Did you know that if you leave a review of your most recent book purchase on Booktopia, you could win a $100 gift card?* Because you can!
Rate your recent book purchases (books, eBooks, and audio books are all included) with a review of between 115-350 words and you’ll automatically enter the draw. Our panel of book-loving judges will then choose the best three reviews every month and the reviewers will receive a $100 Gift Voucher.
So, what’s your verdict on your recent book purchase? Your fellow Booktopians would love to hear what you think!
Make it fun, make it sad, make it dramatic or make it rhyme. The choice is yours, as long as you impress our panel of judges with your unique take on your last read.
Here are some handy tips for writing a good book review:
- Hook your readers in with a snappy first sentence that captures exactly how you felt about the book.
- Tell us why you loved the book – was it the fantastic writing? The compelling story? The richly drawn characters?
- Was there anything really unusual or interesting about how the story was told? Tell us!
- Tell us why you think other people might love it too.
- Don’t just tell us the plot – give us a general idea of where the story goes without revealing any spoilers.
- Did it remind you of any other books you’ve read and loved? Name them!
- When you’re done, check for any spelling mistakes.
Scroll down to read the three winning reviews for November!
The Nowhere Child by Christian White
Review by I love reading
Everyone in my family loved this book
I finally bought this book after thinking about it for ages and wondering if I would like it. I loved it!
I love crime genre novels that make you think and this is one of those. Be warned, it’s pretty full on in parts and being set in the US it has some strange characters – weird but the sort you know could be real (especially in that part of the US) and the story keeps you guessing right to the end.
I loved it so much that both my mother and my sister read it on my recommendation and they loved it too. I have recently bought Christian White’s next book because I loved this one so much.
Buy it here
Sand Talk by Tyson Yunkaporta
Review by A challenge to think differently from 2550
Knowledge that endures because everybody carries part of it
What would we see if we look at our current confused, divided world through the lens of a civilisation which has been around for 60,000 years? And what would we do then?
Tyson Yunkaporta examines concepts of time, culture, social and personal values through an astonishing combination of modern science, traditional knowledge and hard-won insight. Using unique ‘sand talk’ drawings, his own experiences and a deep respect for traditional Aboriginal culture, he takes us on a journey which challenges and inspires us to think and act differently.
This is ground-breaking work on a profound level which also addresses immediate problems such as literacy, poverty and political engagement. It’s a must read for anyone looking to understand what is happening around us; and the huge potential we have for positive change.
Buy it here
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Review by Faith
Alex and Darlington Both Deserved Better!
The mental health and mental illness representation in this book is great! Although this does mean that there should be a trigger warning for this book, I love how careful Leigh Bardugo was in incorporating important topics into this novel – as well as the world building! Leigh Bardugo knows what she’s doing when it comes to world building.
Alex Stern is messy, hurt, complicated and frankly, a little bit amoral but she’s trying her best. And that’s what matters the most, the fact that she’s trying to be a good person, she’s trying to get her life back on track, she’s trying to heal. She’s trying.
Darlington is your picture perfect student, who for the most part of the book (before he went poof in mid air) was more or less ‘mentoring’ Alex. They are almost parallels – he seems to have it life together while Alex doesn’t.
The plot, at first, was a little bit confusing: there were a series of events which didn’t really make sense but ultimately they all linked together in the end and it made more sense. Basically, the plot isn’t clear and straightforward, there are a few side stories which interlock with the main murder-mystery.
Six of Crows and King of Scars (both also by Leigh Bardugo) will always be my favourites BUT Ninth House is up there with my favourites. Highly recommended.
Buy it here
The Best Books of 2021: Crime & Thriller 
REVIEW: Wild Place by Christian White 
The 2020 Ned Kelly Award winners are here!
Comments
No comments