The Burning Bridge (Ranger's Apprentice #2)

1.  An excellent sequel by John Flanagan. Was apparently meant to be part of the same larger book as the Ruins of Gorlan but that got too big so it was split into two
2. Continues what the first did well and explores one of my favourite themes being "your team is only as strong as your weakest link"
3. Will and team stumble upon a key strategy of the enemy and decide to take the initiative to sabotage it, despite only being apprentices and outnumbered. There are high stakes and they are deep in enemy territory.
4. Espionage concepts: the importance of procuring and conveying key information to those in charge is a theme that is continued here -- Including the lack of information parity and lags in obtaining critical information (ie. travelling long distances with an important message to communicate/deliver, and that information needing to be updated gradually over time as more information comes to light)
5. More elements of the world map are explored, which I loved. 
6. The ending, including all the battlefield heroics and stratagems, surprised me and made me want to go straight into book 3.
7. Score: probably a 4.7-4.8/5. I liked this better than Deltora Quest's book 2 (if I am allowed to make the comparison)

The Three-Body Problem (Remembrance of Earth's Past #1)

1. Definitely a hard science fiction book. If you are one for details and describing scientific concepts, particularly at the atomic level, look no further than Liu Cixin. His creativity and explanation of scientific concepts, and integrating it into a cohesive plot, is amazing. 
2. It's very quirky with a distinct Asian style of writing and humour - some parts of the book don't feel expressed in natural English form (and unsurprisingly, given this has been translated from Chinese)
3. It was fascinating to see how the three body problem (as it is known in theoretical physics) was approached and explained with real physics concepts.
4. I couldn't put the book down for the first 100 odd pages but thought the introduction of a video game as a plot device to explain the three body concept was very...weird. I didn't really like it at first. However, after more reading, it made sense and made for fun reading. By the end everything fit together perfectly
5. The integration of the three body problem with the concept of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) and against the backdrop of the Cultural Revolution was very well done.
6. That Liu can imagine how Earth would respond to alien life,  and how alien life could respond to Earth's existence, together with conceptualising the technological advancement, strategic thinking, culture and traits of these aliens,  and the way in which he philosophises about this hypothetical situation is a wonder to behold. 
7. The concept of communicating and travelling over long distances - light years -and aliens interfering with Earth life also made for very epic and interesting reading
8. Loved the quirky character Da Shi and his interactions 
9. Without spoiling too much I loved how Liu integrated the concept of cults, secret societies and conspiracies with the concept of aliens, military strategies and survival...it isn't just a sci fi book- it is equally a book about how to save the world and the meaning of being human
10. Chinese culture was also explored to a great extent which I liked 
11. Pacing issues are my only gripe about this book. Can't say I understood all the scientific technicalities but I enjoyed it. 
12. Overall probably a 4.4-4.6/5. It was amazing.

The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice #1) by John Flanagan

1.  Can't believe I hadn't heard of this RA series when it was made by another prominent Australian author and the publication of which overlapped with Deltora Quest
2. I actually liked this first book more than the Forests of Silence (DQ#1), but that's perhaps an unfair comparison as DQ's books are very thin compared to the RA series - there's more room to explore in RA
3. RA is about espionage in medieval times in a place apparently resembling the modern day UK. It's a pretty cool concept. 
4. I loved how Flanagan explores the concept of adventure, growing up, coming of age, those that appear to be "weak" being actually quite strong... and comradery through adversity I suppose.
5. It was interesting to see the village crafts being divided into different sections (not an uncommon theme in these sorts of books but I liked how the different areas were explored early, with a focus on knights and rangers)
6. I am keen to see the world map expand and/or used more in the novels to come - wished there were more detailed locations on the map that corresponded to the story
7. The way in which the rangers tracked targets and journeyed over long distances was well described and I felt like I was going on the actual journey
8. There were a few moments early on where I wasn't quite used to Flagan's writing and humour but I got used to it and really enjoyed it
9. Not sure of the exact score yet but I'd say 4.5-4.7/5 

The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest (Millenium Trilogy, Final Book 3) and Milennium Trilogy thoughts

1.  This book is the longest of the three but by far the most exciting. There is little down time in the introduction unlike in the other two. It just follows off from the events of the last book.
2. Book 3 deals with the immediate fallout of Book 2, and has strong spy, espionage and cover-up (in the interests of "national security") themes, as Salander and team prepare for her trial. 
3. It's fascinating to see the forces working against her to silence her; and the "forces of good" (even those not immediately known to her) on her side trying to expose the truth.
4. The ending is incredibly satisfying and feels like one is playing a scene from Ace Attorney - where the bad guys get completely owned. Admittedly the ending is predictable but I like seeing justice being handed out. 
5. I also enjoyed Salander's complex personality and her convoluted relationship with Blomkvist.
6. If there was less sexual content I might be tempted to call this my favourite book...
7. I was surprsingly gripped from beginning to end.
8. 4.75/5

Overall score and thoughts for the Millenium Trilogy: the trilogy makes for a diverse read as a whole. You, respectively, get in each of the three books: a murder / crime mystery; a (framed) fugitive on the run story; and a trial or judicial process that's rigged by secret agents with cloak and dagger subterfuge sub-plots and cover ups happening in the background. They are all a bit different. The use of a media entity, the Millenium magazine, and its journalists, coupled with the world of hacking, makes for an exciting plot device. The two areas synergise with each other and help to complement the story of our complicated heroine with a tragic past. 

I would say that this is an excellent gateway trilogy into the respective "disappearance / mystery cold case", "I've been framed" and "spy" subgenres of what can be essentially or a bit too simply classified as Crime fiction (although spy novels are probably a separate category of their own). I did not enjoy the sexual content or the violence in the series, but I understand the context and why it was done. The first two books are a few tiers below the last book (IMHO). The third book sits in a tier of its own and higher than the others. 

What does that mean? Well it means it's a solid and satisfying series overall. 4.3/5

The Girl Who Played With Fire (Millennium Series, Book 2)

1.  Book 1 focussed on Lisbeth Salander's detective and hacking skills which were deployed to solve the mystery of a girl who had disappeared, in partnership with journalist Blomkvist.
2. This book builds on that foundation but in a more dramatic and higher stakes context - Lisbeth is apparently framed for some murders she did not commit. She is on the run while mostly everyone is out to catch her (save for a few who sit on her side of the fence).
3. It took about 200 pages for the book to actually start diving into the main plot and for the blurb at the back of the book to actually come about - which is crazy, drawn out and certainly took far longer than the first book. The 200 pages was essential context but it probably could have been condensed into half the amount.
4. I liked the build up to the end, particularly how the police and investigators tracking her down are biased and assume she is guilty --- but then slowly realise there is evidence that points the other way; I did however feel like the end was a slight letdown and a bit too easy for our heroine. I liked how Lisbeth is largely working on her own this time and is communicating digitally with Blomkvist, which makes for a very different teamwork dynamic this time around.
5. Because this had a higher stakes feel to it, I enjoyed the second book more than the first one overall, but felt the ending was a lot less satisfying than the first book.
6. Score: 4.15/5

Books I have read (and re-read in some cases) recently

Brief thoughts so I don't forget. Not edited / proofread in detail!

 Keys to the Kingdom - Garth Nix [second read]

1. Bittersweet and unusual ending that half makes you want to read it all again (but the bittersweet part makes you think twice about doing so - maybe when my daughter grows up and wants to read it with me)
2. Height of series for me was around Drowned Wednesday and Sir Thursday where the usual / classic formula of Arthur fights villain was turned on its head. 
3. Thematically I quite enjoyed how each part of the house to some extent fit the powers of the keys and the seven deadly sins of each villain.
4. It was a shame that Superior Saturday did not get more air time as a villain; similar story with Lord Sunday. The last two books did feel slightly rushed. The fights / focus on villians re: Saturday and Sunday were short. Even Mister Monday got more air time than them (as a proper "boss" or "villain" fight) . However, it was clear that Lord Sunday posed a very steep difficulty challenge for Arthur and I was worried for him at one point.
5. I also felt like Lady Friday was the weaker point of the series - that part of the house and her powers are slightly weird and did not fit as thematically
6. The ending - is one that I hated at first but looking back on it, it is quite a clever ending from Garth Nix and one I have learnt to enjoy
7. Wished they would have explored the Will and the Old One in a bit more detail, specifically the suggestion that the Will (without spoiling anything) may have been up to no good and/or hiding things from Arthur. A confrontation with the Will would have been nice at some point, but I understand the counterargument is that the Will was just a manifestation of a process that Arthur just had to accept - as in real life - and it is just too bad that there was no closure.
8. 4.2/5 - some very rough rankings: Mister Monday (4/5), Grim Tuesday (4/5), Drowned Wednesday (4.6/5), Sir Thursday (4.6/5), Lady Friday (~3/5), Superior Saturday (3.9/5), Lord Sunday (4.5/5)

Deltora Quest 1, 2 and 3 - Emily Rodda [second read]

1. Easily my favourite fantasy series so far, even if childish and simplistic
2. Each villain or obstacle is somewhat satisfying, albeit sometimes short or solved a bit too simplistically.
3. The heroes tend to get out of trouble too easily, but I suppose that is to be expected for a series such as this.
4. Thematically I love how each book in DQ1 covers the recovery of a gem and that even when Lief finds all the gems, it is not so straightforward fighting the enemy in the last book and there are more puzzles to be had
5. DQ2 was obviously not as strong as the first, but still satisfying I think. Emily Rodda has a great way of revealing hidden histories and combining this with the spirit of discovery and exploration that comes from maps.
6. DQ3 was probably better than the first - the idea that the Shadow Lord had planned a back up plan that acts as a double-bluff trap was amazing (if you do nothing you will die; if you do something about it, you will die too).
7. Emily Rodda is definitely the master of puzzles, riddles, exploring the importance of forgotten history and knowing how to make a kid's adventure feel full of purpose and grand
8. Should have scored each book as I read but I read it too many months ago to remember precisely. But let's say DQ1: 4.7/5; DQ2: 4.2/5; DQ3: 4.9/5
9. Overall score for all 3 Deltora Quest series: 4.8/5

The Three Doors Trilogy - Emily Rodda

1. The plot twist by the end of the Third Door is probably greater than any plot twist in Deltora Quest. It just so dramatically changes everything that you want to read the books again from the start.
2. Rye's clumsiness with his bag of powers has a certain charm to it. And there is a certain mystery in the way in which he was given the powers  
3. The culmination of twists in book 3 is insane.
4. I probably like this series a lot more because of the references to Deltora Quest and the Shadow Lord (it is set after DQ3), which probably makes me a bit biased. But it can be read on its own (but I would suggest reading DQ first)
5. Books 2 and 1 are also quite different to one another, but I enjoyed seeing Rye progressively teaming up with more team members as the series went on.
6. Golden Door (Book 1): 4/5; Silver Door (Book 2): 4.1/5; The Third Door (Book 3): 4.5/5
7. Overall score: probably a 4/5

Rowan of Rin - the Journey (all 5 books in 1) - Emily Rodda

1. Emily Rodda does it again - the puzzles in DQ are this time replaced with riddles and poems (lots of poems - to the point that you do get a bit sick of them.........."not again!!!!!!!!!!")
2. The best parts of the series imho are Books 1, 3 and 5 - Book 3 (The Keeper of the Crystal) is my favourite (maybe a 4.5/5), but the ironic thing is that it is the book that has the least impact on the broader plot of the series.
3. Book 2 I felt was the weak point but still interesting (maybe a 3.5/5). Book 4 is OK (say a 3.8/5) but I felt the way it was resolved was a bit too easy or convenient, given all the circumstances and what they were up against. Since I am giving scores maybe Book 1 - 4.2/5 and Book 5 - 4.3/5
4. Rodda is again great at focussing on forgotten histories. The key themes of this series to my mind are: belonging, don't underestimate people - the strong are weak and the weak are strong, the natural order of things, hidden secrets from the past have effects on the present day.
5. I probably liked this series less than the Three Doors trilogy, but am not quite sure. It's a different type of series that focusses more on the village of Rin and the bad things that happen to it that need to be overcome, so it makes it a very different type of adventure vs DQ and the 3D trilogy. 
6. The ending does have a certain poetic harmony to it and makes you think about the series as a whole.
7. I would also score this series around a 4/5.

Hunger Games trilogy - Suzanne Collins

1. Had fun reading it but too bittersweet for my liking - the main characters just end up being completely jaded at the end
2. Thoroughly enjoyed the games and arena moments - which made book 3 quite a different type of book
3. Gale to me represents what Katniss could have had if life was ideal and she was dealt a fair hand. But the war and real life got in the way.
4. Catching Fire (Book 2) was my favourite
5. Quite enjoyed the dynamic between Haymitch and Katniss in Book 1, in the sense of Katniss guessing what Haymitch was up to behind the scenes as a sponsor
6. I am neutral about the love triangle between Peeta and Gale
7. I would have liked to learn more about the districts and each of the contestants - I don't think this was explored in too much detail (including which district correlates to which state of the US - I know this is revealed in TBoSaS movie but it would have been nice to read more about it).
8. Difficult for me to give scores to each of the books, after knowing the ending. The feeling I have about the series as a whole completely supersedes me giving scores to each of the books - I would give the series a 3.8/5 or 3.7/5. The first two books are probably closer to a 4/5 (without knowing the ending).

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - Suzanne Collins

1. Clever book, but again too bittersweet for my liking
2. The backstory of Cornelius Snow seems too unbelievable and how he fell out with his cousin Tigris isn't apparently explained
3. The way in which Snow and Lucy Gray's romantic journey is portrayed was something that I read with dread because I knew it was all going to fall apart somehow.  
4. I did enjoy the games themselves
5. I would score this a 2.9/5

Divergent Series - Veronica Roth

1. I don't know exactly why but I think I like this better than the Hunger Games.
2. There is a plot twist at the end regarding the main character - while I have mixed feelings about it, I feel that this is a better ending than the Hunger Games
3. The different factions are interesting.
4. I read this too long ago to remember specific thoughts but I do recall thinking the last book was not as enjoyable as the first two - the plot twists felt a bit rushed or non-sensical.
5. Overall I think I'd give it a score of 3.9/5

Contest [second read]

1. A very clever debut novel from Matthew Reilly
2. I wish some of the alien powers were explored in more detail - some only got passing mention
3. Exciting action packed book
4. 3.6/5

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium Series, Book 1)

1. Very violent - a bit too much for my liking but I understand the broader point the author Larsson appears to be making - there is too much unacceptable sexual violence against women. I liked how he gave the heroine her revenge.
2. I thoroughly enjoyed the synergy between Lisbeth Salander and Blomkvist, and I always particularly enjoy seeing a strong female protagonist who is bright.
3. The mystery / investigative part of the novel was amazing.
4. The book took too long to get into the swing of things. I think the first 5 or so chapters can be skim read.
5. Score: 4.1/5

The Gathering - Isobelle Carmody

1. First 50 pages was kind of boring but I surprisingly enjoyed this book
2. It's a fantasy fiction book set in early 90's Australia about some kids who are grouped together and called for a special purpose - to defeat an evil in their school. 
3. The book focusses on the concepts of fate, "the forces of good and evil" and the past repeating itself. '
4. Whilst set in a school setting (which is intended to be realistic), there is an added element of surrealism and mystery regarding how to defeat the evil blended into it that makes for an enjoyable read.
5. Score: 4/5