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HourglassEyes

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Acolyte· Level 37

THE READER’S VOICE

Book Reviews

HourglassEyes’s own thoughts on books they have read. These are reader-written book reviews, separate from Risingshadow’s editorial reviews.

68 book reviews
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Thucydides Trap

BOOK REVIEW

Thucydides Trap

Melinda Snodgrass

8/10Written Apr 7, 2026

Adequate ending to the series. So many things happened in the final part, that there might have been material for one last book. But alas, no loose ends!

All the Birds in the Sky

BOOK REVIEW

All the Birds in the Sky

Charlie Jane Anders

3/10Written Oct 20, 2025

I wish someone would have told me that the cover text review of New York Times "As hopeful as it is hilarious" was probably meant as sarcasm, not as an actual compliment, I would have thought twice before picking this up...

I just really didn't like most of the book. I guess the plot was okayish, but over 400 pages the unfairness and antagonism of the main characters with practically breadcrumbs of slightly positive moments was just too much to handle for me.

The Red Scrolls of Magic

BOOK REVIEW

The Red Scrolls of Magic

Wesley Chu, Cassandra Clare

8/10Written May 12, 2020

This is purely to Malec fans.

The Hidden World

BOOK REVIEW

The Hidden World

Melinda Snodgrass

8/10Written Sep 1, 2018

Back on great. Snograss still manages to confuse. I'm loving it.

The Gospel of Loki

BOOK REVIEW

The Gospel of Loki

Joanne Harris

8/10Written Feb 28, 2018

Very much liked this version of the lore, told by the Trickster himself how he was betrayed by Odin in the begin with and how they all were deceived in the end, what led to the destruction of Asgard and to death to it's gods.

Allegiant

BOOK REVIEW

Allegiant

Veronica Roth

7/10Written Nov 11, 2017

Ending aside Divergent series has been quite typical y/ya dystopia trilogy. But since the ending did surprise me by not following the mainstream I'll give the extra half-star.

The One

BOOK REVIEW

The One

John Marrs

9/10Written Nov 7, 2017Edited Nov 7, 2017

Following up five people in the UK, who's lives are turned around as they find their Match by the company wich is specialised in fingind your One True Match by your DNA.

Their stories are told by turns, each with their own twist on the plot.

Practically their stories brings up the question can you find your true love through a simple genetic match or if you do, is your perfect match really the right option for you and what happens to those who are left behind or can't find their Match.

Remind you that this is not a cozy love story, but a compelling thriller of our minds and souls. One of the best book I've read in 2017, strongly recommend!

In Evil Times

BOOK REVIEW

In Evil Times

Melinda Snodgrass

7/10Written Aug 11, 2017

Good, but not as good as the first one. This one seems to be the infamous second act where everything that could go wrong does go wrong.

Does it make it bad? No

Is it annoying? Hell yeah! Practically nothing good happens to anyone!

This book is about humanitys eternal mistake: Conquer and call it helping. Crush anyone with a different view, because this is how it's always been.

Kings of the Wyld

BOOK REVIEW

Kings of the Wyld

Nicholas Eames

8/10Written Jul 25, 2017

There's something compelling about this band of old farts, used-to-be heros. Eames's story is a mix of borrowed easy jokes, old friendships that has it's cracks, yet still holds and actual meaning of friendshps and getting old after being an actual hero. And of course about that "One Last Job".

 

It's seems quite easy read, but if you're not carefull you easily find yourself in a mist of What is going on here?

Lucifer: Book Five

BOOK REVIEW

Lucifer: Book Five

M.R. Carey

9/10Written Jun 7, 2017
Show review marked as a spoiler

Great ending for the story. Especially the final verbal exchange between Lucifer and his father was perfect!

"I've always been the one who said no to you, father. That was how you made me. So I presume you're only testing your workmanship.

- If you agree-- you would be the Maker. And you would be perfect again, Unfallen. Unscarred by exprerience.

Was this my function then?

- You escaped your function. That's exactly why I want to know you better.

Unscarred? You teach me, father, the difference between knowledge and understanding. This face is mine. This scar is mine. You may not have them. Not with my permission. My answer is no."

Bane and Shadow

BOOK REVIEW

Bane and Shadow

Jon Skovron

8/10Written Mar 30, 2017

Skovron's story is getting better by the book. It'll be cruesome time to wait for the final novel of the series!

The Smoke Hunter

BOOK REVIEW

The Smoke Hunter

Jacqueline Benson

6/10Written Feb 5, 2017

Romancing the Jones
That was how SFX described this book and I see it quite fitting.

The Smoke hunter is quite like reading a script of the 80's classic film. Ellie and Adam are quite like Turner and Douglas like characters, you can easily put their faces on book.

Combination of Romancing the Stone & Indiana Jones with a hint of Lara Croft and Cusslers Dirk Pitt.