Taas näitä kirjoja joista halusin pitää, mutta joka oli lopulta aika sekava ja mitäänsanomaton. Nopea lukea, joten siitä pisteitä, samoin mielenkiintoTaas näitä kirjoja joista halusin pitää, mutta joka oli lopulta aika sekava ja mitäänsanomaton. Nopea lukea, joten siitä pisteitä, samoin mielenkiintoisesta alkuasetelmasta, joka lupasi paljon hyvää. (Ja kyllä, itselle tuli mieleen Dickerin Totuus Harry Quebertin tapauksesta, mutta Tarttin Jumalat juhlivat öisin ei - johtuneeko siitä, että jälkimmäinen on oikeasti järjettömän hyvä kun taas nämä muut... ovat vähemmän hyviä.) Perusideana on, että potkut saanut toimittaja päättää kirjoittaa menestyskirjan (siis hei oikeasti) ja samalla ratkaista kuka oikeasti oli vastuussa kuuluisan kirjailijan murhasta. Hyvät ainekset, mutta kun toteutus ei noussut samalle tasolle. Kahdella aikatasolla liikkuminen vielä oli ihan ok ratkaisu, mutta useampi kertoja menneisyydessä ei sitten enää oikein iskenytkään. Hahmot olivat jokseenkin yksipuolisia eikä ketään kyllä käynyt sääliksi vaikka olisi kai pitänyt. Jotenkin kirja, jossa kirjoitetaan kirjaa, joka kertoo kirjoittamisesta on vähän liian metaa. Loppu, ja vähän muutkin osat tarinasta, jäi avoimeksi ja toki oli mukava epäillä vähän kaikkia matkan varrella, mutta ei nyt tällä kertaa minun juttuni....more
I have a difficult and hit-or-miss like relationship with short stories, and this did not change things as much as I would have hoped. Some of these sI have a difficult and hit-or-miss like relationship with short stories, and this did not change things as much as I would have hoped. Some of these stories were excellent, some went a bit over my head. I really liked the title novel, almost wish there had been a sequel with alternative history. The story about how one person's eating disorder affects the whole family was gut-wrenching. A bunch of other good stories too, though sadly very few that stood out so that I'd remember them a few days later. And the first story set in Saudi-Arabia just didn't make much sense to me. ...more
Oli tästä pidempikin arvio, joka katosi jonnekin bittiavaruuteen... Tärkeä kirja, kamalasta aiheesta. Jokaisen, siis ihan jokaisen suomalaisen, tulisiOli tästä pidempikin arvio, joka katosi jonnekin bittiavaruuteen... Tärkeä kirja, kamalasta aiheesta. Jokaisen, siis ihan jokaisen suomalaisen, tulisi lukea tämä ja ymmärtää, ettei kyse ole jostain kiusanteosta tai pienestä ilmiöstä, vaan todellisesta ongelmasta jota kukaan (ainakaan viranomaistaholla) ei tunnu haluavan ottaa tosissaan. Kuvitus on upea, kekseliäs, ja pidin erityisesti värien käytöstä. Plussaa myös siitä, että kirjasta on tehty iso ja näyttävä....more
Alkuun on ihan vähän pakko nillittää käsitteestä "itsenäinen jatko-osa". Jos jostain kirjasta sanotaan, noin käsitän, ettei ensimmäistä/aiempia osaa/oAlkuun on ihan vähän pakko nillittää käsitteestä "itsenäinen jatko-osa". Jos jostain kirjasta sanotaan, noin käsitän, ettei ensimmäistä/aiempia osaa/osia ole tarvinnut lukea päästäkseen juoneen mukaan tai pysyäkseen kärryillä. Ja nuo sanat löytyvät tämänkin kirjan takakannesta. Tosiasiassa tämä on ihan suora jatko-osa ensimmäiselle kirjalle, ja ei ole mitään saumaa saada juonesta kiinni jos eka osa on lukematta. Ei vaikka aiempiin tapahtumiin viitataan ja joitain kerrataan, sen verran vahvasti oletetaan, että lukija tietää mitä Hammurabin enkeleissä tapahtui. Itseäni tämä ei varsinaisesti häirinnyt, sillä muisti kyllä palaili pätkittäin, mutta uudelle lukijalle saattaa olla karu kokemus. Ehkä juuri se, kuinka vahvasti tämä on sidoksissa ekaan osaa itsellä vähän laski pisteitä. Henkilöitä ei juurikaan syvennetty mihinkään suuntaan, ellei sitten kirjan pahista ja hänen menneisyyttään lasketa. Päähenkilöt jäivät tämän perusteella kovin ohuiksi, mikä oli harmi, koska muistelen, että ekassa kirjassa tasoja olisi ollut. Juoni kulkee eteenpäin, välillä vähän liiankin vauhdilla, ja lyhyet luvut tekevät lukemisesta helppoa ja nopeaa. Loppuun on vielä jätetty komea cliffhanger, joka takaa sen, että jatkoa tulee ja lukijat tarttuvat myös seuraavaan kirjaan. Itse ehkä olisin kuitenkin toivonut suoraviivaista loppua ja seuraavassa kirjassa olisi voitu jatkaa uusilla aiheilla. Toisaalta, ehkä Balkanin rikosvyyhti vielä jatkaa purkeutumistaan ja jatkossa sukelletaan vielä syvemmälle. ...more
This had been on my to-read list for ages, and now that I've read it I only wonder why it took me so long. Some pretty awesome fantasy stuff, this oneThis had been on my to-read list for ages, and now that I've read it I only wonder why it took me so long. Some pretty awesome fantasy stuff, this one is. Maresi is a novice in an abbey, and while this starts off really slow with plenty of descriptions, it gets going rather fast. A threat from outside, heaps of women and secret powers, some really grim events (for a book meant for kids/teens/young adults) and a satisfying ending. I liked how this book is all about women and girls, their power, their friendships and relationships with each other, how it all has a very positive vibe. Thrown together with the mystical elements, this is a really strong book in its own genre. And keeps us older readers entertained and holding our breath as well. ...more
Hieman kaksijakoiset tunnelmat tämän kirjan suhteen. Toisaalta tykkäsin, toisaalta oli ihan liikaa ärsyttäviä elementtejä. Tykkäsin tunnelmasta, tunsiHieman kaksijakoiset tunnelmat tämän kirjan suhteen. Toisaalta tykkäsin, toisaalta oli ihan liikaa ärsyttäviä elementtejä. Tykkäsin tunnelmasta, tunsin pakkasen ja tuulen ihollani, fiilistelin junamatkaa, nautin hienoisesta länkkäritunnelmasta. Mutta sitten toisaalta taas ärsyynnyin siitä, että mukana oli pakollinen ihastumis-/rakkauskuvio, joka ei ainakaan tässä vaiheessa tuonut muuta lisäarvoa kuin sen, että mukana oli tyyppi joka osaa tiirikoida lukkoja ja saa nimihenkilön yhtäkkiä näyttämään heikolta. Mikä on harmi, koska varsinkin alkupuolella Aleian päättäväisyys ja salaperäisyys teki hänestä hienoa hahmoa, mutta heti kun mukaan tuli poika, teki mieli alkaa hyppiä kohtia yli. Onneksi oli Corildon, jonka taustoja ei liikaa selitelty, jonka itsepäisyys oli ajoittain huvittavaa, ja jonka kautta tutustuttiin seleeseihin ja se olikin parasta antia. Kirjassa näkyy myös se, että kyseessä on trilogian ensimmäinen osa, sillä meno on hidasta ja maailman kuvailuun käytetään aikaa, mutta eipä se suuremmin häiritse. Täytyy sitä seuraavakin osa lukea, sen verran kiinnostava tapaus tämä kuitenkin oli....more
This book made my heart hurt. Benji. Ana. Leo. The expectations and loyalties and pressures. Oh my poor heart.
Now that's off my chest, let me tell yoThis book made my heart hurt. Benji. Ana. Leo. The expectations and loyalties and pressures. Oh my poor heart.
Now that's off my chest, let me tell you how much I loved this book. First though, I think that in order to really get this book, what it's about, you need to have had an obsession with one sport or another. Could have been ice hockey, could have been something else, but you must have had that passion and obsession with weekly schedules and needing to know absolutely everything in order to understand how well this book depicts all that. Because it does. I have cousins who are heavily invested in ice hockey, and this made me understand them better. Understand why their parents have spent so much time and money on their hobby. And I come from a small town, so I understand how defining and vitally important success can be when everything else around you is disappearing. And this hits it home with all that so perfectly. The despair and the hopes.
The overall plot isn't groundbreakingly original, but it is well done and brings up so many issues there are within sports, and within communities when something happens and it's word against word. This story took off very slowly, with introductions of everyone (though interestingly a lot of blanks were left unfilled, a lot you needed to interpret, and it works really well). And this is a book with a cast big enough to fill a multi-season TV series. In the end it feels like everyone's story was a tragedy, even when things had gone well or turned out to be fine in the end.
Some of those characters I cared about more than others, and some were stereotypical, but in the big picture it doesn't matter. Everyone had their flaws, and those who grew as people, really did that and it was emotional to watch that growth. Benji, in his recklessness and unpredictability and loyalty and with his good head and an even better heart was by far my favourite character, and I don't even care that I'm so predictable. Ana as well; I would kill for a friend like that. She wasn't perfect, but she was perfect for Maya. Bobo, who realized what was right, and had such a good heart as well. Amat, the real sports star, doing the right thing and caring for his mother in a way that you only understand if you've seen it yourself. The youth in this book are incredible, and make this one of those stories 17-year-olds ought to read. The adults aren't bad either, and the way they act is perfectly understandable. Also, Ramona was amazingly kick ass, and I love the way she and the boys stood up for each other. Knowing good from bad.
This book captures the mentality and spirit of a small town wonderfully, tackles some huge issues and taboos, and makes the sport a natural part of the story. It's like ice hockey was a character. I didn't want this story to end, and I can't wait to spend more time with these beartowners. ...more
I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand I liked it, on the other it annoyed me a lot. I understand why it has been hyped, and since I aI have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand I liked it, on the other it annoyed me a lot. I understand why it has been hyped, and since I am not in the exact target group, there are things I can't identify with. However, the 'being too old for this' aspect is what made me focus on things that irked me. I am getting really tired of the trend of books like this somehow making bad parenting seem like an okay thing. It's not. Finch's parents are not doing what they are supposed to do, and given he and his siblings are surrounded by plenty of adults, someone should have noticed and notified the child protective services or acted somehow. Like, doesn't anyone wonder if his little sister, Decca, is alright? Don't her teachers notice her mother isn't present? Doesn't she have friends with parents who'd pick on these things and do something? I understand that for the sake of plot these things don't happen in the book, but they would paint a more realistic picture given the families in this book are very middle class and fairly well off.
I really liked this book until it hopped on the love is nice and healing and makes people better and all that jazz train. I would have loved to see how would have turned out if Finch and Violet had just become friends instead of it becoming a romance. I know this is based on the author's experiences, but still. The friendships on this book seemed quite real, and functioned the way they would in situations like those depicted in this book, and I am glad about that.
And obviously I like it that this tackles a big, important issue, and doesn't romanticize it like so many works end up doing. But once again, what kind of parents just sit and watch while their child suffers? Finch's behavior is enough to tip them more than a million times. For people dealing with mental illnesses and for those who have lost someone, this book could be comforting. And the topic is important, and mostly dealt with well. (I also liked it that at least the Finnish translation includes numbers for local helplines. Some of the wording isn't quite good as it could have been, but that's beside the point.)
So, a good read, on an important subject, but with too many things that did not seem plausible. ...more
This is my favourite of these so far. Totally awesome characters, a nice bit of plotting, kick ass ladies, funny details. Plus all the book talk! DefiThis is my favourite of these so far. Totally awesome characters, a nice bit of plotting, kick ass ladies, funny details. Plus all the book talk! Definitely loved this. ...more
Liked this a lot, probably even more than the first one because things were happening instead of a ton of introductions. My only issue is the fonts usLiked this a lot, probably even more than the first one because things were happening instead of a ton of introductions. My only issue is the fonts used, because slim black font on dark background isn't exactly great for us who don't have perfect vision. ...more
It's been a while since I've read this series, so it took me a moment to remember who is who and what's going on. After that though, this was the kindIt's been a while since I've read this series, so it took me a moment to remember who is who and what's going on. After that though, this was the kind of perfect entertainment one needs every once in a while. There is the mysterious death, suspicious people more than you'd care to keep tabs on, a good deal of supernatural elements and a ton of fun. The crime being solved wasn't that special, but it worked great within the context of everything else. And who doesn't love it that London as a city is pretty much a character in this series, because it's just wonderful. ...more
En edes yritä väittää, että tässä lukukokemuksessa oli jotain objektiivista - ei silloin kun lukee kirjaa bändistä, joka on ollut osa omaa elämää 15 vEn edes yritä väittää, että tässä lukukokemuksessa oli jotain objektiivista - ei silloin kun lukee kirjaa bändistä, joka on ollut osa omaa elämää 15 vuoden ajan. Kent oli, ja on, ensimmäinen todellinen musiikillinen rakkauteni. Koska itse hyppäsin kyytiin vasta V&A:n aikoihin, varsinkin kirjan alkupuoli oli kuin löytöretkellä olisi. Paljon hauskoja pikkujuttuja, joista osan tiesin ja osaa en. Alkupuoli on ehkä myös perinteisempi bändihistoriikki, kun kirjailijakaan ei ole vielä yhtyeen fani vaan kertaa kivistä tietä tähtiin. Loppupuoli toisaalta kuvastaa Kentiä erinomaisen hyvin; yhtyeeseen ja jopa levyihin liittyvät nippelitiedot vähenevät sitä mukaa kun bändistä tulee suositumpi ja se sulkeutuu enemmän itseensä ja jakaa asioita vain oman lähipiirinsä kanssa. Läpi kirjan kulkee kuitenkin kantavana teemana Kentin eräänlainen itsepäisyys, ehdottomuus, tahto tehdä asiat omalla tavalla ja tinkimättömästi, vaikka lopputulos ei aina ulkopuolisille aukeakaan. Linkolan maantieteilijän tausta näkyy varsinkin paikkojen kuvauksissa, paikoista tulee eläviä ja ne voi melkein tuntea ja kokea lukiessaan. Tämä oli yllättävää, mutta toimii aivan mahtavasti, varsinkin kun tietyillä paikoilla on Kentin musiikissa hyvin tärkeä rooli. Mukana kulkeva tarina Linkolan omasta suhteesta bändiin ja sen musiikkiin toimii, tuo ulottuvuuksia, ja voisi ihan yhtä hyvin olla myös fiktiivinen tarina, niin hyvin se sujahtaa osaksi kerrontaa. Kirjan parasta antia ovat levyanalyysit, se miten tietyt levyt ja kappaleet yhtäkkiä aukesivat aivan uudella tavalla, miten eri asioihin ryhtyi kiinnittämään huomiota. Kaikesta en ollut samaa mieltä, mutta hämmentävän monta kertaa nyökyttelin, että juu, noinhan minä sen myös koin silloin. Ja vääjäämätöntä loppua kohden pala nousi kurkkuun yhä useammin, kyynelten pidättelystä tuli entistä vaikeampaa (välillä en edes yrittänyt). Bändin iholle kirjassa ei päästä, yhtyeen jäsenten ajatukset jäävät vanhojen haastattelujen varaan, mutta tyyli sopii kirjaan. Tyyli sopii Kentille. Musiikki puhukoot puolestaan. (Ni är för alltid.) ...more
This is something I have been meaning to read for years, but only now got around to doing. I'm not entirely sure what I expected of this novel, but I This is something I have been meaning to read for years, but only now got around to doing. I'm not entirely sure what I expected of this novel, but I did enjoy it. It serves as a nice history lesson for us who only have a faint idea of what's happened in Iran (thanks European school history classes), and it is a wonderful autobiography. There was lovely innocence in the childhood parts, soon to disappear as she got older. To me, the beginning was more interesting than her years in Austria - those seemed sometimes too over the top. I did like the transition she goes through when returning to Iran, and it gives a great glimpse of attitudes people have had. It'd be extremely interesting to see another installment set to modern day, to see how things and thoughts and ideals may have changed. The simplistic drawing style was something I truly welcomed, I feel like too many graphic novels I have read this year put tons of things in the tiniest of details and you spend too much time looking at those and forget the story. Here, when there were more details, they truly mattered and brought depth to the story. ...more
This is one of those books that you read when you want something kind of predictable, something warm and fuzzy. And I don't mind, sometimes I just neeThis is one of those books that you read when you want something kind of predictable, something warm and fuzzy. And I don't mind, sometimes I just need to read something that's not too serious. And this was a fun read, but with some darker and serious tones. The characters were stereotypical, but not in a way that would have made them horrible. Not exactly relatable, but I didn't end up hating any of them either. I did like the way this book dealt with money, and the lack of it. It felt real, and it did get under my skin. And even though it was under the guise of grumpy teenager, I also liked how it dealt with loneliness and abandonment and being the outsider. In the end, I think I cared more about the subplots, character development, instead of the main plot, but it's fine, I enjoyed reading this and that's what matters. ...more
Vahva 3.5 tähteä. En varsinaisesti ole koskaan pitänyt novellien lukemisesta, mutta tämä teos sai minut innostumaan niistä. Varsinkin alkupuoli vaihtoVahva 3.5 tähteä. En varsinaisesti ole koskaan pitänyt novellien lukemisesta, mutta tämä teos sai minut innostumaan niistä. Varsinkin alkupuoli vaihtoehtoisine historioineen oli mahtavaa luettavaa. Myös esimerkiksi Mare Nostrum oli hyvinkin vaikuttava ja sai ajattelemaan sitä, miten ihmiset käyttäytyvät, miksi ja kuka toimintaan voi vaikuttaa. Loppupuolella mielenkiinto vähän lopahti, krakenit eivät selvästikään ole minun juttuni. Pimeyden reunalla oli suosikkieni joukossa, mahtava sekoitus scifiä ja fantasiaa ja keskiaikaista kuningashuonejuonittelua. Tämän tyyppisiä tarinoita voisin lukea enemmänkin. ...more
I am actually surprised by how much I liked this! I was expecting Breakfast Club with a murder throw in, but this turned out to be quite a bit more. TI am actually surprised by how much I liked this! I was expecting Breakfast Club with a murder throw in, but this turned out to be quite a bit more. The crime aspect actually works so well, one of the better who-dunnits I've read. And while there are things that scream stereotypes and clichés (starting with the fact that the main characters are teen movie stereotypes - something the book notes as well), there is a good deal of characters development. Sure, some of those things leading to said development are dubious - especially that of Cooper's, though his reasons for not wanting his secret to get out are valid enough - but in the big picture they work. And there is diversity. It's not heavily underlined with a red marker, but it's there, you notice it, and treat it like it's just as normal as it should be. As all YA stories these days seemingly need to have at least one dysfunctional family, it was also very nice to see a family that stuck together and acted like a family would in a difficult situation. This was such an entertaining read, and I could've easily read more, but it's great this did not unnecessarily drag on for 100 more pages just because.
Lastly, and most importantly, Cooper grandma is awesome. ...more
It feels like it took me forever to get into this story, but when I did... Oh boy what a book. Three seemingly different stories from different perspeIt feels like it took me forever to get into this story, but when I did... Oh boy what a book. Three seemingly different stories from different perspectives, all twisting into one when the big reveal of the book happens and suddenly you wonder what happened and how and why. What threw me off the most in the beginning were all the different concepts, understand who is who and what they do, but once all that became clear this turned into such a wonderful story. Amazing ideas, wonderfully executed. And this isn't one of those books that will make it easy for you to read it, no, you have to pay attention to details and characters in order to understand the events. And I loved that. Very much looking forward to reading more, and understanding these characters and this universe better. ...more
I had read plenty of positive reviews of this book, so I was a bit hesitant when I picked it up - I've been disappointed too many times when somethingI had read plenty of positive reviews of this book, so I was a bit hesitant when I picked it up - I've been disappointed too many times when something has been hyped to the moon and back. This time though, I wasn't. This is a wonderful book, and it's extremely well written. It's a story about an albino woman in prison, but it truly is a book about memory as well. I liked how this looked into the life in prison, the dynamics, especially in a failing state like Zimbabwe. The whole political aspect on the background gave a nice extra touch. However, deep down this is a book about how and what you, or in this case Memory, remembers and how small misunderstandings and poor communication can lead to big issues. Issues, that lead to other issues and things get tangled up. That is what makes this story though, you've lived through it all only to learn things were more than met the eye. There are quite a few characters, and some of them are more memorable than others - I also wish we had learnt more about some of them, especially Lloyd who is integral to Memory's story. All in all, this was more than I expected, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Also, the Finnish version's cover is gorgeous. ...more
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