Book Review: The Chimera’s Apprentice – Roslyn Muir

*Disclaimer: the author gave me a free copy of this book but did not ask for a review. The review is my own. I don’t review books I wouldn’t otherwise read.

FOUR STARS

Quality 4.5/5 ⸙ Readability 4/5 ⸙ Entertainment 5/5 ⸙ Concept 4.5/5 ⸙ Character 4.5/5 ⸙ Recommend 5/5

What a unique story! Roslyn Muir depicts a fantastical world where humans and a rat race called the Raturro are at war. Enter Kyra Murch, a thirteen-year-old girl who embarks on a mission to rescue her captured mother with the aid of her two friends; a fellow human and a Raturro girl. While on her rescue mission, Kyra learns about her hidden family history and realizes that not everyone is who she thought they were. Not even her own family.

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While the story was unique, I felt the world could have been built out a bit more to drive home the fantastical elements. I also would have liked the story to show what was happening rather than telling, as it would have breathed life into this unique tale and made it even more unique and engaging. The pacing and clarity were good, the story was easy to follow, and I thought the premise was unique and fun. A great debut.

QRECCR Review Breakdown (see https://cmrushi.wordpress.com/2020/06/20/qreccr-book-rating-system/ for rating system.)

QUALITY 4.5/5

• Structure 4/5
• Fluff 5/5
• Errors 5/5

Readability 4/5

• Pacing 5/5
• Wording 3/5
• Clarity 5/5

Entertainment 5/5

• Entertaining 5/5

Concept 4.5/5

• Quality 4/5
• Novelty 5/5
• Interesting 5/5

Character 4.5/5

• Investment 4/5
• Sympathize 5/5
• Likability 5/5

Recommend 5/5

• Recommended
• Middle Grade
• Animal Stories

Book Review: Killers of the Flower Moon – David Grann

FIVE STARS

Quality 5/5 ⸙ Readability 5/5 ⸙ Entertainment 5/5 ⸙ Concept 5/5 ⸙ Character 5/5 ⸙ Recommend 5/5

In a forced migration from their land in Kansas, the Osage Nation moved to a new reservation in Oklahoma on land that was deemed unfit for the whites. In the early 1900s, oil was discovered beneath their land, and come the 1920s, the Osage Indians were the richest people per capita…until the murders began.

Osage families were killed off one by one in a specific order so that the headrights of an entire family would pass down to an individual who could then be murdered for the entire headrights of the family. Some were stabbed, some were poisoned, some were blown up. When the government finally stepped in with an agency that would soon become the FBI, they worked together with the Osage Indians (after much corruption and more murders) to uncover the people behind the murders and restore peace to the tribe.

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David Grann put forth a commendable effort in presenting the facts and telling the story in such a way that it read like fiction. My only critique is that I wish Grann had dug deeper into the other murders rather than only focusing on the Burkhart family. Overall, it was both a fascinating and abominable read, and I highly recommend reading it.

QRECCR Review Breakdown (see https://cmrushi.wordpress.com/2020/06/20/qreccr-book-rating-system/ for rating system.)

QUALITY 5/5

• Structure 5/5
• Fluff 5/5
• Errors 5/5

Readability 5/5

• Pacing 5/5
• Wording 5/5
• Clarity 5/5

Entertainment 5/5

• Entertaining 5/5

Concept 5/5

• Quality 5/5
• Novelty 5/5
• Interesting 5/5

Character 5/5

• Investment 5/5
• Sympathize 5/5
• Likability 5/5

Recommend 5/5

• Recommended
• Great for those interested in American History

Book Review: 12 Rules for Life – Jordan B. Peterson

Quality 4/5 ⸙ Readability 3/5 ⸙ Entertainment 4/5 ⸙ Concept 5/5 ⸙ Character 5/5 ⸙ Recommend 5/5

12 Rules for Life offers a mix of advice and philosophy for those who desire to make a positive change in their lives. Using his background in psychology and experience from his clinical practice, Dr. Peterson offers a psychological and philosophical glimpse into human behavior, how people are often the cause of their own misery, and what they can do to change it.

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12 Rules for Life delivers meticulous advice without the preachiness so often inflicted upon readers in self-help books. Contrary to the word “rules” in the title, Dr. Peterson does not tell the reader what to do or how to live, but rather notes the causes of unhappiness and what the reader can do to change their behavior, thus creating a happier, more fulfilling life for them.

While there are some great takeaways from Dr. Peterson’s book, it is quite drawn out. His writing is comparable to the way he speaks. He first establishes an understanding with the audience using analogies, and oftentimes biblical teachings, to achieve common ground before he applies the rule to a specific scenario. This roundabout way ensures a complete understanding of what was meant and what Dr. Peterson hoped to achieve with his point, but it oftentimes makes for a long and boring read. My advice is to read this book in chunks. Read a section at a time (not an entire rule at once) and then put it aside. This isn’t a one-sitting book. Dr. Peterson gives the reader plenty to mull over. Read it carefully, take notes, and reflect.

QRECCR Review Breakdown (see https://cmrushi.wordpress.com/2020/06/20/qreccr-book-rating-system/ for rating system.)

QUALITY 4/5

• Structure 5/5
• Fluff 4/5
• Errors 5/5

Readability 3/5

• Pacing 4/5
• Wording 3/5
• Clarity 3/5

Entertainment 4/5

• Entertaining 4/5

Concept 4/5

• Quality 5/5
• Novelty 5/5
• Interesting 5/5

Character 5/5

• Investment 5/5
• Sympathize 5/5
• Likability 5/5

Recommend 5/5

• Recommended
• Must-read for late teens/young adults
• Great reminders for adults

This is definitely a recommend. The content in this book is outstanding. Dr. Peterson offers great insight as to why people are unhappy and the simple steps they can take to improve their lives. The only reason I rate this book a 4/5 is that while the points are well-established, it does drag on for quite a bit and the awkward wording can make it difficult to read.