope of the mission becomes even bigger than initially imagined. We, the readers, are spun a gorgeous world in space through the eyes of someone who never expected to be up there.

So yes, due to the plot of the book and Grace’s role in it, the book includes a lot of science, math and engineering. Yes, there’s complex problem-solving. But I never felt like I needed to fully understand every detail to stay engaged. The way it’s written keeps things clear enough that you can follow along without getting lost, which made a huge difference for me and how I was pulled into the book. What really pulled me in was how the story unfolded. The connections that are made throughout, especially the ones you don’t see coming, are so well done. It takes things in directions I never would’ve expected, and it just works.

And Grace as a character? Loved him. He carries the story in such a natural way, and you actually enjoy being in his head as everything unravels. He makes the high-stakes, end-of-the-world mission feel personal and grounded.

I will say, it’s a little unsettling how some of the issues in this book don’t feel that far off from real life. Like, it’s sci-fi, but also, not entirely? That added an extra layer of tension for me.

The space aspect was also just really cool. It’s such an out-of-reach concept for most of us, and I loved getting to fully dive into that world and go along for the ride. It felt immersive without being overwhelming.

And the ending? So good. It wrapped things up in a way that felt satisfying and meaningful, which isn’t always easy with a story this big.

I’m also really curious to see how the movie adaptation turns out, whether it sticks close to the book or switches things up a bit.

Overall, this completely surprised me in the best way. Super engaging, surprisingly emotional, and just a really fun (and slightly terrifying) ride through space.

I hope you enjoyed this review! Thank you for checking it out! Feel free to subscribe to the page to be one of the first to know when I release a new review!

From Wrath to Envy: A Grudge, A Throne, and a Very Worth-It Ride

A Review of Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco

I was a BIG fan of Kerri Maniscalco’s work in the Kingdom of the Wicked series. Emilia and Wrath were a top book couple for me for a while– their banter and Wrath’s passion made for such a great story. I loved Wrath so much that I was delighted to find out she was going to explore the other Princes of Sin in a new series.

I actually picked up Throne of the Fallen while browsing Barnes & Noble, and a woman literally stopped me and said, “If you loved her previous work, you’re going to love this one.” With a live, on-the-spot recommendation like that.. how could I ignore a fellow bibliophile?

Going in, I had no intention thinking this would be a “popcorn read.” It was not what I expected coming off of Kingdom of the Wicked. But as I kept reading, I was delighted– in the best way.

Prince Envy and Camilla’s story was incredibly refreshing. In a fantasy world where the stakes are often sky-high, it was nice to see love unfold through a series of clues and games. Don’t get me wrong– the stakes are still there throughout the novel– but at the beginning of their relationship, things don’t feel as heavy. And honestly? That worked really well.

I was incredibly nevous about Maniscalco starting with Envy. All of the brothers are wicked in their own ways, but Envy was a character I didn’t have much fondness for in the earlier books– especially after what he did to Emilia and her family. Yes, I know it served the plot, but readers can also hold grudges.

It was going to take a lot more than a love with Camilla to bring me back around, Leviaethan. But you know what did bring me back around?

THE THRONE SCENE!!! I think I can safely say the “throne trope” is my favorite. And the added mirror bonus? Yeah… that did something to me. The way Camilla purposefully created a moment for him to look back on? I was like—- alright baby, I’m taking notes!!!

Overall, this was such a refreshing romantic fantasy read. In a genre where the stakes can sometimes feel overwhelming, it was nice to have something that still felt high-stakes, but in a more playful, almost scavenger-hunt kind of way– and I loved it!

I loved this from Maniscalco, and I cannot wait to read Throne of Secrets.

3.75 / 5 Stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐

From Wrath to Envy: A Grudge, A Throne, and a Very Worth-It Ride

A Review of Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco

I was a BIG fan of Kerri Maniscalco’s work in the Kingdom of the Wicked series. Emilia and Wrath were a top book couple for me for a while– their banter and Wrath’s passion made for such a great story. I loved Wrath so much that I was delighted to find out she was going to explore the other Princes of Sin in a new series.

I actually picked up Throne of the Fallen while browsing Barnes & Noble, and a woman literally stopped me and said, “If you loved her previous work, you’re going to love this one.” With a live, on-the-spot recommendation like that.. how could I ignore a fellow bibliophile?

Going in, I had no intention thinking this would be a “popcorn read.” It was not what I expected coming off of Kingdom of the Wicked. But as I kept reading, I was delighted– in the best way.

Prince Envy and Camilla’s story was incredibly refreshing. In a fantasy world where the stakes are often sky-high, it was nice to see love unfold through a series of clues and games. Don’t get me wrong– the stakes are still there throughout the novel– but at the beginning of their relationship, things don’t feel as heavy. And honestly? That worked really well.

I was incredibly nevous about Maniscalco starting with Envy. All of the brothers are wicked in their own ways, but Envy was a character I didn’t have much fondness for in the earlier books– especially after what he did to Emilia and her family. Yes, I know it served the plot, but readers can also hold grudges.

It was going to take a lot more than a love with Camilla to bring me back around, Leviaethan. But you know what did bring me back around?

THE THRONE SCENE!!! I think I can safely say the “throne trope” is my favorite. And the added mirror bonus? Yeah… that did something to me. The way Camilla purposefully created a moment for him to look back on? I was like—- alright baby, I’m taking notes!!!

Overall, this was such a refreshing romantic fantasy read. In a genre where the stakes can sometimes feel overwhelming, it was nice to have something that still felt high-stakes, but in a more playful, almost scavenger-hunt kind of way– and I loved it!

I loved this from Maniscalco, and I cannot wait to read Throne of Secrets.

3.75 / 5 Stars

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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idea regarding #code #review:
intentionally adding #bugs into #code to check if the #reviewer discovers them.
if the reviewer does not find them, then their #review is questionable.
of course the added bugs should be removed before merging ;-)

I am wondering if a concept like this already exists ...
#codequality #softwareengineering #quality #software #git #pullrequest #mergerequest

idea regarding #code #review:
intentionally adding #bugs into #code to check if the #reviewer discovers them.
if the reviewer does not find them, then their #review is questionable.
of course the added bugs should be removed before merging ;-)

I am wondering if a concept like this already exists ...
#codequality #softwareengineering #quality #software #git #pullrequest #mergerequest

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"After #AI, my job increasingly became: prompt, wait, read output, evaluate output, decide if output is correct, decide if output is safe, decide if output matches the architecture, fix the parts that don't, re-prompt, repeat. I became a #reviewer. A #judge. A quality #inspector on an assembly line that never stops."

https://siddhantkhare.com/writing/ai-fatigue-is-real

"After #AI, my job increasingly became: prompt, wait, read output, evaluate output, decide if output is correct, decide if output is safe, decide if output matches the architecture, fix the parts that don't, re-prompt, repeat. I became a #reviewer. A #judge. A quality #inspector on an assembly line that never stops."

https://siddhantkhare.com/writing/ai-fatigue-is-real

Visiting with my sister who's a 1% top #reviewer with @booksprout & @booksirens

She tells me that @Amazon now treats 3 stars as a negative - some sites still consider 3 acceptable

Have you heard of this? What's your approach?

#reviews #review #writing #books #publishing

Visiting with my sister who's a 1% top #reviewer with @booksprout & @booksirens

She tells me that @Amazon now treats 3 stars as a negative - some sites still consider 3 acceptable

Have you heard of this? What's your approach?

#reviews #review #writing #books #publishing

Are you a publisher, author, student? Then check this out :
https://junikvarving.com/

#editor #researcher #reviewer

Are you a publisher, author, student? Then check this out :
https://junikvarving.com/

#editor #researcher #reviewer

Hey #bookstodon and #book people, #writingcommunity

Can you recommend a #reviewer or #bookblogger that does the more complex noire books?

I have a bit of a genre problem, and my book is in a liminal space where modern-noire, thriller, mystery, suspense, and goth intersect

Here's the press release blog with details and a link to the book

https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/26263842-book-release-announcement

Hey #bookstodon and #book people, #writingcommunity

Can you recommend a #reviewer or #bookblogger that does the more complex noire books?

I have a bit of a genre problem, and my book is in a liminal space where modern-noire, thriller, mystery, suspense, and goth intersect

Here's the press release blog with details and a link to the book

https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/26263842-book-release-announcement

News. Reviews. Opinions. Experiences. By JoshiesWorld. Follow JoshiesWorld! Thank you so very much! 🫰🏻🫶🏻🤟🏻

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Any #mozilla #extension #reviewer on my timeline?

Any #mozilla #extension #reviewer on my timeline?

Intense week as an 🇪🇺 #Expert #Reviewer for #HorizonEurope #Mission proposals — witnessing how collective intelligence, creativity & integrity drive #Europe’s #science, #innovation & #sustainability agendas. #EUResearch #SciencePolicy #MissionInnovation

Intense week as an 🇪🇺 #Expert #Reviewer for #HorizonEurope #Mission proposals — witnessing how collective intelligence, creativity & integrity drive #Europe’s #science, #innovation & #sustainability agendas. #EUResearch #SciencePolicy #MissionInnovation

Alright, folks! My new and improved newsletter is live. Sign up if you want to receive periodical updates or musings from yours truly. You can subscribe to my newsletters, reviews, or both. Whatever strikes your fancy. amberherbert.com/newsletter/ #writersky #newsletter #booksky #reviewer

Newsletter

"Indeed, this is almost a replication of a previous study where the authors simply use a different set of projects. This is not enough to justify the publication [at this prestigious journal]."

Dear #reviewer, could you please then clarify what kind of replication study would be justified for your prestigious journal? One that doesn’t replicate?

#replication #softwareengineering #research

Another paper is with #MethodsInPsychology at #Elsevier submitted in the middle for February.

6 months later and it doesn't even have a second #reviewer yet.

I am an advocate of #SlowScience but that is not what I meant by it :(

#PeerReview #frontiers #science #publishing #frustrating #AcademicJournals #academia #psychology

𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐍𝐅𝐂𝐂𝐂 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚
https://www.pressreleasepoint.com/shreekant-patil-nominated-unfccc-roster-experts-government-india

#RosterofExperts #UNFCCC #ShreekantPatil #India #Nashik #News #Updates #ESG #Reviewer #SDGs #SustainableFuture #Environment

𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐍𝐅𝐂𝐂𝐂 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚
https://www.biopage.com/post/shreekant-patil-nominated-to-unfccc-roster-of-experts-by-goi

#RosterofExperts #UNFCCC #ShreekantPatil #India #Nashik #News #Updates #ESG #Reviewer #SDGs #SustainableFuture #Environment

𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐍𝐅𝐂𝐂𝐂 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚
https://shreekantpatil.substack.com/p/shreekant-patil-nominated-to-unfccc/
#RosterofExperts #UNFCCC #ShreekantPatil #India #Nashik #News #Updates #ESG #Reviewer #SDGs #SustainableFuture #Environment

𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐍𝐅𝐂𝐂𝐂 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚

https://prfree.org/@parentnashik/shreekant-patil-nominated-to-unfccc-roster-of-experts-by-government-of-india-vimhzp9s86hj

#RosterofExperts #UNFCCC #ShreekantPatil #India #Nashik #News #Updates #ESG #Reviewer #SDGs #SustainableFuture #Environment

𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐍𝐅𝐂𝐂𝐂 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚
https://www.prlog.org/13085103-shreekant-patil-nominated-to-unfccc-roster-of-experts-by-government-of-india.html/

#RosterofExperts #UNFCCC #ShreekantPatil #India #Nashik #News #Updates #ESG #Reviewer #SDGs #SustainableFuture #Environment

Dear #reviewer,

Complaining that I don't cite 2 (or more!) papers that, coincidentally 😉, are authored by you is, 99% of the time, blatant (and stupid) self-promotion. And if one is an #arxiv paper from this year, well, that's just ludicrous.

I wish reviewing systems include some sanity checks / alarm triggers 🚨 that force #PCChairs to double-check this unethical behaviours.

(another pet peeve of mine when it comes to reviews is New Ideas tracks rejecting papers because of insufficient validation. Honestly, I think every #conference should include a #track for real #new #ideas where any type of validation is explicitly #forbidden as argument).

AI Peer Reviewer – Multiagent System for Scientific Manuscript Analysis

https://www.rigorous.company/

#HackerNews #AI #Peer #Reviewer #Multiagent #System #Scientific #Manuscript #Analysis

Looking forward to next week's session at the Paul Meehl Graduate School on Scientific Criticism and #PeerReview.

One of the topics for discussion is what you can ask for as a #reviewer. My default response these days:
"Thank you for the invitation to review the manuscript you’ve received for possible publication in your journal. I will consider your request only if the data and code that produce the results reported are available in a publicly accessible repository...

Gerade lese ich in einem Manuskript, das ich für die #GuteWissenschaftlichePraxis begutachte, ein qualitatives Argument für etwas, das ich vor ca. sechs Jahren quantitativ ausgemessen habe.

Schade, dass die Arbeit hier nicht zitiert wird.
Schade, dass ich das nicht bemängeln kann, ohne mich geheimen #Reviewer zu outen … 🥴

On life as a #reviewer and a #critic:

"A Reviewer's Life" [2024], The Yale Review (https://yalereview.org/article/christine-smallwood-reviewers-life).

#Review #Criticism #Culture #Life