°ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�'s bookshelf: all en-US Wed, 12 Feb 2025 20:12:37 -0800 60 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�'s bookshelf: all 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg <![CDATA[The Joy of Movement: How exercise helps us find happiness, hope, connection, and courage]]> 44780556 The bestselling author of The Willpower Instinct introduces a surprising science-based book that doesn't tell us why we should exercise but instead shows us how to fall in love with movement.

Exercise is health-enhancing and life-extending, yet many of us feel it's a chore. But, as Kelly McGonigal reveals, it doesn't have to be. Movement can and should be a source of joy.

Through her trademark blend of science and storytelling, McGonigal draws on insights from neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, and evolutionary biology, as well as memoirs, ethnographies, and philosophers. She shows how movement is intertwined with some of the most basic human joys, including self-expression, social connection, and mastery--and why it is a powerful antidote to the modern epidemics of depression, anxiety, and loneliness.

McGonigal tells the stories of people who have found fulfillment and belonging through running, walking, dancing, swimming, weightlifting, and more, with examples that span the globe, from Tanzania, where one of the last hunter-gatherer tribes on the planet live, to a dance class at Juilliard for people with Parkinson's disease, to the streets of London, where volunteers combine fitness and community service, to races in the remote wilderness, where athletes push the limits of what a human can endure. Along the way, McGonigal paints a portrait of human nature that highlights our capacity for hope, cooperation, and self-transcendence.

The result is a revolutionary narrative that goes beyond familiar arguments in favor of exercise, to illustrate why movement is integral to both our happiness and our humanity. Readers will learn what they can do in their own lives and communities to harness the power of movement to create happiness, meaning, and connection.]]> 272 Kelly McGonigal 0525534105 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 0 currently-reading 3.85 2019 The Joy of Movement: How exercise helps us find happiness, hope, connection, and courage
author: Kelly McGonigal
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/12
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Las niĂąas que soĂąaban con ser vistas]]> 57685540
Laura GarcĂ­a HernĂĄndez, una niĂąa de catorce aĂąos, ha desaparecido. La Ăşltima vez que se la vio fue entrando en un conocido centro comercial, cuando acudĂ­a a una misteriosa cita. A los pocos dĂ­as aparece descuartizada en el aparcamiento de la planta baja. El cuerpo presenta mordeduras de animal, pero su hermano Jaime insiste en que fueron causadas por un ser humano. Todo se complica cuando Pablo, un publicista que trabaja en la agencia mĂĄs prestigiosa del paĂ­s, sospecha que el asesinato puede estar relacionado con la muerte de algunas famosas influencers.

Pablo Rivero vuelve con su historia mĂĄs terrorĂ­fica. Las niĂąas que soĂąaban con ser vistas nos adentra en el mundo de la publicidad y los peligros de la sobreexposiciĂłn en las redes sociales cuando se unen la perversiĂłn moral y las ganas de ser visto. Con una trama bien estructurada, inquietante y escabrosa, te seducirĂĄ por sus personajes enigmĂĄticos, sus giros sorprendentes y su impactante final.]]> 392 Pablo Rivero 8491295550 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 2 2025 1.75 out of 5

Extremely predictable and a bore. Not even halfway through and I had figured out the major plot twists. In the end it tried saving itself by adding more layers but it felt just too coincidental and telenovela-like. ]]> 3.29 2021 Las niĂąas que soĂąaban con ser vistas
author: Pablo Rivero
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.29
book published: 2021
rating: 2
read at: 2025/02/08
date added: 2025/02/09
shelves: 2025
review:
1.75 out of 5

Extremely predictable and a bore. Not even halfway through and I had figured out the major plot twists. In the end it tried saving itself by adding more layers but it felt just too coincidental and telenovela-like.
]]> <![CDATA[The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy (Dearly Beloathed, #1)]]> 219848373 A slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance featuring a scholarly healer and a gentleman assassin, set in an exquisite fantasy world.

Osric Mordaunt, member of the Fyren Order of assassins, finds himself in dire need of an expert healer. As fate would have it, that very healer is Aurienne Fairhrim, a member of his enemy Order, the Haelen.

Aurienne is desperate for funding to heal the sick, so desperate that when Osric breaks into her office to offer her a bribe for her healing services, she must accept. Even if she loathes him.

A forced collaboration ensues: the brilliant Woman in STEM is coerced into working with the PhD in Murders - much to Aurienne's disgust. Despite being enemies thrown together, as Osric and Aurienne work together to solve not only his illness, but the mysterious reoccurrence of a deadly Pox, they find themselves ardently denying their attraction which seems to only fuel the heat between them.

Romance tropes include:
Enemies to lovers
High interaction slow burn
Hypercompetent idiots
He falls first and harder
Evisceration as a love language]]> 384 Brigitte Knightley 0593819454 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 0 to-read 4.47 2025 The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy (Dearly Beloathed, #1)
author: Brigitte Knightley
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.47
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Madonna in a Fur Coat 52379413 'The pain of losing something precious can be forgotten over time. But our missed opportunities never leave us, and every time they come back to haunt us, we ache.'

A shy young man leaves his home in rural Turkey to learn a trade and discover life in 1920s Berlin. There, amid the city's bustling streets, elegant museums, passionate politics and seedy cabarets, a chance meeting transforms his life forever. Caught between his desire for freedom and his yearning to belong, he struggles to hold on to the new life he has found.]]> 176 Sabahattin Ali 0241422264 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 0 to-read 4.35 1943 Madonna in a Fur Coat
author: Sabahattin Ali
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.35
book published: 1943
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/19
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Powerless (The Powerless Trilogy, #1)]]> 75513900 She is the very thing he’s spent his whole life hunting.
He is the very thing she’s spent her whole life pretending to be.

Only the extraordinary belong in the kingdom of Ilya—the exceptional, the empowered, the Elites.

The powers these Elites have possessed for decades were graciously gifted to them by the Plague, though not all were fortunate enough to both survive the sickness and reap the reward. Those born Ordinary are just that—ordinary. And when the king decreed that all Ordinaries be banished in order to preserve his Elite society, lacking an ability suddenly became a crime—making Paedyn Gray a felon by fate and a thief by necessity.

Surviving in the slums as an Ordinary is no simple task, and Paedyn knows this better than most. Having been trained by her father to be overly observant since she was a child, Paedyn poses as a Psychic in the crowded city, blending in with the Elites as best she can in order to stay alive and out of trouble. Easier said than done.

When Paeydn unsuspectingly saves one of Ilyas princes, she finds herself thrown into the Purging Trials. The brutal competition exists to showcase the Elitesâ€� powers—the very thing Paedyn lacks. If the Trials and the opponents within them don’t kill her, the prince she’s fighting feelings for certainly will if he discovers what she is—completely Ordinary.]]> 523 Lauren Roberts °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 0 currently-reading 4.17 2023 Powerless (The Powerless Trilogy, #1)
author: Lauren Roberts
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2023
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/12
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Brief History of the Female Body: An Evolutionary Look at How and Why the Female Form Came to Be]]> 121105727 400 Deena Emera 1728275156 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 0 to-read 4.12 A Brief History of the Female Body: An Evolutionary Look at How and Why the Female Form Came to Be
author: Deena Emera
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.12
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/10
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Frankenstein 48673033
Few works by comic book artists have earned the universal acclaim and reverence that Bernie Wrightson’s illustrated version of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s Frankenstein was met with upon its original release in 1983. A generation later, this magnificent pairing of art and literature is still considered to be one of the greatest achievements made by any artist in the field. This book includes the complete text of the original groundbreaking novel, and approximately fifty original full-page illustrations by Bernie Wrightson - created over a period of seven years - that continue to stun the world with their monumental beauty and uniqueness.]]> 288 Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley 198214615X °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 0 to-read 4.10 1818 Frankenstein
author: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.10
book published: 1818
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Hot Wax 205825264 The new novel from the bestselling author of If We Were Villains and Graveyard Shift—a vivid and immersive tale of one woman’s reckless mission to make sense of the events that shattered her childhood, and made her who she is

Summer, 1989: ten-year-old Suzanne is drawn like a magnet to her father’s forbidden world of electric guitars and tricked-out cars. When her mother remarries, she jumps at the chance to tag along on the concert tour that just might be Gil and the Killsâ€� wild ride to glory. But fame has sharper fangs than anybody realized, and as the band blazes up the charts, internal power struggles set Gil and his group on a collision course destined for a bloody reckoning—one shrouded in mystery and lore for decades to come.

The only witness to a desperate act of violence, Suzanne spends the next twenty-nine years trying to disappear. She trades the music and mayhem of her youth for the quiet of the suburbs and the company of her mild-mannered husband Rob. But when her father’s sudden death resurrects the troubled past she tried so hard to bury, she leaves it all behind and hits the road in search of answers. Hitching her fate and Gil’s beloved car to two vagabonds who call an old Airstream trailer home, she finds everything she thought she’d lost desire, adventure, and the woman she once wanted to be. But Rob refuses to let her go. Determined to bring her back where she belongs, he chases her across the country—and drives her to a desperation all her own.

Drenched in knock-down drag-out rock and roll, Hot Wax is a raucous, breakneck ride to hell and back—where getting lost might be the only way to find yourself and save your soul.]]> M.L. Rio °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 0 to-read 4.38 2025 Hot Wax
author: M.L. Rio
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/08
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Forget Me Not 61618737 An ambitious wedding planner must work with her grumpy florist ex, whose heart she broke, on the most high-profile wedding of her career, in this spicy and emotional romance from popular fanfic author Julie Soto.

He loves me; he loves me not...Ěý

Ama Torres loves being a wedding planner. But with a mother who has been married more times than you can count on your fingers, Ama has decided that marriage is not the route for her. But weddings? Weddings are amazing. As aĚýsmall business owner, she knows how to match her clients with the perfect vendor to give them the wedding of their dreams. Well, almostĚýperfectâ€�

Elliot hates being a florist, most of the time. When his father leftĚýhim the flower shop, he consideredĚýit a burden, but he’s stuck with it. Just like how he’s stuck with the way he proposed to Ama, his main collaborator and girlfriend (or was she?) two years ago. But flowers have grown on him, just like Ama did. And flowers can’t run off and never speak to him again, like Ama did.Ěý

When Ama is hired to plan a celebrity wedding that will bring her business national exposure, there's a catch: Elliot is already contracted to design the flowers. Things are not helped by the two brides, who see the obvious chemistry between Ama and Elliot and are determined to set them up, not knowing their complicated history. Add in a meddling ex-boss, and a reality TV film crew documenting every step of the wedding prep, and Ama and Elliot's hearts are not only in jeopardy again, but this time, their livelihoods are too.]]> 341 Julie Soto 1538740885 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 2025 4.5 out of 5

FRTC]]> 3.94 2023 Forget Me Not
author: Julie Soto
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2025/01/08
date added: 2025/01/08
shelves: 2025
review:
4.5 out of 5

FRTC
]]> <![CDATA[Daughter of the Moon Goddess (The Celestial Kingdom, #1)]]> 57789637
“Epic, romantic, and enthralling from start to finish.”—Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series

“An all-consuming work of literary fantasy that is breathtaking both for its beauty and its suspense."—BookPage, starred review

A captivating and romantic debut epic fantasy inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess, Chang’e, in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm.

Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.

Alone, powerless, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the emperor’s son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince.

To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies. But when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream—striking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess begins an enchanting duology which weaves ancient Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of immortals and magic, of loss and sacrifice—where love vies with honor, dreams are fraught with betrayal, and hope emerges triumphant.]]> 503 Sue Lynn Tan 0063031302 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 0 to-read 4.08 2022 Daughter of the Moon Goddess (The Celestial Kingdom, #1)
author: Sue Lynn Tan
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/06
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Who Cooked the Last Supper: The Women's History of the World]]> 56354
Starting with women in pre-history the author looks beyond the myth of ‘Man the Hunterâ€� to reveal women’s central role in the survival and evolution of the human race. She follows their progress from the days when God was a woman through to the triumphs of the Amazons and Assyrian war queens: she looks at the rise of organised religion and the growing oppression of women: she charts the long slow struggle for women’s rights culminating in the twentieth century women’s movements: and finally she presents a vision of women breaking free.

This brilliant and absorbing book turns the spotlight on the hidden side of history to present a fascinating new view of the world, overturning our preconceptions to restore women to their rightful place at the centre of the worldwide story of revolution, empire, war and peace.

Spiced with tales of individual women who have shaped history, celebrating the work and lives of the unsung female millions, distinguished by a wealth of research, The Women’s History of the World redefines the concept of historical reality.]]> 352 Rosalind Miles 0609806955 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 2 2020-2024 2.5 stars out of 5

This was all over the place. There was minimal organization as to how the author was delivering the information which is what made it absolutely difficult to remained engaged with the material. Women history is complex and while the author did try to keep come of the nuance, she never went further when I would have loved her to. It was like this throughout the book: the author will finally reach an interesting portion of a topic, give us enough to pull us in and then move on to something else. It was genuinely frustrating lol. As someone that is quite well-read in Women's History, this did not give me any new or exciting insight, but I assume this might be a good introduction for those with little to no knowledge.

P.S. I know this is such a inconsequential thing, but with such a fascinating title you would think the Last Supper reference would be discussed at least once, but nope.]]> 3.82 1989 Who Cooked the Last Supper: The Women's History of the World
author: Rosalind Miles
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.82
book published: 1989
rating: 2
read at: 2024/10/22
date added: 2024/12/30
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
2.5 stars out of 5

This was all over the place. There was minimal organization as to how the author was delivering the information which is what made it absolutely difficult to remained engaged with the material. Women history is complex and while the author did try to keep come of the nuance, she never went further when I would have loved her to. It was like this throughout the book: the author will finally reach an interesting portion of a topic, give us enough to pull us in and then move on to something else. It was genuinely frustrating lol. As someone that is quite well-read in Women's History, this did not give me any new or exciting insight, but I assume this might be a good introduction for those with little to no knowledge.

P.S. I know this is such a inconsequential thing, but with such a fascinating title you would think the Last Supper reference would be discussed at least once, but nope.
]]> Not in Love 198971010 A forbidden, secret affair proves that all’s fair in love and science—from New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood.

Rue Siebert might not have it all, but she has enough: a few friends she can always count on, the financial stability she yearned for as a kid, and a successful career as a biotech engineer at Kline, one of the most promising start-ups in the field of food science. Her world is stable, pleasant, and hard-fought. Until a hostile takeover and its offensively attractive front man threatens to bring it all crumbling down.

Eli Killgore and his business partners want Kline, period. Eli has his own reasons for pushing this deal through—and he’s a man who gets what he wants. With one burning exception: Rue. The woman he can’t stop thinking about. The woman who’s off-limits to him.

Torn between loyalty and an undeniable attraction, Rue and Eli throw caution out the lab and the boardroom windows. Their affair is secret, no-strings-attached, and has a built-in deadline: the day one of their companies will prevail. But the heart is risky business—one that plays for keeps.]]> 379 Ali Hazelwood 0593550420 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 2020-2024 4.25 out of 5

Ali Hazelwood does it again. Tbh, quite surprised I’ve seen so many people not like it, but this book being for the #real yearners, it kind of makes sense.

Ngl... it's been almost 6 months since I read it and I just never got around to writing At the time I finished it I really loved it, but now looking back I cannot pinpoint exactly why I enjoyed it so much. I do want to point out that while Ali Hazelwood's other works have been primarily romcoms, this one falls more into the erotica romance category. I genuinely think this is the reason many people didn't enjoy it as much as her previous works.

Similar to her previous work in Love, Theoretically, this had a touch of portraying a realistic relationship between two consenting adults. I personally really like getting the POV from the main love interest because I love seeing the MC from their eyes and finding what they like about them, how they perceive them. It adds to making the relationship more well-rounded ans therfore more enjoyable. Also, seeing the main love interest be consumed by yearning? *chef's kiss*

I would be cautious in recommending this to just anyone since it definitely it is not everyone's cup of tea, however, if you prefer more mature books, in every sense, then this might be the one from Ali Hazelwood for you.]]> 3.69 2024 Not in Love
author: Ali Hazelwood
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/24
date added: 2024/12/30
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
4.25 out of 5

Ali Hazelwood does it again. Tbh, quite surprised I’ve seen so many people not like it, but this book being for the #real yearners, it kind of makes sense.

Ngl... it's been almost 6 months since I read it and I just never got around to writing At the time I finished it I really loved it, but now looking back I cannot pinpoint exactly why I enjoyed it so much. I do want to point out that while Ali Hazelwood's other works have been primarily romcoms, this one falls more into the erotica romance category. I genuinely think this is the reason many people didn't enjoy it as much as her previous works.

Similar to her previous work in Love, Theoretically, this had a touch of portraying a realistic relationship between two consenting adults. I personally really like getting the POV from the main love interest because I love seeing the MC from their eyes and finding what they like about them, how they perceive them. It adds to making the relationship more well-rounded ans therfore more enjoyable. Also, seeing the main love interest be consumed by yearning? *chef's kiss*

I would be cautious in recommending this to just anyone since it definitely it is not everyone's cup of tea, however, if you prefer more mature books, in every sense, then this might be the one from Ali Hazelwood for you.
]]> The Glass Castle 7445 THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

The Glass Castle is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant. When sober, Jeannette's brilliant and charismatic father captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and how to embrace life fearlessly. But when he drank, he was dishonest and destructive. Her mother was a free spirit who abhorred the idea of domesticity and didn't want the responsibility of raising a family.

The Walls children learned to take care of themselves. They fed, clothed, and protected one another, and eventually found their way to New York. Their parents followed them, choosing to be homeless even as their children prospered.

The Glass Castle is truly astonishing--a memoir permeated by the intense love of a peculiar but loyal family.]]> 288 Jeannette Walls 074324754X °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3 out of 5 stars

I was so excited to dig into this memoir after hearing, so many include it in their Best Memoir lists, unfortunately, it did not lie up to the hype. It wasn't necessarily bad, still it did not leave an impression on me as it had for many. The author builds their memoir around this idea of a "glass castle" her father had promised to build their family, but as the author grows up, she soon realizes this was nothing but a childhood fantasy. We see her grapple with her childhood faced with never having a stable home alongside struggles with poverty and hunger primarily due to her father's alcoholism and her mother's neglect.

I quite enjoyed how the author develops her writing to reflect her ages with the passage of times. The first couple of chapters you can tell it is being narrated by a small child and then by a teenager and finally by an adult. I did listen to the audiobook, and this is where my gripe with it comes: the author came off as a flat narrator. At times, I found myself deviating my attention for that same reason. Another thing, I wish we would have had more depth into what were the author's feelings and thoughts regarding certain events. For the majority of the book, we are simply being told of events in her childhood, but because there is no emotional connection or personal reflection provided, I found myself having a hard time sympathizing with the author's experiences.

At the end of the day, it is up to each author how they want to frame and portray their own story in their memoirs and I have to respect that, especially when dealing with sensitive topics. Just personally, I did not find it as impactful as many had mentioned.]]> 4.32 2005 The Glass Castle
author: Jeannette Walls
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at: 2024/07/19
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3 out of 5 stars

I was so excited to dig into this memoir after hearing, so many include it in their Best Memoir lists, unfortunately, it did not lie up to the hype. It wasn't necessarily bad, still it did not leave an impression on me as it had for many. The author builds their memoir around this idea of a "glass castle" her father had promised to build their family, but as the author grows up, she soon realizes this was nothing but a childhood fantasy. We see her grapple with her childhood faced with never having a stable home alongside struggles with poverty and hunger primarily due to her father's alcoholism and her mother's neglect.

I quite enjoyed how the author develops her writing to reflect her ages with the passage of times. The first couple of chapters you can tell it is being narrated by a small child and then by a teenager and finally by an adult. I did listen to the audiobook, and this is where my gripe with it comes: the author came off as a flat narrator. At times, I found myself deviating my attention for that same reason. Another thing, I wish we would have had more depth into what were the author's feelings and thoughts regarding certain events. For the majority of the book, we are simply being told of events in her childhood, but because there is no emotional connection or personal reflection provided, I found myself having a hard time sympathizing with the author's experiences.

At the end of the day, it is up to each author how they want to frame and portray their own story in their memoirs and I have to respect that, especially when dealing with sensitive topics. Just personally, I did not find it as impactful as many had mentioned.
]]> Educated 35133922
Her father forbade hospitals, so Tara never saw a doctor or nurse. Gashes and concussions, even burns from explosions, were all treated at home with herbalism. The family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education and no one to intervene when one of Tara's older brothers became violent.

Then, lacking any formal education, Tara began to educate herself. She taught herself enough mathematics and grammar to be admitted to Brigham Young University, where she studied history, learning for the first time about important world events like the Holocaust and the civil rights movement. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge. Only then would she wonder if she'd traveled too far, if there was still a way home.

Educated is an account of the struggle for self-invention. It is a tale of fierce family loyalty and of the grief that comes with severing the closest of ties. With the acute insight that distinguishes all great writers, Westover has crafted a universal coming-of-age story that gets to the heart of what an education is and what it offers: the perspective to see one's life through new eyes and the will to change it.]]> 352 Tara Westover 0399590501 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 all-time-favorites, 2020-2024 5 out of 5 stars

Wow. This is the type of stories you believe primarily exist in movies and if they do happen in real life it is so rare we will never hear about them, yet, here we are. It truly baffles me anyone could have had a childhood such as this one and it amazes me that the author was still able to come out of it so strong and unyielding. Seeing the impact her situation with her upbringing had as she got older was almost like a fascinating psychological study of the importance of childhood upbringing.

I understand the perspective of some people saying that they cannot review or rate memoirs due to how this is a retelling of the personal life of the author. However, in my point of view, the moment an author puts a story out into the world, be if fiction or not, it is still up to the readers to decide just how well it was told and if it kept you engaged. Educated was a homerun in that regard. This being my ever first memoir has really set the bar high for any others I will be reading in the future.]]> 4.46 2018 Educated
author: Tara Westover
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.46
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2024/06/13
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: all-time-favorites, 2020-2024
review:
5 out of 5 stars

Wow. This is the type of stories you believe primarily exist in movies and if they do happen in real life it is so rare we will never hear about them, yet, here we are. It truly baffles me anyone could have had a childhood such as this one and it amazes me that the author was still able to come out of it so strong and unyielding. Seeing the impact her situation with her upbringing had as she got older was almost like a fascinating psychological study of the importance of childhood upbringing.

I understand the perspective of some people saying that they cannot review or rate memoirs due to how this is a retelling of the personal life of the author. However, in my point of view, the moment an author puts a story out into the world, be if fiction or not, it is still up to the readers to decide just how well it was told and if it kept you engaged. Educated was a homerun in that regard. This being my ever first memoir has really set the bar high for any others I will be reading in the future.
]]> From Lukov with Love 37683751
After seventeen years—and countless broken bones and broken promises—she knows her window to compete in figure skating is coming to a close.

But when the offer of a lifetime comes in from an arrogant idiot she’s spent the last decade dreaming about pushing in the way of a moving bus, Jasmine might have to reconsider everything.

Including Ivan Lukov.]]> 493 Mariana Zapata °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3 out of 5

It was just fine. I expected so much more out of it the way I’ve seen it hyped for year, and that was me going in with already lowered expectations. Every time I thought it would do something so well it would plummet right after. Oh well.

The MC was very insufferable for the first half of the book. I understand there were reasons for it but my god, please at least act a 26-year-old. I felt like I was reading from the perspective of a sulky teenager at times. Once we reach the halfway point, a significant event happens that gives her some much needed development. The love interest was fine. We see so little of his character outside the interactions we get with the MC, which would have been fine, if there was more tangible chemistry between the two.

The romance was only believable after this one scene that gave me butterflies. We see both of our leads try to become friends, finally allowing the romance to begin flourishing in some capacity. But for this to happen after reading half of the book? Yeah, no thank you. I understand it's a slow burn but please at least give us some good tension. Also, the name they would call each other were cringe to me. Meatball? Like really? LOL. I will give it props that even though the romance began halfway through the buildup to it was done smoothly and progressed well.

While the focus of the book was also figure skating, it didn't feel like an overly crucial part in pushing the plot forward. We only ever seen the characters training, and then attending two competitions towards the end. There is also a huge reveal about something very serious happening to our MC that is only briefly brought to light to get the main love interest enraged and then it's never addressed again. It was quite disappointing and through me out for a loop. And lastly, I did not like the epilogue. It had one of my biggest pet peeves in romance.

I'm glad I read it though! I finally was able to see for myself what everyone was hyping this for, and while it did leave things to be desired, it was still an entertaining read.]]> 4.19 2018 From Lukov with Love
author: Mariana Zapata
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2024/02/28
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3 out of 5

It was just fine. I expected so much more out of it the way I’ve seen it hyped for year, and that was me going in with already lowered expectations. Every time I thought it would do something so well it would plummet right after. Oh well.

The MC was very insufferable for the first half of the book. I understand there were reasons for it but my god, please at least act a 26-year-old. I felt like I was reading from the perspective of a sulky teenager at times. Once we reach the halfway point, a significant event happens that gives her some much needed development. The love interest was fine. We see so little of his character outside the interactions we get with the MC, which would have been fine, if there was more tangible chemistry between the two.

The romance was only believable after this one scene that gave me butterflies. We see both of our leads try to become friends, finally allowing the romance to begin flourishing in some capacity. But for this to happen after reading half of the book? Yeah, no thank you. I understand it's a slow burn but please at least give us some good tension. Also, the name they would call each other were cringe to me. Meatball? Like really? LOL. I will give it props that even though the romance began halfway through the buildup to it was done smoothly and progressed well.

While the focus of the book was also figure skating, it didn't feel like an overly crucial part in pushing the plot forward. We only ever seen the characters training, and then attending two competitions towards the end. There is also a huge reveal about something very serious happening to our MC that is only briefly brought to light to get the main love interest enraged and then it's never addressed again. It was quite disappointing and through me out for a loop. And lastly, I did not like the epilogue. It had one of my biggest pet peeves in romance.

I'm glad I read it though! I finally was able to see for myself what everyone was hyping this for, and while it did leave things to be desired, it was still an entertaining read.
]]> <![CDATA[A Fate Inked in Blood (Saga of the Unfated, #1)]]> 165940202
Bound in an unwanted marriage, Freya spends her days gutting fish, but dreams of becoming a warrior. And of putting an axe in her boorish husband’s back.

Freya’s dreams abruptly become reality when her husband betrays her to the region’s jarl, landing her in a fight to the death against his son, Bjorn. To survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest secret: She possesses a drop of a goddess’s blood, which makes her a shield maiden with magic capable of repelling any attack. It was foretold such a magic would unite the fractured nation of Skaland beneath the one who controls the shield maiden’s fate.

Believing he’s destined to rule Skaland as king, the fanatical jarl binds Freya with a blood oath and orders Bjorn to protect her from their enemies. Desperate to prove her strength, Freya must train to fight and learn to control her magic, all while facing perilous tests set by the gods. The greatest test of all, however, may be resisting her forbidden attraction to Bjorn. If Freya succumbs to her lust for the charming and fierce warrior, she risks not only her own destiny but the fate of all the people she swore to protect.]]> 419 Danielle L. Jensen 0593599837 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 1 2020-2024 1.75 out of 5

God, am I glad this is over at last. Almost put me on the verge of a complete reading slump but I pushed through. So many good ideas but executed poorly. This type of story in the hands of a more skilled writer would have been killer. We rarely see Norse mythology inspired fantasy, so I was quite hyped for something like this. Quite sad it ended up being a disappointment in every aspect except that one.

Going in, I was aware it was a Romantasy so it's not like it threw me off and on the contrary, I was excited to get into it because of it. But I was not expecting both the Romance and the Fantasy aspects being poorly executed. I would have been okay if at least one or the other was done well, but when you have both struggling to find footing in the story it becomes off-putting. The Romance was not believable at all. Not once did I think they had feelings for each other than being horny. The Fantasy was the better of the two. There were small nuggets of real inspiration dropped here and there but it still wasn't enough to make it interesting enough.

One thing that caught me off guard was the quality of the writing being so... awful. The writing did not flow and was clunky. The style of dialogue was confusing because we had characters from what it appears the Viking Age at times expressing themselves and talking like 21st century people. I had to re-read certain scenes because I found myself confused as to what was being described. This is perhaps what made getting through it quite a challenge. If the writing was at least somewhat skilled, I could have pushed through, and perhaps other plot aspects would have been accomplished better.

Regardless of the overall negative experience I had with the book, I am somewhat interested to see where the story goes. I have a feeling the next one will deal with more complex political ploys and fantastical elements we only got a tiny taste of here. At least that is what I hope, but I am not holding my breath.]]> 3.91 2024 A Fate Inked in Blood (Saga of the Unfated, #1)
author: Danielle L. Jensen
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2024
rating: 1
read at: 2024/03/31
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
1.75 out of 5

God, am I glad this is over at last. Almost put me on the verge of a complete reading slump but I pushed through. So many good ideas but executed poorly. This type of story in the hands of a more skilled writer would have been killer. We rarely see Norse mythology inspired fantasy, so I was quite hyped for something like this. Quite sad it ended up being a disappointment in every aspect except that one.

Going in, I was aware it was a Romantasy so it's not like it threw me off and on the contrary, I was excited to get into it because of it. But I was not expecting both the Romance and the Fantasy aspects being poorly executed. I would have been okay if at least one or the other was done well, but when you have both struggling to find footing in the story it becomes off-putting. The Romance was not believable at all. Not once did I think they had feelings for each other than being horny. The Fantasy was the better of the two. There were small nuggets of real inspiration dropped here and there but it still wasn't enough to make it interesting enough.

One thing that caught me off guard was the quality of the writing being so... awful. The writing did not flow and was clunky. The style of dialogue was confusing because we had characters from what it appears the Viking Age at times expressing themselves and talking like 21st century people. I had to re-read certain scenes because I found myself confused as to what was being described. This is perhaps what made getting through it quite a challenge. If the writing was at least somewhat skilled, I could have pushed through, and perhaps other plot aspects would have been accomplished better.

Regardless of the overall negative experience I had with the book, I am somewhat interested to see where the story goes. I have a feeling the next one will deal with more complex political ploys and fantastical elements we only got a tiny taste of here. At least that is what I hope, but I am not holding my breath.
]]> <![CDATA[The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies]]> 144409208 Ěý
Using original, deep-access reporting, extensive research, and insightful commentary, The Spice Must Flow brings the true popularity of Dune out into the light for the very first time. With original interviews with the beloved actors and directors behind the films—including TimothĂŠe Chalamet, Kyle Maclachlan, Denis Villeneuve, Patrick Stewart, Rebecca Ferguson, Alec Newman, and many moreâ€� The Spice Must Flow also examines the far-reaching influence of Dune on art, music, politics, and, most notably, its status as the first ecological science-fiction story specifically concerned with climate change.
Ěý
Britt skillfully and entertainingly guides readers through the history of how the Dune universe has unfolded, including the novel’s unlikely evolution from a failed piece of journalism about Oregon sand dunes into an epic science-fiction story, the way Herbert’s work inspired George Lucas, untold stories from the 1984 David Lynch film, the knife-edge balance between blockbuster hit and indie film Timothée Chalamet brings to the 2021 movie, and the exciting future of the franchise. Through a blend of narrative, oral history elements, and fascinating trivia, The Spice Must Flow is the new essential guide to the behind-the-scenes story of Dune .

The fiction of Dune is deadly serious, but the real-life story of how it came into existence is full of wonder, surprises, and spice.]]> 288 Ryan Britt °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3.5 out of 5

Read because I was still running on that high after watching Dune: Part 2 (2004) and it scratched the right itch. However, if you have done your research on the background of Dune and how it came to be, then what is covered here won't be new information. There were definitely new things for me that were covered like the background of the two previous Dune adaptations and tv shows as well as a few insights from the actors in the movies. The rest was just good review of things I already knew.

The one pet peeve I did have was that if you have not read past the first book there will be so many spoilers for the remainder of the series. I had to skip over quite a few chunks of some chapters because the author decided it would be good the basically give in-depth summaries of each of the books. That was quite annoying because the author's interpretation of each one was fascinating, but I did not want to spoil myself for anything after Dune Messiah.

I also read this as an audiobook and the narrator was great. I liked listening to it while I was cleaning around my apartment or cooking. It felt like a fellow fan of the Dune franchise just telling you all they knew about it, very conversationalist tone. Highly recommend!]]> 3.77 2023 The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies
author: Ryan Britt
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2024/03/26
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3.5 out of 5

Read because I was still running on that high after watching Dune: Part 2 (2004) and it scratched the right itch. However, if you have done your research on the background of Dune and how it came to be, then what is covered here won't be new information. There were definitely new things for me that were covered like the background of the two previous Dune adaptations and tv shows as well as a few insights from the actors in the movies. The rest was just good review of things I already knew.

The one pet peeve I did have was that if you have not read past the first book there will be so many spoilers for the remainder of the series. I had to skip over quite a few chunks of some chapters because the author decided it would be good the basically give in-depth summaries of each of the books. That was quite annoying because the author's interpretation of each one was fascinating, but I did not want to spoil myself for anything after Dune Messiah.

I also read this as an audiobook and the narrator was great. I liked listening to it while I was cleaning around my apartment or cooking. It felt like a fellow fan of the Dune franchise just telling you all they knew about it, very conversationalist tone. Highly recommend!
]]> <![CDATA[How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee]]> 20149192
The claim at the heart of the Christian faith is that Jesus of Nazareth was, and is, God. But this is not what the original disciples believed during Jesus’s lifetime—and it is not what Jesus claimed about himself. How Jesus Became God tells the story of an idea that shaped Christianity, and of the evolution of a belief that looked very different in the fourth century than it did in the first.

A master explainer of Christian history, texts, and traditions, Ehrman reveals how an apocalyptic prophet from the backwaters of rural Galilee crucified for crimes against the state came to be thought of as equal with the one God Almighty, Creator of all things. But how did he move from being a Jewish prophet to being God? In a book that took eight years to research and write, Ehrman sketches Jesus’s transformation from a human prophet to the Son of God exalted to divine status at his resurrection. Only when some of Jesus’s followers had visions of him after his death—alive again—did anyone come to think that he, the prophet from Galilee, had become God. And what they meant by that was not at all what people mean today.

Written for secular historians of religion and believers alike, How Jesus Became God will engage anyone interested in the historical developments that led to the affirmation at the heart of Christianity: Jesus was, and is, God.]]> 416 Bart D. Ehrman °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3.5 out of 5

A lot of fascinating information delivered in just a few chapters but man was it dense. Each chapter could basically be its own with how much every individual one packs a punch. As someone that grew up practicing Catholicism, it definitely made me question a lot of things but also felt much more informed about Christianity as a whole than whatever Sunday school ever taught me.

I remember being a little girl and asking my mother why is it that at Sunday school we never got to learn about the history of our faith and how the Church came to be. I always used the analogy of it's like asking the citizens of a country to believe in its laws but not having any idea why those laws are in effect or how the country came to be. I was always voracious in wanting to know more and more yet none of my curiosity or questions seemed to get answered. Until now.

The historical lens in which Ehrman showcases Jesus and the disciples, primarily Paul, was fascinating. This is the type of information I think so many Christian, regardless of denomination, is missing to truly understand something as complex as the Bible. So many try to fit their narratives in scripture written thousands of years old without any consideration of all the religious, social, and political turmoil. Another aspect that really stood out to me is that it never shies away from making it explicitly clear that Jesus was Jewish, with Jewish customs and beliefs adequate of his time. And probably the biggest thesis of the book is that Jesus never claimed to be God, but rather that was a conception later developed by Christians in order to reconcile the event of the Resurrection alongside others.

As mentioned previously, it was a very dense reads. The manner in which some of the arguments were constructed felt so winded, but at the same time like we had just barely scratched the surface. In part I think it's Ehrman's style but also myself lacking some of the background to fully understand where he was coming from. And due to that reason, it could also be why I sometimes felt a bit lost when he went into the more niche topics. While this is to be an introduction it also felt like it required of you to have some previous knowledge. Lastly, reading this as an audiobook, while it helped to stay engaged, the narrator choice was awful. They sounded like they were AI generated.

Even though I had been a non-practicing Catholic for over a decade, many argument truly shocked me to my core. It made rethink everything I have been taught. It was amazing. While there was some uncomfortable cognitive dissonance I felt during some moments, I was truly engrossed and elated at being to understand Christianity from this perspective. And there were other moments were I felt some peace in my heart at last, as if some of the questions I've had since I was a little girl were finally answered. I personally think that to those that can read these type of books and confront the inconsistencies found in your holy book and religious beliefs have to have the strongest faith in their God. ]]> 4.05 2014 How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee
author: Bart D. Ehrman
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2014
rating: 3
read at: 2024/05/10
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3.5 out of 5

A lot of fascinating information delivered in just a few chapters but man was it dense. Each chapter could basically be its own with how much every individual one packs a punch. As someone that grew up practicing Catholicism, it definitely made me question a lot of things but also felt much more informed about Christianity as a whole than whatever Sunday school ever taught me.

I remember being a little girl and asking my mother why is it that at Sunday school we never got to learn about the history of our faith and how the Church came to be. I always used the analogy of it's like asking the citizens of a country to believe in its laws but not having any idea why those laws are in effect or how the country came to be. I was always voracious in wanting to know more and more yet none of my curiosity or questions seemed to get answered. Until now.

The historical lens in which Ehrman showcases Jesus and the disciples, primarily Paul, was fascinating. This is the type of information I think so many Christian, regardless of denomination, is missing to truly understand something as complex as the Bible. So many try to fit their narratives in scripture written thousands of years old without any consideration of all the religious, social, and political turmoil. Another aspect that really stood out to me is that it never shies away from making it explicitly clear that Jesus was Jewish, with Jewish customs and beliefs adequate of his time. And probably the biggest thesis of the book is that Jesus never claimed to be God, but rather that was a conception later developed by Christians in order to reconcile the event of the Resurrection alongside others.

As mentioned previously, it was a very dense reads. The manner in which some of the arguments were constructed felt so winded, but at the same time like we had just barely scratched the surface. In part I think it's Ehrman's style but also myself lacking some of the background to fully understand where he was coming from. And due to that reason, it could also be why I sometimes felt a bit lost when he went into the more niche topics. While this is to be an introduction it also felt like it required of you to have some previous knowledge. Lastly, reading this as an audiobook, while it helped to stay engaged, the narrator choice was awful. They sounded like they were AI generated.

Even though I had been a non-practicing Catholic for over a decade, many argument truly shocked me to my core. It made rethink everything I have been taught. It was amazing. While there was some uncomfortable cognitive dissonance I felt during some moments, I was truly engrossed and elated at being to understand Christianity from this perspective. And there were other moments were I felt some peace in my heart at last, as if some of the questions I've had since I was a little girl were finally answered. I personally think that to those that can read these type of books and confront the inconsistencies found in your holy book and religious beliefs have to have the strongest faith in their God.
]]> Book Lovers 58690308 One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming....

Nora Stephensâ€� life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.

Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sistersâ€� trip away—with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.

If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.]]> 377 Emily Henry 0593334833 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 2020-2024 4 out of 5

Solid read. Plot and characters written extremely well for like three-fourths of the book. Then the romance toward the last quarter, when the MCs admit their feeling for each other, was a let down. It creates this awesome build up for their relationship and when reaching its climax tink! the landing is underwhelming. The last section definitely leaves you feeling like there was something missing, but the rest was really amazingly constructed. I do want to commend Emily Henry at how human she makes her characters with realistic struggles as well as reasonable they are in their romantic relationships. For that reason alone I would definitely like to pick up her other books.]]> 4.09 2022 Book Lovers
author: Emily Henry
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2024/04/11
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5

Solid read. Plot and characters written extremely well for like three-fourths of the book. Then the romance toward the last quarter, when the MCs admit their feeling for each other, was a let down. It creates this awesome build up for their relationship and when reaching its climax tink! the landing is underwhelming. The last section definitely leaves you feeling like there was something missing, but the rest was really amazingly constructed. I do want to commend Emily Henry at how human she makes her characters with realistic struggles as well as reasonable they are in their romantic relationships. For that reason alone I would definitely like to pick up her other books.
]]> <![CDATA[Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love]]> 60127763
Features hypercompetent, fiery Hermione and lazy, yet dangerous, Draco. Slow burn.

Rating: Explicit
Fandom: Harry Potter
Relationship: Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy

Tags: Healer Hermione Granger, Researcher Hermione Granger, Auror Draco Malfoy, Slow burn, unresolved sexual tension, eventual smut, POV Draco Malfoy, Forced Collaboration, Romance, romcom, Action/Adventure, EWE, HEA, reckless overuse of author's favorite tropes, oblivious idiots, All aboard the SS Denial, late-stage pining, what is pining if not denial persevering, no first names we die like men, do not look too closely at the plot you will only hurt yourself, scandalous ankle touching, misuse of whirlpool baths, graphic depictions of competent women, eroticized arithmancy, Crookshanks will fight god or become him, human on mushroom violence, Schrodinger's ethics, nuns]]> 593 isthisselfcare °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 all-time-favorites, 2020-2024 5 out of 5 stars

Out of my bingo reading card, I would have never imagined myself loving a Dramoine fanfiction this much. I had some exposure to them last year with Manacled, but it did not have the same impact on me as others. But this one... Oh my god! Absolute-fucking-perfection. I adored it. This is exactly what I expect from a fantasy romantic comedy.

As I mentioned with Manacled, I personally do not see Draco and Hermione as the characters from the book series. Yes, the story is fanfiction but due to never have read the book nor have had an attachment to the original material, I just see them as characters taking the names and residing in the HP world. And for me that is what makes these fanfics so much fun. I could easily see this being published using different names for the characters and changing little things here and there to give it an original world because just that is how distanced it feels from the source material.

One of favorite thing is the story being from Draco's point of view. So refreshing compared to other books/fanfiction where it focuses on the female MC's POV. It made the interaction so much fun to read from because Draco was both hilarious but so sincere. At the end even I might have fallen a little for him too. I will say though that I would have liked getting some moments where we read from Hermione's POV, but it wasn't something that I felt lacked to give a more well-rounded story.

Now the romance. Oh the romance! It for sure is slow-burn, but it oh so sweet. It had me giggling and kicking my feet like a little girl. Having the Draco and Hermione constantly interacting because of Hermione's research and Draco's' role as bodyguard made it where the chemistry was built off naturally. Also, the banter between the two was absolutely hilarious! But there are also moments of sincerity between the two that really warms your heart. The admiration and respect you slowly build between was amazing to see. The writing style also did so much to make it work because it was so unique and specific in building atmosphere.


This was pure, unadulterated fun. I can see myself reading it again for sure. There quite a few scenes I want to relive as well as the ride we are taken in alongside Draco and Hermione. I would never recommend a fanfiction to anyone, but this is one I would love more people to give it a chance. It really was amazing.]]> 4.57 2021 Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love
author: isthisselfcare
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.57
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2024/01/24
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: all-time-favorites, 2020-2024
review:
5 out of 5 stars

Out of my bingo reading card, I would have never imagined myself loving a Dramoine fanfiction this much. I had some exposure to them last year with Manacled, but it did not have the same impact on me as others. But this one... Oh my god! Absolute-fucking-perfection. I adored it. This is exactly what I expect from a fantasy romantic comedy.

As I mentioned with Manacled, I personally do not see Draco and Hermione as the characters from the book series. Yes, the story is fanfiction but due to never have read the book nor have had an attachment to the original material, I just see them as characters taking the names and residing in the HP world. And for me that is what makes these fanfics so much fun. I could easily see this being published using different names for the characters and changing little things here and there to give it an original world because just that is how distanced it feels from the source material.

One of favorite thing is the story being from Draco's point of view. So refreshing compared to other books/fanfiction where it focuses on the female MC's POV. It made the interaction so much fun to read from because Draco was both hilarious but so sincere. At the end even I might have fallen a little for him too. I will say though that I would have liked getting some moments where we read from Hermione's POV, but it wasn't something that I felt lacked to give a more well-rounded story.

Now the romance. Oh the romance! It for sure is slow-burn, but it oh so sweet. It had me giggling and kicking my feet like a little girl. Having the Draco and Hermione constantly interacting because of Hermione's research and Draco's' role as bodyguard made it where the chemistry was built off naturally. Also, the banter between the two was absolutely hilarious! But there are also moments of sincerity between the two that really warms your heart. The admiration and respect you slowly build between was amazing to see. The writing style also did so much to make it work because it was so unique and specific in building atmosphere.


This was pure, unadulterated fun. I can see myself reading it again for sure. There quite a few scenes I want to relive as well as the ride we are taken in alongside Draco and Hermione. I would never recommend a fanfiction to anyone, but this is one I would love more people to give it a chance. It really was amazing.
]]> The Familiar 133286777 From the New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House, Hell Bent, and creator of the Grishaverse series comes a highly anticipated historical fantasy set during the Spanish Golden Age

In a shabby house, on a shabby street, in the new capital of Madrid, Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil as a scullion. But when her scheming mistress discovers the lump of a servant cowering in the kitchen is actually hiding a talent for little miracles, she demands Luzia use those gifts to better the family's social position.

What begins as simple amusement for the bored nobility takes a perilous turn when Luzia garners the notice of Antonio Pérez, the disgraced secretary to Spain's king. Still reeling from the defeat of his armada, the king is desperate for any advantage in the war against England's heretic queen—and Pérez will stop at nothing to regain the king's favor.

Determined to seize this one chance to better her fortunes, Luzia plunges into a world of seers and alchemists, holy men and hucksters, where the line between magic, science, and fraud is never certain. But as her notoriety grows, so does the danger that her Jewish blood will doom her to the Inquisition's wrath. She will have to use every bit of her wit and will to survive—even if that means enlisting the help of GuillĂŠn Santangel, an embittered immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both.]]> 387 Leigh Bardugo 125088425X °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 owned-books, 2020-2024 4 out of 5 stars

Something about the end made me smile, as if you are also in on the tiny secret. Leigh Bardugo created something in line with her previous work but it still felt very new. Plus adding some of her family's history into it, you could tell there was a deep connection to the work.

Oftentimes, Bardugo's books for the first 100 pages are a slog that I have to push through in order for it to finally grab my attention, but surprisingly, this one was quite the opposite. The use of language weaves the story almost a fairy tale. It's a style I remember Leigh doing for one of the Grishaverse anthologies. So to finally see it one of her other books, it was so lovely. It did a lot to set the tone and overall atmosphere of the story.

I immediately clicked with Luzia. How strong-willed and decisive she was really spoke to me and made me want to cheer her on. She stood her ground against those that wished to abuse her for their own gain and it was like, "Finally! A female character who doesn't take any shit". The other character that really surprised me was Valentina. You go in absolutely hating her guts, but the end, there is progression in her growth and one chapter specifically where we see her reflect on the treatment she gave Luzia that makes your heart squeeze.

The romance was not necessarily the focus in the book, but it did play a critical role to push the storyline forward. Bardugo has a talent of truly creating the brooding yet secretly obsessed love interest that I absolutely love. The tension between Luzia and Santangel was fantastic! I ate up every single on of their interactions and I will say I ended up wanting more. One thing I did not enjoy so much was once the romantic feelings between the two were acknowledged by each other it truly made them make some very stupid decisions. But I guess that comes with the woes of love!

I need Leigh Bardugo to keep writing adult books. We get to see more of her talent as a writer than we ever had with any of her YA books. And while I love her series, it's nice to have a change of pace and let this one be a standalone. I think Bardugo has just tapped into a new potential with this books.]]> 3.74 2024 The Familiar
author: Leigh Bardugo
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/05/28
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5 stars

Something about the end made me smile, as if you are also in on the tiny secret. Leigh Bardugo created something in line with her previous work but it still felt very new. Plus adding some of her family's history into it, you could tell there was a deep connection to the work.

Oftentimes, Bardugo's books for the first 100 pages are a slog that I have to push through in order for it to finally grab my attention, but surprisingly, this one was quite the opposite. The use of language weaves the story almost a fairy tale. It's a style I remember Leigh doing for one of the Grishaverse anthologies. So to finally see it one of her other books, it was so lovely. It did a lot to set the tone and overall atmosphere of the story.

I immediately clicked with Luzia. How strong-willed and decisive she was really spoke to me and made me want to cheer her on. She stood her ground against those that wished to abuse her for their own gain and it was like, "Finally! A female character who doesn't take any shit". The other character that really surprised me was Valentina. You go in absolutely hating her guts, but the end, there is progression in her growth and one chapter specifically where we see her reflect on the treatment she gave Luzia that makes your heart squeeze.

The romance was not necessarily the focus in the book, but it did play a critical role to push the storyline forward. Bardugo has a talent of truly creating the brooding yet secretly obsessed love interest that I absolutely love. The tension between Luzia and Santangel was fantastic! I ate up every single on of their interactions and I will say I ended up wanting more. One thing I did not enjoy so much was once the romantic feelings between the two were acknowledged by each other it truly made them make some very stupid decisions. But I guess that comes with the woes of love!

I need Leigh Bardugo to keep writing adult books. We get to see more of her talent as a writer than we ever had with any of her YA books. And while I love her series, it's nice to have a change of pace and let this one be a standalone. I think Bardugo has just tapped into a new potential with this books.
]]> <![CDATA[A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)]]> 16096824
Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.]]> 419 Sarah J. Maas 1619634449 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 4 out of 5

Re-read 8 years later! Wow! And it holds up surprisingly well! i think because I didn’t remember much of the finer details it made it quite fun. I also did notice quite a few little set up that I am so excited to look for in the next book.

And lastly, it was so obvious it was always going to Team Rhysand lol I’m surprised many of us didn’t see it coming sooner.

—âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ�

2016 Review:

I absolutely enjoyed it! Everything started to fall into place at the end so beautifully. The story was intriguing, although, I will say that the world was a bit underdeveloped as well as the characters. I really wish we could of learned more about them, but then again it's only the first book. Can't wait to read the next one!]]> 4.17 2015 A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)
author: Sarah J. Maas
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2024/06/16
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: favorite-series, owned-books, 2015-2019, 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5

Re-read 8 years later! Wow! And it holds up surprisingly well! i think because I didn’t remember much of the finer details it made it quite fun. I also did notice quite a few little set up that I am so excited to look for in the next book.

And lastly, it was so obvious it was always going to Team Rhysand lol I’m surprised many of us didn’t see it coming sooner.

—âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ”âśÄ�

2016 Review:

I absolutely enjoyed it! Everything started to fall into place at the end so beautifully. The story was intriguing, although, I will say that the world was a bit underdeveloped as well as the characters. I really wish we could of learned more about them, but then again it's only the first book. Can't wait to read the next one!
]]> Hell Bent (Alex Stern, #2) 60652997 Wealth. Power. Murder. Magic. Alex Stern is back and the Ivy League is going straight to hell.

Find a gateway to the underworld. Steal a soul out of hell. A simple plan, except people who make this particular journey rarely come back. But Galaxy “Alexâ€� Stern is determined to break Darlington out of purgatory―even if it costs her a future at Lethe and at Yale.

Forbidden from attempting a rescue, Alex and Dawes can’t call on the Ninth House for help, so they assemble a team of dubious allies to save the gentleman of Lethe. Together, they will have to navigate a maze of arcane texts and bizarre artifacts to uncover the societiesâ€� most closely guarded secrets, and break every rule doing it. But when faculty members begin to die off, Alex knows these aren’t just accidents. Something deadly is at work in New Haven, and if she is going to survive, she’ll have to reckon with the monsters of her past and a darkness built into the university’s very walls.

Thick with history and packed with Bardugo’s signature twists, Hell Bent brings to life an intricate world full of magic, violence, and all too real monsters.]]> 481 Leigh Bardugo 1250313104 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 owned-books, 2020-2024 5 out of 5 stars

This was one of those books that I was very scared to pick up for the longest because I was afraid that it might disappoint me. When it came out, I saw so many mixed reviews and rather than picking it up to see for myself I figured it would be best to wait out first impressions. And before I knew it years passed by. Lol. But I am glad! I think putting that distance really helped in the enjoyment of the book

A couple of months have passed since the events of Ninth House and I was pleasantly surprised how easily it was to jump back in into the story and world. It has the same format as the previous book of it starting with an event and then we go a couple of weeks back to see how the characters got there. It makes for a very good hook and the story kick off running. I thought it would take some time to reach *certain* plot points but I was so happy how quickly they came.

The pivot the plot takes after the first 100 pages was perfection. I know a lot of people had issues that this one wasn't much of the similar "mystery/dark academia" vibe but I appreciated that. Bringing in more of the fantastical elements that we have seen tidbits of in the first book was perfect. It expanded the world in exactly the way I had been hoping for. While yes, the prevalence of the houses was in the back burner, they were not interesting enough previously to want to learn more about them here. Lethe taking center stage was definitely the smart move.

The multiple relationships we see growth further I absolutely loved. I think Leigh Bardugo really thrives in writing found family, and giving each character a compelling backstory to get the reader attached to all of them. If the character relationships hadn't been as dynamic, I don't think the book would have worked as well as it did. Now the romantic/sexual tension between Alex and Darlington? *chef's kiss* There is also this ferocity between them that I want more of it in the next book.

Alex really won me here. I felt nonchalant towards her during Ninth House since she was so closed off. However, we see her open up and be more vulnerable with her friend and in turn with the reader as well. She finally felt like a liable main character. I really want us to learn more about where her powers come from. There is so much we still need to uncover about her. Darlington will be very interesting to read from in the next book, because after what happened to him, there is something much darker lurking. Turner, Dawes and Tripp also had fantastic development and based on what has been alluded they will be playing very critical roles in the future.

Just really loved it so, so much more than Ninth House. Fast paced and engaging, and the found family elements + character growth was amazing. The slow burn between Alex and Darlington? Perfection. I need the next book announced pronto!]]> 4.09 2023 Hell Bent (Alex Stern, #2)
author: Leigh Bardugo
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/02/12
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
5 out of 5 stars

This was one of those books that I was very scared to pick up for the longest because I was afraid that it might disappoint me. When it came out, I saw so many mixed reviews and rather than picking it up to see for myself I figured it would be best to wait out first impressions. And before I knew it years passed by. Lol. But I am glad! I think putting that distance really helped in the enjoyment of the book

A couple of months have passed since the events of Ninth House and I was pleasantly surprised how easily it was to jump back in into the story and world. It has the same format as the previous book of it starting with an event and then we go a couple of weeks back to see how the characters got there. It makes for a very good hook and the story kick off running. I thought it would take some time to reach *certain* plot points but I was so happy how quickly they came.

The pivot the plot takes after the first 100 pages was perfection. I know a lot of people had issues that this one wasn't much of the similar "mystery/dark academia" vibe but I appreciated that. Bringing in more of the fantastical elements that we have seen tidbits of in the first book was perfect. It expanded the world in exactly the way I had been hoping for. While yes, the prevalence of the houses was in the back burner, they were not interesting enough previously to want to learn more about them here. Lethe taking center stage was definitely the smart move.

The multiple relationships we see growth further I absolutely loved. I think Leigh Bardugo really thrives in writing found family, and giving each character a compelling backstory to get the reader attached to all of them. If the character relationships hadn't been as dynamic, I don't think the book would have worked as well as it did. Now the romantic/sexual tension between Alex and Darlington? *chef's kiss* There is also this ferocity between them that I want more of it in the next book.

Alex really won me here. I felt nonchalant towards her during Ninth House since she was so closed off. However, we see her open up and be more vulnerable with her friend and in turn with the reader as well. She finally felt like a liable main character. I really want us to learn more about where her powers come from. There is so much we still need to uncover about her. Darlington will be very interesting to read from in the next book, because after what happened to him, there is something much darker lurking. Turner, Dawes and Tripp also had fantastic development and based on what has been alluded they will be playing very critical roles in the future.

Just really loved it so, so much more than Ninth House. Fast paced and engaging, and the found family elements + character growth was amazing. The slow burn between Alex and Darlington? Perfection. I need the next book announced pronto!
]]> Leonardo da Vinci 34684622 600 Walter Isaacson 1501139150 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 2020-2024 4 out of 5

People being into space, dinosaurs, Greek mythology, Ancient Egypt, etc. growing up and then there was me having a strong obsession with Leonardo da Vinci till I was about 12 years old. This book brought me back to that feeling and why I have always admired this man so much.

There were quite a few things I already knew of that the books goes over, but there were also other aspects I have never explored or simply have forgotten the details of over the years. It was so much fun. I found myself chuckling at the in which the author described Leonardo's character and mannerism. Feeling wonder at the level of skill and intellect he possessed through pure brilliance and consistent, detailed observation. It felt like I was visiting an old childhood friend, as weird as that may sound! I do wish the author could have touched so much more with regard to da Vinci's philosophy and thoughts based on his notes which we only see small snippets of throughout the book.

I appreciated it detailed his life from the moment he was born to his death. Of course, it went over major events, however, we still had more of those quiet moments that really grounded Leonardo as just another man, rather than the genius he's exalted. One chapter in particular I really loved was about his rivalry with Michelangelo. I could probably read a whole book about it! While there were so many things I loved, toward the middle of the book as well as when the author derailed the conversation of da Vinci's art too much to things outside the art pieces themselves, I found myself zoning out.

Also! This was my very first audiobook! Yay! I have always tried them but with fiction and I could just not get through them. Either I got too distracted or I could not take dialogue being read out loud seriously. Non-fiction works so much better for me since I almost trick myself into thinking I'm listening to a podcast. HA! But the best thing is that I have been able to digest the information so much better than if I had read it physically. The narrator was great and had a pleasant voice to listen to, so highly recommend the audiobook.

Anyone from hardcore da Vinci admirers to those looking to learn more about the man, the legend, will enjoy how thorough and accessible this biography is. The final chapters really touched me personally, making me reflect in my own pursuits and goals. One thing Leonardo da Vinci has taught me is to always remain curious and that there is wonder in every aspect of human life.]]> 4.19 2017 Leonardo da Vinci
author: Walter Isaacson
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2024/03/02
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5

People being into space, dinosaurs, Greek mythology, Ancient Egypt, etc. growing up and then there was me having a strong obsession with Leonardo da Vinci till I was about 12 years old. This book brought me back to that feeling and why I have always admired this man so much.

There were quite a few things I already knew of that the books goes over, but there were also other aspects I have never explored or simply have forgotten the details of over the years. It was so much fun. I found myself chuckling at the in which the author described Leonardo's character and mannerism. Feeling wonder at the level of skill and intellect he possessed through pure brilliance and consistent, detailed observation. It felt like I was visiting an old childhood friend, as weird as that may sound! I do wish the author could have touched so much more with regard to da Vinci's philosophy and thoughts based on his notes which we only see small snippets of throughout the book.

I appreciated it detailed his life from the moment he was born to his death. Of course, it went over major events, however, we still had more of those quiet moments that really grounded Leonardo as just another man, rather than the genius he's exalted. One chapter in particular I really loved was about his rivalry with Michelangelo. I could probably read a whole book about it! While there were so many things I loved, toward the middle of the book as well as when the author derailed the conversation of da Vinci's art too much to things outside the art pieces themselves, I found myself zoning out.

Also! This was my very first audiobook! Yay! I have always tried them but with fiction and I could just not get through them. Either I got too distracted or I could not take dialogue being read out loud seriously. Non-fiction works so much better for me since I almost trick myself into thinking I'm listening to a podcast. HA! But the best thing is that I have been able to digest the information so much better than if I had read it physically. The narrator was great and had a pleasant voice to listen to, so highly recommend the audiobook.

Anyone from hardcore da Vinci admirers to those looking to learn more about the man, the legend, will enjoy how thorough and accessible this biography is. The final chapters really touched me personally, making me reflect in my own pursuits and goals. One thing Leonardo da Vinci has taught me is to always remain curious and that there is wonder in every aspect of human life.
]]> Nightbitch 55835474
At home full-time with her two-year-old son, an artist finds she is struggling. She is lonely and exhausted. She had imagined - what was it she had imagined? Her husband, always travelling for his work, calls her from faraway hotel rooms. One more toddler bedtime, and she fears she might lose her mind.

Instead, quite suddenly, she starts gaining things, surprising things that happen one night when her child will not sleep. Sharper canines. Strange new patches of hair. New appetites, new instincts. And from deep within herself, a new voice...

With its clear eyes on contemporary womanhood and sharp take on structures of power, Nightbitch is an outrageously original, joyfully subversive read that will make you want to howl in laughter and recognition. Addictive enough to be devoured in one sitting, this is an unforgettable novel from a blazing new talent.]]> 256 Rachel Yoder 0385546815 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 2 2020-2024 2 out of 5

I haven't disliked a character this much in a long time. The more I read the more I found myself rolling my eyes at everything the character said and did. A perfect example of white women pushing a very white feminist view of motherhood. The aspect of her turning into a dog was already quite weird, but then also pushing it onto her child was just... no. It is one thing to feel the weight of motherhood taking away your agency and individuality, but it is another to blame it on everyone else around you and being unwilling to take responsibility. I primarily read it due to the adaption that is coming with Amy Adams leading so I hope at least she gives the story some justice in the film.]]> 3.47 2021 Nightbitch
author: Rachel Yoder
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.47
book published: 2021
rating: 2
read at: 2024/05/29
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
2 out of 5

I haven't disliked a character this much in a long time. The more I read the more I found myself rolling my eyes at everything the character said and did. A perfect example of white women pushing a very white feminist view of motherhood. The aspect of her turning into a dog was already quite weird, but then also pushing it onto her child was just... no. It is one thing to feel the weight of motherhood taking away your agency and individuality, but it is another to blame it on everyone else around you and being unwilling to take responsibility. I primarily read it due to the adaption that is coming with Amy Adams leading so I hope at least she gives the story some justice in the film.
]]> Belittled Women 60017798 Sharp and subversive, this delightfully messy YA rom-com offers a sly wink to the classic Little Women, as teenage Jo Porter rebels against living in the shadow of her literary namesake.

Lit's about to hit the fan. Jo Porter has had enough Little Women to last a lifetime. As if being named after the sappiest family in literature wasn't sufficiently humiliating, Jo's mom, ahem Marmee, leveled up her Alcott obsession by turning their rambling old house into a sad-sack tourist attraction.

Now Jo, along with her siblings, Meg and Bethamy (yes, that's two March sisters in one), spends all summer acting out sentimental moments at Little Women Live!, where she can feel her soul slowly dying.

So when a famed photojournalist arrives to document the show, Jo seizes on the glimpse of another life: artsy, worldly, and fast-paced. It doesn't hurt that the reporter's teenage son is also eager to get up close and personal with Jo--to the annoyance of her best friend, aka the boy next door (who is definitely not called Laurie). All Jo wants is for someone to see the person behind the prickliness and pinafores.

But when she gets a little too real about her frustration with the family biz, Jo will have to make peace with kitsch and kin before their livelihood suffers a fate worse than Beth.]]> 375 Amanda Sellet 0358567351 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 2 2020-2024 2 out of 5 stars

Very boring for the majority of the time, and the familial relationships were so mean-spirited that it made it hard to find any sort of joy in them. The romance was cute but nothing too swoon worthy. I expected way more out of this book considering I had loved Amanda Sellet’s debut novel.

My main gripe with the book and the reason I could not for the life of me enjoy it was because of how plain awful, and borderline abusive the family was towards Joe, and at the end it never got discussed! Like what was the point of this book only to let us know that yes while your family might treat you horrendously at the end of the end they are still family? It made me angry.

Joe had so many aspirations and desires, and they never get shared or further discussed with the people that were stifling them. She only confides in the love interest and it made me roll my eyes. It hinges on the idea of “No one understands me except the boy I like!â€� Of course, it was more of a friends-to-lovers trope so the closeness was understandable but either way I simply didn’t like it.

Just a very disappointing read overall. Not sure what the message of the book was nor if we were to find it funny, or entertaining. I will still keep an eye out for Sellet’s next novel because this might have just been a case of second book syndrome.

Merged review:

2 out of 5 stars

Very boring for the majority of the time, and the familial relationships were so mean-spirited that it made it hard to find any sort of joy in them. The romance was cute but nothing too swoon worthy. I expected way more out of this book considering I had loved Amanda Sellet’s debut novel.

My main gripe with the book and the reason I could not for the life of me enjoy it was because of how plain awful, and borderline abusive the family was towards Joe, and at the end it never got discussed! Like what was the point of this book only to let us know that yes while your family might treat you horrendously at the end of the end they are still family? It made me angry.

Joe had so many aspirations and desires, and they never get shared or further discussed with the people that were stifling them. She only confides in the love interest and it made me roll my eyes. It hinges on the idea of “No one understands me except the boy I like!â€� Of course, it was more of a friends-to-lovers trope so the closeness was understandable but either way I simply didn’t like it.

Just a very disappointing read overall. Not sure what the message of the book was nor if we were to find it funny, or entertaining. I will still keep an eye out for Sellet’s next novel because this might have just been a case of second book syndrome.]]> 3.15 2022 Belittled Women
author: Amanda Sellet
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.15
book published: 2022
rating: 2
read at: 2023/01/04
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
2 out of 5 stars

Very boring for the majority of the time, and the familial relationships were so mean-spirited that it made it hard to find any sort of joy in them. The romance was cute but nothing too swoon worthy. I expected way more out of this book considering I had loved Amanda Sellet’s debut novel.

My main gripe with the book and the reason I could not for the life of me enjoy it was because of how plain awful, and borderline abusive the family was towards Joe, and at the end it never got discussed! Like what was the point of this book only to let us know that yes while your family might treat you horrendously at the end of the end they are still family? It made me angry.

Joe had so many aspirations and desires, and they never get shared or further discussed with the people that were stifling them. She only confides in the love interest and it made me roll my eyes. It hinges on the idea of “No one understands me except the boy I like!â€� Of course, it was more of a friends-to-lovers trope so the closeness was understandable but either way I simply didn’t like it.

Just a very disappointing read overall. Not sure what the message of the book was nor if we were to find it funny, or entertaining. I will still keep an eye out for Sellet’s next novel because this might have just been a case of second book syndrome.

Merged review:

2 out of 5 stars

Very boring for the majority of the time, and the familial relationships were so mean-spirited that it made it hard to find any sort of joy in them. The romance was cute but nothing too swoon worthy. I expected way more out of this book considering I had loved Amanda Sellet’s debut novel.

My main gripe with the book and the reason I could not for the life of me enjoy it was because of how plain awful, and borderline abusive the family was towards Joe, and at the end it never got discussed! Like what was the point of this book only to let us know that yes while your family might treat you horrendously at the end of the end they are still family? It made me angry.

Joe had so many aspirations and desires, and they never get shared or further discussed with the people that were stifling them. She only confides in the love interest and it made me roll my eyes. It hinges on the idea of “No one understands me except the boy I like!â€� Of course, it was more of a friends-to-lovers trope so the closeness was understandable but either way I simply didn’t like it.

Just a very disappointing read overall. Not sure what the message of the book was nor if we were to find it funny, or entertaining. I will still keep an eye out for Sellet’s next novel because this might have just been a case of second book syndrome.
]]> <![CDATA[Cross My Heart (The Oxford Legacy, #1)]]> 196707260 A reckless enigma� and my greatest temptation.

I came here on a mission, to uncover the truth about what happened to my sister - no matter the cost.

Until I meet him.

Saint is my passport to a sensual world of wealth and privilege, but something wicked is lurking behind these ivy covered walls. Secrets these people will kill to protect.

Loyalty is everything to themâ€� but will it be my ruin?]]> 294 Roxy Sloane °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3.75 out of 5

For quite a while I had seen promos of it on TikTok and since I needed something quick and to the point (pun intended hehe) I decided to give it a shot. I was taken aback by the fleshed out characters and their motivations. It wasn’t just some PWP as it was advertised so that was a nice surprise.

The sex scenes were okay. Didn’t find any particular sexy because the dirty talk from the male love interest just took me out of it sometimes. Just unfortunate lol. But they were well-written and well-placed in the story. There was one sex scene in particular that had a red flag that I wondered if it would be addressed and immediately after it did by the protagonist. I also enjoyed that the couple acted like adults willing to talk through their issues and concerns.

The mystery aspect was truly what elevated the book for me. It kept me wanting to keep reading to figure out what exactly happened. It remained vague enough to allow the rest of the books to unravel it. One thing I will say, however, was that the plot twist at the end, I saw it coming from the very beginning. It was enjoyable getting proved right, but I’m also highly interested in how it’ll be resolved later down the road.]]> 3.80 Cross My Heart (The Oxford Legacy, #1)
author: Roxy Sloane
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.80
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2023/12/31
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3.75 out of 5

For quite a while I had seen promos of it on TikTok and since I needed something quick and to the point (pun intended hehe) I decided to give it a shot. I was taken aback by the fleshed out characters and their motivations. It wasn’t just some PWP as it was advertised so that was a nice surprise.

The sex scenes were okay. Didn’t find any particular sexy because the dirty talk from the male love interest just took me out of it sometimes. Just unfortunate lol. But they were well-written and well-placed in the story. There was one sex scene in particular that had a red flag that I wondered if it would be addressed and immediately after it did by the protagonist. I also enjoyed that the couple acted like adults willing to talk through their issues and concerns.

The mystery aspect was truly what elevated the book for me. It kept me wanting to keep reading to figure out what exactly happened. It remained vague enough to allow the rest of the books to unravel it. One thing I will say, however, was that the plot twist at the end, I saw it coming from the very beginning. It was enjoyable getting proved right, but I’m also highly interested in how it’ll be resolved later down the road.
]]> Manacled 52122096
Fanfiction for Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling.
Words: 370,256]]> 925 SenLinYu °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 2020-2024 4.5 out of 5

Ingenious is what I would call this piece of work, even with two very popular pieces of literature being the major inspiration behind it. I have never read a fanfiction that was so well-constructed, with intensive character development, and an captivating overarching plot. SenLinYu deserves all the flowers they get for their work. This was absolutely fantastic.

The extent of my knowledge of the Harry Potter world was me reading only the first book for school back in 6th grade and primarily the movies. I always knew about Dramione, and had a feeling it could be a ship I might enjoy but never went out of my way to look into it further. After seeing and reading about all the intense reactions people have had with this fanfic I finally folded and dived in head first. I never imagined I would end up loving this ship so much. I am aware that due to me not having intensive knowledge of the canon most likely impacts how I feel about the pairing. For me, they do not feel like HP characters at all.

Having that in mind, that could be why I was able to suspend my disbelief regarding some things that perhaps fans of HP might struggle to reconcile with, such as certain events or characterizations. I didn't have any preconceived notion as to how characters should act or what actions within the world are within canon-bounds. I do understand that it deals with very heavy and dark topics, but personally, does not bother me as much as I thought they would. Not only that, but I understood there were reasons behind the actions of the characters that they could not control. Within the AU the author created, it makes sense as well as the characters responses to them.

For me, Draco and Hermione were not Draco and Hermione from the Harry Potter series, but just Draco, and just Hermione. I was amazed at how quickly I became attached to them. Most of the time fanfic write depend on the readers already loving these characters so they do not have to do most of the heavy lifting, however, this author really went out and beyond to develop them within the context of the story. Every single time I would think about them now make my heart would twinge just a bit, and that is going to be the case for quite a while. The intensity in which they loved each other, their small moments of tenderness, but also their heartbreaks, it left me a bit breathless every single time.

The organization of starting out in the present, then proceeding with flashbacks, and then jumping back to present day made it all the much engaging. However, the reason I had to knock it down half a star was because of that final third portion. The resolution felt a bit too... simple? Especially with the impending doom they had hanging over their heads throughout Part One and Part Two. Also due to some of the reaction I had seen, I had expected, if not some tragic ending, at least something more bittersweet. It was surprisingly a happily ever after, as much as these characters could have. Also, the epilogue chapters, while I understand were supposed to mimic the ending of HP, felt misplaced.

I think I would like to read this again sometime in the future. I have heard that knowing once you read the flashbacks portion, it changes how you perceive that Part One of the fanfic. At the heart of it all, this was a beautiful story about the survival through a war, of finding warmth and a piece of happiness in a world that has not been kind to you. And for that it left a huge impression on me with how I ended up loving Draco and Hermione so, so much. Hmm. Maybe, perhaps... I should venture more into Dramione? We will see!]]> 4.64 2019 Manacled
author: SenLinYu
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.64
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2023/09/23
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
4.5 out of 5

Ingenious is what I would call this piece of work, even with two very popular pieces of literature being the major inspiration behind it. I have never read a fanfiction that was so well-constructed, with intensive character development, and an captivating overarching plot. SenLinYu deserves all the flowers they get for their work. This was absolutely fantastic.

The extent of my knowledge of the Harry Potter world was me reading only the first book for school back in 6th grade and primarily the movies. I always knew about Dramione, and had a feeling it could be a ship I might enjoy but never went out of my way to look into it further. After seeing and reading about all the intense reactions people have had with this fanfic I finally folded and dived in head first. I never imagined I would end up loving this ship so much. I am aware that due to me not having intensive knowledge of the canon most likely impacts how I feel about the pairing. For me, they do not feel like HP characters at all.

Having that in mind, that could be why I was able to suspend my disbelief regarding some things that perhaps fans of HP might struggle to reconcile with, such as certain events or characterizations. I didn't have any preconceived notion as to how characters should act or what actions within the world are within canon-bounds. I do understand that it deals with very heavy and dark topics, but personally, does not bother me as much as I thought they would. Not only that, but I understood there were reasons behind the actions of the characters that they could not control. Within the AU the author created, it makes sense as well as the characters responses to them.

For me, Draco and Hermione were not Draco and Hermione from the Harry Potter series, but just Draco, and just Hermione. I was amazed at how quickly I became attached to them. Most of the time fanfic write depend on the readers already loving these characters so they do not have to do most of the heavy lifting, however, this author really went out and beyond to develop them within the context of the story. Every single time I would think about them now make my heart would twinge just a bit, and that is going to be the case for quite a while. The intensity in which they loved each other, their small moments of tenderness, but also their heartbreaks, it left me a bit breathless every single time.

The organization of starting out in the present, then proceeding with flashbacks, and then jumping back to present day made it all the much engaging. However, the reason I had to knock it down half a star was because of that final third portion. The resolution felt a bit too... simple? Especially with the impending doom they had hanging over their heads throughout Part One and Part Two. Also due to some of the reaction I had seen, I had expected, if not some tragic ending, at least something more bittersweet. It was surprisingly a happily ever after, as much as these characters could have. Also, the epilogue chapters, while I understand were supposed to mimic the ending of HP, felt misplaced.

I think I would like to read this again sometime in the future. I have heard that knowing once you read the flashbacks portion, it changes how you perceive that Part One of the fanfic. At the heart of it all, this was a beautiful story about the survival through a war, of finding warmth and a piece of happiness in a world that has not been kind to you. And for that it left a huge impression on me with how I ended up loving Draco and Hermione so, so much. Hmm. Maybe, perhaps... I should venture more into Dramione? We will see!
]]> <![CDATA[The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches]]> 60018635 A warm and uplifting novel about an isolated witch whose opportunity to embrace a quirky new family--and a new love--changes the course of her life.

As one of the few witches in Britain, Mika Moon knows she has to hide her magic, keep her head down, and stay away from other witches so their powers don't mingle and draw attention. And as an orphan who lost her parents at a young age and was raised by strangers, she's used to being alone and she follows the rules...with one exception: an online account, where she posts videos pretending to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously.

But someone does. An unexpected message arrives, begging her to travel to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. It breaks all of the rules, but Mika goes anyway, and is immediately tangled up in the lives and secrets of not only her three charges, but also an absent archaeologist, a retired actor, two long-suffering caretakers, and...Jamie. The handsome and prickly librarian of Nowhere House would do anything to protect the children, and as far as he's concerned, a stranger like Mika is a threat. An irritatingly appealing threat.

As Mika begins to find her place at Nowhere House, the thought of belonging somewhere begins to feel like a real possibility. But magic isn't the only danger in the world, and when a threat comes knocking at their door, Mika will need to decide whether to risk everything to protect a found family she didn't know she was looking for....
]]> 318 Sangu Mandanna 059343935X °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3.5 out of 5

It was definitely cute and a feel-good read. Personally, I didn’t feel too strongly about it either way. The twists were quite surprising and it’s most likely what pushed the half rating, but some of the key points in the story were glossed over far too quickly whereas I wanted it to go more in detail.

There was a consistent plot point about how the lonely life of a witch had marked Mika's life and had an impact on her trauma growing up. I thought we would be delving a bit more into it, or perhaps have a resolution that would bring everything full circle but it was quickly resolved with a page or two, it left me feeling cold. While one can argue

The romance was cute, just too slow-burn for my liking. I liked that not only did we get Mika's perspective but also the love interest's, I always find that makes scenes more exciting. I wanted more scenes of them together because the ones we did get were sooo good. But oftentimes their relationship felt like it was hinged on the girls as well. If the girls were not in the scene, then the chances of them interacting were small.

Either way, this was a fun read! Since it was my read before going to bed, it helped put me in a good head space before sleeping lol. ]]> 4.05 2022 The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
author: Sangu Mandanna
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2023/12/21
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3.5 out of 5

It was definitely cute and a feel-good read. Personally, I didn’t feel too strongly about it either way. The twists were quite surprising and it’s most likely what pushed the half rating, but some of the key points in the story were glossed over far too quickly whereas I wanted it to go more in detail.

There was a consistent plot point about how the lonely life of a witch had marked Mika's life and had an impact on her trauma growing up. I thought we would be delving a bit more into it, or perhaps have a resolution that would bring everything full circle but it was quickly resolved with a page or two, it left me feeling cold. While one can argue

The romance was cute, just too slow-burn for my liking. I liked that not only did we get Mika's perspective but also the love interest's, I always find that makes scenes more exciting. I wanted more scenes of them together because the ones we did get were sooo good. But oftentimes their relationship felt like it was hinged on the girls as well. If the girls were not in the scene, then the chances of them interacting were small.

Either way, this was a fun read! Since it was my read before going to bed, it helped put me in a good head space before sleeping lol.
]]> <![CDATA[My Roommate Is a Vampire (My Vampires, #1)]]> 60041932 True love is at stake in this charming, debut romantic comedy.

Cassie Greenberg loves being an artist, but it’s a tough way to make a living. On the brink of eviction, she’s desperate when she finds a too-good-to-be-true apartment in a beautiful Chicago neighborhood. Cassie knows there has to be a catch—only someone with a secret to hide would rent out a room for that price.

Of course, her new roommate Frederick J. Fitzwilliam is far from normal. He sleeps all day, is out at night on business, and talks like he walked out of a regency romance novel. He also leaves Cassie heart-melting notes around the apartment, cares about her art, and asks about her day. And he doesn’t look half bad shirtless, on the rare occasions they’re both home and awake. But when Cassie finds bags of blood in the fridge that definitely weren’t there earlier, Frederick has to come clean...

Cassie’s sexy new roommate is a vampire. And he has a proposition for her.]]> 341 Jenna Levine 0593548914 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 2020-2024 4.25 out of 5

If you want a quick, funny read that you can finish in one sitting, this one is for you! I hadn’t had this much fun with a book in a long time. I was constant finding myself laughing out loud because some things were just so ridiculous in the best way possible. Just a good time all around!]]> 3.46 2023 My Roommate Is a Vampire (My Vampires, #1)
author: Jenna Levine
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.46
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2023/10/20
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
4.25 out of 5

If you want a quick, funny read that you can finish in one sitting, this one is for you! I hadn’t had this much fun with a book in a long time. I was constant finding myself laughing out loud because some things were just so ridiculous in the best way possible. Just a good time all around!
]]> <![CDATA[The Last Tale of the Flower Bride]]> 61150759
Once upon a time, a man who believed in fairy tales married a beautiful, mysterious woman named Indigo Maxwell-Casteñada. He was a scholar of myths. She was heiress to a fortune. They exchanged gifts and stories and believed they would live happily ever after—and in exchange for her love, Indigo extracted a promise: that her bridegroom would never pry into her past.

But when Indigo learns that her estranged aunt is dying and the couple is forced to return to her childhood home, the House of Dreams, the bridegroom will soon find himself unable to resist. For within the crumbling manor’s extravagant rooms and musty halls, there lurks the shadow of another girl: Azure, Indigo’s dearest childhood friend who suddenly disappeared. As the house slowly reveals his wife’s secrets, the bridegroom will be forced to choose between reality and fantasy, even if doing so threatens to destroy their marriage . . . or their lives.

Combining the lush, haunting atmosphere of Mexican Gothic with the dreamy enchantment of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is a spellbinding and darkly romantic page-turner about love and lies, secrets and betrayal, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.]]> 289 Roshani Chokshi °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 owned-books, 2020-2024 4.5 out of 5

Oh this was fantastic.

Fairy tales are stories we grow to think of as the perfect outcomes we all wish for but Chokshi brings back the true horror that hides behind that “happily ever after!â€� That is one theme that is constant throughout the book and the different situation explored that all that glitters is not always gold.

What really stood out to me was the enfolding of how the Bridegroom, Indigo and Azure’s story were connected, especially in the second half of the book. It was so satisfying how the authors dropped revelations and left clues throughout that if you were paying attention they were easy to put together, but not so obvious it gave everything away. The huge plot twist of the book was sooo satisfying!! It fit within the themes of the book and with how a specific character’s had been placed in situations that required them to make that decision.

I grew very attached to one character due to how well-developed her POV was compared to the other. We see her grow from when she was a child all the way till her 18th birthday and that give you the reader a very good grasp of her story. The other two main characters, The Bridegroom and the other female character, felt almost like connective tissue to propel that one specific POV. But I did not even mind it simply because at the end it felt like the book is the story of that one character.

The one gripe I have is perhaps the lack of magic. From the very beginning it alluded that magic exists at least in the lives of these characters and in the setting of the house, but once the book takes a turn into more of the horror aspect, that sense of magic present is lost. One could say in the context of what is happening it makes sense as in the closer we get to the reality of things, the magic that they thought was there was all just made up as a coping mechanism to deal with their traumas. Also, I wanted more backstory from one of the characters. Once you get to that second half of the book it raises a lot of questions that were never truly answered.

Roshani Chokshi with her adult debut further proved the immense talent she possesses in weaving a story. I hope she continues writing adult fiction because I will definitely be picking up whatever she writes next.]]> 3.68 2023 The Last Tale of the Flower Bride
author: Roshani Chokshi
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2023/08/24
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
4.5 out of 5

Oh this was fantastic.

Fairy tales are stories we grow to think of as the perfect outcomes we all wish for but Chokshi brings back the true horror that hides behind that “happily ever after!â€� That is one theme that is constant throughout the book and the different situation explored that all that glitters is not always gold.

What really stood out to me was the enfolding of how the Bridegroom, Indigo and Azure’s story were connected, especially in the second half of the book. It was so satisfying how the authors dropped revelations and left clues throughout that if you were paying attention they were easy to put together, but not so obvious it gave everything away. The huge plot twist of the book was sooo satisfying!! It fit within the themes of the book and with how a specific character’s had been placed in situations that required them to make that decision.

I grew very attached to one character due to how well-developed her POV was compared to the other. We see her grow from when she was a child all the way till her 18th birthday and that give you the reader a very good grasp of her story. The other two main characters, The Bridegroom and the other female character, felt almost like connective tissue to propel that one specific POV. But I did not even mind it simply because at the end it felt like the book is the story of that one character.

The one gripe I have is perhaps the lack of magic. From the very beginning it alluded that magic exists at least in the lives of these characters and in the setting of the house, but once the book takes a turn into more of the horror aspect, that sense of magic present is lost. One could say in the context of what is happening it makes sense as in the closer we get to the reality of things, the magic that they thought was there was all just made up as a coping mechanism to deal with their traumas. Also, I wanted more backstory from one of the characters. Once you get to that second half of the book it raises a lot of questions that were never truly answered.

Roshani Chokshi with her adult debut further proved the immense talent she possesses in weaving a story. I hope she continues writing adult fiction because I will definitely be picking up whatever she writes next.
]]> Love, Theoretically 61326735
Honestly, it’s a pretty sweet gig—until her carefully constructed Elsie-verse comes crashing down. Because Jack Smith, the annoyingly attractive and broody older brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the cold-hearted experimental physicist who ruined her mentor’s career and undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere. And that same Jack who now sits on the hiring committee at MIT, right between Elsie and her dream job.

Elsie is prepared for an all-out war of scholarly sabotage but…those long, penetrating looks? Not having to be anything other than her true self when she’s with him? Will falling into an experimentalist’s orbit finally tempt her to put her most guarded theories on love into practice?]]> 389 Ali Hazelwood 1408725797 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 5 out of 5

I am just so happy I enjoyed this so much I can give it 5 stars. While I am not too strict when it comes to romance books there is always a couple of things that tend to bring down my enjoyment and thus my rating. But this was just wonderful from start to finish. The development of the relationship was so natural, and the actions of the characters did not feel forced or just for the sake of keeping the plot going.

Elsie, our protagonist, actually feels like an adult this time around compared to the MCs from the author’s previous two books. It was clear she was dealing with some unresolved trauma, but she still made reasonable actions and choices that fit within her characterization. Now, our love interest, Jack. He is swoon-worthy, my goodness. He is by far the best written love interest by the author. He helped Elsie grow and come out of her shell at her own pace and that’s where he really wins you over: the intense and detailed care and love he shows Elsie. It made my heart feel really full.

Right from the start, you could tell there was this chemistry between Elsie and Jack, but it wasn’t immediate. The slow-burn was extremely satisfying to read because it read like how a genuine relationship would develop little by little. The author is known to have basically written the same pairing twice with different names in her last two books, but this one here felt like a breath of fresh air. I absolutely love them, and I wish I could read more books about them. That final closing line genuinely made me tear up a bit.

P.S. The cameos were pretty cute!!]]> 4.07 2023 Love, Theoretically
author: Ali Hazelwood
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2023/08/05
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: all-time-favorites, owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
5 out of 5

I am just so happy I enjoyed this so much I can give it 5 stars. While I am not too strict when it comes to romance books there is always a couple of things that tend to bring down my enjoyment and thus my rating. But this was just wonderful from start to finish. The development of the relationship was so natural, and the actions of the characters did not feel forced or just for the sake of keeping the plot going.

Elsie, our protagonist, actually feels like an adult this time around compared to the MCs from the author’s previous two books. It was clear she was dealing with some unresolved trauma, but she still made reasonable actions and choices that fit within her characterization. Now, our love interest, Jack. He is swoon-worthy, my goodness. He is by far the best written love interest by the author. He helped Elsie grow and come out of her shell at her own pace and that’s where he really wins you over: the intense and detailed care and love he shows Elsie. It made my heart feel really full.

Right from the start, you could tell there was this chemistry between Elsie and Jack, but it wasn’t immediate. The slow-burn was extremely satisfying to read because it read like how a genuine relationship would develop little by little. The author is known to have basically written the same pairing twice with different names in her last two books, but this one here felt like a breath of fresh air. I absolutely love them, and I wish I could read more books about them. That final closing line genuinely made me tear up a bit.

P.S. The cameos were pretty cute!!
]]> Written on the Body 16432972 Written on the Body is a secret code only visible in certain lights: the accumulation of a lifetime gather there. In places the palimpsest is so heavily worked that the letters feel like braille. I like to keep my body rolled away from prying eyes, never unfold too much, tell the whole story. I didn't know that Louise would have reading hands. She has translated me into her own book.]]> 190 Jeanette Winterson °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3.75 out of 5 stars

This is the type of book that is best going in knowing very little of it, or having only read snippets of quotes here and there. Knowing even the synopsis would ruin the atmosphere the book is trying to create. And that is what this book really is, the pure atmosphere between the relationship of the narrator and their love interest. It was definitely beautiful to read, but personally, I was not as moved as I had hoped.

I picked this book up primarily due to the quotes I had seen floating around for some time, but when read within their context they sort of lost their allure a bit. I understand that not giving the narrator a name, a gender, or any form of solid identity outside the relationships they have had, it's supposed to allow us to fill in the blanks. However, this time around I could not connect with the characters or the story.

While I can see why so many love it, this was just a case of not for me. Perhaps once I am older it might be a different case, but for now this is where it's at.]]> 4.06 1992 Written on the Body
author: Jeanette Winterson
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.06
book published: 1992
rating: 3
read at: 2023/07/27
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3.75 out of 5 stars

This is the type of book that is best going in knowing very little of it, or having only read snippets of quotes here and there. Knowing even the synopsis would ruin the atmosphere the book is trying to create. And that is what this book really is, the pure atmosphere between the relationship of the narrator and their love interest. It was definitely beautiful to read, but personally, I was not as moved as I had hoped.

I picked this book up primarily due to the quotes I had seen floating around for some time, but when read within their context they sort of lost their allure a bit. I understand that not giving the narrator a name, a gender, or any form of solid identity outside the relationships they have had, it's supposed to allow us to fill in the blanks. However, this time around I could not connect with the characters or the story.

While I can see why so many love it, this was just a case of not for me. Perhaps once I am older it might be a different case, but for now this is where it's at.
]]> The Maidens 45300567
Mariana Andros is a brilliant but troubled group therapist who becomes fixated on The Maidens when one member, a friend of Mariana’s niece Zoe, is found murdered in Cambridge.

Mariana, who was once herself a student at the university, quickly suspects that behind the idyllic beauty of the spires and turrets, and beneath the ancient traditions, lies something sinister. And she becomes convinced that, despite his alibi, Edward Fosca is guilty of the murder. But why would the professor target one of his students? And why does he keep returning to the rites of Persephone, the maiden, and her journey to the underworld?

When another body is found, Mariana’s obsession with proving Fosca’s guilt spirals out of control, threatening to destroy her credibility as well as her closest relationships. But Mariana is determined to stop this killer, even if it costs her everything—including her own life.]]> 337 Alex Michaelides 1250304458 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 2 2020-2024 1.75 out of 5

I almost couldn’t even remember the title or what the book was about when I tried to recall for what book I had to write my review for, which in turn should really tell you just how forgettable it was once I finished it. It had all the right ingredients to be a fantastic addition to the dark academia sub-genre, yet it could not save itself even if it tried and rather sunk the book even further into oblivion with that horrendous ending.

I will say it did almost get me with that plot twist. I am one that oftentimes catches on to them quite easily, but this one really blindsided me. I was very surprised when it was dropped and for a minute I thought, â€�Finally! One that I didn’t see coming!â€� However, the poor explanation and execution made it seem more like a poorly done job for shock value. If there had been hints and suggestions a bit more throughout the book perhaps it would have carried greater weight once we had the reveal.

The characters, who I have forgotten their names by now, did not hold my attention like the book suggested they should have. Of course, there were moments here and there my interest was piqued but for the majority of the time it sizzled quickly, and I simply wanted to arrive at the climax. This disinterest also affected how I felt about the overall plot. Without characters that you can invest yourself in, it just does not work. At all.

Also, please do not get me started on the writing style. It’s so jarring, very punctuated. It read like a middle schooler had just discovered there was more to sentence structure than simple sentences but still couldn’t make their writing flow. How this was not brought up by the editor to the author is shocking. I would expect there to be a higher standard of what qualifies as writing for published work but alas.

I expected something completely different from this book and even if my expectations hadn't been met, then I would have given it points for what it did achieve at least. However, nothing about it was worthwhile by the end and that is truly the marker of book that wasted my time.]]> 3.61 2021 The Maidens
author: Alex Michaelides
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.61
book published: 2021
rating: 2
read at: 2023/09/09
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
1.75 out of 5

I almost couldn’t even remember the title or what the book was about when I tried to recall for what book I had to write my review for, which in turn should really tell you just how forgettable it was once I finished it. It had all the right ingredients to be a fantastic addition to the dark academia sub-genre, yet it could not save itself even if it tried and rather sunk the book even further into oblivion with that horrendous ending.

I will say it did almost get me with that plot twist. I am one that oftentimes catches on to them quite easily, but this one really blindsided me. I was very surprised when it was dropped and for a minute I thought, â€�Finally! One that I didn’t see coming!â€� However, the poor explanation and execution made it seem more like a poorly done job for shock value. If there had been hints and suggestions a bit more throughout the book perhaps it would have carried greater weight once we had the reveal.

The characters, who I have forgotten their names by now, did not hold my attention like the book suggested they should have. Of course, there were moments here and there my interest was piqued but for the majority of the time it sizzled quickly, and I simply wanted to arrive at the climax. This disinterest also affected how I felt about the overall plot. Without characters that you can invest yourself in, it just does not work. At all.

Also, please do not get me started on the writing style. It’s so jarring, very punctuated. It read like a middle schooler had just discovered there was more to sentence structure than simple sentences but still couldn’t make their writing flow. How this was not brought up by the editor to the author is shocking. I would expect there to be a higher standard of what qualifies as writing for published work but alas.

I expected something completely different from this book and even if my expectations hadn't been met, then I would have given it points for what it did achieve at least. However, nothing about it was worthwhile by the end and that is truly the marker of book that wasted my time.
]]> Supplicant 57390493
But a fateful night brings Church—and his delicious, drugging kisses—back into Charlotte's life. And it stirs up a reckoning years in the making . . .

This novella was originally published in the Naughty Brits anthology, and is unchanged from the original.]]> 93 Sierra Simone °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 2020-2024 4.5 out of 5

A very self-contained novella. If you are looking for pure, unadulterated erotica and done right, this one is for you. Though, I will say the language used can be a bit too dramatic for some, but it worked for me! Sierra Simone always knows how to hook me in.

Considering how little time we got to know Charlotte and Church, they felt quite well-rounded and the chemistry between the two was amazing. I attribute it due to the chapters being written basically as a stream of consciousness of the characters so we really go to know what they were thinking and how they were feeling at exact moments.

The sex scenes were very extremely well done. As mentioned the “worshipingâ€� language can feel a bit much, but it definitely felt like part of the little world our leads had created for each other. It almost felt very intimate at times. They were also a far improvement than the sex scenes found in her Thornchapel series so it makes me excited for her future work!

I had fun and that’s the most I ask of novellas, to be honest, but this one definitely made my heart flutter in a few scenes and that took me by surprise. Very pleasantly surprised.]]> 3.70 Supplicant
author: Sierra Simone
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.70
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2023/02/12
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
4.5 out of 5

A very self-contained novella. If you are looking for pure, unadulterated erotica and done right, this one is for you. Though, I will say the language used can be a bit too dramatic for some, but it worked for me! Sierra Simone always knows how to hook me in.

Considering how little time we got to know Charlotte and Church, they felt quite well-rounded and the chemistry between the two was amazing. I attribute it due to the chapters being written basically as a stream of consciousness of the characters so we really go to know what they were thinking and how they were feeling at exact moments.

The sex scenes were very extremely well done. As mentioned the “worshipingâ€� language can feel a bit much, but it definitely felt like part of the little world our leads had created for each other. It almost felt very intimate at times. They were also a far improvement than the sex scenes found in her Thornchapel series so it makes me excited for her future work!

I had fun and that’s the most I ask of novellas, to be honest, but this one definitely made my heart flutter in a few scenes and that took me by surprise. Very pleasantly surprised.
]]> The God of Endings 60784372 480 Jacqueline Holland 1250856760 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 2020-2024 4 out of 5 stars

My friend has suggested it for a buddy read and I'm glad he did. I went in blind other than knowing the main character was a vampire, and I still had quite a pleasant reading experience. There is this theme of loneliness, motherhood, and enjoyment of life that is woven throughout in a manner that made me reflect on my own views on such matters.

The most engaging aspect of the read was having one chapter detailing the life of the protagonist from the moment they were a girl and then the next chapter connecting it to the events in the present. Most of the time when books have this format I would find myself enjoying one more than the other, but here it was well-balanced. It helped shape the protagonist's character in a dynamic way that also helped expand the story.

I will say the plot development gets predictable after a specific set of characters gets introduced. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but if you would prefer to be surprised by the ending, then this is definitely not for you. Due to the predictability of the plot, it made it a bit fun to have my theories end up being correct. It also helped the reader be more keen on the themes the author was trying to convey in the story. Vampirism was used more as an allegory rather than something supernatural. Of course, there were supernatural elements that came with it, but they were never fully realized nor did they take center stage in the story.

All in all, this was a great read, and easy to get into, which makes it also a great recommendation for anyone looking to pick up a book. While it took me a bit to hook me in, my friend who I was buddy reading this with said it was easier for them to get engrossed in it. If you want literary fiction that centers around motherhood with a drop of vampirism, this would be a great book to pick up!]]> 3.77 2023 The God of Endings
author: Jacqueline Holland
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2023/05/29
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5 stars

My friend has suggested it for a buddy read and I'm glad he did. I went in blind other than knowing the main character was a vampire, and I still had quite a pleasant reading experience. There is this theme of loneliness, motherhood, and enjoyment of life that is woven throughout in a manner that made me reflect on my own views on such matters.

The most engaging aspect of the read was having one chapter detailing the life of the protagonist from the moment they were a girl and then the next chapter connecting it to the events in the present. Most of the time when books have this format I would find myself enjoying one more than the other, but here it was well-balanced. It helped shape the protagonist's character in a dynamic way that also helped expand the story.

I will say the plot development gets predictable after a specific set of characters gets introduced. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but if you would prefer to be surprised by the ending, then this is definitely not for you. Due to the predictability of the plot, it made it a bit fun to have my theories end up being correct. It also helped the reader be more keen on the themes the author was trying to convey in the story. Vampirism was used more as an allegory rather than something supernatural. Of course, there were supernatural elements that came with it, but they were never fully realized nor did they take center stage in the story.

All in all, this was a great read, and easy to get into, which makes it also a great recommendation for anyone looking to pick up a book. While it took me a bit to hook me in, my friend who I was buddy reading this with said it was easier for them to get engrossed in it. If you want literary fiction that centers around motherhood with a drop of vampirism, this would be a great book to pick up!
]]> <![CDATA[The Book of Life (All Souls Trilogy, #3)]]> 23161075 576 Deborah Harkness 0525427228 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 owned-books, 2020-2024 3.75 out of 5

Finally finished the series. And well, that was an ending. I can’t say I am fully satisfied but I’m also not disappointed. The conclusion makes sense in the larger scheme of the whole series, but as one that had such a fascinating concept and overarching plot, it felt flat.

One of the biggest complaints I have for this book, which trickled from the second one simultaneously got worse, was the relationship of Matthew and Diana. I felt nothing concerning their lack of chemistry, their struggles as a mixed-species relationship, or the role their relationship played in the prophecies foretold. I found all their scenes to be borderline corny, and sometimes I couldn’t stand them because they were just ridiculous with their overdramatics. Independently of each other, they are much more fascinating characters.

What kept me highly engaged was unfolding the mystery of the Book of Life. But even that felt like boom! done and quickly moved on the second conflict of the book. I wanted us to really go in-depth as much as possible as to what that mystery was. We were only given snippets to at least grasp the essence of it but there was so much more we could have been given. It’s a magical book embedded with a lost history! Why not use it to expand on the world?

I definitely enjoyed the series as a whole and to be honest, I think it’s one of those that you should reach back to back since each one starts off right where the other one left off. Even with all the gripes I had it was still pretty unique and entertaining for what it was.]]> 4.11 2014 The Book of Life (All Souls Trilogy, #3)
author: Deborah Harkness
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2014
rating: 3
read at: 2023/10/16
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
3.75 out of 5

Finally finished the series. And well, that was an ending. I can’t say I am fully satisfied but I’m also not disappointed. The conclusion makes sense in the larger scheme of the whole series, but as one that had such a fascinating concept and overarching plot, it felt flat.

One of the biggest complaints I have for this book, which trickled from the second one simultaneously got worse, was the relationship of Matthew and Diana. I felt nothing concerning their lack of chemistry, their struggles as a mixed-species relationship, or the role their relationship played in the prophecies foretold. I found all their scenes to be borderline corny, and sometimes I couldn’t stand them because they were just ridiculous with their overdramatics. Independently of each other, they are much more fascinating characters.

What kept me highly engaged was unfolding the mystery of the Book of Life. But even that felt like boom! done and quickly moved on the second conflict of the book. I wanted us to really go in-depth as much as possible as to what that mystery was. We were only given snippets to at least grasp the essence of it but there was so much more we could have been given. It’s a magical book embedded with a lost history! Why not use it to expand on the world?

I definitely enjoyed the series as a whole and to be honest, I think it’s one of those that you should reach back to back since each one starts off right where the other one left off. Even with all the gripes I had it was still pretty unique and entertaining for what it was.
]]> <![CDATA[The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom]]> 96884 297 Jonathan Haidt 0465028020 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 1 dnf, 2020-2024 DNF-ed at 34%

While the concept is one I throughly enjoy, some of the commentary and sections wereâ€� questionable. I couldn’t bring myself to agree with them due to it being quite obvious it was missing different perspectives that were not white and male. I had to put it down.]]> 4.08 2006 The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom
author: Jonathan Haidt
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2006
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: dnf, 2020-2024
review:
DNF-ed at 34%

While the concept is one I throughly enjoy, some of the commentary and sections wereâ€� questionable. I couldn’t bring myself to agree with them due to it being quite obvious it was missing different perspectives that were not white and male. I had to put it down.
]]> A Long Fatal Love Chase 7185368
A story of dark love and passionate obsession that was considered "too sensational" to be published in the authors lifetime, A Long Fatal Love Chase was written for magazine serialization in 1866, two years before the publication of Little Women . Buried among Louisa May Alcott's papers for more than a century, its publication is a literary landmark—a novel that is bold, timeless, and mesmerizing."


From the Paperback edition.]]> 376 Louisa May Alcott 0394224876 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 owned-books, 2020-2024 4 out of 5 stars

WOW!! I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. This was probably the book that has been on my bookshelves the longest (over a decade now) and I knew it was time to finally pick it up. Oh and I’m so glad I did!

Rosamond really stood out to me as a strong-willed and level-headed female protagonist for a book written in the 1850s. To have someone like her be the leading lady, it definitely is revolutionary in its own right. Also, the amount of circumstances she found herself in in addition to the nature of her love interests no wonder this book was considered “too scandalousâ€� to publish back then.

The plot is quite fast-paced and tightly packed with action and twists practically in every chapter. Some of those ending lines in the chapters had me gasping because I did not expect them at all! Two in particular were very pleasantly surprising in the best way possible. The only thing I wish was a bit different is that because at times it was so fast-paced the story didn’t get to breathe in certain scenes. This might be due to Alcott never gone to edit a final draft after being rejected by her publisher.

The love interests were definitely fascinating. Tempest is your obsessed stalker who will go to the ends of the world to make Rosamond his once more. Ignatius was the just, protective man who would do anything to keep her safe. Oh! And let me mention that he’s also a priest! There was this very tender scene between Ignatius and Rosamond and I wish it would have led to something a bit more. But I know that even having a priest as love interest back then was already crossing so many societal taboos.

The chase from beginning to end was very fun. It achieve its purpose of keeping the reader entertained and its end felt satisfactory. I couldn’t have envisioned a better ending but we warned this isn’t your happily ever after. I would say if you are a fan of dark/gothic romances pick this one up!! Louisa May Alcott was in her bag with this one and so glad it finally got to see the light of day even if it was a century later.]]> 3.71 1995 A Long Fatal Love Chase
author: Louisa May Alcott
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.71
book published: 1995
rating: 4
read at: 2023/01/29
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5 stars

WOW!! I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. This was probably the book that has been on my bookshelves the longest (over a decade now) and I knew it was time to finally pick it up. Oh and I’m so glad I did!

Rosamond really stood out to me as a strong-willed and level-headed female protagonist for a book written in the 1850s. To have someone like her be the leading lady, it definitely is revolutionary in its own right. Also, the amount of circumstances she found herself in in addition to the nature of her love interests no wonder this book was considered “too scandalousâ€� to publish back then.

The plot is quite fast-paced and tightly packed with action and twists practically in every chapter. Some of those ending lines in the chapters had me gasping because I did not expect them at all! Two in particular were very pleasantly surprising in the best way possible. The only thing I wish was a bit different is that because at times it was so fast-paced the story didn’t get to breathe in certain scenes. This might be due to Alcott never gone to edit a final draft after being rejected by her publisher.

The love interests were definitely fascinating. Tempest is your obsessed stalker who will go to the ends of the world to make Rosamond his once more. Ignatius was the just, protective man who would do anything to keep her safe. Oh! And let me mention that he’s also a priest! There was this very tender scene between Ignatius and Rosamond and I wish it would have led to something a bit more. But I know that even having a priest as love interest back then was already crossing so many societal taboos.

The chase from beginning to end was very fun. It achieve its purpose of keeping the reader entertained and its end felt satisfactory. I couldn’t have envisioned a better ending but we warned this isn’t your happily ever after. I would say if you are a fan of dark/gothic romances pick this one up!! Louisa May Alcott was in her bag with this one and so glad it finally got to see the light of day even if it was a century later.
]]> <![CDATA[Chain of Thorns (The Last Hours, #3)]]> 17699859 James and Cordelia must save London—and their marriage—in this conclusion to the Last Hours series from author Cassandra Clare.
Chain of Thorns is a Shadowhunters novel.

Cordelia Carstairs has lost everything that matters to her. In only a few short weeks, she has seen her father murdered, her plans to become parabatai with her best friend, Lucie, destroyed, and her marriage to James Herondale crumble before her eyes. Even worse, she is now bound to an ancient demon, Lilith, stripping her of her power as a Shadowhunter.

After fleeing to Paris with Matthew Fairchild, Cordelia hopes to forget her sorrows in the city’s glittering nightlife. But reality intrudes when shocking news comes from home: Tatiana Blackthorn has escaped the Adamant Citadel, and London is under new threat by the Prince of Hell, Belial.

Cordelia returns to a London riven by chaos and dissent. The long-kept secret that Belial is James and Lucie’s grandfather has been revealed by an unexpected enemy, and the Herondales find themselves under suspicion of dealings with demons. Cordelia longs to protect James but is torn between a love for James she has long believed hopeless, and the possibility of a new life with Matthew. Nor can her friends help—ripped apart by their own secrets, they seem destined to face what is coming alone.

For time is short, and Belial’s plan is about to crash into the Shadowhunters of London like a deadly wave, one that will separate Cordelia, Lucie, and the Merry Thieves from help of any kind. Left alone in a shadowy London, they must face Belial’s deadly army. If Cordelia and her friends are going to save their city—and their families—they will have to muster their courage, swallow their pride, and trust one another again. For if they fail, they may lose everything—even their souls.]]> 778 Cassandra Clare 1406358118 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 owned-books, 2020-2024 4 out of 5 stars

I love this ensemble of character so, so much. By far my favorite of any of Shadowhunter series. And truly it’s what made this series so enjoyable for me. Plot-wise and further developing the world it falls very weak, but personally I did not care. I was here 100% for the characters, especially James and Cordelia.

James and Cordelia. Oh they have my whole heart. Their relationship is my favorite of any of the main couples Clare has created. They had everything I love. They made me go through a wide spectrum of emotions from from gasping to smiling to crying—I just love them so, so much. However, I will say that I was a bit disappointed with how little we got of them two after they had resolved their conflict. Also the Matthew and Cordelia ordeal felt pointless to me and recycled. I wanted to see so much more of James and Cordelia as a couple. Like extended that angst and wanting just a bit longer instead of keeping them separated for the majority of the book.

It felt like Clare has struggling to keep the plotline of Belial more relevant and it hurt the development of the charactersâ€� relationships in the process. And to be honest, I would have father gotten that plotline resolved as quickly as possible because at the end of the day these books are more romance than fantasy, and it’s what most readers are looking forward to. I know these storylines will connect to the next series The Wicked Powers, but I genuinely do not care lol. And lastly there were some events that felt so absurd and out of place that it was almost comical? Clare is a very established writer and she should do better than that.

For me, this is an end of an era. With the conclusion of this series, I’m official saying goodbye to the Shadowhunter world. I spent a good decade with this world that I feel a lot of comfort visiting each time. I will miss it but I’m also happy to close off this chapter of my reading journey in my own terms.

P.S. I will never forgive Clare for no including the “I suffered every thorn for you I would againâ€� quote of James to Cordelia.]]> 4.04 2023 Chain of Thorns (The Last Hours, #3)
author: Cassandra Clare
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2023/02/24
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5 stars

I love this ensemble of character so, so much. By far my favorite of any of Shadowhunter series. And truly it’s what made this series so enjoyable for me. Plot-wise and further developing the world it falls very weak, but personally I did not care. I was here 100% for the characters, especially James and Cordelia.

James and Cordelia. Oh they have my whole heart. Their relationship is my favorite of any of the main couples Clare has created. They had everything I love. They made me go through a wide spectrum of emotions from from gasping to smiling to crying—I just love them so, so much. However, I will say that I was a bit disappointed with how little we got of them two after they had resolved their conflict. Also the Matthew and Cordelia ordeal felt pointless to me and recycled. I wanted to see so much more of James and Cordelia as a couple. Like extended that angst and wanting just a bit longer instead of keeping them separated for the majority of the book.

It felt like Clare has struggling to keep the plotline of Belial more relevant and it hurt the development of the charactersâ€� relationships in the process. And to be honest, I would have father gotten that plotline resolved as quickly as possible because at the end of the day these books are more romance than fantasy, and it’s what most readers are looking forward to. I know these storylines will connect to the next series The Wicked Powers, but I genuinely do not care lol. And lastly there were some events that felt so absurd and out of place that it was almost comical? Clare is a very established writer and she should do better than that.

For me, this is an end of an era. With the conclusion of this series, I’m official saying goodbye to the Shadowhunter world. I spent a good decade with this world that I feel a lot of comfort visiting each time. I will miss it but I’m also happy to close off this chapter of my reading journey in my own terms.

P.S. I will never forgive Clare for no including the “I suffered every thorn for you I would againâ€� quote of James to Cordelia.
]]> <![CDATA[The Ten Thousand Doors of January]]> 43521657
Then she finds a strange book. A book that carries the scent of other worlds, and tells a tale of secret doors, of love, adventure and danger. Each page turn reveals impossible truths about the world and January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.]]> 374 Alix E. Harrow 0316421995 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 2020-2024 4 out of 5 stars

This is a very beautiful story. I went in knowing nothing about the premise (other than one of my Twitter mutuals having this as one of their favorite books of all time), and that is really the perfect way to go in head first when reading it. It has a whimsical atmosphere enveloping you from the very first page, and little by little the story unfolds like a bud.

There are so many layers to how the story is set out that each time one was revealed it left me so excited to find the next one. After a while, however, the connections became clear and it was easy for me to figure out a few of the plot twists. I didn't mind because how they were executed was still very effective in keeping me engaged.

Where it started to lose me a bit was towards the end with how everything ended with a pretty tied bow. Considering how hard-hitting the somber scenes were when everything was easily resolved and everyone got their happily ever after, it felt odd. At least to me. I'm sure some liked the turnaround of events, but personally, I would have liked it to be a bit different to match the themes of the book better: healing past trauma, moving forward, working through your circumstances, etc.

The magic was my favorite part! I love how subtle it began and little by little it became a prominent aspect of the book. There is one scene in particular that literally gave me goosebumps. So fucking hardcore. If things had gone more in that direction, this would have been a fast 5-star read. Regardless with the soft magic system, it was so intriguing and one I wouldn't mind revisiting with January if the opportunity presents itself.

The very final chapter really sealed the deal for me. It made everything come full circle for January's character in a way I felt satisfied with even with a couple of gripes with the ending of the story itself. It felt true to her character.
]]> 3.99 2019 The Ten Thousand Doors of January
author: Alix E. Harrow
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2023/12/04
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5 stars

This is a very beautiful story. I went in knowing nothing about the premise (other than one of my Twitter mutuals having this as one of their favorite books of all time), and that is really the perfect way to go in head first when reading it. It has a whimsical atmosphere enveloping you from the very first page, and little by little the story unfolds like a bud.

There are so many layers to how the story is set out that each time one was revealed it left me so excited to find the next one. After a while, however, the connections became clear and it was easy for me to figure out a few of the plot twists. I didn't mind because how they were executed was still very effective in keeping me engaged.

Where it started to lose me a bit was towards the end with how everything ended with a pretty tied bow. Considering how hard-hitting the somber scenes were when everything was easily resolved and everyone got their happily ever after, it felt odd. At least to me. I'm sure some liked the turnaround of events, but personally, I would have liked it to be a bit different to match the themes of the book better: healing past trauma, moving forward, working through your circumstances, etc.

The magic was my favorite part! I love how subtle it began and little by little it became a prominent aspect of the book. There is one scene in particular that literally gave me goosebumps. So fucking hardcore. If things had gone more in that direction, this would have been a fast 5-star read. Regardless with the soft magic system, it was so intriguing and one I wouldn't mind revisiting with January if the opportunity presents itself.

The very final chapter really sealed the deal for me. It made everything come full circle for January's character in a way I felt satisfied with even with a couple of gripes with the ending of the story itself. It felt true to her character.

]]> <![CDATA[The Sandman, Vol. 3: Dream Country]]> 40512291 The third installment of Neil Gaiman's seminal series, THE SANDMAN VOL. 3: DREAM COUNTRY, celebrates its 30th anniversary with an all-new edition!

The third book of the Sandman collection is a series of four short comic book stories. In each of these otherwise unrelated stories, Morpheus serves only as a minor character. Here we meet the mother of Morpheus's son, find out what cats dream about, and discover the true origin behind Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night Dream. The latter won a World Fantasy Award for best short story, the first time a comic book was given that honor.

Collects THE SANDMAN #17-20.]]> 160 Neil Gaiman 1401285481 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 owned-books, 2020-2024 3.75 out of 5

That was enjoyable. They were four quite distinct stories so not sure how any of these will be connecting in future issues but we’ll see. Morpheus took more of a back seat this time around, but we did see how he can meddle into human affairs, and the huge impact that has in their lives. Previously we saw more of humans influencing Dreams now we saw more of a blonde between both.

I’m start to come around the art style. It feels more concise and defined. I really like the moments where it’s very detailed, especially in this volume with issue about the cats. There was the close of a kitty’s face that is breathtaking. I’m curious to see how it continues to develop in future volumes.]]> 4.07 1990 The Sandman, Vol. 3: Dream Country
author: Neil Gaiman
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.07
book published: 1990
rating: 3
read at: 2022/08/02
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
3.75 out of 5

That was enjoyable. They were four quite distinct stories so not sure how any of these will be connecting in future issues but we’ll see. Morpheus took more of a back seat this time around, but we did see how he can meddle into human affairs, and the huge impact that has in their lives. Previously we saw more of humans influencing Dreams now we saw more of a blonde between both.

I’m start to come around the art style. It feels more concise and defined. I really like the moments where it’s very detailed, especially in this volume with issue about the cats. There was the close of a kitty’s face that is breathtaking. I’m curious to see how it continues to develop in future volumes.
]]> Love on the Brain 59571699 From the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis comes a new STEMinist rom-com in which a scientist is forced to work on a project with her nemesis—with explosive results.

Bee KĂśnigswasser lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do? If NASA offered her the lead on a neuroengineering project - a literal dream come true - Marie would accept without hesitation. Duh. But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward.

Sure, Levi is attractive in a tall, dark, and piercing-eyes kind of way. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school - archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away.

But when her equipment starts to go missing and the staff ignore her, Bee could swear she sees Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas... devouring her with those eyes. The possibilities have all her neurons firing.

But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there's only one question that matters: What will Bee KĂśnigswasser do?]]> 368 Ali Hazelwood 1408725789 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 2.75 out of 5 stars

It was fun at the beginning but sort of went downhill halfway, mainly because Bee was insufferable. Also the lack of chemistry and swoon-worthiness was disappointing after I had loved the author’s first book.

Right off the bat, the author was trying too hard to make Bee as quirky as possible. I tried looking past it but as the book progressed it got more annoying. How is a 28 year old, and with a PhD, still have the critical thinking skills of someone in high school?

The rational she gave for the love interest hating her was just soâ€� dumb. Especially when she started to catch feelings for him, and would say how he’s so perfect and so sweet to her, but then would turn around and be like, “Oh but he hates me and finds me disgusting lmao.â€� Like what?! Levi also should have been more outspoken with how he was feeling but he had a valid reason as to why he couldn’t due to past trauma.

Bee’s and Levi’s chemistry was just okay. Nothing special here whatsoever. It was fun at times and other times it had me just trying to quickly get to their more exciting scenes. It definitely felt like the author was sticking as many tropes as possible to fit some sort of quota and writing around them. And considering the recent allegations against the author being given opportunities when she doesn’t have much of the writing talent, it doesn’t seem far-fetched.

Overall, I would say it’s a quick romance read if you want something to just pass some time. But you’re not really missing much if you don’t pick it up. Her first novel is still the best, so this one definitely felt like a disappointment.]]> 3.88 2022 Love on the Brain
author: Ali Hazelwood
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2022/09/22
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
2.75 out of 5 stars

It was fun at the beginning but sort of went downhill halfway, mainly because Bee was insufferable. Also the lack of chemistry and swoon-worthiness was disappointing after I had loved the author’s first book.

Right off the bat, the author was trying too hard to make Bee as quirky as possible. I tried looking past it but as the book progressed it got more annoying. How is a 28 year old, and with a PhD, still have the critical thinking skills of someone in high school?

The rational she gave for the love interest hating her was just soâ€� dumb. Especially when she started to catch feelings for him, and would say how he’s so perfect and so sweet to her, but then would turn around and be like, “Oh but he hates me and finds me disgusting lmao.â€� Like what?! Levi also should have been more outspoken with how he was feeling but he had a valid reason as to why he couldn’t due to past trauma.

Bee’s and Levi’s chemistry was just okay. Nothing special here whatsoever. It was fun at times and other times it had me just trying to quickly get to their more exciting scenes. It definitely felt like the author was sticking as many tropes as possible to fit some sort of quota and writing around them. And considering the recent allegations against the author being given opportunities when she doesn’t have much of the writing talent, it doesn’t seem far-fetched.

Overall, I would say it’s a quick romance read if you want something to just pass some time. But you’re not really missing much if you don’t pick it up. Her first novel is still the best, so this one definitely felt like a disappointment.
]]> <![CDATA[The Sandman, Vol. 2: The Doll's House]]> 39208033 The second installment of Neil Gaiman's seminal series, THE SANDMAN VOL. 2: THE DOLL'S HOUSE, celebrates its 30th anniversary with all all-new edition!

New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman's transcendent series SANDMAN is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision.

During Morpheus's incarceration, three dreams escaped the Dreaming and are now loose in the waking world. At the same time, a young woman named Rose Walker is searching for her little brother. As their stories converge, a vortex is discovered that could destroy all dreamers, and the world itself.

Collects THE SANDMAN #9-16.]]> 232 Neil Gaiman 1401285066 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 owned-books, 2020-2024 4.25 out of 5 stars

Definitely enjoyed it much more than the first volume! The story felt connected, but planted enough other plotlines for follow up issues. One thing that really stood out to me was how crucial humans are here compared to Morpheus or any of his siblings. It really exemplifies the theme of this volume, how for these entities while they seem powerful they are shaped and influenced by the humans they serve.

That is one of the aspects I’m find I really enjoy about Sandman, it’s how central humans are to each of the stories. But it also is one of the setbacks since I personally want to learn more about Dream, and what exactly is his power. He feels more of a side character than the titular one.

I hope the other volumes continue like this! I’m curious to see how the storylines with progress since it does appear most of them have been connected somehow to ones we saw in the first few issues. ]]> 4.39 1990 The Sandman, Vol. 2: The Doll's House
author: Neil Gaiman
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.39
book published: 1990
rating: 4
read at: 2022/08/01
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
4.25 out of 5 stars

Definitely enjoyed it much more than the first volume! The story felt connected, but planted enough other plotlines for follow up issues. One thing that really stood out to me was how crucial humans are here compared to Morpheus or any of his siblings. It really exemplifies the theme of this volume, how for these entities while they seem powerful they are shaped and influenced by the humans they serve.

That is one of the aspects I’m find I really enjoy about Sandman, it’s how central humans are to each of the stories. But it also is one of the setbacks since I personally want to learn more about Dream, and what exactly is his power. He feels more of a side character than the titular one.

I hope the other volumes continue like this! I’m curious to see how the storylines with progress since it does appear most of them have been connected somehow to ones we saw in the first few issues.
]]> <![CDATA[The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes]]> 39208021 Neil Gaiman's seminal series, THE SANDMAN, celebrates its 30th anniversary with an all-new edition of THE SANDMAN VOL. 1: PRELUDES & NOCTURNES!

New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman's transcendent series THE SANDMAN is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision.

In PRELUDES & NOCTURNES, an occultist attempting to capture Death to bargain for eternal life traps her younger brother Dream instead. After his 70 year imprisonment and eventual escape, Dream, also known as Morpheus, goes on a quest for his lost objects of power. On his arduous journey Morpheus encounters Lucifer, John Constantine, and an all-powerful madman.

This book also includes the story "The Sound of Her Wings," which introduces us to the pragmatic and perky goth girl Death.

Collects THE SANDMAN #1-8.]]> 240 Neil Gaiman 1401284779 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 owned-books, 2020-2024 4 out of 5

Very interesting concept! I love the idea of personification of forces in the universe that are eternal and fixed. It would have been easy to make Dream into a diety, but the route Gaiman took was more fascinating.

Most of the time when we see characters such as this they are kept within their own little bubbles, but I loved seeing the perspective of how Dream being locked up for years had an effect on the world, especially humans. It helps us see a different side of the character without it being info-dumpy. It further expanded the world making come alive and helping the reader become immersed much more easily.

This felt more like it was setting the ground for the series, but still highly enjoyable. I’m really looking forward to the other volumes! My main gripe is the art style, it’s just not my cup of tea.]]> 4.30 1988 The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes
author: Neil Gaiman
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.30
book published: 1988
rating: 4
read at: 2022/07/09
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5

Very interesting concept! I love the idea of personification of forces in the universe that are eternal and fixed. It would have been easy to make Dream into a diety, but the route Gaiman took was more fascinating.

Most of the time when we see characters such as this they are kept within their own little bubbles, but I loved seeing the perspective of how Dream being locked up for years had an effect on the world, especially humans. It helps us see a different side of the character without it being info-dumpy. It further expanded the world making come alive and helping the reader become immersed much more easily.

This felt more like it was setting the ground for the series, but still highly enjoyable. I’m really looking forward to the other volumes! My main gripe is the art style, it’s just not my cup of tea.
]]> A Certain Hunger 53180064 Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9781951213145.

Food critic Dorothy Daniels loves what she does. Discerning, meticulous, and very, very smart, Dorothy's clear mastery of the culinary arts make it likely that she could, on any given night, whip up a more inspired dish than any one of the chefs she writes about.

Dorothy loves sex as much as she loves food, and while she has struggled to find a long-term partner that can keep up with her, she makes the best of her single life, frequently traveling from Manhattan to Italy for a taste of both. But there is something within Dorothy that's different from everyone else, and having suppressed it long enough, she starts to embrace what makes Dorothy uniquely, terrifyingly herself.

Recounting her life from a seemingly idyllic farm-to-table childhood, the heights of her career, to the moment she plunges an ice pick into a man's neck on Fire Island, Dorothy Daniels show us what happens when a woman finally embraces her superiority.

A satire of early foodieism, a critique of how gender is defined, and a showcase of virtuoso storytelling, Chelsea G. Summers' A Certain Hunger introduces us to the food world's most charming psychopath and an exciting new voice in fiction.]]> 240 Chelsea G. Summers °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3 out of 5 stars

Started out strong but halfway through it fell off into dull prattling. It was as if the author had ran out of plot yet still needed to fulfill a quota of words. There’s definitely social commentary to be made about the hunger of women, but it’s superficial at best.

Dorothy, our psychopath serial killer with a refined taste, immediately grabs your attention with the grotesque language she uses to describe things. Since this is supposed to be a sort of diary of hers retelling her murders that eventually led to her being in prison, there is no filter. I enjoyed that a lot at the beginning, however eventually it felt like she was rambling on and on about things I really did not care about or see the point of them being in the book.

I wish it had delved more into the theme of the hunger of women and how they are required to repress it in other ways to satisfy social expectations. Having Emily, her best friend, almost as a foil to her own character was barely scratched in the surface. I found her relationship with her more compelling than any of the other relationships she had with men. The men here felt very much like afterthoughts, which is understandable in the context of the story.

My biggest gripe perhaps, and it connects my two previous points, is that we never really understood the main motive behind her murders. It was kinda explain with one event that was the catalyst for the others and it sizzled down to the idea of “I don’t have to be alone anymoreâ€�. I wanted Dorothy to expand more on that idea and really dig into her psyche because it left a lot to be desired.

I still enjoyed it! The themes of cannibalism, love, consumption, and desires have always fascinated me so this was really up my alley. If any of you have my recommendations similar to this one please do let me know!]]> 3.77 2019 A Certain Hunger
author: Chelsea G. Summers
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2022/05/31
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3 out of 5 stars

Started out strong but halfway through it fell off into dull prattling. It was as if the author had ran out of plot yet still needed to fulfill a quota of words. There’s definitely social commentary to be made about the hunger of women, but it’s superficial at best.

Dorothy, our psychopath serial killer with a refined taste, immediately grabs your attention with the grotesque language she uses to describe things. Since this is supposed to be a sort of diary of hers retelling her murders that eventually led to her being in prison, there is no filter. I enjoyed that a lot at the beginning, however eventually it felt like she was rambling on and on about things I really did not care about or see the point of them being in the book.

I wish it had delved more into the theme of the hunger of women and how they are required to repress it in other ways to satisfy social expectations. Having Emily, her best friend, almost as a foil to her own character was barely scratched in the surface. I found her relationship with her more compelling than any of the other relationships she had with men. The men here felt very much like afterthoughts, which is understandable in the context of the story.

My biggest gripe perhaps, and it connects my two previous points, is that we never really understood the main motive behind her murders. It was kinda explain with one event that was the catalyst for the others and it sizzled down to the idea of “I don’t have to be alone anymoreâ€�. I wanted Dorothy to expand more on that idea and really dig into her psyche because it left a lot to be desired.

I still enjoyed it! The themes of cannibalism, love, consumption, and desires have always fascinated me so this was really up my alley. If any of you have my recommendations similar to this one please do let me know!
]]> In My Dreams I Hold a Knife 50485649 Six friends.
One college reunion.
One unsolved murder.

A college reunion turns dark and deadly in this chilling and propulsive suspense novel about six friends, one unsolved murder, and the dark secrets they’ve been hiding from each other—and themselves—for a decade.

Ten years after graduation, Jessica Miller has planned her triumphant return to southern, elite Duquette University, down to the envious whispers that are sure to follow in her wake. Everyone is going to see the girl she wants them to see—confident, beautiful, indifferent—not the girl she was when she left campus, back when Heather’s murder fractured everything, including the tight bond linking the six friends she’d been closest to since freshman year. Ten years ago, everything fell apart, including the dreams she worked for her whole life—and her relationship with the one person she wasn’t supposed to love.

But not everyone is ready to move on. Not everyone left Duquette ten years ago, and not everyone can let Heather’s murder go unsolved. Someone is determined to trap the real killer, to make the guilty pay. When the six friends are reunited, they will be forced to confront what happened that night—and the yearsâ€� worth of secrets each of them would do anything to keep hidden.

Told in racing dual timelines, with a dark campus setting and a darker look at friendship, love, obsession, and ambition, In My Dreams I Hold A Knife is an addictive, propulsive read you won’t be able to put down.]]> 345 Ashley Winstead 172822988X °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 2020-2024 4 out of 5 stars

It’s been a while since I genuinely got hooked by a book so this was a wonderful surprise. I went in knowing just the bare minimum about the plot and that it was considered dark academia, which is what initially piqued my interest. It was very good once things started to pick up.

Plot-wise this is where it shines. It was so layered in how everything that was shown in flashbacks then connected to the present was done so well. It never felt like we were shown things just because but they served their purpose. It had the great balance where some things you were able to figure out based on the clues given and some I didn’t see coming. I will say that at the beginning it felt a little aimless with where it was going, but it didn’t last longer than about 100 pages.

My favorite thing about this book was learning about these characters, and uncovering the little secrets they kept. It made the twists and turns even more fun. And for the first time I could genuinely say almost all of them were truly unlikeable characters, especially our main narrator, Jessica. She was insufferable and a very pathetic person—all of them were to be honest. Each of them had their own little vices and dirty laundry they had been hiding for so long.

If I were to speak about the message within the book, I would say it’s about how childhood trauma creates an irreversible impact on your development. How a single event or comment directed at you as a child can have negative consequences for so many year and one wouldn’t be able to notice how detrimental it was. It’s a good sort of analysis on that subject matter.

The only major criticism that I have is the writing style. There was nothing that ever stood out to me about it or an specific quote that really just hit me in the gut. The author is a great writer, very efficient at communicating her ideas, but when it comes to it being having more flair I can’t say I got that out of it. I think this was the main reason why I struggled sometimes really engrossing myself in the book and felt like a spectator being told almost like a fact-based story.

The best way to go in is as blind as possible, or at least knowing the basis of the plot. It’s a fantastic book that works well with all the pieces of the puzzles and puts them all together in a very satisfying way. Each character, while somewhat cliche in the surface, had a more complex characterization that was compelling and captivating once you got to know them. This was a read that I had a lot of fun with and that’s all I ask for from any book.]]> 3.79 2021 In My Dreams I Hold a Knife
author: Ashley Winstead
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.79
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2022/03/11
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5 stars

It’s been a while since I genuinely got hooked by a book so this was a wonderful surprise. I went in knowing just the bare minimum about the plot and that it was considered dark academia, which is what initially piqued my interest. It was very good once things started to pick up.

Plot-wise this is where it shines. It was so layered in how everything that was shown in flashbacks then connected to the present was done so well. It never felt like we were shown things just because but they served their purpose. It had the great balance where some things you were able to figure out based on the clues given and some I didn’t see coming. I will say that at the beginning it felt a little aimless with where it was going, but it didn’t last longer than about 100 pages.

My favorite thing about this book was learning about these characters, and uncovering the little secrets they kept. It made the twists and turns even more fun. And for the first time I could genuinely say almost all of them were truly unlikeable characters, especially our main narrator, Jessica. She was insufferable and a very pathetic person—all of them were to be honest. Each of them had their own little vices and dirty laundry they had been hiding for so long.

If I were to speak about the message within the book, I would say it’s about how childhood trauma creates an irreversible impact on your development. How a single event or comment directed at you as a child can have negative consequences for so many year and one wouldn’t be able to notice how detrimental it was. It’s a good sort of analysis on that subject matter.

The only major criticism that I have is the writing style. There was nothing that ever stood out to me about it or an specific quote that really just hit me in the gut. The author is a great writer, very efficient at communicating her ideas, but when it comes to it being having more flair I can’t say I got that out of it. I think this was the main reason why I struggled sometimes really engrossing myself in the book and felt like a spectator being told almost like a fact-based story.

The best way to go in is as blind as possible, or at least knowing the basis of the plot. It’s a fantastic book that works well with all the pieces of the puzzles and puts them all together in a very satisfying way. Each character, while somewhat cliche in the surface, had a more complex characterization that was compelling and captivating once you got to know them. This was a read that I had a lot of fun with and that’s all I ask for from any book.
]]> Babel 59729042 A novel that grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British empire.

Traduttore, traditore: An act of translation is always an act of betrayal.

1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—also known as Babel.

Babel is the world's center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver working—the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars—has made the British unparalleled in power, as its knowledge serves the Empire’s quest for colonization.

For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge obeys power, and as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes serving Babel means betraying his motherland. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide�

Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?]]> 560 R.F. Kuang °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 2 2020-2024 1.75 out of 5

After a long month and a half, the journey to finish this book is over. I just simply could not take it seriously. Its analysis of colonialism, exploitation, and racism is rather superficial in nature. And even the plot nor the characters could save this book for me either.

The whole thesis of the book is that colonialism is bad and manipulates those colonized in helping the Empire. Great, we get it right off the synopsis. But did it go deeper than that in the actual book? No. It beat you over the head that “Colonialism! Bad! Colonizer! Bad person!â€� but it never has a sincere intent to explore how detrimental it is to those impacted by it. This is a topic Kuang has written about intensively in The Poppy War series and with much better intent and analysis.

The characters have no personality outside one specific trait, and my god is the chemistry between them so forced. Not once did I feel the depth of their friendship and I blame it on that we rarely ever see them interacting and are only constantly told they do this or they go here or they had this conversation. It feels like Kuang’s weakest aspect as a writer is developing interesting and multi-dimensional characters.

For example, it’s made explicitly clear Robin is half-White and half-Chinese. We do see a form on awareness from him as to how he has benefited from it, especially in 1820’s England. But it’s never fully addressed or shown as an internal struggle in where you feel as the reader that you fully grasp Robin’s perspective on it. The remainder of Robin’s friend group I could really not pinpoint as to how they brought dimensionality to the story other than to token diversify it by giving them one main characteristic that felt borderline stereotypical.

The writing was a grog from start to finish. It goes from bombarding you with heavy-handed lectures about translation to repetitive plot beats we have already seen in The Poppy War. Through the lectures in the book I could tell Kuang has intensive knowledge in the area of translation and its philosophy, but did it help add weight to the book? No. It also baffles me as to how a book that is set in 1828 England has the characters speaking as if they are currently living in 2022. It really threw me off and I had to keep reminding myself that this was not set in present day Oxford.

And for final pet peeve, it’s how this was highly marketed as a dark academia book but it’s not. At least from my point of view. Dark academia is more than a school setting with some unlikeable characters that happen to become friends. It’s an exploration of how twisted human nature transforms when falling into obsession and narcissism with the search for a sort of higher knowledge, status, or power.

So many important topics used to create such a hollow story, in where nothing new is explored nor anything really happens. That end is also such a copy/paste of her previous work, it left me cold. I felt so tired just getting through it which is why it took me so long to finish. Definitely my biggest disappointment of the year.]]> 4.14 2022 Babel
author: R.F. Kuang
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2022
rating: 2
read at: 2022/09/13
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
1.75 out of 5

After a long month and a half, the journey to finish this book is over. I just simply could not take it seriously. Its analysis of colonialism, exploitation, and racism is rather superficial in nature. And even the plot nor the characters could save this book for me either.

The whole thesis of the book is that colonialism is bad and manipulates those colonized in helping the Empire. Great, we get it right off the synopsis. But did it go deeper than that in the actual book? No. It beat you over the head that “Colonialism! Bad! Colonizer! Bad person!â€� but it never has a sincere intent to explore how detrimental it is to those impacted by it. This is a topic Kuang has written about intensively in The Poppy War series and with much better intent and analysis.

The characters have no personality outside one specific trait, and my god is the chemistry between them so forced. Not once did I feel the depth of their friendship and I blame it on that we rarely ever see them interacting and are only constantly told they do this or they go here or they had this conversation. It feels like Kuang’s weakest aspect as a writer is developing interesting and multi-dimensional characters.

For example, it’s made explicitly clear Robin is half-White and half-Chinese. We do see a form on awareness from him as to how he has benefited from it, especially in 1820’s England. But it’s never fully addressed or shown as an internal struggle in where you feel as the reader that you fully grasp Robin’s perspective on it. The remainder of Robin’s friend group I could really not pinpoint as to how they brought dimensionality to the story other than to token diversify it by giving them one main characteristic that felt borderline stereotypical.

The writing was a grog from start to finish. It goes from bombarding you with heavy-handed lectures about translation to repetitive plot beats we have already seen in The Poppy War. Through the lectures in the book I could tell Kuang has intensive knowledge in the area of translation and its philosophy, but did it help add weight to the book? No. It also baffles me as to how a book that is set in 1828 England has the characters speaking as if they are currently living in 2022. It really threw me off and I had to keep reminding myself that this was not set in present day Oxford.

And for final pet peeve, it’s how this was highly marketed as a dark academia book but it’s not. At least from my point of view. Dark academia is more than a school setting with some unlikeable characters that happen to become friends. It’s an exploration of how twisted human nature transforms when falling into obsession and narcissism with the search for a sort of higher knowledge, status, or power.

So many important topics used to create such a hollow story, in where nothing new is explored nor anything really happens. That end is also such a copy/paste of her previous work, it left me cold. I felt so tired just getting through it which is why it took me so long to finish. Definitely my biggest disappointment of the year.
]]> <![CDATA[The Rogue's Seduction (Seduction, #3)]]> 36424545 SOCIETY CALLS HIM THE DEVIL OF LONDON�

Lord Vaughn, Viscount Darlington, has a dark reputation for sinful pleasures, putting off even the most ardent mamas who crave his title for their unmarried daughters They say he’s dangerous enough to ruin a woman with just one look…But he can’t resist the pleas of a woman who needs his help. This rogue might yet be redeemed.

SHE’S THE DARLING OF THE TONâ€�

All of London adores Perdita Darby. She receives invites to every party and has eligible gentlemen willing to wait for her, but she has no desire to marry. When she discovers a cruel man wishes to entrap her into a marriage that could spell her doom, she has nowhere left to turn. She makes a bargain with the devil of London, hoping to save herself. But the cost of their false engagement may put them both in danger…]]> 216 Lauren Smith 1947206036 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3.75 out of 5

For what it was, this was super cute. I was pleasantly surprised that even with the insta-love I found myself rooting for them. It’s quite short and feels more like a novella, but I appreciated that it didn’t have any silly miscommunication just to lengthened the drama. It was quick and straight to the point! This would have easily been a solid 4 stars, if one scene in particular wasn’t so silly when it was meant to be serious. It made me burst out loud laughing! Some might find the story superficial or lack-luster, but if you are looking for just some fun, light romance read, this is for you!]]> 3.88 2018 The Rogue's Seduction (Seduction, #3)
author: Lauren Smith
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2022/04/28
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3.75 out of 5

For what it was, this was super cute. I was pleasantly surprised that even with the insta-love I found myself rooting for them. It’s quite short and feels more like a novella, but I appreciated that it didn’t have any silly miscommunication just to lengthened the drama. It was quick and straight to the point! This would have easily been a solid 4 stars, if one scene in particular wasn’t so silly when it was meant to be serious. It made me burst out loud laughing! Some might find the story superficial or lack-luster, but if you are looking for just some fun, light romance read, this is for you!
]]> <![CDATA[Aurora's End (The Aurora Cycle, #3)]]> 40516976 The squad you love is out of time. Prepare for the thrilling finale in the epic, best-selling Aurora Cycle series about a band of unlikely heroes who just might be the galaxy's last hope for survival.

Is this the end?
What happens when you ask a bunch of losers, discipline cases, and misfits to save the galaxy from an ancient evil? The ancient evil wins, of course.
Wait. . . . Not. So. Fast.
When we last saw Squad 312, they were working together seamlessly (aka, freaking out) as an intergalactic battle raged and an ancient superweapon threatened to obliterate Earth. Everything went horribly wrong, naturally.
But as it turns out, not all endings are endings, and the team has one last chance to rewrite theirs. Maybe two. It's complicated.
Cue Zila, Fin, and Scarlett (and MAGELLAN!): making friends, making enemies, and making history? Sure, no problem.
Cue Tyler, Kal, and Auri: uniting with two of the galaxy’s most hated villains? Um, okay. That, too.
Actually saving the galaxy, though?
Now that will take a miracle.]]> 496 Amie Kaufman 1524720887 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 1 dnf, 2020-2024 DNF-ed at 43%

I tried really hard to continue with it because I genuinely liked the last two books, but I guess too much time happened between the last one and this one and I could not make myself care for the ending. The more I pushed myself to read it the more I ended up hating how it was wasting my time. Out of curiosity I did jump to the last two chapters to see what happens and eh, too much convolution for very little pay off.]]> 4.19 2021 Aurora's End (The Aurora Cycle, #3)
author: Amie Kaufman
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2021
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: dnf, 2020-2024
review:
DNF-ed at 43%

I tried really hard to continue with it because I genuinely liked the last two books, but I guess too much time happened between the last one and this one and I could not make myself care for the ending. The more I pushed myself to read it the more I ended up hating how it was wasting my time. Out of curiosity I did jump to the last two chapters to see what happens and eh, too much convolution for very little pay off.
]]> Little Weirds 44284906 An alternate cover edition can be found here.

Hello and welcome to my book. Inside you will find:

× The smell of honeysuckle
× Heartbreak
× A French-kissing rabbit
× A haunted house
× Death
× A vagina singing sad old songs
× Young geraniums in an ancient castle
× Birth
× A dog who appears in dreams as a spiritual guide
× Divorce
× Electromagnetic energy fields
× Emotional horniness
× The ghost of a sea captain
× And more

I hope you enjoy these little weirds.

Love,
Jenny Slate]]> 224 Jenny Slate °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 4.75 out of 5

This was so lovely. One of the biggest reading surprises in a very, very long time. Very few books strike a cord with me so when they do I tend to love them just a bit more, and Little Weirds did it for me.

I saw some mention how self-centered and egoistic this was but I couldn’t disagree more. When you learn to love yourself and find joy in your own peace, you should celebrate the person you are. So many do not have the strength or courage to go through a journey of self-discovery because they are scared of finding things they will not like. So to be willing to take those steps is an achievement in itself.

The writing style has a sense of vulnerability, of Jenny Slate exposing a part of themselves to the reader in such an intimate manner. I could feel what she was feeling at that moment. While very few times it might have been too quirky or hard to follow, she always circled back to how each essay was a lesson she had learned in life. I absolutely loved it.

I understand this sort of book isn’t for everyone, but one thing this is not is disingenuous. It was like having someone get those difficult feelings I can rarely describe finally put on paper. I definitely see myself visiting some of the essays again and again simply to get a taste of Slate’s writing once more.]]> 3.87 2019 Little Weirds
author: Jenny Slate
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2022/02/23
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: all-time-favorites, owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
4.75 out of 5

This was so lovely. One of the biggest reading surprises in a very, very long time. Very few books strike a cord with me so when they do I tend to love them just a bit more, and Little Weirds did it for me.

I saw some mention how self-centered and egoistic this was but I couldn’t disagree more. When you learn to love yourself and find joy in your own peace, you should celebrate the person you are. So many do not have the strength or courage to go through a journey of self-discovery because they are scared of finding things they will not like. So to be willing to take those steps is an achievement in itself.

The writing style has a sense of vulnerability, of Jenny Slate exposing a part of themselves to the reader in such an intimate manner. I could feel what she was feeling at that moment. While very few times it might have been too quirky or hard to follow, she always circled back to how each essay was a lesson she had learned in life. I absolutely loved it.

I understand this sort of book isn’t for everyone, but one thing this is not is disingenuous. It was like having someone get those difficult feelings I can rarely describe finally put on paper. I definitely see myself visiting some of the essays again and again simply to get a taste of Slate’s writing once more.
]]> The Love Hypothesis 56732449
That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor--and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford's reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive's career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding... six-pack abs.

Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.]]> 356 Ali Hazelwood 0593336828 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 owned-books, 2020-2024 4.25 out of 5

This was so much fun!! Very few books are able to make me laugh out loud and this is one of them. the first half was definitely my favorite, then it started heading to the typical miscommunication trope almost every romance book does and that was kinda annoying. But I still really enjoyed the story and found the romance to be so cute. The fake-dating trope done well!

The plot is very silly when you just read the synopsis but the execution was amazing. I immediately got hooked by the whole situation Olive and Adam were put through. The reason behind the fake dating might be far too far-fetched but it fit Olive’s characterization. Adam agreeing quite easily, even when he is known to be unbearable, immediately gives us a hint that other than the reason he gave, he was definitely attracted to Olive. It made things so much more enjoyable because you as the reader knew something that Olive didn’t, and you couldn’t wait for her to figure it out.

The banter between the two was my favorite! It felt organic and not too-forced to be funny for funny’s sake. The chemistry between them was immediate and the really embodied the whole sunshine-and-grumpy ship dynamic. I personally didn’t mind that we didn’t learn much about them outside the academia space and the relationship, because above else this is a romance book and my main focus is, well, the romance! The major conflict of the book was one that I appreciated being brought to light since it’s something that a lot of women in STEM face but rarely gets discussed. How the author weaved that into the overall plot was seamless and I loved that.

The only reason I had to bring down my rating is that after the first half some little things here and there started to annoy me since they began to fall into the typical rom-com structure. For example, Olive always second-guessed herself and basically almost sacrificed her happiness for others. Considering she’s a woman in STEM, I would think she would have a stronger backbone than that. Also, Anh who she called her best friend, her person, did not act like I would expect a best friend to do so especially after everything Olive did for her. She was pushy and so self-absorbed, I could not bring myself to like her.

The ending was very cute and the perfect way to close it off. I was so happy for Adam and Olive at how everything came full circle for them. I can’t wait to see what the author writes next because I really enjoy their writing style.]]> 4.11 2021 The Love Hypothesis
author: Ali Hazelwood
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2022/03/18
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
4.25 out of 5

This was so much fun!! Very few books are able to make me laugh out loud and this is one of them. the first half was definitely my favorite, then it started heading to the typical miscommunication trope almost every romance book does and that was kinda annoying. But I still really enjoyed the story and found the romance to be so cute. The fake-dating trope done well!

The plot is very silly when you just read the synopsis but the execution was amazing. I immediately got hooked by the whole situation Olive and Adam were put through. The reason behind the fake dating might be far too far-fetched but it fit Olive’s characterization. Adam agreeing quite easily, even when he is known to be unbearable, immediately gives us a hint that other than the reason he gave, he was definitely attracted to Olive. It made things so much more enjoyable because you as the reader knew something that Olive didn’t, and you couldn’t wait for her to figure it out.

The banter between the two was my favorite! It felt organic and not too-forced to be funny for funny’s sake. The chemistry between them was immediate and the really embodied the whole sunshine-and-grumpy ship dynamic. I personally didn’t mind that we didn’t learn much about them outside the academia space and the relationship, because above else this is a romance book and my main focus is, well, the romance! The major conflict of the book was one that I appreciated being brought to light since it’s something that a lot of women in STEM face but rarely gets discussed. How the author weaved that into the overall plot was seamless and I loved that.

The only reason I had to bring down my rating is that after the first half some little things here and there started to annoy me since they began to fall into the typical rom-com structure. For example, Olive always second-guessed herself and basically almost sacrificed her happiness for others. Considering she’s a woman in STEM, I would think she would have a stronger backbone than that. Also, Anh who she called her best friend, her person, did not act like I would expect a best friend to do so especially after everything Olive did for her. She was pushy and so self-absorbed, I could not bring myself to like her.

The ending was very cute and the perfect way to close it off. I was so happy for Adam and Olive at how everything came full circle for them. I can’t wait to see what the author writes next because I really enjoy their writing style.
]]> <![CDATA[Shadow of Night (All Souls, #2)]]> 11559200 A Discovery of Witchesâ€� cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night takes Diana and Matthew on a trip through time to Elizabethan London, where they are plunged into a world of spies, magic, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the School of Night. As the search for Ashmole 782 deepens and Diana seeks out a witch to tutor her in magic, the net of Matthew’s past tightens around them, and they embark on a very different—and vastly more dangerous—journey.]]> 584 Deborah Harkness 0670023485 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 owned-books, 2020-2024 3.25 out of 5 stars

Finally after 84 yearsâ€� I have finished the 2nd book of this series! I genuinely love the world and the story and it’s the main reason I pushed through even with the slow pace and my own reading slump. This series makes it so easy to get yourself immersed in the world, and once it hooks you in it’s hard to put it down!

Unfortunately, this book suffers from second book syndrome. I thought considering they were traveling back in time and they would be on the search for the book it would be more exciting, yet it felt like so much and so little was happening at once. The portions that really were interesting were cut short whereas the ones that didn’t dragged on for far too long, in my opinion. I wanted us to really take us down into the magic and the prophecies more but I will say it left me with enough questions that it make me want to pick up the next book ASAP.

I could tell the book was filled with nods to historical events and people, but they completely flew over my head. The insertion of multiple characters also was had to keep up with and I didn’t see much of a purpose to them since some of them only appeared far and between. This is very apparent during a scene close to the end of the book in which we have one character who makes an appearance for no other reason than to cause one final conflict for our characters that is easily resolved within two chapters.

Diana and Matthew’s relationship did take an interesting turn where we see them try to reconcile the fact that one, their relationship is forbidden and two, there is still many secrets hidden by both from each other that doesn’t allow them to fully rely and depend on one another as a spouse. In this regard, I would have liked to see Matthew’s POV since only having Diana’s made their relationship conflicts appear at times much more dramatic than in should have been (Not saying Diana is dramatic in her recounting, but rather we don’t get the full picture). Also, I found it hard to find their love believable at times. I’m not exactly sure as to why but the chemistry was not there like it was in the first book.

My main gripe with the book is just how long it took us to get to the main point of the book: getting Diana to figure out her magic. I thought it would be something we would get to fairly quickly and it would be interwoven with the rest of the plot and it never did. We get to that until a bit after the midway point and even then we only see her practicing with her magic a few times. It was very disappointing after we find out that she isn’t just any ordinary witch and we are told consistently how powerful she is. But we never see that? I would prefer to see it than have it been told to me over and over again.

Regardless of the issues I’ve had with the second book, I’m very excited to read the next one! I really hope it answers the majority of questions this one raised. I’ve been dying to know what exactly is it that the witches discovered that they have been trying to hide for centuries.]]> 4.04 2012 Shadow of Night (All Souls, #2)
author: Deborah Harkness
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2012
rating: 3
read at: 2022/07/28
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
3.25 out of 5 stars

Finally after 84 yearsâ€� I have finished the 2nd book of this series! I genuinely love the world and the story and it’s the main reason I pushed through even with the slow pace and my own reading slump. This series makes it so easy to get yourself immersed in the world, and once it hooks you in it’s hard to put it down!

Unfortunately, this book suffers from second book syndrome. I thought considering they were traveling back in time and they would be on the search for the book it would be more exciting, yet it felt like so much and so little was happening at once. The portions that really were interesting were cut short whereas the ones that didn’t dragged on for far too long, in my opinion. I wanted us to really take us down into the magic and the prophecies more but I will say it left me with enough questions that it make me want to pick up the next book ASAP.

I could tell the book was filled with nods to historical events and people, but they completely flew over my head. The insertion of multiple characters also was had to keep up with and I didn’t see much of a purpose to them since some of them only appeared far and between. This is very apparent during a scene close to the end of the book in which we have one character who makes an appearance for no other reason than to cause one final conflict for our characters that is easily resolved within two chapters.

Diana and Matthew’s relationship did take an interesting turn where we see them try to reconcile the fact that one, their relationship is forbidden and two, there is still many secrets hidden by both from each other that doesn’t allow them to fully rely and depend on one another as a spouse. In this regard, I would have liked to see Matthew’s POV since only having Diana’s made their relationship conflicts appear at times much more dramatic than in should have been (Not saying Diana is dramatic in her recounting, but rather we don’t get the full picture). Also, I found it hard to find their love believable at times. I’m not exactly sure as to why but the chemistry was not there like it was in the first book.

My main gripe with the book is just how long it took us to get to the main point of the book: getting Diana to figure out her magic. I thought it would be something we would get to fairly quickly and it would be interwoven with the rest of the plot and it never did. We get to that until a bit after the midway point and even then we only see her practicing with her magic a few times. It was very disappointing after we find out that she isn’t just any ordinary witch and we are told consistently how powerful she is. But we never see that? I would prefer to see it than have it been told to me over and over again.

Regardless of the issues I’ve had with the second book, I’m very excited to read the next one! I really hope it answers the majority of questions this one raised. I’ve been dying to know what exactly is it that the witches discovered that they have been trying to hide for centuries.
]]> <![CDATA[Rule of Wolves (King of Scars, #2)]]> 54589790 The wolves are circling. And Ravka's time is running out.

The Demon King. As Fjerda's massive army prepares to invade, Nikolai Lantsov will summon every bit of his ingenuity and charm—and even the monster within—to win this fight. But a dark threat looms that cannot be defeated by a young king's gift for the impossible.

The Stormwitch. Zoya Nazyalensky has lost too much to war. She saw her mentor die and her worst enemy resurrected, and she refuses to bury another friend. Now duty demands she embrace her powers to become the weapon her country needs. No matter the cost.

The Queen of Mourning. Deep undercover, Nina Zenik risks discovery and death as she wages war on Fjerda from inside its capital. But her desire for revenge may cost her country its chance at freedom and Nina the chance to heal her grieving heart.

King. General. Spy. Together they must find a way to forge a future in the darkness. Or watch a nation fall.]]> 592 Leigh Bardugo 125014230X °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 2 2020-2024 2 out of 5 stars

I do not have much to say about this finally because to be honest I was not invested in it as I would have been a few years back. If you are a fan of the Grishaverse then this duology is a great addition in expanding the world slightly. There was so much lost potential here when you take in consideration what we learn about the truth of the Saints and the Grisha in the first book. Also adding in unnecessary plot lines when in the end they had absolutely no impact felt like a waste of time.

It’s main focus were the characters and their interactions/relationships. A few crossovers happened that would have made fans quite giddy. Yet, none of it appealed to me other than seeing one or two characters I love from the Grishaverse. Even the “romanceâ€� between Nikolai and Zoya was boring me to death with their lack of any sort of chemistry. This was marketed as a Nikolai duology and it never felt as such. Zoya was the one that took the spotlight, and I have mixed feelings on her character as a whole.

This was one of the series I had set out to finish by this year and I’m just glad I did. I hold no fondness for the Grishaverse as I did when I was a teen. Now, if we do get a third book for Six of Crowsâ€� well, I might just accept it with open arms.]]> 4.36 2021 Rule of Wolves (King of Scars, #2)
author: Leigh Bardugo
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2021
rating: 2
read at: 2022/04/13
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
2 out of 5 stars

I do not have much to say about this finally because to be honest I was not invested in it as I would have been a few years back. If you are a fan of the Grishaverse then this duology is a great addition in expanding the world slightly. There was so much lost potential here when you take in consideration what we learn about the truth of the Saints and the Grisha in the first book. Also adding in unnecessary plot lines when in the end they had absolutely no impact felt like a waste of time.

It’s main focus were the characters and their interactions/relationships. A few crossovers happened that would have made fans quite giddy. Yet, none of it appealed to me other than seeing one or two characters I love from the Grishaverse. Even the “romanceâ€� between Nikolai and Zoya was boring me to death with their lack of any sort of chemistry. This was marketed as a Nikolai duology and it never felt as such. Zoya was the one that took the spotlight, and I have mixed feelings on her character as a whole.

This was one of the series I had set out to finish by this year and I’m just glad I did. I hold no fondness for the Grishaverse as I did when I was a teen. Now, if we do get a third book for Six of Crowsâ€� well, I might just accept it with open arms.
]]> <![CDATA[Blessed Monsters (Something Dark and Holy #3)]]> 54424024 The startling conclusion to the instant New York Times bestselling Something Dark and Holy trilogy

The girl, the monster, the prince, the queen.

They broke the world.

And some things can never be undone.

In Emily A. Duncan’s Blessed Monsters, they must unite once more to fight the dark chaos they've unleashed—but is it already too late?]]> 528 Emily A. Duncan 1250195748 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 1 2020-2024 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely horrible book and series overall. So pointless and awfully written. Plot points became so redundant you could only roll your eyes when seeing them again and again and again. Cheesy, overplayed dialogue. Characters that were there for the vibes only.

Considering the romance was a key theme in the series you would think it was at least enjoyable, but I could have watched paint dry and gotten the same emotion out of it. The character were all so flat, and the author tried to make them quirky with the cheesy dialogue, but that only made me even more annoyed. They could have all died by the end and I would have just been glad the book was over.

Oh and don’t get me started at how every single character here practically died four times and each time they were miraculously brought back to life. And for a book that is about the terrifying end of the world, we sure do get only chapter after chapter of the characters shilly shallying about. It’s like the author only wrote this whole series to get off the dark, bloody aesthetics that only made me gag at how cringe they were. Felt like I was thrown back to MySpace era of what it meant to be goth/emo.

Truly one of the worst series I have ever read. Nothing of value in it. I kept reading till the end to see if I could be proven wrong but alas I wasn’t. Don’t know if to be satisfied or disappointed about that.]]> 3.75 2021 Blessed Monsters (Something Dark and Holy #3)
author: Emily A. Duncan
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2021
rating: 1
read at: 2022/01/21
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely horrible book and series overall. So pointless and awfully written. Plot points became so redundant you could only roll your eyes when seeing them again and again and again. Cheesy, overplayed dialogue. Characters that were there for the vibes only.

Considering the romance was a key theme in the series you would think it was at least enjoyable, but I could have watched paint dry and gotten the same emotion out of it. The character were all so flat, and the author tried to make them quirky with the cheesy dialogue, but that only made me even more annoyed. They could have all died by the end and I would have just been glad the book was over.

Oh and don’t get me started at how every single character here practically died four times and each time they were miraculously brought back to life. And for a book that is about the terrifying end of the world, we sure do get only chapter after chapter of the characters shilly shallying about. It’s like the author only wrote this whole series to get off the dark, bloody aesthetics that only made me gag at how cringe they were. Felt like I was thrown back to MySpace era of what it meant to be goth/emo.

Truly one of the worst series I have ever read. Nothing of value in it. I kept reading till the end to see if I could be proven wrong but alas I wasn’t. Don’t know if to be satisfied or disappointed about that.
]]> <![CDATA[Reborn Yesterday (Phenomenal Fate, #1)]]> 50609790 A timeless love story with bite.

It was a night like any other for funeral home director Ginny Lynn, until the exceptionally handsome—and unfortunately deceased—young man on her embalming table sat up, opened his emerald eyes and changed the course of her life forever, making her feel quite fluttery while he was at it.

Humans aren't supposed to know Jonas Cantrell, or any vampire, exists. It's kind of a major rule. Despite his instantaneous bond with perfectly peculiar Ginny, he has no choice but to erase her memories of their one and only meeting.

That was the plan. Before a reluctant Jonas can wipe Ginny's mind clean, she reveals a secret that brings their worlds crashing together. Human and vampire. Past and present. Darkness and light. And while their love is strictly forbidden, it might be the only thing that can save them�

Reborn Yesterday is a standalone paranormal romantic comedy with a happily ever after.

]]> 383 Tessa Bailey 108785752X °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 2 2020-2024 2.5 out of 5

Please. This was so cheesy and cringe but so fun for what it was to be honest. It had me laughing out of secondhand embarrassment and genuine amusement most of the time. Good thing that each book stands on its own because I definitely won’t be continuing with the series.

It started okay, very typical of a paranormal romance novel. But it quickly went downhill when trope after trope after trope was pushed down into the book to propel the plot forward. They were mainly used as a justification as to why the couple felt such a strong attraction from the very beginning. I wouldn’t have minded, since I knew going in that was most likely the case, but it wasn’t even done in a satisfactory manner.

Ginny was quite the cute protagonist. I liked her energy and how sincere she was from beginning to end. And out of the two, her attraction to Jonas was the one I enjoyed reading the most about. Now Jonas, he sure has his way with words. The way he spoke and professed his love to Ginny constantly made me laugh at how overly cheesy it was. Even his dirty talk during the sex scenes was too cringe to make them enjoyable. I know some people would like that but it just made the whole thing too funny for me.

The ending was just a cotton candy sugar fest. Very sweet and closed off conveniently with a pretty bow on top. I enjoyed it in my own way and not once did I have the desire to put it down. I had a good laugh throughout and for that I couldn’t give it that low of a rating. And while I won’t continue the series, I might give the authors other books a chance when I’m looking for a fun, entertaining read.]]> 3.47 2020 Reborn Yesterday (Phenomenal Fate, #1)
author: Tessa Bailey
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.47
book published: 2020
rating: 2
read at: 2022/01/28
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
2.5 out of 5

Please. This was so cheesy and cringe but so fun for what it was to be honest. It had me laughing out of secondhand embarrassment and genuine amusement most of the time. Good thing that each book stands on its own because I definitely won’t be continuing with the series.

It started okay, very typical of a paranormal romance novel. But it quickly went downhill when trope after trope after trope was pushed down into the book to propel the plot forward. They were mainly used as a justification as to why the couple felt such a strong attraction from the very beginning. I wouldn’t have minded, since I knew going in that was most likely the case, but it wasn’t even done in a satisfactory manner.

Ginny was quite the cute protagonist. I liked her energy and how sincere she was from beginning to end. And out of the two, her attraction to Jonas was the one I enjoyed reading the most about. Now Jonas, he sure has his way with words. The way he spoke and professed his love to Ginny constantly made me laugh at how overly cheesy it was. Even his dirty talk during the sex scenes was too cringe to make them enjoyable. I know some people would like that but it just made the whole thing too funny for me.

The ending was just a cotton candy sugar fest. Very sweet and closed off conveniently with a pretty bow on top. I enjoyed it in my own way and not once did I have the desire to put it down. I had a good laugh throughout and for that I couldn’t give it that low of a rating. And while I won’t continue the series, I might give the authors other books a chance when I’m looking for a fun, entertaining read.
]]> Dune Messiah (Dune #2) 44492285
Dune Messiah continues the story of Paul Atreides, better known--and feared--as the man christened Muad'Dib. As Emperor of the Known Universe, he possesses more power than a single man was ever meant to wield. Worshipped as a religious icon by the fanatical Fremens, Paul faces the enmity of the political houses he displaced when he assumed the throne--and a conspiracy conducted within his own sphere of influence.

And even as House Atreides begins to crumble around him from the machinations of his enemies, the true threat to Paul comes to his lover, Chani, and the unborn heir to his family's dynasty...

Includes an introduction by Brian Herbert]]> 336 Frank Herbert 0593098234 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 all-time-favorites, 2020-2024 4.5 out of 5

My mind is still processing everything. It feels heavy with all this new information. I just feel a deep sadness for Paul. The way we were made to empathize with his internal struggle is outstanding. By far one of the best endings to a character arc I have ever read. This is the closure I needed and wanted from Dune.

I can see why this book was received with a lot of backlash when it first came out. While it doesn’t flip Paul’s character a whole 180 degrees, it definitely casts him more as an anti-hero, a failure to his people. It was so fascinating to see how while he was fully aware of all the awful things done under his name, he still used the prophecies and his status of “messiahâ€� for political leverage. We see a man who had the world at the palm of his hands, feel caged and suffocated by it.

It had so much to say than the first book about the dangers of idolizing people. It plays upon so many religious and philosophical ideas that make you question how at one point it’s hard to tell who influences who, the believers to their idol, or the idol to their believers. While it deals with very grand themes, the story is quite contained and easier to follow than in the first book. It could have easily been expanded to double the amount of pages but I appreciate Herbert kept if focused throughout. This definitely gets trippier with increasingly weirder visions from Paul, a well-loved character coming back from the dead, and conspiracies of murder at every turn.

The main reason I wasn’t able to give this 5 stars is because while many moving scenes happened between characters I just didn’t feel it myself. I wish their relationships weren’t so much tell but rather show. For example, Chani plays a key role here and we practically never see her other than in the beginning, somewhat in the middle and at the very end. We know how important she is to Paul, but I’m still not that convinced because there’s no scenes between them where I can see that for myself. Their quiet scenes however where quite beautiful.

If Dune Messiah gets adapted now that we have part 2 of the movie adaptation confirmed, it’s going to be soul crushing to watch. And I couldn’t be more excited! I could finish reading the series here and be completely satisfied. But I want more. The world Hebert has created is so massive in scale it’s really blows my mind. So intricate with so many rich ideas. I can’t wait to see where the story takes us next.]]> 3.89 1969 Dune Messiah (Dune #2)
author: Frank Herbert
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.89
book published: 1969
rating: 5
read at: 2021/11/02
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: all-time-favorites, 2020-2024
review:
4.5 out of 5

My mind is still processing everything. It feels heavy with all this new information. I just feel a deep sadness for Paul. The way we were made to empathize with his internal struggle is outstanding. By far one of the best endings to a character arc I have ever read. This is the closure I needed and wanted from Dune.

I can see why this book was received with a lot of backlash when it first came out. While it doesn’t flip Paul’s character a whole 180 degrees, it definitely casts him more as an anti-hero, a failure to his people. It was so fascinating to see how while he was fully aware of all the awful things done under his name, he still used the prophecies and his status of “messiahâ€� for political leverage. We see a man who had the world at the palm of his hands, feel caged and suffocated by it.

It had so much to say than the first book about the dangers of idolizing people. It plays upon so many religious and philosophical ideas that make you question how at one point it’s hard to tell who influences who, the believers to their idol, or the idol to their believers. While it deals with very grand themes, the story is quite contained and easier to follow than in the first book. It could have easily been expanded to double the amount of pages but I appreciate Herbert kept if focused throughout. This definitely gets trippier with increasingly weirder visions from Paul, a well-loved character coming back from the dead, and conspiracies of murder at every turn.

The main reason I wasn’t able to give this 5 stars is because while many moving scenes happened between characters I just didn’t feel it myself. I wish their relationships weren’t so much tell but rather show. For example, Chani plays a key role here and we practically never see her other than in the beginning, somewhat in the middle and at the very end. We know how important she is to Paul, but I’m still not that convinced because there’s no scenes between them where I can see that for myself. Their quiet scenes however where quite beautiful.

If Dune Messiah gets adapted now that we have part 2 of the movie adaptation confirmed, it’s going to be soul crushing to watch. And I couldn’t be more excited! I could finish reading the series here and be completely satisfied. But I want more. The world Hebert has created is so massive in scale it’s really blows my mind. So intricate with so many rich ideas. I can’t wait to see where the story takes us next.
]]> The Upside of Falling 45891343 A fun, flirty teen debut from Wattpad phenom Alex Light about a fake relationship and real love. Perfect for Jenny Han fans.

It’s been years since seventeen-year-old Becca Hart believed in true love. But when her former best friend teases her for not having had a boyfriend, Becca impulsively pretends she’s been secretly seeing someone.

Brett Wells has it all. As captain of the football team and one of the most popular guys in his school, he should have no problem finding someone to date, but he’s always been more focused on his future than who to bring to prom.

When he overhears Becca’s lie, Brett decides to step in and be the mystery guy. It’s the perfect solution: he gets people off his back for not having a meaningful relationship and she can keep up the ruse that she’s got a boyfriend.

Acting like the perfect couple isn’t easy, though, especially when you barely know the other person. But with Becca still picking up the pieces from when her world was blown apart years ago and Brett just barely holding his together now, they begin to realize they have more in common than they ever could have imagined.

When the line between what is pretend and what is real begins to blur, they're forced to answer the question: Is this fake romance the realest thing in either of their lives?]]> 288 Alex Light 0062918052 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3 out of 5

This was cute! Definitely way better than I was expecting. I loved how organic the progression of the relationship was. It wasn’t over the top or poorly executed. I just wish it wasn’t so one toned. It was cute but that was all I felt throughout the book and by the end I was already rushing to finish it up. So in other words, I was expecting a little bit more spice, more drama. Lol. Regardless if you want a fast cute read, this one is for you!]]> 3.55 2020 The Upside of Falling
author: Alex Light
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2021/04/04
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3 out of 5

This was cute! Definitely way better than I was expecting. I loved how organic the progression of the relationship was. It wasn’t over the top or poorly executed. I just wish it wasn’t so one toned. It was cute but that was all I felt throughout the book and by the end I was already rushing to finish it up. So in other words, I was expecting a little bit more spice, more drama. Lol. Regardless if you want a fast cute read, this one is for you!
]]> The Ex Hex (The Ex Hex, #1) 56554626 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins, writing as Erin Sterling, casts a spell with a spine-tingling romance full of wishes, witches, and hexes gone wrong.

Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayrideâ€� scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.

That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all.

Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.]]> 308 Erin Sterling 006302747X °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 2 2020-2024 2 out of 5 stars

Nothing about this was a charming as I expected, except perhaps the main love interest, Rhys. But even he couldn’t save the book from utter boredom and cliches. Overall very underwhelming. I had at least expected it to be cute but it was just soâ€� meh. If the plot had not been plotless then it would have been a more interesting read. It felt like the characters were just aimlessly running around in circles. The concept was cute but executed in the most boring way possible. I don’t even have the energy to talk about this book tbh lol.]]> 3.46 2021 The Ex Hex (The Ex Hex, #1)
author: Erin Sterling
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.46
book published: 2021
rating: 2
read at: 2021/11/26
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
2 out of 5 stars

Nothing about this was a charming as I expected, except perhaps the main love interest, Rhys. But even he couldn’t save the book from utter boredom and cliches. Overall very underwhelming. I had at least expected it to be cute but it was just soâ€� meh. If the plot had not been plotless then it would have been a more interesting read. It felt like the characters were just aimlessly running around in circles. The concept was cute but executed in the most boring way possible. I don’t even have the energy to talk about this book tbh lol.
]]> Her Name in the Sky 20886492
The last thing she wants is to fall in love with a girl--especially when that girl is her best friend, Baker.

Hannah knows she should like Wally, the kind, earnest boy who asks her to prom. She should cheer on her friend Clay when he asks Baker to be his girlfriend. She should follow the rules of her conservative Louisiana community--the rules that have been ingrained in her since she was a child.

But Hannah longs to be with Baker, who cooks macaroni and cheese with Hannah late at night, who believes in the magic of books as much as Hannah does, and who challenges Hannah to be the best version of herself.

And Baker might want to be with Hannah, too--if both girls can embrace that world-shaking, yet wondrous, possibility.]]> 402 Kelly Quindlen 1495335291 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3.75 out of 5

Hmmâ€� how to start this review? It’s hard because a lot of personal feelings are involved. The reason I picked it up was because it reminded me of my own personal experiences. I’m not someone that usually tries to have a personal connection with books, if it happens, good and if it doesn’t it doesn’t bother me. But to see my own struggles and feelings put into words and seeing them from different eyes was veryâ€� hard.

First of, the book was an okay read. I felt the pacing was pretty good but definitely felt rushed in the last 100 pages. The characters were actually enjoyable to read, but the way their friend group was written felt very clichĂŠ. It felt like every clique in high school you see in movies about teenagers. However, the friendship between Hannah and Baker felt very real. Maybe because I had one like that as well, but that was the only friendship that felt organic.

The internal struggle that our protagonists goes through while discovering their sexuality and the implication of it were done pretty well. I sympathized with Hannah because I saw myself in her and Baker infuriated me because in her I saw someone who hurt me deeply. And that was my main gripe with the book. Hannah was hurt so badly and by the end all is forgotten? They get a happy ending as if nothing happened? It makes no sense to me whatsoever.

I could go on and on but I’ll stop here. It was an okay book but definitely could have gone farther in exploring how girls, especially those living in very conservative environments, struggle to come to terms with their sexual awakening and sexuality. It barely touched the surface, but I will give it props for a somewhat realistic portrayal of a wlw story. ]]> 4.26 2014 Her Name in the Sky
author: Kelly Quindlen
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.26
book published: 2014
rating: 3
read at: 2021/08/27
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3.75 out of 5

Hmmâ€� how to start this review? It’s hard because a lot of personal feelings are involved. The reason I picked it up was because it reminded me of my own personal experiences. I’m not someone that usually tries to have a personal connection with books, if it happens, good and if it doesn’t it doesn’t bother me. But to see my own struggles and feelings put into words and seeing them from different eyes was veryâ€� hard.

First of, the book was an okay read. I felt the pacing was pretty good but definitely felt rushed in the last 100 pages. The characters were actually enjoyable to read, but the way their friend group was written felt very clichĂŠ. It felt like every clique in high school you see in movies about teenagers. However, the friendship between Hannah and Baker felt very real. Maybe because I had one like that as well, but that was the only friendship that felt organic.

The internal struggle that our protagonists goes through while discovering their sexuality and the implication of it were done pretty well. I sympathized with Hannah because I saw myself in her and Baker infuriated me because in her I saw someone who hurt me deeply. And that was my main gripe with the book. Hannah was hurt so badly and by the end all is forgotten? They get a happy ending as if nothing happened? It makes no sense to me whatsoever.

I could go on and on but I’ll stop here. It was an okay book but definitely could have gone farther in exploring how girls, especially those living in very conservative environments, struggle to come to terms with their sexual awakening and sexuality. It barely touched the surface, but I will give it props for a somewhat realistic portrayal of a wlw story.
]]> <![CDATA[The Stone Sky (The Broken Earth, #3)]]> 31817749
The Moon will soon return. Whether this heralds the destruction of humankind or something worse will depend on two women.

Essun has inherited the power of Alabaster Tenring. With it, she hopes to find her daughter Nassun and forge a world in which every orogene child can grow up safe.

For Nassun, her mother's mastery of the Obelisk Gate comes too late. She has seen the evil of the world, and accepted what her mother will not admit: that sometimes what is corrupt cannot be cleansed, only destroyed.

The remarkable conclusion to the post-apocalyptic and highly acclaimed trilogy that began with the multi-award-nominated The Fifth Season.]]> 416 N.K. Jemisin °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 owned-books, 2020-2024 5 out of 5

One of the best series finales I’ve read in a very long time. It was so satisfying to see how all the puzzles pieces came together to finally create a whole story from beginning to end. Jemisin is truly a master of storytelling and creating unique tales with intricate themes and motifs. How she isn’t a more celebrated author in the book communities is beyond me. She is up there for me with the big names of fantasy/sci-fi. Just absolutely outstanding.

I had no idea what to expect considering so much was happening in the last book, but Jemisin didn’t let me down. The whole complex magic system with the obelisk, the moon, the seasons was so fascinating. I couldn’t get enough of it! I had never read anything like it. What really stuck with me is how Jemisin alluded to our own world with how a society built on greed and inhumane actions can be the cause for the end of humanity and the whole planet. The conclusion left me with some hope that we can still strive to save Mother Earth and to finally leave in peace alongside others in this world.

While both Essun and Nassun could be categorized as the “Heroâ€� of the story, they had deep flaws that allowed the story to progress in a manner that you did not expect for a “heroâ€�. Both weren’t likable characters, but there weren’t meant to be. I saw them more as a woman and girl both healing and finding peace with previous wounds caused by a world that didn’t love them while battling against the end of the world. It wasn’t so much a hero’s journey but rather a more human story that anyone could empathize with. And for me that was the main beauty of this series.

N. K. Jemisin weaves themes and messages into her books flawlessly. They’re integral to the story and never feel like they’re done for tokenism or as side plot points. It leaves you pondering about how your own choices play a part in the society you live in. And that is the trademark of any great author. This series has left its mark.

Easiest five stars I’ve given this year.
]]> 4.32 2017 The Stone Sky (The Broken Earth, #3)
author: N.K. Jemisin
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2021/09/09
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
5 out of 5

One of the best series finales I’ve read in a very long time. It was so satisfying to see how all the puzzles pieces came together to finally create a whole story from beginning to end. Jemisin is truly a master of storytelling and creating unique tales with intricate themes and motifs. How she isn’t a more celebrated author in the book communities is beyond me. She is up there for me with the big names of fantasy/sci-fi. Just absolutely outstanding.

I had no idea what to expect considering so much was happening in the last book, but Jemisin didn’t let me down. The whole complex magic system with the obelisk, the moon, the seasons was so fascinating. I couldn’t get enough of it! I had never read anything like it. What really stuck with me is how Jemisin alluded to our own world with how a society built on greed and inhumane actions can be the cause for the end of humanity and the whole planet. The conclusion left me with some hope that we can still strive to save Mother Earth and to finally leave in peace alongside others in this world.

While both Essun and Nassun could be categorized as the “Heroâ€� of the story, they had deep flaws that allowed the story to progress in a manner that you did not expect for a “heroâ€�. Both weren’t likable characters, but there weren’t meant to be. I saw them more as a woman and girl both healing and finding peace with previous wounds caused by a world that didn’t love them while battling against the end of the world. It wasn’t so much a hero’s journey but rather a more human story that anyone could empathize with. And for me that was the main beauty of this series.

N. K. Jemisin weaves themes and messages into her books flawlessly. They’re integral to the story and never feel like they’re done for tokenism or as side plot points. It leaves you pondering about how your own choices play a part in the society you live in. And that is the trademark of any great author. This series has left its mark.

Easiest five stars I’ve given this year.

]]> <![CDATA[A Dowry of Blood (A Dowry of Blood, #1)]]> 56666839 A Dowry of Blood is a story of desire, obsession, and emancipation.

Saved from the brink of death by a mysterious stranger, Constanta is transformed from a medieval peasant into a bride fit for an undying king. But when Dracula draws a cunning aristocrat and a starving artist into his web of passion and deceit, Constanta realizes that her beloved is capable of terrible things. Finding comfort in the arms of her rival consorts, she begins to unravel their husband’s dark secrets.

With the lives of everyone she loves on the line, Constanta will have to choose between her own freedom and her love for her husband. But bonds forged by blood can only be broken by death.]]> 248 S.T. Gibson 1916366937 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 2020-2024 4.75 out of 5

I haven’t read a book so gothic and rich just like I like them in so long. If you absolutely adore Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente just like I do, you will find that this one is its worthy successor. It had all the elements loved but with its own original take on the tale.

The intimate style of writing, as if Constanta is writing her last letter to Dracula, is just so beautifully done. We get to really know her story, and feel for her plea. Our other main cast members, Magdalena and Alexi, felt a bit more in the background for me, especially Alexi. Dracula was portrayed sweetly at the beginning and eventually became the monster he is as Constanta became disillusioned with their relationship as time passed by.

The abusive relationship they faced was never explicitly shown on the page but it was apparent how controlling and frightening it was for them. I really appreciate all the important issues that not only were explored but effectively address by the end. When books contain triggering content like I think what’s important is how the author handles it and Gibson did it well.

Ultimately, this was an amazing read and one I highly recommend! A had a few mini gripe with it but nothing too grand that would greatly diminish my enjoyment. After being in a reading slump for two months, this little novella was definitely a saving grace!]]> 4.12 2021 A Dowry of Blood (A Dowry of Blood, #1)
author: S.T. Gibson
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2021/03/03
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
4.75 out of 5

I haven’t read a book so gothic and rich just like I like them in so long. If you absolutely adore Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente just like I do, you will find that this one is its worthy successor. It had all the elements loved but with its own original take on the tale.

The intimate style of writing, as if Constanta is writing her last letter to Dracula, is just so beautifully done. We get to really know her story, and feel for her plea. Our other main cast members, Magdalena and Alexi, felt a bit more in the background for me, especially Alexi. Dracula was portrayed sweetly at the beginning and eventually became the monster he is as Constanta became disillusioned with their relationship as time passed by.

The abusive relationship they faced was never explicitly shown on the page but it was apparent how controlling and frightening it was for them. I really appreciate all the important issues that not only were explored but effectively address by the end. When books contain triggering content like I think what’s important is how the author handles it and Gibson did it well.

Ultimately, this was an amazing read and one I highly recommend! A had a few mini gripe with it but nothing too grand that would greatly diminish my enjoyment. After being in a reading slump for two months, this little novella was definitely a saving grace!
]]> Comfort Me with Apples 56179382
It's just that he's away so much. So often. He works so hard. She misses him. And he misses her. He says he does, so it must be true. He is the perfect husband and everything is perfect.

But sometimes Sophia wonders about things. Strange things. Dark things. The look on her husband's face when he comes back from a long business trip. The questions he will not answer. The locked basement she is never allowed to enter. And whenever she asks the neighbors, they can't quite meet her gaze...

But everything is perfect. Isn't it?]]> 103 Catherynne M. Valente 1250816211 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 2020-2024 5 out of 5

This was such a fantastic novella. Valente weaves so many allusions to different well-known stories and makes it anew and fresh in such a small amount of pages. When things started to unfold I was completely blown away, and this happens very rarely for me. I would say it is best to go in knowing just the synopsis because anything else could be quite a spoiler and ruins the surprise.

There is this very sinister vibe the moment the story opens up. You just know that behind the perfect facade something very rotten is hiding and just waiting to spill out. The disillusionment that Sophia goes through is done so well that I ended really rooting for her. The setting was so clever and adding the “rulesâ€� of the agreement between chapter really helped add to the creepy factor. I do think some little tidbits here and there somewhat remind me of one of her precious books, Deathless. But considering what she did I would say it was just a nod to the work, and not so much taking from it.

If this had been extended to a full book it would dragged on far too much. In my opinion this was the perfect length.
Once again, if you do want to pick it up please go in blind as much as you can. If you are familiar with Valente’s previous works, or if you enjoy dark gothic reimagining stories, this one might be for you too.]]> 3.58 2021 Comfort Me with Apples
author: Catherynne M. Valente
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.58
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2021/12/30
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
5 out of 5

This was such a fantastic novella. Valente weaves so many allusions to different well-known stories and makes it anew and fresh in such a small amount of pages. When things started to unfold I was completely blown away, and this happens very rarely for me. I would say it is best to go in knowing just the synopsis because anything else could be quite a spoiler and ruins the surprise.

There is this very sinister vibe the moment the story opens up. You just know that behind the perfect facade something very rotten is hiding and just waiting to spill out. The disillusionment that Sophia goes through is done so well that I ended really rooting for her. The setting was so clever and adding the “rulesâ€� of the agreement between chapter really helped add to the creepy factor. I do think some little tidbits here and there somewhat remind me of one of her precious books, Deathless. But considering what she did I would say it was just a nod to the work, and not so much taking from it.

If this had been extended to a full book it would dragged on far too much. In my opinion this was the perfect length.
Once again, if you do want to pick it up please go in blind as much as you can. If you are familiar with Valente’s previous works, or if you enjoy dark gothic reimagining stories, this one might be for you too.
]]> Dune (Dune, #1) 44767458
When House Atreides is betrayed, the destruction of Paul’s family will set the boy on a journey toward a destiny greater than he could ever have imagined. And as he evolves into the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib, he will bring to fruition humankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream.]]> 658 Frank Herbert 059309932X °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 owned-books, 2020-2024 4.25 out of 5 stars

After sitting with the book for about a week, I can definitely say I enjoyed it way more than when I finished it. It takes its time to settle and before you know it it has planted its seed of ideas, themes, politics, and philosophical inquiries. A lot of people say this is a self-contained book but from perspective it isn’t—it definitely needs its continuation. It’s feels like the main storyline is just starting when you finish the book, and I can’t wait to pick up the second one.

Our main character, Paul, right from the beginning grabbed my interest. We delve into his inner thoughts and feelings which makes us easier to sympathize with him. Even though he is only a boy of 15, he acts more mature for his age, probably due to the environment and circumstances he is placed in. He definitely is someone burdened by visions of a bloody, terrifying future of his own causing and of outside forces seeing him as their prophet, their messiah, their Chosen One. It was fascinating to see how he much he grows in this one book and it really solidified to the reader what type of character he is and what is to come form him.

The plot however is what lowered my enjoyment of it. It’s political, which is always a yay in my book, but so much of the excitement is sucked out of it because we are basically told right from the beginning what is to happen. There is no moment that truly shocks you—essentially there is no “twistâ€�. The action in the book is also quite bland, very much of “this happens and then this happens. the end.â€� It doesn’t necessarily make you anticipate the ending of battle scenes since they end of quickly. This is the main reason the last 50 pages were such a let down for me, so much was left to happen and when it did it happened so quickly it was dissatisfying.

Regarding the themes it is widely known for, that is what really captured my interest. So much of it is woven into the story its hard to escape anything Herbert was trying to explore with this story. From the setting to even minuscule lines all have their purpose. What makes Dune so timeless is its themes being the main drive of the story more so than the plot. Perhaps that is why so many find it hard to digest through it. I personally found the story to be quite straightforward and much more readable than I expected from a book written in the 1960s. Regardless of its flaws, it deserves to venerated as one, if not the most, influential piece of science fiction. I can see why so many go back to it again and again and again. I saw one reviewer mention how they read it each time through a different lens, be it ecological, political, religious, and each time they find something new to ponder about.]]> 4.33 1965 Dune (Dune, #1)
author: Frank Herbert
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.33
book published: 1965
rating: 4
read at: 2021/10/20
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
4.25 out of 5 stars

After sitting with the book for about a week, I can definitely say I enjoyed it way more than when I finished it. It takes its time to settle and before you know it it has planted its seed of ideas, themes, politics, and philosophical inquiries. A lot of people say this is a self-contained book but from perspective it isn’t—it definitely needs its continuation. It’s feels like the main storyline is just starting when you finish the book, and I can’t wait to pick up the second one.

Our main character, Paul, right from the beginning grabbed my interest. We delve into his inner thoughts and feelings which makes us easier to sympathize with him. Even though he is only a boy of 15, he acts more mature for his age, probably due to the environment and circumstances he is placed in. He definitely is someone burdened by visions of a bloody, terrifying future of his own causing and of outside forces seeing him as their prophet, their messiah, their Chosen One. It was fascinating to see how he much he grows in this one book and it really solidified to the reader what type of character he is and what is to come form him.

The plot however is what lowered my enjoyment of it. It’s political, which is always a yay in my book, but so much of the excitement is sucked out of it because we are basically told right from the beginning what is to happen. There is no moment that truly shocks you—essentially there is no “twistâ€�. The action in the book is also quite bland, very much of “this happens and then this happens. the end.â€� It doesn’t necessarily make you anticipate the ending of battle scenes since they end of quickly. This is the main reason the last 50 pages were such a let down for me, so much was left to happen and when it did it happened so quickly it was dissatisfying.

Regarding the themes it is widely known for, that is what really captured my interest. So much of it is woven into the story its hard to escape anything Herbert was trying to explore with this story. From the setting to even minuscule lines all have their purpose. What makes Dune so timeless is its themes being the main drive of the story more so than the plot. Perhaps that is why so many find it hard to digest through it. I personally found the story to be quite straightforward and much more readable than I expected from a book written in the 1960s. Regardless of its flaws, it deserves to venerated as one, if not the most, influential piece of science fiction. I can see why so many go back to it again and again and again. I saw one reviewer mention how they read it each time through a different lens, be it ecological, political, religious, and each time they find something new to ponder about.
]]> <![CDATA[Chain of Iron (The Last Hours, #2)]]> 54303146
But the truth is far grimmer. James and Cordelia’s marriage is a lie, arranged to save Cordelia’s reputation. James is in love with the mysterious Grace Blackthorn, whose brother, Jesse, died years ago in a terrible accident. Cortana burns Cordelia’s hand when she touches it, while her father has grown bitter and angry. And a serial murderer is targeting the Shadowhunters of London, killing under cover of darkness, then vanishing without a trace.

Together with the Merry Thieves, Cordelia, James, and Lucie must follow the trail of the knife-wielding killer through the city’s most dangerous streets. All the while, each is keeping a shocking secret: Lucie, that she plans to raise Jesse from the dead; Cordelia, that she has sworn a dangerous oath of loyalty to a mysterious power; and James, that he is being drawn further each night into the dark web of his grandfather, the arch-demon Belial. And that he himself may be the killer they seek.]]> 656 Cassandra Clare 1481431900 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 owned-books, 2020-2024 4.5 out of 5

I had a great time reading this. After being in a reading slump for 2-3 months this was the sort of book I needed. I definitely love this series for the characters and their relationships, so going in I knew Clare was going to deliver in that regard. However, if you go in expecting some complex overarching plot, you will be quite disappointed. While it does build upon the plot from the last book, it’s practically pushed to the background. I personally didn’t have any issues since I am primarily invested in the characters.

The Merry Thieves is truly the best group of characters that Clare has written. They’re all so wholesome. If it weren’t for them I don’t think I would be so invested in this series. Cordelia and James have my whole heart, and are the core of the series, especially in this book. Regardless on where their relationship stands right now, I don’t see how they are not endgame at this point. Their love is so pure and genuine and beautiful, but it gets stomped on my the horrible miscommunication trope. While it didn’t make me as angry as it should, it still left me quite disappointed how it had to be used to stretch whatever drama possible till the last book.

While not much happened in the book, plot-wise, I still flew through it. Absolutely loved the evolving character relationship. I can’t wait to see how this series concludes, and at the same time I’m sad to know we’re already halfway to the end. If it were up to me, I would have Clare write the rest of her Shadowhunter books be centered around The Merry Thieves. Lol!]]> 4.49 2021 Chain of Iron (The Last Hours, #2)
author: Cassandra Clare
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.49
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2021/03/16
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
4.5 out of 5

I had a great time reading this. After being in a reading slump for 2-3 months this was the sort of book I needed. I definitely love this series for the characters and their relationships, so going in I knew Clare was going to deliver in that regard. However, if you go in expecting some complex overarching plot, you will be quite disappointed. While it does build upon the plot from the last book, it’s practically pushed to the background. I personally didn’t have any issues since I am primarily invested in the characters.

The Merry Thieves is truly the best group of characters that Clare has written. They’re all so wholesome. If it weren’t for them I don’t think I would be so invested in this series. Cordelia and James have my whole heart, and are the core of the series, especially in this book. Regardless on where their relationship stands right now, I don’t see how they are not endgame at this point. Their love is so pure and genuine and beautiful, but it gets stomped on my the horrible miscommunication trope. While it didn’t make me as angry as it should, it still left me quite disappointed how it had to be used to stretch whatever drama possible till the last book.

While not much happened in the book, plot-wise, I still flew through it. Absolutely loved the evolving character relationship. I can’t wait to see how this series concludes, and at the same time I’m sad to know we’re already halfway to the end. If it were up to me, I would have Clare write the rest of her Shadowhunter books be centered around The Merry Thieves. Lol!
]]> <![CDATA[The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires]]> 44074800 Fried Green Tomatoes and Steel Magnolias meet Dracula in this Southern-flavored supernatural thriller set in the '90s about a women's book club that must protect its suburban community from a mysterious and handsome stranger who turns out to be a blood-sucking fiend.

Patricia Campbell had always planned for a big life, but after giving up her career as a nurse to marry an ambitious doctor and become a mother, Patricia's life has never felt smaller. The days are long, her kids are ungrateful, her husband is distant, and her to-do list is never really done. The one thing she has to look forward to is her book club, a group of Charleston mothers united only by their love for true-crime and suspenseful fiction. In these meetings, they're more likely to discuss the FBI's recent siege of Waco as much as the ups and downs of marriage and motherhood.

But when an artistic and sensitive stranger moves into the neighborhood, the book club's meetings turn into speculation about the newcomer. Patricia is initially attracted to him, but when some local children go missing, she starts to suspect the newcomer is involved. She begins her own investigation, assuming that he's a Jeffrey Dahmer or Ted Bundy. What she uncovers is far more terrifying, and soon she--and her book club--are the only people standing between the monster they've invited into their homes and their unsuspecting community.]]> 410 Grady Hendrix °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 all-time-favorites, 2020-2024 5 out of 5

After not being able to pick up a book for four months, this was the perfect read to remind me how much I love books. From the very first page it sank it’s teeth and hooked me in (pun intended). Grady Hendrix has such an appealing style of writing that is equally terrifying and comedic. The whole experience from beginning to end was so enjoyable!

There’s so many themes being explored here, from sexism to racism to self-liberation. I find it fascinating how till this day vampires have been seen as a representation of deep desires, which Hendrix definitely plays into in the plot. While the vampire did have a critical role in the plot, in my point of view, it was more of a means to an end rather than the major issue that the main character was struggling with personally.

I would classify the horror elements more as gore and psychological. Two scenes in particular made me either have to take a break because of how disgusted I was or because I was fuming with anger. When a book is able to give me such a visceral reaction, I definitely think the author did their job well as a storyteller. But if you are sensitive to these type of things I would recommend checking out trigger warning just in case.

I really had such a fun time each time I picked it up to read. I was genuinely surprised at how much I enjoyed it overall. This is also the first book in the book club I joined, which the irony of it all makes me giggle]]> 3.78 2020 The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
author: Grady Hendrix
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2021/08/13
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: all-time-favorites, 2020-2024
review:
5 out of 5

After not being able to pick up a book for four months, this was the perfect read to remind me how much I love books. From the very first page it sank it’s teeth and hooked me in (pun intended). Grady Hendrix has such an appealing style of writing that is equally terrifying and comedic. The whole experience from beginning to end was so enjoyable!

There’s so many themes being explored here, from sexism to racism to self-liberation. I find it fascinating how till this day vampires have been seen as a representation of deep desires, which Hendrix definitely plays into in the plot. While the vampire did have a critical role in the plot, in my point of view, it was more of a means to an end rather than the major issue that the main character was struggling with personally.

I would classify the horror elements more as gore and psychological. Two scenes in particular made me either have to take a break because of how disgusted I was or because I was fuming with anger. When a book is able to give me such a visceral reaction, I definitely think the author did their job well as a storyteller. But if you are sensitive to these type of things I would recommend checking out trigger warning just in case.

I really had such a fun time each time I picked it up to read. I was genuinely surprised at how much I enjoyed it overall. This is also the first book in the book club I joined, which the irony of it all makes me giggle
]]> <![CDATA[These Feathered Flames (These Feathered Flames, #1)]]> 50798935
But before Asya’s training is completed, the ancient power blooms inside her, which can mean only one thing: the queen is dead, and a new ruler must be crowned.

As the princesses come to understand everything their roles entail, they’ll discover who they can trust, who they can love—and who killed their mother.]]> 496 Alexandra Overy 1335147969 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 0 dnf, 2020-2024 DNF

I just couldn’t get through it. The concept sounded so fantastic in the synopsis, just right up my alley, but once I started reading it gave the worst reading slump I have experienced in a long time. Even till this day, I am struggling to pick up a book.

The one good thing from this is that I have finally come to the realization that I fully outgrown YA. It is very, very rare the YA book that brings me any sort of joy now. Which I am perfectly okay with. I knew this time would come, and I’m glad that I have said goodbye to the series in good terms.]]> 3.76 2021 These Feathered Flames (These Feathered Flames, #1)
author: Alexandra Overy
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: dnf, 2020-2024
review:
DNF

I just couldn’t get through it. The concept sounded so fantastic in the synopsis, just right up my alley, but once I started reading it gave the worst reading slump I have experienced in a long time. Even till this day, I am struggling to pick up a book.

The one good thing from this is that I have finally come to the realization that I fully outgrown YA. It is very, very rare the YA book that brings me any sort of joy now. Which I am perfectly okay with. I knew this time would come, and I’m glad that I have said goodbye to the series in good terms.
]]> Home Body 49656780
i dive into the well of my body
and end up in another world
everything i need
already exists in me
there’s no need
to look anywhere else
â€� home]]> 192 Rupi Kaur 1982172452 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3 out of 5

Compared to Milk and Honey, this felt more personal, more intimate. For the majority of the time, it had this feel as if Rupi Kaur was speaking only to herself rather than an audience which is the main aspect I liked about it. It was as if she gave us permission to glance into her mind for just a bit with her writing. The themes of each of the four sections were very apparent, but at times, some poems just didn’t seem to fit. They contrasted too much with the rest. The short one statement ‘poemsâ€� are still the worst ones in my opinion.

Her best works in here were the longer poems. I’m not a fan of her stylization since I don’t see simple one sentence statements as poetry per se. So having longer poems really helped me see her style in a different light as well as the strong aspects of her writing. She has definitely had growth as a poet since her first book and you see it very clearly here. She felt more sure and open with herself. Out of all the collection, four poems really stood out to me. While I personally didn’t enjoy it as much, I can definitely see myself recommending it to a friend or two who will find much value from reading it.]]> 4.07 2020 Home Body
author: Rupi Kaur
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2020/12/27
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3 out of 5

Compared to Milk and Honey, this felt more personal, more intimate. For the majority of the time, it had this feel as if Rupi Kaur was speaking only to herself rather than an audience which is the main aspect I liked about it. It was as if she gave us permission to glance into her mind for just a bit with her writing. The themes of each of the four sections were very apparent, but at times, some poems just didn’t seem to fit. They contrasted too much with the rest. The short one statement ‘poemsâ€� are still the worst ones in my opinion.

Her best works in here were the longer poems. I’m not a fan of her stylization since I don’t see simple one sentence statements as poetry per se. So having longer poems really helped me see her style in a different light as well as the strong aspects of her writing. She has definitely had growth as a poet since her first book and you see it very clearly here. She felt more sure and open with herself. Out of all the collection, four poems really stood out to me. While I personally didn’t enjoy it as much, I can definitely see myself recommending it to a friend or two who will find much value from reading it.
]]> Fables & Other Lies 55818653
I never did.

Not until that fated night, six years ago, when I sat in The Devil’s Chair and made a wish.

Not until it came true.

Not until I met River Caliban himself, heir to a fortune of curses. My fated sworn enemy.

I knew I should have stayed away from him. I should have run the other way when he called out my name, when he flashed that sinful smile of his, but instead, I walked toward him, leaving the light behind. Instead, I go against all reason, against all warning, and attended the gala of the year at his dark, allegedly haunted home at the top of the hill.

The moment I step foot inside I know I’m in trouble, but there’s something about River that magnetizes me, reels me in, and when he asks for the impossible, I find it impossible to turn him away.]]> 224 Claire Contreras °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3 out of 5

This started out pretty strong! I really liked the whole plot set up and the mysterious atmosphere it was building. For a novella, it was hitting the mark as to how I expect it to progress since usually they run under 300 pages. However, when I got to the halfway point I started to feel a bit...tired. I wanted it to go more in depth into the feud of the Caliban’s and Guzman’s, about the Devil’s chair, and the magic of Dolos. Everything happened so quickly in the last 50 pages that I wasn’t even sure how to feel about certain revelations. Another disappointment was the romance. While there was obvious chemistry, it was far too slow-burn for a novella, and also too intense for the short amount of time the characters spent together, haha. The book started off great but just completely lost me by the end, unfortunately.]]> 3.64 2020 Fables & Other Lies
author: Claire Contreras
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2020/12/30
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3 out of 5

This started out pretty strong! I really liked the whole plot set up and the mysterious atmosphere it was building. For a novella, it was hitting the mark as to how I expect it to progress since usually they run under 300 pages. However, when I got to the halfway point I started to feel a bit...tired. I wanted it to go more in depth into the feud of the Caliban’s and Guzman’s, about the Devil’s chair, and the magic of Dolos. Everything happened so quickly in the last 50 pages that I wasn’t even sure how to feel about certain revelations. Another disappointment was the romance. While there was obvious chemistry, it was far too slow-burn for a novella, and also too intense for the short amount of time the characters spent together, haha. The book started off great but just completely lost me by the end, unfortunately.
]]> <![CDATA[The Kingdom of Gods (Inheritance, #3)]]> 53847178
For two thousand years the Arameri family has ruled the world by enslaving the very gods that created mortalkind. Now the gods are free, and the Arameri's ruthless grip is slipping. Yet they are all that stands between peace and world-spanning, unending war.

Shahar, last scion of the family, must choose her loyalties. She yearns to trust Sieh, the godling she loves. Yet her duty as Arameri heir is to uphold the family's interests, even if that means using and destroying everyone she cares for.

As long-suppressed rage and terrible new magics consume the world, the Maelstrom -- which even gods fear -- is summoned forth. Shahar and Sieh: mortal and god, lovers and enemies. Can they stand together against the chaos that threatens?

Includes a never before seen story set in the world of the Inheritance Trilogy.]]> 582 N.K. Jemisin °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3 out of 5

Sieh as the narrator and main character just did not work for me. He overly described things that weren’t necessary and things that would have been interesting to know, like his fears and wants, were only briefly touched throughout moments in the book. It would have been really fascinating to see the history of the Three through his eyes but alas.

I wanted so much more out of this finale. We had the biggest threat fall upon the whole world and what we got was very half-done. Every just felt very half-done because so much was happening that N.K. Jemisin couldn’t flesh it out properly. Neither the main characters nor the plot were interesting. I found myself wanting follow the main villain or even two of side characters instead. Also at the very end, she dropped such a huge bomb of a revelation regarding the nature of the gods, and we’re supposed to move on? I can’t! I need at least a novella discussing that because it’s beyond fascinating.

I expecting so much out of this book considering it’s the finale. I knew not everything would be wrapped up prettily, but I wanted something at least more substantial. Just overall very disappointing. I at least don’t regret reading the series. It’s by far one of the most unique I have read in years. I would still highly recommend it!
]]> 3.90 2011 The Kingdom of Gods (Inheritance, #3)
author: N.K. Jemisin
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2011
rating: 3
read at: 2020/09/14
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3 out of 5

Sieh as the narrator and main character just did not work for me. He overly described things that weren’t necessary and things that would have been interesting to know, like his fears and wants, were only briefly touched throughout moments in the book. It would have been really fascinating to see the history of the Three through his eyes but alas.

I wanted so much more out of this finale. We had the biggest threat fall upon the whole world and what we got was very half-done. Every just felt very half-done because so much was happening that N.K. Jemisin couldn’t flesh it out properly. Neither the main characters nor the plot were interesting. I found myself wanting follow the main villain or even two of side characters instead. Also at the very end, she dropped such a huge bomb of a revelation regarding the nature of the gods, and we’re supposed to move on? I can’t! I need at least a novella discussing that because it’s beyond fascinating.

I expecting so much out of this book considering it’s the finale. I knew not everything would be wrapped up prettily, but I wanted something at least more substantial. Just overall very disappointing. I at least don’t regret reading the series. It’s by far one of the most unique I have read in years. I would still highly recommend it!

]]> <![CDATA[Soulbroken (Legacy of Tril #2)]]> 53548361 **Will be published as an ebook (Fall 2015) in the US by HarperTeen**

Sometimes you have to break the rules to discover the truth.

In this follow up to LEGACY OF TRIL: SOULBOUND, Kaya has learned that she is Soulbound to Darius, the Barron she secretly trained with at Shadow Academy. But he's been sent away, leaving Kaya with questions about how he could be Soulbound to her and another Healer. Determined to find answers and prove herself worthy of fighting in the war against King Darrek and the Graplars, Kaya sneaks away, encountering a mysterious Barron named Gage in her travels.

But Darius has shocking information about Gage--information that changes everything Kaya thought she knew about what it means to be Bound.]]> 266 Z Brewer °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 1 2020-2024 1 out of 5

Nothing and I mean absolutely NOTHING of interest happened. I skimmed through so much and even skipped a couple of chapters, and in no way did it hinder my understanding of the story. It was dragged on for no reason. We learn absolutely nothing about King Derrek and why Kaya and Darius are soulbound till the very last chapter. I honestly could have just read the final chapter and would have been done with it. Considering this book is about 260 pages of nothing, then I would have just rather had a short story explaining those two elements. Also, what was that prologue? A mess. A total mess.

I will give it credit that the answers to my questions were satisfying so that’s the main reason I didn’t give this half a star. I can’t believe the author had us was years for this badly written book. I feel a bit disrespected as a reader.]]> 3.61 2020 Soulbroken (Legacy of Tril #2)
author: Z Brewer
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.61
book published: 2020
rating: 1
read at: 2020/09/21
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
1 out of 5

Nothing and I mean absolutely NOTHING of interest happened. I skimmed through so much and even skipped a couple of chapters, and in no way did it hinder my understanding of the story. It was dragged on for no reason. We learn absolutely nothing about King Derrek and why Kaya and Darius are soulbound till the very last chapter. I honestly could have just read the final chapter and would have been done with it. Considering this book is about 260 pages of nothing, then I would have just rather had a short story explaining those two elements. Also, what was that prologue? A mess. A total mess.

I will give it credit that the answers to my questions were satisfying so that’s the main reason I didn’t give this half a star. I can’t believe the author had us was years for this badly written book. I feel a bit disrespected as a reader.
]]> <![CDATA[The Virgin and the Rogue (The Rogue Files, #6)]]> 45169230 Continuing her bestselling Rogue Files series, Sophie Jordan brews up a scintillating romance about a timid wallflower who discovers a love potion and ends up falling for a dashing rogue.

A love potion�

Charlotte Langley has always been the prudent middle sister, so her family is not surprised when she makes the safe choice and agrees to wed her childhood sweetheart. But when she finds herself under the weather and drinks a “healingâ€� tonic, the potion provokes the most maddening desire... for someone other than her betrothed.

With the power�

Kingston’s rakehell ways are going to destroy him, and he’s vowed to change. His stepbrother’s remote estate is just the place for a reformed rogue to hide. The last thing he wants is to be surrounded by society, but when he gets stuck alone with a wallflower who is already betrothed... and she astonishes him with a fiery kiss, he forgets all about hiding.

To alter two destinies.

Although Charlotte appears meek, Kingston soon discovers there’s a vixen inside, yearning to break free. Unable to forget their illicit moment of passion, Kingston vows to relive the encounter, but Charlotte has sworn it will never happen again—no matter how earth-shattering it was. But will a devilish rogue tempt her to risk everything for a chance at true love?]]> 368 Sophie Jordan 0062885391 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 2020-2024 4 out of 5

I don’t have super high expectation from romance books other than a there should be chemistry between the two leads, an intriguing plot line and lastly, that it’s fun. This one had all three! This was a light, quick read which was exactly what I need to get out my reading slump. I really did enjoy the writing so I will definitely will be checking out more of Sophie Jordan’s books in the future. I think I’ve really come to enjoy historical romance, hehe.]]> 3.51 2020 The Virgin and the Rogue (The Rogue Files, #6)
author: Sophie Jordan
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.51
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2020/11/11
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5

I don’t have super high expectation from romance books other than a there should be chemistry between the two leads, an intriguing plot line and lastly, that it’s fun. This one had all three! This was a light, quick read which was exactly what I need to get out my reading slump. I really did enjoy the writing so I will definitely will be checking out more of Sophie Jordan’s books in the future. I think I’ve really come to enjoy historical romance, hehe.
]]> These Violent Delights 49203397 The Secret History meets Call Me by Your Name in Micah Nemerever's compulsively enjoyable debut novel - a feverishly taut Hitchcockian story about two college students, each with his own troubled past, whose escalating obsession with one another leads to an act of unspeakable violence.

When Paul and Julian meet as university freshmen in early 1970s Pittsburgh, they are immediately drawn to one another. A talented artist, Paul is sensitive and agonizingly insecure, incomprehensible to his working-class family, and desolate with grief over his father's recent death. Paul sees his wealthy, effortlessly charming Julian as his sole intellectual equal - an ally against the conventional world he finds so suffocating. He idolizes his friend for his magnetic confidence. But as charismatic as he can choose to be, Julian also is volatile and capriciously cruel. An admiration isn't the same as trust.

As their friendship spirals into an all-consuming intimacy, Paul is desperate to protect their precarious bond, even as it becomes clear that pressures from the outside world are nothing compared with the brutality they are capable of inflicting on one another. Separation is out of the question. But as their orbit compresses and their grip on one another tightens, they are drawn to an act of irrevocable violence that will force the young men to confront a shattering truth at the core of their relationship.

Exquisitely plotted, unfolding with propulsive ferocity, These Violent Delights is a novel of escalating dread and an excavation of the unsettling depths of human desire.]]> 460 Micah Nemerever 0062963635 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 all-time-favorites, 2020-2024 5 out of 5

The relationship of Paul and Julian was both beautiful and terrifying, obsessive and passionate. Looking at it as a reader, you would, and should, hate how they both treated each other. Sometimes you had to question how thin the line of love and hate was for them. There’s a desperation to prove to one another that their love was true and real, which you could say sprouted from living in a time period that didn’t approve of their relationship or saw it as a ‘phaseâ€� they would get over eventually. As any teenager, they felt isolated from their respective families; both wanting to rebel against the status quo and attest that they were above the mob mentality. Only until they find each other do they feel seen and understood that as Paul put it, â€�It was a relief and horror to be known so perfectly.â€�

There seems to be a heavy parallel between the Milgram Experiment that is constantly mentioned and Paul’s need for Julian as a figure of authority and stability. It was comically tragic how Paul, while being hypercritical of people for their obedience to authority, does the same thing when it comes from Julian, and he doesn’t even seem to be conscious about it. Every small act of violence committed by Paul is done in the name of Julian, trying to prove himself as someone worthy, needing him as an anchor that would bring order to his life. How they viewed each other made you second-guess whatever romantic feelings they had. Were they truly in love? Or were they just obsessed with what they each brought to their lives? Or was a it sick, twisted combination of both?

The writing is absolutely stunning for a debut novel. The organization and placement of each sentence made it feel like running silk on my tongue. There was precision and meticulous thoughtfulness on how the author wanted to write it, but there was no coldness or detachment. On the contrary, it elevated the wild and fervent atmosphere that was painting the story from start to finish. Micah Nemerever is an extremely talented writer and I will reading anything he publishes in the future.

More than anything, this book was about the experience I had while reading it. I went through a spectrum of emotions and profound moments of introspection after the multitude of times it touched a personal nerve. It made me unbearably melancholic. I felt like crying, not only for the characters, but for my self. My younger self that went through so much while discovering her sexuality.

My very first queer “relationshipâ€� happened when I was a teenager. The reason I put quotation marks on relationship was because it was never something we established as official. It just happened over time, like two pieces of a puzzle finally coming together, and we both knew it was like nothing either her or I had ever experienced before. It was so encompassing, so intense that it ended up being destructive. It left a profound scar that I’m still battling with each day. Some of my own personal experience were reflecting in Paul and Julian which is why I was able to connect so deeply with the emotional atmosphere of the book. I loved and hated it for it.]]> 3.96 2020 These Violent Delights
author: Micah Nemerever
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2020/12/04
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: all-time-favorites, 2020-2024
review:
5 out of 5

The relationship of Paul and Julian was both beautiful and terrifying, obsessive and passionate. Looking at it as a reader, you would, and should, hate how they both treated each other. Sometimes you had to question how thin the line of love and hate was for them. There’s a desperation to prove to one another that their love was true and real, which you could say sprouted from living in a time period that didn’t approve of their relationship or saw it as a ‘phaseâ€� they would get over eventually. As any teenager, they felt isolated from their respective families; both wanting to rebel against the status quo and attest that they were above the mob mentality. Only until they find each other do they feel seen and understood that as Paul put it, â€�It was a relief and horror to be known so perfectly.â€�

There seems to be a heavy parallel between the Milgram Experiment that is constantly mentioned and Paul’s need for Julian as a figure of authority and stability. It was comically tragic how Paul, while being hypercritical of people for their obedience to authority, does the same thing when it comes from Julian, and he doesn’t even seem to be conscious about it. Every small act of violence committed by Paul is done in the name of Julian, trying to prove himself as someone worthy, needing him as an anchor that would bring order to his life. How they viewed each other made you second-guess whatever romantic feelings they had. Were they truly in love? Or were they just obsessed with what they each brought to their lives? Or was a it sick, twisted combination of both?

The writing is absolutely stunning for a debut novel. The organization and placement of each sentence made it feel like running silk on my tongue. There was precision and meticulous thoughtfulness on how the author wanted to write it, but there was no coldness or detachment. On the contrary, it elevated the wild and fervent atmosphere that was painting the story from start to finish. Micah Nemerever is an extremely talented writer and I will reading anything he publishes in the future.

More than anything, this book was about the experience I had while reading it. I went through a spectrum of emotions and profound moments of introspection after the multitude of times it touched a personal nerve. It made me unbearably melancholic. I felt like crying, not only for the characters, but for my self. My younger self that went through so much while discovering her sexuality.

My very first queer “relationshipâ€� happened when I was a teenager. The reason I put quotation marks on relationship was because it was never something we established as official. It just happened over time, like two pieces of a puzzle finally coming together, and we both knew it was like nothing either her or I had ever experienced before. It was so encompassing, so intense that it ended up being destructive. It left a profound scar that I’m still battling with each day. Some of my own personal experience were reflecting in Paul and Julian which is why I was able to connect so deeply with the emotional atmosphere of the book. I loved and hated it for it.
]]> <![CDATA[A Turn of the Wheel (Tales from Lyrassan Book 1)]]> 48730401 472 Catherine Labadie °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 owned-books, 2020-2024 3.5 out of 5

This was a very whimsical and refreshing read! I loved how magical the atmosphere felt without the overwhelming presence of magic or magical creatures. The first half was quite slow for my liking but the second half was so well done.

The characters were okay. I liked that our main character, Aubria, was strong in her convictions and her desire to find her own path. You could also really tell how much she loves her home and her orchard which really made me root for her to succeed in her quest in saving it. Our main love interest, Terran, had an interesting backstory. I just wish we would have seen more of it, especially his political plotline that we had a glimpse at. Veritas was a character I was not expecting at all and was by far the most compelling! He really added such an interesting dynamic to the story.

Aubria and Terran’s relationship was too convenient at the beginning. It felt rushed and I was afraid of how it was going to progress, but I was proven wrong! It seems after that initial quick meet up and exchanges of trust, it slowed down to a more realistic pace. I really enjoyed how while they each had their own independent quests, they still remained so loyal and trusting of each other. I would love to see more fantasy romances written like this.

The pacing is probably my biggest issue since it made it hard for me to concentrate at times. And I think it part comes from having so much to achieve within one book. The first and second half feel a bit disconnected and could have easily been two individual books. While I did love how much research was put into the pagan rituals and festivities, sometimes it felt a bit overwhelming, and it was taking away pages for more plot progression. So much information was given but not enough room for it to breathe and expand the story to its full potential.

The last 5 chapter were such a blast! I was not expecting its ending at all and how it all tied up to the faeries was fantastic. I would really love to see more stories within this rich world that Labadie has created. She left enough room for maybe a continuation or spin-offs. This was a fun read I enjoyed quite a bit, and one I definitely recommend!]]> 3.67 2019 A Turn of the Wheel (Tales from Lyrassan Book 1)
author: Catherine Labadie
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2020/11/15
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
3.5 out of 5

This was a very whimsical and refreshing read! I loved how magical the atmosphere felt without the overwhelming presence of magic or magical creatures. The first half was quite slow for my liking but the second half was so well done.

The characters were okay. I liked that our main character, Aubria, was strong in her convictions and her desire to find her own path. You could also really tell how much she loves her home and her orchard which really made me root for her to succeed in her quest in saving it. Our main love interest, Terran, had an interesting backstory. I just wish we would have seen more of it, especially his political plotline that we had a glimpse at. Veritas was a character I was not expecting at all and was by far the most compelling! He really added such an interesting dynamic to the story.

Aubria and Terran’s relationship was too convenient at the beginning. It felt rushed and I was afraid of how it was going to progress, but I was proven wrong! It seems after that initial quick meet up and exchanges of trust, it slowed down to a more realistic pace. I really enjoyed how while they each had their own independent quests, they still remained so loyal and trusting of each other. I would love to see more fantasy romances written like this.

The pacing is probably my biggest issue since it made it hard for me to concentrate at times. And I think it part comes from having so much to achieve within one book. The first and second half feel a bit disconnected and could have easily been two individual books. While I did love how much research was put into the pagan rituals and festivities, sometimes it felt a bit overwhelming, and it was taking away pages for more plot progression. So much information was given but not enough room for it to breathe and expand the story to its full potential.

The last 5 chapter were such a blast! I was not expecting its ending at all and how it all tied up to the faeries was fantastic. I would really love to see more stories within this rich world that Labadie has created. She left enough room for maybe a continuation or spin-offs. This was a fun read I enjoyed quite a bit, and one I definitely recommend!
]]> <![CDATA[A Deal with the Elf King (Married to Magic, #1)]]> 55626358 The elves come for two things: war and wives. In both cases, they come for death.

Three-thousand years ago, humans were hunted by powerful races with wild magic until the treaty was formed. Now, for centuries, the elves have taken a young woman from Luella's village to be their Human Queen.

To be chosen is seen as a mark of death by the townsfolk. A mark nineteen-year-old Luella is grateful to have escaped as a girl. Instead, she's dedicated her life to studying herbology and becoming the town's only healer.

That is, until the Elf King unexpectedly arrives... for her.

Everything Luella had thought she'd known about her life, and herself, was a lie. Taken to a land filled with wild magic, Luella is forced to be the new queen to a cold yet blisteringly handsome Elf King. Once there, she learns about a dying world that only she can save.

The magical land of Midscape pulls on one corner of her heart, her home and people tug on another... but what will truly break her is a passion she never wanted.

A Deal with the Elf King is a complete, stand-alone novel, inspired by the tales of Hades and Persephone, as well as Beauty and the Beast, with a "happily ever after" ending. It's perfect for fantasy romance fans looking for just the right amount of steam and their next slow-burn and swoon-worthy couple. ]]> 340 Elise Kova 1949694267 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3.25 out of 5

Cute and very enjoyable! It reads more like a YA book even though it’s new adult technically. I loved the whole Hades and Persephone retelling aspect of it. It wasn’t a direct copy but not too loosely-based it feels like a skeleton of the myth. I know it mentions that it’s for “fans of ACOTARâ€� but I think this is what ACOTAR wanted to be for young adult readers.

Our MC, Luella, was a strong-willed girl and didn’t let anyone talk her down. It was refreshing to have someone actually stand up for herself and make solid points for her case. Her conversations and banter with the Elf King were always such a joy to read. They even sometimes had be crack a smile or a laugh. The Elf King was the one that surprised me the most? I was expecting a cold-hearted mean spirited love interest, and while he was that at the very beginning, he was actually level-headed and very kind. He was a huge softie on the inside. I do think their relationship should have developed a bit better. There was obvious attraction but just need a little push to make it better.

The world building and magic system was disappointing. It had such a unique concept but it was rarely explored beyond very minor details. Everything about it fell into the background just to built upon the main conflict for a couple of chapters. In general, the book was just fluff. I don’t think it’s a bad thing because that was the main purpose of the book. Just a fun and quick read. If you were expecting something darker then this isn’t for you. I am looking forward to the other books in the series!]]> 3.97 2020 A Deal with the Elf King (Married to Magic, #1)
author: Elise Kova
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2020/11/22
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3.25 out of 5

Cute and very enjoyable! It reads more like a YA book even though it’s new adult technically. I loved the whole Hades and Persephone retelling aspect of it. It wasn’t a direct copy but not too loosely-based it feels like a skeleton of the myth. I know it mentions that it’s for “fans of ACOTARâ€� but I think this is what ACOTAR wanted to be for young adult readers.

Our MC, Luella, was a strong-willed girl and didn’t let anyone talk her down. It was refreshing to have someone actually stand up for herself and make solid points for her case. Her conversations and banter with the Elf King were always such a joy to read. They even sometimes had be crack a smile or a laugh. The Elf King was the one that surprised me the most? I was expecting a cold-hearted mean spirited love interest, and while he was that at the very beginning, he was actually level-headed and very kind. He was a huge softie on the inside. I do think their relationship should have developed a bit better. There was obvious attraction but just need a little push to make it better.

The world building and magic system was disappointing. It had such a unique concept but it was rarely explored beyond very minor details. Everything about it fell into the background just to built upon the main conflict for a couple of chapters. In general, the book was just fluff. I don’t think it’s a bad thing because that was the main purpose of the book. Just a fun and quick read. If you were expecting something darker then this isn’t for you. I am looking forward to the other books in the series!
]]> Bunny (Bunny, #1) 42815544
But everything changes when Samantha receives an invitation to the Bunnies' fabled "Smut Salon," and finds herself inexplicably drawn to their front door--ditching her only friend, Ava, in the process. As Samantha plunges deeper and deeper into the Bunnies' sinister yet saccharine world, beginning to take part in the ritualistic off-campus "Workshop" where they conjure their monstrous creations, the edges of reality begin to blur. Soon, her friendships with Ava and the Bunnies will be brought into deadly collision.

The spellbinding new novel from one of our most fearless chroniclers of the female experience, Bunny is a down-the-rabbit-hole tale of loneliness and belonging, friendship and desire, and the fantastic and terrible power of the imagination.]]> 307 Mona Awad 0525559736 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 all-time-favorites, 2020-2024 4.25 out of 5

Definitely one of the weirdest books I’ve ever read. I could see this as a Black Mirror episode or a trippy, cult-classic 80s movie. I don’t even know where to begin talking about it because there was so much happening, especially towards the end.This is definitely dark academia/psychological horror/magical realism packed all into one.

The horror elements were handled in a very creative way. I really liked how Awad used hyper-cuteness as something sinister and even weaponized it. It was brilliant. It explored in a satirical manner themes of gender expression, academia, and horror. With each passing chapter, the story got more bizarre and chilling. I had no idea where it was going and I loved it for that! By the time I got to the final part, I was so anxious to find out how it’ll all end. The climax is definitely one I will remember for a very long time. It was just...wild, in every good way possible.

I will say that sometimes it was really difficult to tell what was real or if everything was just in the main character’s head. While I do think this was done almost intentionally as to build the atmosphere, I had difficulty to concentrate and immersing myself in the book. Sometimes I would catch myself just reading the words and not paying attention to what it said, so I would have to go back and re-read it again. This is not to deny that the writing was beautiful and well-structured. Awad is able to describe things so vividly with a very interesting flair of originality.

I want to say the best way to go into this book is completely blind! The synopsis gives enough to hook you so don’t read anything beyond that. I accidentally spoiled myself for one of the biggest reveals while watching a “non-spoilerâ€� review on YouTube and regret it. I would have enjoyed the reveal so much more if I hadn’t known prior. But overall, this was such an interesting reading experience and one I won’t forget. I already had an aversion towards bunnies, and now after reading this book, I would stay far, far away from them. Lol.]]> 3.53 2019 Bunny (Bunny, #1)
author: Mona Awad
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/31
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: all-time-favorites, 2020-2024
review:
4.25 out of 5

Definitely one of the weirdest books I’ve ever read. I could see this as a Black Mirror episode or a trippy, cult-classic 80s movie. I don’t even know where to begin talking about it because there was so much happening, especially towards the end.This is definitely dark academia/psychological horror/magical realism packed all into one.

The horror elements were handled in a very creative way. I really liked how Awad used hyper-cuteness as something sinister and even weaponized it. It was brilliant. It explored in a satirical manner themes of gender expression, academia, and horror. With each passing chapter, the story got more bizarre and chilling. I had no idea where it was going and I loved it for that! By the time I got to the final part, I was so anxious to find out how it’ll all end. The climax is definitely one I will remember for a very long time. It was just...wild, in every good way possible.

I will say that sometimes it was really difficult to tell what was real or if everything was just in the main character’s head. While I do think this was done almost intentionally as to build the atmosphere, I had difficulty to concentrate and immersing myself in the book. Sometimes I would catch myself just reading the words and not paying attention to what it said, so I would have to go back and re-read it again. This is not to deny that the writing was beautiful and well-structured. Awad is able to describe things so vividly with a very interesting flair of originality.

I want to say the best way to go into this book is completely blind! The synopsis gives enough to hook you so don’t read anything beyond that. I accidentally spoiled myself for one of the biggest reveals while watching a “non-spoilerâ€� review on YouTube and regret it. I would have enjoyed the reveal so much more if I hadn’t known prior. But overall, this was such an interesting reading experience and one I won’t forget. I already had an aversion towards bunnies, and now after reading this book, I would stay far, far away from them. Lol.
]]> <![CDATA[This Is How You Lose the Time War]]> 43352954 Burn before reading. Thus begins an unlikely correspondence between two rival agents hellbent on securing the best possible future for their warring factions. Now, what began as a taunt, a battlefield boast, grows into something more. Something epic. Something romantic. Something that could change the past and the future.

Except the discovery of their bond would mean death for each of them. There's still a war going on, after all. And someone has to win that war.]]> 209 Amal El-Mohtar °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 5 out of 5

This was just so lovely in every way. The writing. The atmosphere. The romance. That ending! It’s quite short—a little over 200 pages, making it a novella. But even with such a length, it packs a punch with each page.

I will say that since it’s short we don’t get much worldbuilding other than the basics to understand the time travel that both Red and Blue are taking part in. I personally didn’t need an in-depth explanation of the world since I only really cared about the time travel. However, at the beginning it was a bit difficult to understand, caught myself re-reading some sections to grasp what was happening, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of it.

Now the romance. The romance is everything I wanted from this book. It was full of yearning and overflowing passion through the letters they communicated in. I got teary-eyed at moments because of how moved I was by the writing. I highlighted so many quotes throughout the book that just hit me right in the heart. Everything about it was so atmospheric and just wrapped you up in it. And then this book is also a F/F romance? I was sold.

I would say it’s best to go in knowing as little as possible. Reading this was a true experience. It’s one of those books that have definitely touched me personally and I see myself reading again. So if you can, please give this book a try! I promise you won’t regret it!]]> 3.87 2019 This Is How You Lose the Time War
author: Amal El-Mohtar
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2020/06/30
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: all-time-favorites, owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
5 out of 5

This was just so lovely in every way. The writing. The atmosphere. The romance. That ending! It’s quite short—a little over 200 pages, making it a novella. But even with such a length, it packs a punch with each page.

I will say that since it’s short we don’t get much worldbuilding other than the basics to understand the time travel that both Red and Blue are taking part in. I personally didn’t need an in-depth explanation of the world since I only really cared about the time travel. However, at the beginning it was a bit difficult to understand, caught myself re-reading some sections to grasp what was happening, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of it.

Now the romance. The romance is everything I wanted from this book. It was full of yearning and overflowing passion through the letters they communicated in. I got teary-eyed at moments because of how moved I was by the writing. I highlighted so many quotes throughout the book that just hit me right in the heart. Everything about it was so atmospheric and just wrapped you up in it. And then this book is also a F/F romance? I was sold.

I would say it’s best to go in knowing as little as possible. Reading this was a true experience. It’s one of those books that have definitely touched me personally and I see myself reading again. So if you can, please give this book a try! I promise you won’t regret it!
]]> Beach Read 52195137
They’re polar opposites.

In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they're living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer's block.

Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer-long challenge that may just upend everything they believe about happily ever afters.]]> 380 Emily Henry °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3.25 out of 5

While I did enjoy the book, it just didn’t meet my expectations. I knew going in that it dealt with heavy topics such as death of a parent, cancer, cheating, so it’s not like I was expecting a super cute summer read. But due to knowing that this book carried a bit more substance than your common romance novel, I wish it was dealt with better.

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated how the main characters got closer to each as they worked out their own feelings and thoughts about their personal issues. It felt organic. There was an obvious chemistry between the two right off the bat that the author didn’t have to sell me on. I could see it on the page. However, I wanted us to go a bit more in depth into those heavier topics we explored. The juggling of the romance plot and the self-discovery plot was done well but I was left wanting more from both.

The romance, as I mentioned, was definitely natural. We actually had the characters talk about how they were feeling and why they were feeling that way like adults rather than not communicating. There was definitely some bumps along the road but they weren’t unnecessarily dragged out for the “drama.â€� One major issue I had however is that we didn’t get to know the characters outside of what was happening in that moment. They felt a little too two-dimensional. If you aren’t comfortable with explicit sex scenes, then you don’t have to worry about them here. They were just tastefully done.

It was an enjoyable read, a good palate cleanser for my fantasy-heavy reading. It had a a lot of promise to be great but it lacked depth both on plot and character. I don’t really have that many thoughts to share since it was just an okay read.

P.S. January Andrews and Augustus Everett are amazing names!]]> 4.10 2020 Beach Read
author: Emily Henry
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2020/06/04
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3.25 out of 5

While I did enjoy the book, it just didn’t meet my expectations. I knew going in that it dealt with heavy topics such as death of a parent, cancer, cheating, so it’s not like I was expecting a super cute summer read. But due to knowing that this book carried a bit more substance than your common romance novel, I wish it was dealt with better.

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated how the main characters got closer to each as they worked out their own feelings and thoughts about their personal issues. It felt organic. There was an obvious chemistry between the two right off the bat that the author didn’t have to sell me on. I could see it on the page. However, I wanted us to go a bit more in depth into those heavier topics we explored. The juggling of the romance plot and the self-discovery plot was done well but I was left wanting more from both.

The romance, as I mentioned, was definitely natural. We actually had the characters talk about how they were feeling and why they were feeling that way like adults rather than not communicating. There was definitely some bumps along the road but they weren’t unnecessarily dragged out for the “drama.â€� One major issue I had however is that we didn’t get to know the characters outside of what was happening in that moment. They felt a little too two-dimensional. If you aren’t comfortable with explicit sex scenes, then you don’t have to worry about them here. They were just tastefully done.

It was an enjoyable read, a good palate cleanser for my fantasy-heavy reading. It had a a lot of promise to be great but it lacked depth both on plot and character. I don’t really have that many thoughts to share since it was just an okay read.

P.S. January Andrews and Augustus Everett are amazing names!
]]> Raybearer (Raybearer, #1) 50158128 343 Jordan Ifueko 1419739824 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 2020-2024 4.5 out of 5

WOW. Now that’s what I call a stunning and original YA fantasy book. From the very beginning I was swept off my feet into the wonderful world Jordan Ifueko created. I’m so in love with everything that the book had to offer.

First, the concept: just stunning. The Ray is just so fascinating to read about and how it affects all of the characters. To be that close to 11 other individuals, sharing your emotions and thoughts, to fully depends on them at all times but at the same time remaining independent, is an idea that is very attractive to me. Every little information we got about it I ate it up. It added such a dimensionality to all major character interactions. I really hope to see more of it in the next books because I think we have so many areas that we could explore with it.

The characters were so enjoyable to read. Tarisai is such a well-rounded main female character. She is tough but kind, vulnerable but brave. Considering this is targeted to YA audiences primarily, so many little girls, especially black girls, can and will most likely look up to someone like her. We see just a diverse cast of characters from so many backgrounds that you can connect to our own world, which really helps to have a more emotional investment to the characters. No one is truly bad or truly good; they all fall within a gray area that makes each character multi-dimensional in personality and actions.

There were so many themes woven into the story seamlessly that plays such key roles for the development of the plot. I was in awe. One of the was how misogyny, patriarchy and sexism robs girls from fulfilling their true potential. Another one was how assimilation is truly a destructive force and doesn’t allow for individuality to thrive. Ifueko really gives us wonderful commentary about these from beginning to end. It never felt like she was beating over the head with these themes rather they were truly engrained into the core of this book and added so much valuable insight to the story.

The thing I do feel the book struggles with is pacing. Part 1 was great. Part 2 was somewhat okay with a few hiccups in the end. And in Part 3 is when things started to fall apart for me. Everything started to feel rushed since the passage of time jumped so erratically. In a couple of chapters we would be weeks ahead, then in others it would be just a few days, and then somehow months had passed. It really took me out of the book at times, that by the time I reached Part 4, I found myself a bit exhausted with the constant shifting of pace. Once we reached the climax things did sort of smooth out into the end. It felt like the book started with a lot of steam, lost majority of it halfway, and gathered just enough to end with a grand finale.

I really hope that more people pick this book up. I rarely see YA books this whimsical and magical anymore, and this deserves as much, or even more, love as the most popular YA series of the past 2-3 years. This is a book targeted to young adults and it reads like one, and I loved it for it. This book is a perfect example of what we mean when we say that by having diverse authors bringing in their own voice into YA, it completely reimagines what this genre can achieve.]]> 4.32 2020 Raybearer (Raybearer, #1)
author: Jordan Ifueko
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2020/09/02
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
4.5 out of 5

WOW. Now that’s what I call a stunning and original YA fantasy book. From the very beginning I was swept off my feet into the wonderful world Jordan Ifueko created. I’m so in love with everything that the book had to offer.

First, the concept: just stunning. The Ray is just so fascinating to read about and how it affects all of the characters. To be that close to 11 other individuals, sharing your emotions and thoughts, to fully depends on them at all times but at the same time remaining independent, is an idea that is very attractive to me. Every little information we got about it I ate it up. It added such a dimensionality to all major character interactions. I really hope to see more of it in the next books because I think we have so many areas that we could explore with it.

The characters were so enjoyable to read. Tarisai is such a well-rounded main female character. She is tough but kind, vulnerable but brave. Considering this is targeted to YA audiences primarily, so many little girls, especially black girls, can and will most likely look up to someone like her. We see just a diverse cast of characters from so many backgrounds that you can connect to our own world, which really helps to have a more emotional investment to the characters. No one is truly bad or truly good; they all fall within a gray area that makes each character multi-dimensional in personality and actions.

There were so many themes woven into the story seamlessly that plays such key roles for the development of the plot. I was in awe. One of the was how misogyny, patriarchy and sexism robs girls from fulfilling their true potential. Another one was how assimilation is truly a destructive force and doesn’t allow for individuality to thrive. Ifueko really gives us wonderful commentary about these from beginning to end. It never felt like she was beating over the head with these themes rather they were truly engrained into the core of this book and added so much valuable insight to the story.

The thing I do feel the book struggles with is pacing. Part 1 was great. Part 2 was somewhat okay with a few hiccups in the end. And in Part 3 is when things started to fall apart for me. Everything started to feel rushed since the passage of time jumped so erratically. In a couple of chapters we would be weeks ahead, then in others it would be just a few days, and then somehow months had passed. It really took me out of the book at times, that by the time I reached Part 4, I found myself a bit exhausted with the constant shifting of pace. Once we reached the climax things did sort of smooth out into the end. It felt like the book started with a lot of steam, lost majority of it halfway, and gathered just enough to end with a grand finale.

I really hope that more people pick this book up. I rarely see YA books this whimsical and magical anymore, and this deserves as much, or even more, love as the most popular YA series of the past 2-3 years. This is a book targeted to young adults and it reads like one, and I loved it for it. This book is a perfect example of what we mean when we say that by having diverse authors bringing in their own voice into YA, it completely reimagines what this genre can achieve.
]]> Here at Dawn 54786860
Find deep magic in the pages of Beau Taplin's third book, Here at Dawn. The message is this: There is nothing ordinary about you or this remarkable world we inhabit, there is wild beauty, there is poetry, alive all around you. The secret is knowing where to look...and you can start right here.]]> 144 Beau Taplin 1524866334 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3.5 out of 5

I’m a bit surprised at how much I really enjoyed this! When reading poetry books, I look for two things: 1) how well did the poet convey their message through the collection and 2) how much did I connect to it as a whole. Beau Taplin succeeded at both! It had a very clear message of healing and self-discovery that is portrayed throughout the collection of poems. It felt solid and unified as a whole. I just wish it was organized a bit better to depict a stronger image of healing. Sometimes the poem placements didn’t seem like it was following any specific patter to enhance the experience. in my current stage in life, the themes explored are some that I hold very dear. So to see some of my own personal experiences and emotions put into words was a bit gratifying. This is a collection that not only I think is great on its own and anyone could enjoy, but people that have gone through a major life-changing event would really connect to and love.

I just wish it wouldn’t get quite preachy on the whole “look within youâ€� sort of thing. It started out great and somewhere in the middle those peachy poems started to roll in and by the end most, if not all, of them just sort of muddled in my mind. I can’t really remember a single one. This is the main reason I knocked down one star, and the other .5 is due to the lack of organization from my perspective. But other than that, I think it’s a great poetry book that I can see myself recommending! This made me excited to read more of Beau Taplin’s future works!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title.]]> 4.09 2019 Here at Dawn
author: Beau Taplin
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2020/07/20
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3.5 out of 5

I’m a bit surprised at how much I really enjoyed this! When reading poetry books, I look for two things: 1) how well did the poet convey their message through the collection and 2) how much did I connect to it as a whole. Beau Taplin succeeded at both! It had a very clear message of healing and self-discovery that is portrayed throughout the collection of poems. It felt solid and unified as a whole. I just wish it was organized a bit better to depict a stronger image of healing. Sometimes the poem placements didn’t seem like it was following any specific patter to enhance the experience. in my current stage in life, the themes explored are some that I hold very dear. So to see some of my own personal experiences and emotions put into words was a bit gratifying. This is a collection that not only I think is great on its own and anyone could enjoy, but people that have gone through a major life-changing event would really connect to and love.

I just wish it wouldn’t get quite preachy on the whole “look within youâ€� sort of thing. It started out great and somewhere in the middle those peachy poems started to roll in and by the end most, if not all, of them just sort of muddled in my mind. I can’t really remember a single one. This is the main reason I knocked down one star, and the other .5 is due to the lack of organization from my perspective. But other than that, I think it’s a great poetry book that I can see myself recommending! This made me excited to read more of Beau Taplin’s future works!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title.
]]> <![CDATA[Devil in Winter (Wallflowers, #3)]]> 53041569 Alternative cover editions for this ASIN can be found here and here.

"I'm Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent. I can't be celibate. Everyone knows that."

Desperate to escape her scheming relatives, Evangeline Jenner has sought the help of the most infamous scoundrel in London.

A marriage of convenience is the only solution.

No one would have ever paired the shy, stammering wallflower with the sinfully handsome viscount. It quickly becomes clear, however, that Evie is a woman of hidden strength—and Sebastian desires her more than any woman he's ever known.

Determined to win her husband's elusive heart, Evie dares to strike a bargain with the devil: If Sebastian can stay celibate for three months, she will allow him into her bed.

When Evie is threatened by a vengeful enemy from the past, Sebastian vows to do whatever it takes to protect his wife... even at the expense of his own life.

Together they will defy their perilous fate, for the sake of all-consuming love.]]> 384 Lisa Kleypas °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3 out of 5

This is pretty much your standard historical romance novel. Which isn’t a bad thing if that’s exactly what you are looking for! I’m recently trying to come out of a month-long reading slump so this was perfect to help me back into reading regularly. It wasn’t the most exciting reading, but it also wasn’t too difficult to get into. I actually found myself a bit excited to jump back into it every night before bed.

I found the pairing, Evie and Sebastian, to have a very natural progression (as it can get in a romance novel lol). There was an immediate attraction due to the circumstances of their relationship, but you can definitely tell why they fell for each other quite quickly. I would say it was insta-love but it didn’t feel like because of how well-written they were as characters. I easily fall for the sweet, innocent girl changing the bad boy for the better trope and this definitely ticked off the mark for me!

It was a very enjoyable read, but nothing really wowed me. It was a bit too... mundane for my personal taste. I like eating romance for the grandiose drama lol! Also if you’re uncomfortable with sex scenes, this one didn’t have anything too explicit. They were done quite tastefully. I would recommend this to those that want to start reading romance.]]> 4.29 2006 Devil in Winter (Wallflowers, #3)
author: Lisa Kleypas
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 2020/08/11
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3 out of 5

This is pretty much your standard historical romance novel. Which isn’t a bad thing if that’s exactly what you are looking for! I’m recently trying to come out of a month-long reading slump so this was perfect to help me back into reading regularly. It wasn’t the most exciting reading, but it also wasn’t too difficult to get into. I actually found myself a bit excited to jump back into it every night before bed.

I found the pairing, Evie and Sebastian, to have a very natural progression (as it can get in a romance novel lol). There was an immediate attraction due to the circumstances of their relationship, but you can definitely tell why they fell for each other quite quickly. I would say it was insta-love but it didn’t feel like because of how well-written they were as characters. I easily fall for the sweet, innocent girl changing the bad boy for the better trope and this definitely ticked off the mark for me!

It was a very enjoyable read, but nothing really wowed me. It was a bit too... mundane for my personal taste. I like eating romance for the grandiose drama lol! Also if you’re uncomfortable with sex scenes, this one didn’t have anything too explicit. They were done quite tastefully. I would recommend this to those that want to start reading romance.
]]> <![CDATA[The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, #3)]]> 6547259 Who is the Hero of Ages?

To end the final empire and restore freedom, Vin killed the Lord Ruler. But as a result, the Deepness � the lethal form of the ubiquitous mists � is back, along with increasingly heavy ashfalls and ever more powerful earthquakes. Humanity appears to be doomed.

Having escaped death only by becoming a Mistborn himself, Emperor Elend Venture hopes to find clues left behind by the Lord Ruler that will allow him to save the world. Meanwhile, Vin is consumed with guilt at accidentally releasing the mystic force known as Ruin from the Well.

The conclusion of the Mistborn trilogy fulfils all the promise of the first two books, in a finale unmatched for originality and audacity.]]> 748 Brandon Sanderson 0575089946 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 owned-books, 2020-2024 4 out of 5

Finished my first Cosmere series! �

Definitely the slowest book for me out of the three, just wish it hadn’t been so sluggish for the first half. I would have appreciated a faster pace. I think it was mainly due to having a handful of POVs where we were constantly changing the direction of the plot. I felt like some of them just weren’t needed. I could see what Sanderson was trying to do, but it didn’t add much by the end as I expected them to.

The main thing that really helped me through that first half was that we were finally getting answers that we were desperately waiting for regarding the Hero of Ages. I was happy with how the information was delivered to us without the necessity of an info dump later on. Since most of the revelations were done early on when we reached the climax everything in the plot just fell into place beautifully. When we get the reveal of who is truly the Hero of Ages I was left speechless and had goosebumps running down my arms. It was the first time in a very long time where I didn’t see a plot twist coming at all.

The ending is definitely bittersweet but with such a satisfying conclusion! I didn’t much of the “bitternessâ€� from it however because I never was overall attached to any of the characters. I actually accurately predicated the major deaths so there’s that, lol. The characters were probably my major gripe with this one. If I had been more invested in them I think I would have enjoyed the finale more. But when it comes to plot closure and worldbuilding, the book truly excels. A true masterclass in that regard.

Sanderson has quickly become one of my favorite writers. I’m really, really excited to continue to delve into the Cosmere. He is truly creating something special with all his works and I understand why he is such a force in the world of fantasy literature.]]> 4.58 2008 The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, #3)
author: Brandon Sanderson
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.58
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 2020/12/23
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5

Finished my first Cosmere series! �

Definitely the slowest book for me out of the three, just wish it hadn’t been so sluggish for the first half. I would have appreciated a faster pace. I think it was mainly due to having a handful of POVs where we were constantly changing the direction of the plot. I felt like some of them just weren’t needed. I could see what Sanderson was trying to do, but it didn’t add much by the end as I expected them to.

The main thing that really helped me through that first half was that we were finally getting answers that we were desperately waiting for regarding the Hero of Ages. I was happy with how the information was delivered to us without the necessity of an info dump later on. Since most of the revelations were done early on when we reached the climax everything in the plot just fell into place beautifully. When we get the reveal of who is truly the Hero of Ages I was left speechless and had goosebumps running down my arms. It was the first time in a very long time where I didn’t see a plot twist coming at all.

The ending is definitely bittersweet but with such a satisfying conclusion! I didn’t much of the “bitternessâ€� from it however because I never was overall attached to any of the characters. I actually accurately predicated the major deaths so there’s that, lol. The characters were probably my major gripe with this one. If I had been more invested in them I think I would have enjoyed the finale more. But when it comes to plot closure and worldbuilding, the book truly excels. A true masterclass in that regard.

Sanderson has quickly become one of my favorite writers. I’m really, really excited to continue to delve into the Cosmere. He is truly creating something special with all his works and I understand why he is such a force in the world of fantasy literature.
]]> <![CDATA[The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War, #2)]]> 41118857
With no other options, Rin joins forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who has a plan to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new Republic. Rin throws herself into his war. After all, making war is all she knows how to do.

But the Empress is a more powerful foe than she appears, and the Dragon Warlord’s motivations are not as democratic as they seem. The more Rin learns, the more she fears her love for Nikan will drive her away from every ally and lead her to rely more and more on the Phoenix’s deadly power. Because there is nothing she won’t sacrifice for her country and her vengeance.

The sequel to R.F. Kuang’s acclaimed debut THE POPPY WAR, THE DRAGON REPUBLIC combines the history of 20th-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating effect.]]> 658 R.F. Kuang °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 owned-books, 2020-2024 4.25 out of 5

I had very high expectations for The Dragon Republic after seeing so many praise it with being so much better than The Poppy War, that it took all its good qualities and enhanced them in this second installment of the series. It’s rare to ever hear such high praises for any sequel so I was sure I would love it. And I did. I really did. But it also disappointed me in certain areas.

Now I understand the complains of the writing that some people had with TPW. It felt too juvenile at moments considering the setting and the events that were happening. It mainly came from the characterization that Rin continued to have. I thought that after everything she had gone through, she might have a more mature outlook on the situation she is placed in. It’s clear that in the beginning she’s very vulnerable; she’s dealing with guilt, loss, and opium addiction. All the people around her tried to help her one way or another, but she snaps at them and belittles them. When she didn’t get her way, she would throw a tantrum for the littlest things. She wants power but didn’t want to deal with the responsibility of handling it. Sometimes I found it hard to believe that I was reading from the point of a view of a 20 year old. It almost felt like Rin hadn’t grown much as a character compared to those around her. By the end, it got a bit better, and I really hope to see a growth in maturity in her that she will definitely need for the future.

Another area that I feel conflicted on was how the two major challenges Rin faced were handled. For once, I thought her battling the opium addiction would be something that was going to be explored in depth and it would transform her character, but it was easily fixed over a matter of a month? I was just confused at how easily that plot line was dropped after. The other major challenge she faced, which I won’t mention since it’s a spoiler, was also fixed quite quickly. It would have been great if Kuang had used it as a way for Rin to go back to her roots and have some introspection to find herself again. Yet, we never get that. Rin’s challenges were used to push the plot forward rather than to push Rin’s characterization into growth. It was wasted potential, in my opinion.

Everything else was absolutely fantastic! This series at its core is a military fantasy and you definitely get it here. I loved reading about the tactics and the battle mechanics. It was written in such an accessible and enjoyable way that helped me immerse myself in each of the battles. I felt the fear and anxiety when something didn’t go as planned as well as the joy that came with a success. This was by far the most enjoyable part of the book for me. I got very attached to our reappearing characters, especially Nezha. I was surprised at how much I ended liking Nezha (even after what he did!) and his own story by the end. I’m certain he would play a critical role in the next book as the driving force behind Rin’s new goal. A certain conversation him and Rin had really solidified what each of them represented for each other and what that means for the main conflict that will take place in The Burning God.

Along with reappearing characters, we met new one that really helped expand the world and the intricacies of the political scheming. There’s a lot of chess pieces finally moving along the board, new ones appearing, and old ones changing paths that are quite surprising. The themes of poverty, colorism, racism, westernization are all very prevalent and add such a dynamic element to the story. All of them will have a huge force in the final book of the trilogy. I seriously cannot wait to see how everything concludes.]]> 4.36 2019 The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War, #2)
author: R.F. Kuang
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2020/08/24
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
4.25 out of 5

I had very high expectations for The Dragon Republic after seeing so many praise it with being so much better than The Poppy War, that it took all its good qualities and enhanced them in this second installment of the series. It’s rare to ever hear such high praises for any sequel so I was sure I would love it. And I did. I really did. But it also disappointed me in certain areas.

Now I understand the complains of the writing that some people had with TPW. It felt too juvenile at moments considering the setting and the events that were happening. It mainly came from the characterization that Rin continued to have. I thought that after everything she had gone through, she might have a more mature outlook on the situation she is placed in. It’s clear that in the beginning she’s very vulnerable; she’s dealing with guilt, loss, and opium addiction. All the people around her tried to help her one way or another, but she snaps at them and belittles them. When she didn’t get her way, she would throw a tantrum for the littlest things. She wants power but didn’t want to deal with the responsibility of handling it. Sometimes I found it hard to believe that I was reading from the point of a view of a 20 year old. It almost felt like Rin hadn’t grown much as a character compared to those around her. By the end, it got a bit better, and I really hope to see a growth in maturity in her that she will definitely need for the future.

Another area that I feel conflicted on was how the two major challenges Rin faced were handled. For once, I thought her battling the opium addiction would be something that was going to be explored in depth and it would transform her character, but it was easily fixed over a matter of a month? I was just confused at how easily that plot line was dropped after. The other major challenge she faced, which I won’t mention since it’s a spoiler, was also fixed quite quickly. It would have been great if Kuang had used it as a way for Rin to go back to her roots and have some introspection to find herself again. Yet, we never get that. Rin’s challenges were used to push the plot forward rather than to push Rin’s characterization into growth. It was wasted potential, in my opinion.

Everything else was absolutely fantastic! This series at its core is a military fantasy and you definitely get it here. I loved reading about the tactics and the battle mechanics. It was written in such an accessible and enjoyable way that helped me immerse myself in each of the battles. I felt the fear and anxiety when something didn’t go as planned as well as the joy that came with a success. This was by far the most enjoyable part of the book for me. I got very attached to our reappearing characters, especially Nezha. I was surprised at how much I ended liking Nezha (even after what he did!) and his own story by the end. I’m certain he would play a critical role in the next book as the driving force behind Rin’s new goal. A certain conversation him and Rin had really solidified what each of them represented for each other and what that means for the main conflict that will take place in The Burning God.

Along with reappearing characters, we met new one that really helped expand the world and the intricacies of the political scheming. There’s a lot of chess pieces finally moving along the board, new ones appearing, and old ones changing paths that are quite surprising. The themes of poverty, colorism, racism, westernization are all very prevalent and add such a dynamic element to the story. All of them will have a huge force in the final book of the trilogy. I seriously cannot wait to see how everything concludes.
]]> <![CDATA[Door of Bruises (Thornchapel, #4)]]> 53627576 We are all, for better or worse, doomed to love each other until death do us part. My heart belongs to Proserpina and St. Sebastian—even if he no longer wants it. Even if she has left it behind to follow him.
Delphine’s fled back home, and Becket’s holy calling is in peril.
And now only Rebecca and I remain at Thornchapel to face the unknown.
The door is open. The door that shouldn’t exist; the door that people have died to close. I don’t feel like the lord of the manor...I don’t feel like a king or a wild god. I am a friend and a boyfriend and a brother—and a failure at being all of these things. But the door doesn’t care about my guilt. It only cares about the sacrifice I’ll make to close it.
As the bruising dark of Samhain approaches, so does the fate of our circle, of Thornchapel and the village and the valley beyond it. And I must don the crown, because one thing is still true, even if I must face it alone.
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐥, 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐞.]]> 486 Sierra Simone °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 owned-books, 2020-2024 3 out of 5

This series is very unique, which is what I love about it. It’s dark academia mixed with romance/erotica and some fantastical elements. It definitely isn’t for everyone since it’s quite graphic and also deals with some very taboo topics. But what is great about it is that regardless of what I just mentioned, the plot was genuinely so captivating. Sierra Simone truly knows how build a plot that doesn’t let you put the book down.

With Door of Bruises, I was expecting it to explore more of the mysticism around Thornchapel and it’s rituals, but it really let me down in that regard. Considering this is the last book of the series and we still had so many unanswered questions about it, it was barely touched upon it in the second half. I don’t expect every single question that we had answered but it left me unsatisfied with what we were given. It felt like it was built up so much to just simply be brushed off easily.

Our cast of characters also felt somewhat detached. They were dealing with a lot of serious things, but I couldn’t bring myself to care as much. The conflicts of the main pairings have been dragged on far to much at this point that I was completely over it. I even found myself just feeling tired of reading their scenes. I wanted a shift of focus on the dynamics of different romances, for example that of Poe and Becket. Which brings me to my next point:

Poe and Becket are probably by far the most interesting characters with what little that we got, and they had little to no relevance in this book. I’m genuinely upset with how Poe’s character has been written with each book, almost being made a side character. Same with Becket with only about three appearances total in this one and considering he had a huge revelation to make at the end, a lot of potential was lost with his storyline. And to add salt to the wound, the way Poe and Becket play a critical role in the climax didn’t add weight to the situation because we rarely had any time to form attachment to them as individual characters.

How the overall series concluded, however, I actually really enjoyed it. It add a whimsical touch to the series I was not expecting. Simone left the ending open enough that it allows the reader to come up with their own personal ending for these characters. We still were left wondering what was truly on the other side of the door, which I really liked!

It was a solid book, just the journey to the end was not as enjoyable as I had hoped. Maybe my own personal expectations is what didn’t let me enjoy it as much. I would still recommend the series to anyone that want to try something very different than what they typically read, BUT are comfortable enough with the topics that are dealt with. It will definitely hold a special place in my book-loving heart.]]> 4.21 2020 Door of Bruises (Thornchapel, #4)
author: Sierra Simone
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2020/12/14
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
3 out of 5

This series is very unique, which is what I love about it. It’s dark academia mixed with romance/erotica and some fantastical elements. It definitely isn’t for everyone since it’s quite graphic and also deals with some very taboo topics. But what is great about it is that regardless of what I just mentioned, the plot was genuinely so captivating. Sierra Simone truly knows how build a plot that doesn’t let you put the book down.

With Door of Bruises, I was expecting it to explore more of the mysticism around Thornchapel and it’s rituals, but it really let me down in that regard. Considering this is the last book of the series and we still had so many unanswered questions about it, it was barely touched upon it in the second half. I don’t expect every single question that we had answered but it left me unsatisfied with what we were given. It felt like it was built up so much to just simply be brushed off easily.

Our cast of characters also felt somewhat detached. They were dealing with a lot of serious things, but I couldn’t bring myself to care as much. The conflicts of the main pairings have been dragged on far to much at this point that I was completely over it. I even found myself just feeling tired of reading their scenes. I wanted a shift of focus on the dynamics of different romances, for example that of Poe and Becket. Which brings me to my next point:

Poe and Becket are probably by far the most interesting characters with what little that we got, and they had little to no relevance in this book. I’m genuinely upset with how Poe’s character has been written with each book, almost being made a side character. Same with Becket with only about three appearances total in this one and considering he had a huge revelation to make at the end, a lot of potential was lost with his storyline. And to add salt to the wound, the way Poe and Becket play a critical role in the climax didn’t add weight to the situation because we rarely had any time to form attachment to them as individual characters.

How the overall series concluded, however, I actually really enjoyed it. It add a whimsical touch to the series I was not expecting. Simone left the ending open enough that it allows the reader to come up with their own personal ending for these characters. We still were left wondering what was truly on the other side of the door, which I really liked!

It was a solid book, just the journey to the end was not as enjoyable as I had hoped. Maybe my own personal expectations is what didn’t let me enjoy it as much. I would still recommend the series to anyone that want to try something very different than what they typically read, BUT are comfortable enough with the topics that are dealt with. It will definitely hold a special place in my book-loving heart.
]]> <![CDATA[The Burning God (The Poppy War, #3)]]> 55583078
After saving her nation of Nikan from foreign invaders and battling the evil Empress Su Daji in a brutal civil war, Fang Runin was betrayed by allies and left for dead.

Despite her losses, Rin hasn't given up on those for whom she has sacrificed so much � the people of the southern provinces and especially Tikany, the village that is her home. Returning to her roots, Rin meets difficult challenges � and unexpected opportunities. While her new allies in the Southern Coalition leadership are sly and untrustworthy, Rin quickly realizes that the real power in Nikan lies with the millions of common people who thirst for vengeance and revere her as a goddess of salvation.

Backed by the masses and her Southern Army, Rin will use every weapon to defeat the Dragon Republic, the colonizing Hesperians, and all who threaten the shamanic arts and their practitioners.

As her power and influence grows, will she be strong enough to resist the Phoenix's voice, urging her to burn the world and everything in it?]]> 622 R.F. Kuang 000833918X °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 owned-books, 2020-2024 3.5 out of 5

Slight spoilers in regards to tone and character development

This was my most anticipated release of the year. I was bubbling with excitement when I received an ARC from my dear friend who was so sweet in sending me one. I absolutely loved The Poppy War and I enjoyed The Dragon Republic. So much was placed on the table at the end of TDR I was expecting a tour de force for the finale, but was left underwhelmed and nonchalant by The Burning God.

I do want to point out that this is the best written book out of the three. The pacing was consistent and well-managed, juvenil language was kept at minimum, and the organization of events was well placed. I could really see how much Kuang has grown as an author these past three years. The battle scenes and the introduction of new battle technology was stellar. She really has found that sweet spot for writing military fantasy.

Now the thing that really broke this book for me was the lack of moral and ideological exploration through the characters. We get the message of how traumatizing war can be, how a nation suffers through years of occupation and how imperialism and westernization has had a hand in erasing the identity of ethnic people. However, when it comes to a rounder development of how Rin, Nezha and Kitay all had different perspectives on how to lead their country to liberation it lacked greatly.

This book would have greatly benefitted by having POVs from these three characters. Having Rin as the sole narrator really limits on how much we see from other character’s eyes. We never get to see how Nezha reacts to Rin’s actions. We never get to see how even Kitay reacts to her either. We’re supposed to feel conflicted by Rin’s character as a whole, but due to us rarely seeing her through someone else’s perspective, we don’t get that image that what she does or believes in is “wrongâ€�. She just feels very one-dimensional since we never get a proper exploration of the different facets of her character through others.

Furthermore, the problem I just mentioned really shows through in the last 100 pages which felt rushed. The book would have benefited from expanding a bit more or even making a whole other book about Rin’s descent into paranoia and her lack of identity outside of being a soldier. Even Kitay, who is Rin’s closest ally and best friend being pushed to the sidelines throughout the whole book, would have been a shining beacon for those last 100 pages in showing us how Rin is dealing with the consequences of her actions. Just so much could have been fine tuned, have a stronger analysis of themes, in order to really hit home the messages Kuang was trying to tell in her work.

Another huge miss was how we had a wide variety of characters: the Trifecta, Chaghan, the Hesperians, but they all played small parts in the overall plot. It felt so unsatisfactory to see all these chess pieces in place and then being discarded for something else that could have had less pages dedicated to. Now my final complain, the lack of emotion and depth in sincere, down-to-earth scenes. There was no time to process or even breathe when we had major deaths happening. One in particular was supposed to be very moving, a pivotal decision for Rin, but we never got to sit with it because we were being pushed forward by the plot. I think this connects with the lack of character dimensionality and development that needed to take a central role in this finale.

There is no doubt that Kuang is a great writer, one with promising potential. Personally, I think she really dropped the ball for a strong conclusion. It felt like she had so much on her plate, wasn’t sure how to proceed with all of it, so she ended up playing it safe. It was a “This is what happened. The end.â€� sort of book. I wasn’t left contemplating the events or even missing the world and it’s characters. Once I finished it, that was it. On the surface level it was a solid read, but when you dig deeper you find little to nothing of value. Let me end this by saying that regardless of my disappointment, this series still means a lot to me. It has been monumental in developing my reading taste. It was a great ride and one I will remember, but not as much as I initially thought I would.]]> 4.29 2020 The Burning God (The Poppy War, #3)
author: R.F. Kuang
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2020/11/19
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
3.5 out of 5

Slight spoilers in regards to tone and character development

This was my most anticipated release of the year. I was bubbling with excitement when I received an ARC from my dear friend who was so sweet in sending me one. I absolutely loved The Poppy War and I enjoyed The Dragon Republic. So much was placed on the table at the end of TDR I was expecting a tour de force for the finale, but was left underwhelmed and nonchalant by The Burning God.

I do want to point out that this is the best written book out of the three. The pacing was consistent and well-managed, juvenil language was kept at minimum, and the organization of events was well placed. I could really see how much Kuang has grown as an author these past three years. The battle scenes and the introduction of new battle technology was stellar. She really has found that sweet spot for writing military fantasy.

Now the thing that really broke this book for me was the lack of moral and ideological exploration through the characters. We get the message of how traumatizing war can be, how a nation suffers through years of occupation and how imperialism and westernization has had a hand in erasing the identity of ethnic people. However, when it comes to a rounder development of how Rin, Nezha and Kitay all had different perspectives on how to lead their country to liberation it lacked greatly.

This book would have greatly benefitted by having POVs from these three characters. Having Rin as the sole narrator really limits on how much we see from other character’s eyes. We never get to see how Nezha reacts to Rin’s actions. We never get to see how even Kitay reacts to her either. We’re supposed to feel conflicted by Rin’s character as a whole, but due to us rarely seeing her through someone else’s perspective, we don’t get that image that what she does or believes in is “wrongâ€�. She just feels very one-dimensional since we never get a proper exploration of the different facets of her character through others.

Furthermore, the problem I just mentioned really shows through in the last 100 pages which felt rushed. The book would have benefited from expanding a bit more or even making a whole other book about Rin’s descent into paranoia and her lack of identity outside of being a soldier. Even Kitay, who is Rin’s closest ally and best friend being pushed to the sidelines throughout the whole book, would have been a shining beacon for those last 100 pages in showing us how Rin is dealing with the consequences of her actions. Just so much could have been fine tuned, have a stronger analysis of themes, in order to really hit home the messages Kuang was trying to tell in her work.

Another huge miss was how we had a wide variety of characters: the Trifecta, Chaghan, the Hesperians, but they all played small parts in the overall plot. It felt so unsatisfactory to see all these chess pieces in place and then being discarded for something else that could have had less pages dedicated to. Now my final complain, the lack of emotion and depth in sincere, down-to-earth scenes. There was no time to process or even breathe when we had major deaths happening. One in particular was supposed to be very moving, a pivotal decision for Rin, but we never got to sit with it because we were being pushed forward by the plot. I think this connects with the lack of character dimensionality and development that needed to take a central role in this finale.

There is no doubt that Kuang is a great writer, one with promising potential. Personally, I think she really dropped the ball for a strong conclusion. It felt like she had so much on her plate, wasn’t sure how to proceed with all of it, so she ended up playing it safe. It was a “This is what happened. The end.â€� sort of book. I wasn’t left contemplating the events or even missing the world and it’s characters. Once I finished it, that was it. On the surface level it was a solid read, but when you dig deeper you find little to nothing of value. Let me end this by saying that regardless of my disappointment, this series still means a lot to me. It has been monumental in developing my reading taste. It was a great ride and one I will remember, but not as much as I initially thought I would.
]]> <![CDATA[The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, #2)]]> 6547260 Evil has been defeated...
The war has just begun.

They did the impossible - deposing the godlike being whose brutal rule had lasted a thousand years. Now Vin, the street urchin who has grown into the most powerful Mistborn in the land, and Elend Venture, the idealistic young nobleman who loves her, must build a healthy new society in the ashes of an empire.

They have barely begun when three separate armies attack. As the siege tightens, an ancient legend seems to offer a glimmer of hope. But even if it really exists, no one knows where to find the Well of Ascension, or what manner of power it bestows.

It may just be that killing the Lord Ruler was the easy part. Surviving the aftermath of his fall is going to be the real challenge.]]> 781 Brandon Sanderson °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 owned-books, 2020-2024 4 out of 5

Many thoughts. Head empty. After the explosive ending of The Last Empire, I was excited to see how The Well of Ascension was going to continue the story. I’ve heard a few things of how this one focused more on the politics as well as Elend receiving quite a nice character arc, and I 100% agree with both remarks. However, some choices with the characters really made the experience of reading much less enjoyable compared to the first book.

The mythology of the world is absolutely fascinating and engrossing. Sanderson skillfully drops hints throughout the book that really pull you into wanting to figure out what is going on. We get so much more new information without ever feeling like info-dump. We still know so little about the Hero of Ages, the Terris people, and why the Skaa were enslaved. Considering how it ended, I have a feeling we still have so much to learn and I genuinely cannot wait to see how everything ties up by the end.

The political plot is driven by Elend and in turn it helps him grow as a character. It was quite slow but it never felt boring or like it was being stretched out. Elend is put through many trials that really make him question his morals, ethics, and who he is as a person and ruler. He wasn’t one that I was fond of at he beginning, and was frustrated with his lack of backbone, but eventually I came to like him a lot by the end. Until Sanderson dropped a bomb: one of my most hated character tropes in the very last page was placed on Elend. After he received such wonderful character development and to throw it out the door like that, I am genuinely so upset over this!

Furthermore, his relationship with Vin is not convincing. So much of their turmoil could have been avoided if they just communicated. Also, Vin’s character in this book was solely focused on her relationship with Elend. It was Elend this, and Elend that, and what would Elend think. She practically was putting her well-being in danger just to protect Elend. I understand Vin is suffering from some abandonment issues, but why make them solely centered on her romantic interest? I don’t mind romance for my female character but I don’t like it when that’s all they are given. She definitely grew from other events, like with her meetings with Zane, but even some of it came down to Elend in the end. Sanderson is an extraordinarily amazing writer in every area, but when developing romance, he lacks greatly in skill.

We still follow the rest of the same crew, but they fell in the backdrop this time around, minus Sazed. We also meet new characters that I absolutely loved and felt like they had a more profound influence in the plot. However their time got cut short, for many reasons, which was a bit upsetting. Sazed was by far my favorite character this time around. His POV was the one that focused more with the mythology so he definitely has the far more interesting plotline. I’m interested to see where his character is going since he goes through quite a lot that has changed him almost fundamentally.

The Last Empire was about Kelsier. The Well of Ascension was about Elend. So my guess is The Hero of Ages will be mainly about Vin. I absolutely have no idea how our crew is going to get out of the trouble they got themselves into. This is one of the few times I genuinely felt terror from a book at the evil that is coming their way. Sanderson has crafted such an intricate story and I’m so excited to see how it ends.]]> 4.38 2007 The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, #2)
author: Brandon Sanderson
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 2020/09/29
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5

Many thoughts. Head empty. After the explosive ending of The Last Empire, I was excited to see how The Well of Ascension was going to continue the story. I’ve heard a few things of how this one focused more on the politics as well as Elend receiving quite a nice character arc, and I 100% agree with both remarks. However, some choices with the characters really made the experience of reading much less enjoyable compared to the first book.

The mythology of the world is absolutely fascinating and engrossing. Sanderson skillfully drops hints throughout the book that really pull you into wanting to figure out what is going on. We get so much more new information without ever feeling like info-dump. We still know so little about the Hero of Ages, the Terris people, and why the Skaa were enslaved. Considering how it ended, I have a feeling we still have so much to learn and I genuinely cannot wait to see how everything ties up by the end.

The political plot is driven by Elend and in turn it helps him grow as a character. It was quite slow but it never felt boring or like it was being stretched out. Elend is put through many trials that really make him question his morals, ethics, and who he is as a person and ruler. He wasn’t one that I was fond of at he beginning, and was frustrated with his lack of backbone, but eventually I came to like him a lot by the end. Until Sanderson dropped a bomb: one of my most hated character tropes in the very last page was placed on Elend. After he received such wonderful character development and to throw it out the door like that, I am genuinely so upset over this!

Furthermore, his relationship with Vin is not convincing. So much of their turmoil could have been avoided if they just communicated. Also, Vin’s character in this book was solely focused on her relationship with Elend. It was Elend this, and Elend that, and what would Elend think. She practically was putting her well-being in danger just to protect Elend. I understand Vin is suffering from some abandonment issues, but why make them solely centered on her romantic interest? I don’t mind romance for my female character but I don’t like it when that’s all they are given. She definitely grew from other events, like with her meetings with Zane, but even some of it came down to Elend in the end. Sanderson is an extraordinarily amazing writer in every area, but when developing romance, he lacks greatly in skill.

We still follow the rest of the same crew, but they fell in the backdrop this time around, minus Sazed. We also meet new characters that I absolutely loved and felt like they had a more profound influence in the plot. However their time got cut short, for many reasons, which was a bit upsetting. Sazed was by far my favorite character this time around. His POV was the one that focused more with the mythology so he definitely has the far more interesting plotline. I’m interested to see where his character is going since he goes through quite a lot that has changed him almost fundamentally.

The Last Empire was about Kelsier. The Well of Ascension was about Elend. So my guess is The Hero of Ages will be mainly about Vin. I absolutely have no idea how our crew is going to get out of the trouble they got themselves into. This is one of the few times I genuinely felt terror from a book at the evil that is coming their way. Sanderson has crafted such an intricate story and I’m so excited to see how it ends.
]]> Cheese in the Trap, Season 1 15769713

The first season of 치즈인더트랩 includes 46 chapters.]]> 1380 Soon Kki °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 favorite-series, 2020-2024 5 out of 5

I’m not one to add comics/graphic novels on my šąŚÓéŔÖ because the way they are listed* on here gives me a headache, haha. But I had to make an exception for this magnificently ingenious manhwa, Cheese in the Trap. After watching its k-drama adaptation and thoroughly enjoying it, I went in to read the webtoon with high hopes, having heard it was much better, and oh boy did it deliver!

The story truly shines due to it’s complexity. I thought this would be your typical rom-com, but I was blown away at how intricate each individual character and plot line was developed. I could tell how much thought and effort the author put in every scene and character interaction. Nothing was ever left with loose ends, even for the most minor of things. Important topics, such as societal norms, harassment, child abuse, poverty, and sexism, are all explored through different perspectives that give the story a much rounded aspect and depth. Using a college setting makes the story more approachable and allows it to be flexible enough to discuss relevant issues for any growing adult.

How trauma, especially childhood trauma, can greatly impact a person even in their adult life seems to be the recurring theme in the manhwa. I really appreciated it how it was handled for each character, showing the reader that while some scar can be healed others can take longer or not heal at all. It allows us to think how everyone is dealing with their own past wounds, which eventually leads to different outcomes of character. The psychological exploration of this was so fascinating to read if you like stories with that aspect.

Our main characters, Hong Seol and Yoo Jung, were exceptionally well-written. While the romance between them could easily have taken away from their character development, it actually aided in their individual growth. We definitely see them struggle through their relationship, but we also observe them burst out of their own prejudices and past traumas with the help of each other. I can’t deny that there are some toxic aspects to Yoo Jung’s character, however, due the to author’s excellent usage of perspective we see a very suitable reason as to why he reacts the way he does. One can even say he suffers from an anti-personality disorder but the author leaves it quite vague for the reader to decide. Hong Seol, on the other hand, is often pushed around by her classmates and even her own family. She learns that sticking up for yourself isn’t selfish and often necessary as one grows up. It was a very beautiful thing to witness. From the very first chapters, I got sucked in into their story and before I knew it, I couldn’t stop reading.

Regardless of the darker aspects of the manhwa, there are definitely a lot of moments of lightheartedness. The author really knows how to appropriately balance out all the genres she was juggling which is another major thing I loved. Comedic moments never took away from serious one. The romantic ones never took away from realistic issues relationships go through. Very few stories successfully do this in such a way that it builds the story.

While the art style is quite simplistic compared to other graphic novels, it never fails to effectively portray scenes or the emotion of the characters through the pages. I actually think that the simplistic style helps the reader really focus on key changes of emotion and story progression. Reading back the first few chapters after I had finished, I could really tell how the author improved on her style as the webtoon progressed. The proportions were better, the lines much cleaner, and the coloring much vibrant. At first I was not a fan of her style, but with time it really grew on me.

Cheese in the Trap blew me away. By the end I was in tears due to how everything wrapped up so beautifully. This is one of the few times I was left so happy by the end. I really, really adored this story from beginning to end. I think I could go on and on about how much I loved this webtoon, but I would just say it is best to give it a shot and see for yourself. You won’t regret it. Not even one bit.

*Note: While this is listed as “Season 1,â€� I am personally counting this as the webcomic as a whole.]]> 4.33 2010 Cheese in the Trap, Season 1
author: Soon Kki
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2020/05/04
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: favorite-series, 2020-2024
review:
5 out of 5

I’m not one to add comics/graphic novels on my šąŚÓéŔÖ because the way they are listed* on here gives me a headache, haha. But I had to make an exception for this magnificently ingenious manhwa, Cheese in the Trap. After watching its k-drama adaptation and thoroughly enjoying it, I went in to read the webtoon with high hopes, having heard it was much better, and oh boy did it deliver!

The story truly shines due to it’s complexity. I thought this would be your typical rom-com, but I was blown away at how intricate each individual character and plot line was developed. I could tell how much thought and effort the author put in every scene and character interaction. Nothing was ever left with loose ends, even for the most minor of things. Important topics, such as societal norms, harassment, child abuse, poverty, and sexism, are all explored through different perspectives that give the story a much rounded aspect and depth. Using a college setting makes the story more approachable and allows it to be flexible enough to discuss relevant issues for any growing adult.

How trauma, especially childhood trauma, can greatly impact a person even in their adult life seems to be the recurring theme in the manhwa. I really appreciated it how it was handled for each character, showing the reader that while some scar can be healed others can take longer or not heal at all. It allows us to think how everyone is dealing with their own past wounds, which eventually leads to different outcomes of character. The psychological exploration of this was so fascinating to read if you like stories with that aspect.

Our main characters, Hong Seol and Yoo Jung, were exceptionally well-written. While the romance between them could easily have taken away from their character development, it actually aided in their individual growth. We definitely see them struggle through their relationship, but we also observe them burst out of their own prejudices and past traumas with the help of each other. I can’t deny that there are some toxic aspects to Yoo Jung’s character, however, due the to author’s excellent usage of perspective we see a very suitable reason as to why he reacts the way he does. One can even say he suffers from an anti-personality disorder but the author leaves it quite vague for the reader to decide. Hong Seol, on the other hand, is often pushed around by her classmates and even her own family. She learns that sticking up for yourself isn’t selfish and often necessary as one grows up. It was a very beautiful thing to witness. From the very first chapters, I got sucked in into their story and before I knew it, I couldn’t stop reading.

Regardless of the darker aspects of the manhwa, there are definitely a lot of moments of lightheartedness. The author really knows how to appropriately balance out all the genres she was juggling which is another major thing I loved. Comedic moments never took away from serious one. The romantic ones never took away from realistic issues relationships go through. Very few stories successfully do this in such a way that it builds the story.

While the art style is quite simplistic compared to other graphic novels, it never fails to effectively portray scenes or the emotion of the characters through the pages. I actually think that the simplistic style helps the reader really focus on key changes of emotion and story progression. Reading back the first few chapters after I had finished, I could really tell how the author improved on her style as the webtoon progressed. The proportions were better, the lines much cleaner, and the coloring much vibrant. At first I was not a fan of her style, but with time it really grew on me.

Cheese in the Trap blew me away. By the end I was in tears due to how everything wrapped up so beautifully. This is one of the few times I was left so happy by the end. I really, really adored this story from beginning to end. I think I could go on and on about how much I loved this webtoon, but I would just say it is best to give it a shot and see for yourself. You won’t regret it. Not even one bit.

*Note: While this is listed as “Season 1,â€� I am personally counting this as the webcomic as a whole.
]]> <![CDATA[The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy, #1)]]> 34379720
Nahri has never believed in magic. Certainly, she has power; on the streets of eighteenth-century Cairo, she's a con woman of unsurpassed talent. But she knows better than anyone that the trades she uses to get by--palm readings, zars, and a mysterious gift for healing--are all tricks, both the means to the delightful end of swindling Ottoman nobles and a reliable way to survive.

But when Nahri accidentally summons Dara, an equally sly, darkly mysterious djinn warrior, to her side during one of her cons, she's forced to reconsider her beliefs. For Dara tells Nahri an extraordinary tale: across hot, windswept sands teeming with creatures of fire and rivers where the mythical marid sleep, past ruins of once-magnificent human metropolises and mountains where the circling birds of prey are more than what they seem, lies Daevabad, the legendary city of brass--a city to which Nahri is irrevocably bound.

In Daevabad, within gilded brass walls laced with enchantments and behind the six gates of the six djinn tribes, old resentments run deep. And when Nahri decides to enter this world, her arrival threatens to ignite a war that has been simmering for centuries.

Spurning Dara's warning of the treachery surrounding her, she embarks on a hesitant friendship with Alizayd, an idealistic prince who dreams of revolutionizing his father's corrupt regime. All too soon, Nahri learns that true power is fierce and brutal. That magic cannot shield her from the dangerous web of court politics. That even the cleverest of schemes can have deadly consequences.

After all, there is a reason they say to be careful what you wish for . . .]]> 530 S.A. Chakraborty 0062690957 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3 out of 5

I had high expectations. And I’m quite disappointed that I found half of this book just so insufferably slow. I’m always down for a journey-to-a-magical-city type of book but The City of Brass was just not to my liking. Once our characters reached the city things did pick up since we see both POVs, Nahri and Ali, finally intertwine. I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue the series, until those last 100 pages. Oh my god. They were so good I just had to bump my rating by .25.

The one thing that kept me engaged was the world. It was so well thought-out and immersive. I could tell that the author had really taken her time to flesh it out with a rich history that is so unique and complex. We mainly get out history lessons through Dara, the daeva Nahri meets, but as the story progresses, we come to realize that there’s still a lot that we don’t know about the conflict between the daevas, djinn and the shafit. We don’t get that much explanation about the magic since it seems to be interwoven with the political conflict of the book, which didn’t really get going until the second half. I felt left a little cold regarding this since I wanted so much more information about this world.

The pacing is by far my biggest issue. It started out great, but once we have Nahri and Dara traveling to Daevadad it just dragged so much. Ali’s POV, while having somewhat of an intriguing conflict, also didn’t do much levitate the slow pacing because I had no idea how he played into the plot. If you like very slow build-up than this book is for you. I personally do not dislike books like that if the characters are able to carry the book, but that wasn’t the case. It felt like the characters were being dragged by the plot by being reactive to what was happening around them. They didn’t have any substantial motives or goals that made me want to root for them. They were more like vehicles to move the plot forward than actual individual characters.

I was ready to drop the series after finishing the book until I got to the last 100 pages. Wow, was I blown away. The revelations and the political intrigue were so, so good. Even if the book had an extremely slow-build up the pay off was worth it. The twists that happened in the span of those few pages had me hooked. I cannot wait to see how everything plays out in the second book. Regardless of the issues I had, I see a lot of potential for the rest of the series.]]> 4.03 2017 The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy, #1)
author: S.A. Chakraborty
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/26
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3 out of 5

I had high expectations. And I’m quite disappointed that I found half of this book just so insufferably slow. I’m always down for a journey-to-a-magical-city type of book but The City of Brass was just not to my liking. Once our characters reached the city things did pick up since we see both POVs, Nahri and Ali, finally intertwine. I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue the series, until those last 100 pages. Oh my god. They were so good I just had to bump my rating by .25.

The one thing that kept me engaged was the world. It was so well thought-out and immersive. I could tell that the author had really taken her time to flesh it out with a rich history that is so unique and complex. We mainly get out history lessons through Dara, the daeva Nahri meets, but as the story progresses, we come to realize that there’s still a lot that we don’t know about the conflict between the daevas, djinn and the shafit. We don’t get that much explanation about the magic since it seems to be interwoven with the political conflict of the book, which didn’t really get going until the second half. I felt left a little cold regarding this since I wanted so much more information about this world.

The pacing is by far my biggest issue. It started out great, but once we have Nahri and Dara traveling to Daevadad it just dragged so much. Ali’s POV, while having somewhat of an intriguing conflict, also didn’t do much levitate the slow pacing because I had no idea how he played into the plot. If you like very slow build-up than this book is for you. I personally do not dislike books like that if the characters are able to carry the book, but that wasn’t the case. It felt like the characters were being dragged by the plot by being reactive to what was happening around them. They didn’t have any substantial motives or goals that made me want to root for them. They were more like vehicles to move the plot forward than actual individual characters.

I was ready to drop the series after finishing the book until I got to the last 100 pages. Wow, was I blown away. The revelations and the political intrigue were so, so good. Even if the book had an extremely slow-build up the pay off was worth it. The twists that happened in the span of those few pages had me hooked. I cannot wait to see how everything plays out in the second book. Regardless of the issues I had, I see a lot of potential for the rest of the series.
]]> <![CDATA[Aurora Burning (The Aurora Cycle, #2)]]> 40516960 Our heroes are backâ€� kind of. From the bestselling co-authors of the Illuminae Files comes the second book in the epic series about a squad of misfits, losers, and discipline cases who just might be the galaxy’s best hope for survival.

First, the bad news: an ancient evil—you know, your standard consume-all-life-in-the-galaxy deal—is about to be unleashed. The good news? Squad 312 is standing by to save the day. They’ve just got to take care of a few small distractions first.

Like the clan of gremps who’d like to rearrange their favorite faces.

And the cadre of illegit GIA agents with creepy flowers where their eyes used to be, who’ll stop at nothing to get their hands on Auri.

Then there’s Kal’s long-lost sister, who’s not exactly happy to see her baby brother, and has a Syldrathi army at her back. With half the known galaxy on their tails, Squad 312 has never felt so wanted.

When they learn the Hadfield has been found, it’s time to come out of hiding. Two centuries ago, the colony ship vanished, leaving Auri as its sole survivor. Now, its black box might be what saves them. But time is short, and if Auri can’t learn to master her powers as a Trigger, the squad and all their admirers are going to be deader than the Great Ultrasaur of Abraaxis IV.

Shocking revelations, bank heists, mysterious gifts, inappropriately tight bodysuits, and an epic firefight will determine the fate of the Aurora Legion’s most unforgettable heroes—and maybe the rest of the galaxy as well.]]> 495 Amie Kaufman 1524720925 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3.5 out of 5

Well. With an ending like that, I’m not sure how I’m going to survive till next year. It left us in quite a huge cliffhanger where we have no idea what happened to any our Squad members. I just hope Kaufman and Kristoff know how to get them out of there! No matter how great of an ending this book had, the rest just left me a bit disappointed.

What really soured my reading experience for me was that while similar to the first book, it fell into well-known YA tropes, but this time around the way they were used was neither refreshing nor new. Most of the plot twists that were sprinkled through out I saw a mile away, minus one. This installment felt like your typical second book where everything hit the fan and ends with a shocking ending. After that fantastic first books this one just seemed a little too plain for me.

Another thing that I disliked a lot was the characterization of certain characters just completely annoyed me to no end, especially Auri. She lost whatever backbone she had. Every time she did anything with her powers, she would pass out immediately. If she wasn’t passed out, she was constantly crying that she couldn’t control her powers and needed reassurance from Kal. And after I thought she would get a backbone back, she just continues to be pushed around by others. It’s like she can’t think for herself for once. She’s supposed to be our chosen one, but I don’t find myself rooting for her whatsoever. I honestly wouldn’t care for her if she wasn’t part of Squad 312.

Kal. Yeah, he’s very sexy and pretty. But every time we got to his POV all he was thinking was “Aurora thisâ€� “Aurora thatâ€� “Aurora, my sun, my everythingâ€�. I’m a fan of the mating bond and had high hope for how things ended between them in the previous book. But all of that seemed to be dumped out the window for some insta-love. He’s by far the character with the most complex background and we still know so little of him. Even when having his sister present in this book we still didn’t see any character development! Every action and every thought is for Auri only and I couldn’t help rolling my eyes for the majority of the book.

The rest of the Squad were great. Ty, Scar, and Fin are by far what make the series a joy to read. I especially love reading from Fin’s point of view. His humor always makes me crack a smile and his perspective of other characters and events are very insightful. Zila in this book I really appreciated. Not only do we finally get her much needed background story, but we also see ever grow more confident into her own self. I’m really excited to see more from her in the next book.

Compared to the plot in Aurora Rising, this one didn’t appeal to me that much. I found myself trying to quickly get through the mini adversities the characters were going through just to get some of the juicier parts. The whole deal with Eshvaren was pretty cool and kinda reminded me of the movie Prometheus. How that plot line interlaced with the Starslayer I saw coming so I was pleased to see my prediction being true. This overarching plot of saving the galaxy is what really keeps me coming back. It’s by far one of the most original idea I’ve seen from any YA series in a long time.

Regardless of its flaws, Aurora Burning was a commendable second installment to the trilogy. It didn’t suffer from second-book syndrome which I was quite surprised about. It quick-paced and sucks you into back into the galaxy (*wink*get it?*wink*) just as easily as the first book did. ]]> 4.25 2020 Aurora Burning (The Aurora Cycle, #2)
author: Amie Kaufman
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/09
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3.5 out of 5

Well. With an ending like that, I’m not sure how I’m going to survive till next year. It left us in quite a huge cliffhanger where we have no idea what happened to any our Squad members. I just hope Kaufman and Kristoff know how to get them out of there! No matter how great of an ending this book had, the rest just left me a bit disappointed.

What really soured my reading experience for me was that while similar to the first book, it fell into well-known YA tropes, but this time around the way they were used was neither refreshing nor new. Most of the plot twists that were sprinkled through out I saw a mile away, minus one. This installment felt like your typical second book where everything hit the fan and ends with a shocking ending. After that fantastic first books this one just seemed a little too plain for me.

Another thing that I disliked a lot was the characterization of certain characters just completely annoyed me to no end, especially Auri. She lost whatever backbone she had. Every time she did anything with her powers, she would pass out immediately. If she wasn’t passed out, she was constantly crying that she couldn’t control her powers and needed reassurance from Kal. And after I thought she would get a backbone back, she just continues to be pushed around by others. It’s like she can’t think for herself for once. She’s supposed to be our chosen one, but I don’t find myself rooting for her whatsoever. I honestly wouldn’t care for her if she wasn’t part of Squad 312.

Kal. Yeah, he’s very sexy and pretty. But every time we got to his POV all he was thinking was “Aurora thisâ€� “Aurora thatâ€� “Aurora, my sun, my everythingâ€�. I’m a fan of the mating bond and had high hope for how things ended between them in the previous book. But all of that seemed to be dumped out the window for some insta-love. He’s by far the character with the most complex background and we still know so little of him. Even when having his sister present in this book we still didn’t see any character development! Every action and every thought is for Auri only and I couldn’t help rolling my eyes for the majority of the book.

The rest of the Squad were great. Ty, Scar, and Fin are by far what make the series a joy to read. I especially love reading from Fin’s point of view. His humor always makes me crack a smile and his perspective of other characters and events are very insightful. Zila in this book I really appreciated. Not only do we finally get her much needed background story, but we also see ever grow more confident into her own self. I’m really excited to see more from her in the next book.

Compared to the plot in Aurora Rising, this one didn’t appeal to me that much. I found myself trying to quickly get through the mini adversities the characters were going through just to get some of the juicier parts. The whole deal with Eshvaren was pretty cool and kinda reminded me of the movie Prometheus. How that plot line interlaced with the Starslayer I saw coming so I was pleased to see my prediction being true. This overarching plot of saving the galaxy is what really keeps me coming back. It’s by far one of the most original idea I’ve seen from any YA series in a long time.

Regardless of its flaws, Aurora Burning was a commendable second installment to the trilogy. It didn’t suffer from second-book syndrome which I was quite surprised about. It quick-paced and sucks you into back into the galaxy (*wink*get it?*wink*) just as easily as the first book did.
]]> By the Book 45861077
Unfortunately, Mary is better at dishing out advice than taking it—and the number one bad boy on her list is terribly debonair. As her best intentions go up in flames, Mary discovers life doesn’t follow the same rules as fiction. If she wants a happy ending IRL, she’ll have to write it herself.]]> 384 Amanda Sellet 0358156610 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 all-time-favorites, 2020-2024 5 out of 5

For me, most YA contemporary romance books are either just okay or end up being a huge miss; most of the time I don’t bother to read any unless the premise piques my interest quite a bit. By the Book definitely caught it the moment I read the synopsis. It appeared to be a fun read but I wasn’t expecting it to be absolutely hilarious and heartwarming.

The most pleasant surprise is how much focus is put on the female friendships. I went in thinking I was only getting a cute romance, but the friendships between Mary and her friends is the heart of the story. It was such a realistic portrayal of a healthy friendship between girls. It did have its ups and downs but it was never overdramatized nor did it lead to girl-on-girl hate. We are shown that real friends will never ask you to change your authentic self, rather they will aid you in your personal growth. This is such an important message to give to YA readers, especially girls.

The romance did take a back seat but the scenes we get were wonderful! Mary has an eccentric flare to her and Alex, the love interest, never questions or belittles her for it. They were both quite comfortable with each other that made the budding romance organic. The banter between the two was hilarious! They had me laughing out loud throughout the book. Actually the whole book did! This author’s style of humor is right up my alley; it was subtle and not in your face. Mary is such a quirky, funny narrator that any bibliophile will be able to relate to.

Just such an amazing debut! Can’t wait to see what Amanda Sellet releases next! I am definitely recommending this book to younger and older readers alike. It was delightful and heartwarming in every way. This book is probably my biggest surprise of 2020 by far.]]> 3.47 2020 By the Book
author: Amanda Sellet
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.47
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2020/05/27
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: all-time-favorites, 2020-2024
review:
5 out of 5

For me, most YA contemporary romance books are either just okay or end up being a huge miss; most of the time I don’t bother to read any unless the premise piques my interest quite a bit. By the Book definitely caught it the moment I read the synopsis. It appeared to be a fun read but I wasn’t expecting it to be absolutely hilarious and heartwarming.

The most pleasant surprise is how much focus is put on the female friendships. I went in thinking I was only getting a cute romance, but the friendships between Mary and her friends is the heart of the story. It was such a realistic portrayal of a healthy friendship between girls. It did have its ups and downs but it was never overdramatized nor did it lead to girl-on-girl hate. We are shown that real friends will never ask you to change your authentic self, rather they will aid you in your personal growth. This is such an important message to give to YA readers, especially girls.

The romance did take a back seat but the scenes we get were wonderful! Mary has an eccentric flare to her and Alex, the love interest, never questions or belittles her for it. They were both quite comfortable with each other that made the budding romance organic. The banter between the two was hilarious! They had me laughing out loud throughout the book. Actually the whole book did! This author’s style of humor is right up my alley; it was subtle and not in your face. Mary is such a quirky, funny narrator that any bibliophile will be able to relate to.

Just such an amazing debut! Can’t wait to see what Amanda Sellet releases next! I am definitely recommending this book to younger and older readers alike. It was delightful and heartwarming in every way. This book is probably my biggest surprise of 2020 by far.
]]> Keturah and Lord Death 331830 216 Martine Leavitt 1932425292 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 2020-2024 4.5 out of 5

Very cute and sweet! It has a nice fairytale/fable quality that I really enjoyed. It’s quite short but it really packs a punch with its story. The lesson at the end wrapped up everything beautifully, and one I think everyone should at least ponder about once in their life. As a lover of the Death and The Maiden trope this has definitely been added to my collection. I would say this is a great introduction to the trope for anyone interested in it!]]> 3.90 2006 Keturah and Lord Death
author: Martine Leavitt
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 2020/08/04
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
4.5 out of 5

Very cute and sweet! It has a nice fairytale/fable quality that I really enjoyed. It’s quite short but it really packs a punch with its story. The lesson at the end wrapped up everything beautifully, and one I think everyone should at least ponder about once in their life. As a lover of the Death and The Maiden trope this has definitely been added to my collection. I would say this is a great introduction to the trope for anyone interested in it!
]]> <![CDATA[The Broken Kingdoms (Inheritance, #2)]]> 53847128
In the city of Shadow, beneath the World Tree, alleyways shimmer with magic and godlings live hidden among mortalkind. Oree Shoth, a blind artist, takes in a homeless man who glows like a living sun to her strange sight. This act of kindness engulfs Oree in a nightmarish conspiracy. Someone, somehow, is murdering godlings, leaving their desecrated bodies all over the city.

Oree's peculiar guest is at the heart of it, his presence putting her in mortal danger -- but is it him the killers want, or Oree? And is the earthly power of the Arameri king their ultimate goal, or have they set their sights on the Lord of Night himself?]]> 396 N.K. Jemisin °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 5 all-time-favorites, 2020-2024 4.75 out of 5

N. K. Jemisin once again has blown me away with how intricate and original is her world building. If you love books with gods, then this one will be the one for you. I have yet to come by a series that has built such an intriguing perspective on gods and their profound impact on humanity, and vice-versa. Every little tidbit of information you will eat it up and still want more!

I enjoyed this one so, so much more than the first book. The characters were much more enjoyable and I genuinely cared for them. Oree was a fantastic main character. I appreciated that while she was blind, it didn’t define her character in a way that that was the only thing about her. There also was never the trope of trying to “fixâ€� her disability. On the contrary it was made into a strength. Shiny is actually someone we briefly met in the first book and wasn’t sure how I would feel about him coming in here. I was surprised how moved I was with his own side of the story. It made me connect with him in a personal way. Both Oree and Shiny work so well and bounce off each other energy. I loved seeing them interact!

We also meet the children of gods, godlings, since they can now roam freely on Earth, but their appearances were quite brief. And that was my main gripe. The main plot of the book is that godlings are being murdered, but I didn’t find myself caring since we never could really become invested in these beings. They were used more as plot devices than characters. And due to this plot, the middle of the book slowed down, and then, it sped through it so quickly that I was left surprised at how easy it was discarded to move forward with the rest of the book. I wonder if we’ll see the ramifications of this in the final installment of the series.

One great thing though is that this book technically can be read as a standalone. It takes place 10 years after the events of the first book so the story is attached just enough that you don’t need to read it first to understand. I would still recommend it however since it would give a fuller grasp of the world and the story of the gods, but it won’t be too necessary if you don’t want to.

The bittersweet ending of this book broke me to pieces. We don’t realized to who Oree is narrating the story to until the very end, and it hits you like a punch in the gut. It was so tragic but hopeful at the same time. I really want to see how her story really ends. By far one of my favorite conclusions to a book in quite a while.]]> 4.14 2010 The Broken Kingdoms (Inheritance, #2)
author: N.K. Jemisin
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2020/09/08
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: all-time-favorites, 2020-2024
review:
4.75 out of 5

N. K. Jemisin once again has blown me away with how intricate and original is her world building. If you love books with gods, then this one will be the one for you. I have yet to come by a series that has built such an intriguing perspective on gods and their profound impact on humanity, and vice-versa. Every little tidbit of information you will eat it up and still want more!

I enjoyed this one so, so much more than the first book. The characters were much more enjoyable and I genuinely cared for them. Oree was a fantastic main character. I appreciated that while she was blind, it didn’t define her character in a way that that was the only thing about her. There also was never the trope of trying to “fixâ€� her disability. On the contrary it was made into a strength. Shiny is actually someone we briefly met in the first book and wasn’t sure how I would feel about him coming in here. I was surprised how moved I was with his own side of the story. It made me connect with him in a personal way. Both Oree and Shiny work so well and bounce off each other energy. I loved seeing them interact!

We also meet the children of gods, godlings, since they can now roam freely on Earth, but their appearances were quite brief. And that was my main gripe. The main plot of the book is that godlings are being murdered, but I didn’t find myself caring since we never could really become invested in these beings. They were used more as plot devices than characters. And due to this plot, the middle of the book slowed down, and then, it sped through it so quickly that I was left surprised at how easy it was discarded to move forward with the rest of the book. I wonder if we’ll see the ramifications of this in the final installment of the series.

One great thing though is that this book technically can be read as a standalone. It takes place 10 years after the events of the first book so the story is attached just enough that you don’t need to read it first to understand. I would still recommend it however since it would give a fuller grasp of the world and the story of the gods, but it won’t be too necessary if you don’t want to.

The bittersweet ending of this book broke me to pieces. We don’t realized to who Oree is narrating the story to until the very end, and it hits you like a punch in the gut. It was so tragic but hopeful at the same time. I really want to see how her story really ends. By far one of my favorite conclusions to a book in quite a while.
]]> Priest (Priest, #1) 25507389
I've always been good at following rules.ĚýUntil she came.ĚýMy name is Tyler Anselm Bell. I'm twenty-nine years old. Six months ago, I broke my vow of celibacy on the altar of my own church, and God help me, I would do it again.ĚýI am a priest and this is my confession.

Priest is a standalone, full-length novel with an HEA. ĚýFor mature audiences only]]> 354 Sierra Simone °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 owned-books, 2020-2024 4 out of 5

This was good! I never thought a love story where we have a priest as a love interest would be so engrossing to read about. The story was from Tyler’s POV and I found his voice to be both quite funny and exciting to read from. His relationship with Poppy is definitely one that had me fanning myself often! Haha! His character arc was interesting all the way to the climax and then was rushed by the end which I didn’t like tbh. I really wanted more out of the characters by the end than what we got.


Sierra Simone has become my favorite erotica writer. She makes the scenes tasteful and delicious. She definitely has a wonderful way of creating atmosphere and capturing your attention with complex stories. I won’t deny this book has obvious flaws, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. Overall, this was an entertaining read!]]> 3.59 2015 Priest (Priest, #1)
author: Sierra Simone
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2020/10/08
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: owned-books, 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5

This was good! I never thought a love story where we have a priest as a love interest would be so engrossing to read about. The story was from Tyler’s POV and I found his voice to be both quite funny and exciting to read from. His relationship with Poppy is definitely one that had me fanning myself often! Haha! His character arc was interesting all the way to the climax and then was rushed by the end which I didn’t like tbh. I really wanted more out of the characters by the end than what we got.


Sierra Simone has become my favorite erotica writer. She makes the scenes tasteful and delicious. She definitely has a wonderful way of creating atmosphere and capturing your attention with complex stories. I won’t deny this book has obvious flaws, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. Overall, this was an entertaining read!
]]> <![CDATA[The Hidden King (The Coming of Áed, #1)]]> 50169237 Hidden truths. Hidden power. Hidden destiny.

On the shores of a rusty sea, in the streets of a starving city, a young man named Áed scraps to build a life for himself and the makeshift family he loves. Scarred by a trauma he cannot remember, and haunted by the brutal damage it left behind, he has no idea of the courage his future will demand.

When tragedy strikes, a desperate Áed risks a treacherous, life-changing journey in his last chance to save the only family he has left - but an ancient legacy smoldering within him is about to turn deadly. Neither he - nor a kingdom - will ever be the same.]]> 316 E.G. Radcliff 1733673326 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 1 dnf, 2020-2024 1.5 out of 5

DNF-ed at 50%. I tried really hard to push through the book. I really, really did, but no matter how far I got I could just not click with book. There’s three main reasons I chose to DFN it. One: the premise was promising, but after a couple of chapter in and the very spoilery title, you sort of figure out the main conflict. Two: one main reason I chose to pick this up is because of my love for fae, and I had read through other reviews that they were featured here. But at 50% and fae were merely mentioned twice! Three: the characters were so...boring. Something big happens at the very beginning and I felt nothing for Áed and Ronan. We’re supposed to root for them and I honestly found myself not caring what happened to them. If the characters were worthwhile perhaps I would have finished it. The book had a lot of promise but it felt short in delivery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this title.]]> 4.11 The Hidden King (The Coming of Áed, #1)
author: E.G. Radcliff
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.11
book published:
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: dnf, 2020-2024
review:
1.5 out of 5

DNF-ed at 50%. I tried really hard to push through the book. I really, really did, but no matter how far I got I could just not click with book. There’s three main reasons I chose to DFN it. One: the premise was promising, but after a couple of chapter in and the very spoilery title, you sort of figure out the main conflict. Two: one main reason I chose to pick this up is because of my love for fae, and I had read through other reviews that they were featured here. But at 50% and fae were merely mentioned twice! Three: the characters were so...boring. Something big happens at the very beginning and I felt nothing for Áed and Ronan. We’re supposed to root for them and I honestly found myself not caring what happened to them. If the characters were worthwhile perhaps I would have finished it. The book had a lot of promise but it felt short in delivery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this title.
]]> In the Dark, Soft Earth 52287270
Vignette verses explore the workings of love, nature, spirituality, and dreams with sprinklings of tarot symbolism and jazzy blues. Together these verses contemplate the subtle underpinnings of a soft earth.

Hear what readers and reviewers have said about Frank Watson’s poetry:

"This collection is truly captivating and beautifully written." —Lenore Jordan, NetGalley (In the Dark, Soft Earth)

“Compact poems replete with stunning and visually arresting images.â€� —Kirkus Reviews (The Dollhouse Mirror)

“Watson left me wanting more. More poems. More imagery. More blue nights and haunted dreams. More weeping wood and moonlit ecstasy.â€� —The Portsmouth Review (The Dollhouse Mirror)

“This book was HAUNTING. There is no other word for it. Fantasy, romance, contemporary, mystery, and historical all rolled into one; each poem brought all of my emotions bubbling to the surface. It’s not something I will soon forget.â€� —Shawna Brooks, šąŚÓéŔÖ (The Dollhouse Mirror)

“A collection that is both sensuous and graceful; I found myself drifting into a tranquil garden of dancing words and imagery. The eloquence is revealed in the rhythm as each page prances past the reader. A highly recommended compilation of words become art.â€� —Patricia Zarounas Murphy (Seas to Mulberries)]]> 232 Frank Watson °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 1 2020-2024 1.5 out of 5

The main aspect that attracted me to pick this up was the little sub-title that read: “Poetry of Love, Nature, Spirituality, Dreams,â€� so I figured I would be getting into some romanticism-inspired poetry. But I was wrong. None of the poems filled me with wonder or awe. Each one felt like a random cluster of pretty words trying to create some sort of meaning. The formatting isn’t personally my taste and the lack of punctuation mark made it even more confusing. I had to actively sound out the poems out loud to see if I could understand them better that way. Still didn’t help much. I understand that poetry is personal to each individual but I could not understand what sort of message the author was trying to get across. Instead of feeling inspired by the end, I just felt exhausted after spending the whole book trying to decipher each poem.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title.]]> 3.74 In the Dark, Soft Earth
author: Frank Watson
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.74
book published:
rating: 1
read at: 2020/04/23
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
1.5 out of 5

The main aspect that attracted me to pick this up was the little sub-title that read: “Poetry of Love, Nature, Spirituality, Dreams,â€� so I figured I would be getting into some romanticism-inspired poetry. But I was wrong. None of the poems filled me with wonder or awe. Each one felt like a random cluster of pretty words trying to create some sort of meaning. The formatting isn’t personally my taste and the lack of punctuation mark made it even more confusing. I had to actively sound out the poems out loud to see if I could understand them better that way. Still didn’t help much. I understand that poetry is personal to each individual but I could not understand what sort of message the author was trying to get across. Instead of feeling inspired by the end, I just felt exhausted after spending the whole book trying to decipher each poem.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title.
]]> <![CDATA[Midnight Sun (The Twilight Saga, #5)]]> 53287484 When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella’s side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward’s version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.

This unforgettable tale as told through Edward’s eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting beautiful, mysterious Bella is both the most intriguing and unnerving event he has experienced in his long life as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward’s past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he let himself fall in love with Bella when he knows that he is endangering her life?

In Midnight Sun, Stephenie Meyer transports us back to a world that has captivated millions of readers and, drawing on the classic myth of Hades and Persephone, brings us an epic novel about the profound pleasures and devastating consequences of immortal love.]]> 662 Stephenie Meyer 031670704X °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 1 2020-2024 1.5 out of 5

This book should have stayed in the Meyer vault and never seen the light of day. She should have kept the fans guessing and creating their own version of Edward’s POV, because my god, was this absolutely horrendous.

I seriously thought we would get a more mature, sophisticated written book since one, it’s from Edward’s POV and two, I had hoped Meyer would have grown as a writer. But it was literally all teenage angst word vomit bumped to a thousand. It was as if there was no editing out and filtering any of Edward’s thoughts—I had to eventually skim read through so much because of how tiring it got. It was like Meyer got tired of fans asking for the book and she wrote whatever and was like, “Here just have everything. Damn.â€� LMAO. Also Edward is portrayed as a sicker creep in his own book. Some of thoughts and actions are just a huge yikes.

No matter how awful it was I couldn’t bring myself to give it a solid one star. Why? Nostalgia mostly. Yes, yes, that might be unfair but I genuinely really liked reading through the story again, even if Edward was unbearable 90% of the time. I also somehow ended up really liking Bella? Probably because Edward’s POV, being biased and lovestruck, really showed us a very different perspective to see her character from. I really liked how he described her person. One last thing, the scene when we finally get the reason behind the title was actually really...nice? It was by far the best written scene out of the whole book. Alas, everything else was a huge disappointment.

I could have honestly gone perfectly okay for the rest of my life never have seen Midnight Sun being released. I preferred the mystery that it had before. Considering it is being released more than decade after Twilight, I expecting something much, much better in terms of quality and substance. I think fans deserved better than what they got here.]]> 3.72 2020 Midnight Sun (The Twilight Saga, #5)
author: Stephenie Meyer
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2020
rating: 1
read at: 2020/08/27
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
1.5 out of 5

This book should have stayed in the Meyer vault and never seen the light of day. She should have kept the fans guessing and creating their own version of Edward’s POV, because my god, was this absolutely horrendous.

I seriously thought we would get a more mature, sophisticated written book since one, it’s from Edward’s POV and two, I had hoped Meyer would have grown as a writer. But it was literally all teenage angst word vomit bumped to a thousand. It was as if there was no editing out and filtering any of Edward’s thoughts—I had to eventually skim read through so much because of how tiring it got. It was like Meyer got tired of fans asking for the book and she wrote whatever and was like, “Here just have everything. Damn.â€� LMAO. Also Edward is portrayed as a sicker creep in his own book. Some of thoughts and actions are just a huge yikes.

No matter how awful it was I couldn’t bring myself to give it a solid one star. Why? Nostalgia mostly. Yes, yes, that might be unfair but I genuinely really liked reading through the story again, even if Edward was unbearable 90% of the time. I also somehow ended up really liking Bella? Probably because Edward’s POV, being biased and lovestruck, really showed us a very different perspective to see her character from. I really liked how he described her person. One last thing, the scene when we finally get the reason behind the title was actually really...nice? It was by far the best written scene out of the whole book. Alas, everything else was a huge disappointment.

I could have honestly gone perfectly okay for the rest of my life never have seen Midnight Sun being released. I preferred the mystery that it had before. Considering it is being released more than decade after Twilight, I expecting something much, much better in terms of quality and substance. I think fans deserved better than what they got here.
]]> The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms 53847114
Yeine Darr is an outcast from the barbarian north. But when her mother dies under mysterious circumstances, she is summoned to the majestic city of Sky. There, to her shock, Yeine is named an heiress to the king. But the throne of the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is not easily won, and Yeine is thrust into a vicious power struggle with cousins she never knew she had. As she fights for her life, she draws ever closer to the secrets of her mother's death and her family's bloody history.

With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Yeine will learn how perilous it can be when love and hate - and gods and mortals - are bound inseparably together.]]> 412 N.K. Jemisin °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 2020-2024 4 out of 5

N.K. Jemisin. You genius. You talented, genius.

For very few authors, when reading their work, does the word “talentedâ€� ever pop up in my head, but for N.K. Jemisin it happens every time I open on of her books.
Her vast imagination to create such intricate worlds that transport you into the pages is breathtaking. It’s so immersive that you will find yourself thinking about it throughout the day, wanting more. The themes present throughout the book are ones that we often see in fantasy and that reflect those of our own society, however, are shifted in such a way that you can’t help but see them with new eyes. I would love to hear how she comes up with such original, vivid worlds. She is a force to be reckoned with in fantasy literature.

My favorite part of this book would have to be how Jemisin represents and describes the gods and their lore. There were instances were our protagonist, Yeine, would see visions of the past and Jemisin would write something along the lines of, “You see it as this because that’s how your mortal mind comprehends it.â€� I didn’t see it as patronizing but rather exemplifies the mystery that the divine entails. I personally found it beautiful. The origin of the gods was just...perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing. Everything about this book dealing with gods has become my favorite in any fantasy series.

Now you might be wondering why I lowered my rating by one-star if I loved everything so much. It all came down to the characters. While Yeine and the rest of the cast were great, I just didn’t feel invested in their personal story and growth. I was more interested on how the world around them impact them and vise-versa. Even the romance wasn’t as gripping as I was hoping, since I had heard most of the time it took over the plot. I actually don’t agree with that at all. There was a nice balance of both. Now that I have read the ending, I’m actually more curious now about these characters than I ever was while reading the book. I wanted so much more out of them I was left quite a bit dissatisfied with their conclusion. I’m a reader that prefers character-driven stories, and unfortunately this one was lacking in that department.

Regardless of my personal gripes, I would still highly recommend this book. Even though it’s the first installment of a series, it serves as a great stand-alone, since the ending can be seen as auto-conclusive. I would also say this is a great crossover between YA and Adult fantasy. It has the intricate world that adult fantasy usually consists of, but it’s still very approachable. If you are tired of the typical Medieval Ages-inspired fantasy, look no further than N.K. Jemisin’s whole catalog.]]> 3.90 2010 The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
author: N.K. Jemisin
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2010
rating: 4
read at: 2020/04/30
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5

N.K. Jemisin. You genius. You talented, genius.

For very few authors, when reading their work, does the word “talentedâ€� ever pop up in my head, but for N.K. Jemisin it happens every time I open on of her books.
Her vast imagination to create such intricate worlds that transport you into the pages is breathtaking. It’s so immersive that you will find yourself thinking about it throughout the day, wanting more. The themes present throughout the book are ones that we often see in fantasy and that reflect those of our own society, however, are shifted in such a way that you can’t help but see them with new eyes. I would love to hear how she comes up with such original, vivid worlds. She is a force to be reckoned with in fantasy literature.

My favorite part of this book would have to be how Jemisin represents and describes the gods and their lore. There were instances were our protagonist, Yeine, would see visions of the past and Jemisin would write something along the lines of, “You see it as this because that’s how your mortal mind comprehends it.â€� I didn’t see it as patronizing but rather exemplifies the mystery that the divine entails. I personally found it beautiful. The origin of the gods was just...perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing. Everything about this book dealing with gods has become my favorite in any fantasy series.

Now you might be wondering why I lowered my rating by one-star if I loved everything so much. It all came down to the characters. While Yeine and the rest of the cast were great, I just didn’t feel invested in their personal story and growth. I was more interested on how the world around them impact them and vise-versa. Even the romance wasn’t as gripping as I was hoping, since I had heard most of the time it took over the plot. I actually don’t agree with that at all. There was a nice balance of both. Now that I have read the ending, I’m actually more curious now about these characters than I ever was while reading the book. I wanted so much more out of them I was left quite a bit dissatisfied with their conclusion. I’m a reader that prefers character-driven stories, and unfortunately this one was lacking in that department.

Regardless of my personal gripes, I would still highly recommend this book. Even though it’s the first installment of a series, it serves as a great stand-alone, since the ending can be seen as auto-conclusive. I would also say this is a great crossover between YA and Adult fantasy. It has the intricate world that adult fantasy usually consists of, but it’s still very approachable. If you are tired of the typical Medieval Ages-inspired fantasy, look no further than N.K. Jemisin’s whole catalog.
]]> <![CDATA[The Governess Game (Girl Meets Duke, #2)]]> 36695485 He’s been a bad, bad rake—and it takes a governess to teach him a lesson

The accidental governess

After her livelihood slips through her fingers, Alexandra Mountbatten takes on an impossible post: transforming a pair of wild orphans into proper young ladies. However, the girls don’t need discipline. They need a loving home. Try telling that to their guardian, Chase Reynaud: duke’s heir in the streets and devil in the sheets. The ladies of London have tried—and failed—to make him settle down. Somehow, Alexandra must reach his heart . . . without risking her own.

The infamous rake

Like any self-respecting libertine, Chase lives by one rule: no attachments. When a stubborn little governess tries to reform him, he decides to give her an education—in pleasure. That should prove he can’t be tamed. But Alexandra is more than he bargained for: clever, perceptive, passionate. She refuses to see him as a lost cause. Soon the walls around Chase’s heart are crumbling . . . and he’s in danger of falling, hard.]]> 385 Tessa Dare °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 4 2020-2024 4 out of 5

This was actually really fun? The storyline was really clever and engaging. The whole governess plot didn’t go as I expected which I loved! The relationship between Alex and Chase was very organic and believable. It obviously had your typical romance tropes, but weren’t overbearing. The sex scenes were quite...tasteful. They weren’t so crude as in some other romance books I have read.

You could tell this was part of a series but it didn’t require you to read the first book before this one. It also didn’t give away much for the previous book just in case you wanted to go back and read it. I really love Tessa Dare’s writing style. The historical aspect was done very well. I can definitely see myself reading more of her books!]]> 4.10 2018 The Governess Game (Girl Meets Duke, #2)
author: Tessa Dare
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2020/03/24
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
4 out of 5

This was actually really fun? The storyline was really clever and engaging. The whole governess plot didn’t go as I expected which I loved! The relationship between Alex and Chase was very organic and believable. It obviously had your typical romance tropes, but weren’t overbearing. The sex scenes were quite...tasteful. They weren’t so crude as in some other romance books I have read.

You could tell this was part of a series but it didn’t require you to read the first book before this one. It also didn’t give away much for the previous book just in case you wanted to go back and read it. I really love Tessa Dare’s writing style. The historical aspect was done very well. I can definitely see myself reading more of her books!
]]> <![CDATA[Empire of Sand (The Books of Ambha, #1)]]> 39714124 A nobleman’s daughter with magic in her blood. An empire built on the dreams of enslaved gods. Empire of Sand is Tasha Suri’s captivating, Mughal India-inspired debut fantasy.

The Amrithi are outcasts; nomads descended of desert spirits, they are coveted and persecuted throughout the Empire for the power in their blood. Mehr is the illegitimate daughter of an imperial governor and an exiled Amrithi mother she can barely remember, but whose face and magic she has inherited.

When Mehr’s power comes to the attention of the Emperor’s most feared mystics, she must use every ounce of will, subtlety, and power she possesses to resist their cruel agenda â€� and should she fail, the gods themselves may awaken seeking vengeanceâ€�

Empire of Sand is a lush, dazzling fantasy novel perfect for readers of City of Brass and The Wrath & the Dawn.]]> 402 Tasha Suri 0316449695 °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 3 2020-2024 3 out of 5

Tasha Suri is an exceptionally skilled writer. For being this her first novel, it was written extremely well with a precision and consistency that not a lot of debut authors can accomplish. I really admire how she was able to successfully create such a lush world and romantic relationship, without either taking away from each other, in just a couple of hundred pages.

I would consider this book adult romance fantasy than a fantasy with a romance plot romantic, and the relationship is what really shines through. Suri really knows how to write a painfully delicious slow-burn. The respect and trust slowly built by Mehr and Amun was just...perfect. They were both in a position that could have easily made them turn against one other, but rather we have these two individuals that see the other as a haven against the horrors they face. It was beautiful to witness that tenderness.

Whereas the romance was great for the majority, I felt like the book felt short in others areas. There were so many questions left unanswered about the mythos and magic system of this world. I understand this is a stand-alone where the author can only do so much with it. Even so, I never felt too compelled by any of it. And that’s where my main gripe comes in. It was so...tame. The dream magic with its beautiful dances that invoke the power of the gods was supposed to leave us in wonder and awe but it never did for me. Even with the romance I wish there just a tiny bit more passion put into it. The death of the main antagonist was so underwhelming it was easily shrugged off. It was also as if Suri was playing it safe for the majority of the plot, and that was not pleasant thing to feel while reading.

Overall, the writing is elegant and well-done, and will definitely keep the author on my radar. She has a lot of talent and considering this is her debut novel, I can only imagine how much more skilled she’ll get with time. I still had a wonderful time reading it and would recommend it!]]> 3.84 2018 Empire of Sand (The Books of Ambha, #1)
author: Tasha Suri
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/23
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
3 out of 5

Tasha Suri is an exceptionally skilled writer. For being this her first novel, it was written extremely well with a precision and consistency that not a lot of debut authors can accomplish. I really admire how she was able to successfully create such a lush world and romantic relationship, without either taking away from each other, in just a couple of hundred pages.

I would consider this book adult romance fantasy than a fantasy with a romance plot romantic, and the relationship is what really shines through. Suri really knows how to write a painfully delicious slow-burn. The respect and trust slowly built by Mehr and Amun was just...perfect. They were both in a position that could have easily made them turn against one other, but rather we have these two individuals that see the other as a haven against the horrors they face. It was beautiful to witness that tenderness.

Whereas the romance was great for the majority, I felt like the book felt short in others areas. There were so many questions left unanswered about the mythos and magic system of this world. I understand this is a stand-alone where the author can only do so much with it. Even so, I never felt too compelled by any of it. And that’s where my main gripe comes in. It was so...tame. The dream magic with its beautiful dances that invoke the power of the gods was supposed to leave us in wonder and awe but it never did for me. Even with the romance I wish there just a tiny bit more passion put into it. The death of the main antagonist was so underwhelming it was easily shrugged off. It was also as if Suri was playing it safe for the majority of the plot, and that was not pleasant thing to feel while reading.

Overall, the writing is elegant and well-done, and will definitely keep the author on my radar. She has a lot of talent and considering this is her debut novel, I can only imagine how much more skilled she’ll get with time. I still had a wonderful time reading it and would recommend it!
]]> You Deserve Each Other 50027029 When your nemesis also happens to be your fiancĂŠ, happily ever after becomes a lot more complicated in this wickedly funny, lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy debut.

Naomi Westfield has the perfect fiancĂŠ: Nicholas Rose holds doors open for her, remembers her restaurant orders, and comes from the kind of upstanding society family any bride would love to be a part of. They never fight. They're preparing for their lavish wedding that's three months away. And she is miserably and utterly sick of him.

Naomi wants out, but there's a catch: whoever ends the engagement will have to foot the nonrefundable wedding bill. When Naomi discovers that Nicholas, too, has been feigning contentment, the two of them go head-to-head in a battle of pranks, sabotage, and all-out emotional warfare.

But with the countdown looming to the wedding that may or may not come to pass, Naomi finds her resolve slipping. Because now that they have nothing to lose, they're finally being themselves--and having fun with the last person they expect: each other.]]> 368 Sarah Hogle °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„� 1 2020-2024 1.75 out of 5

No matter how cute the last 10% was I cannot wash off how awful and bitter the majority of this book was. The premise sounded so much fun, pulling pranks on each other and slowly falling back in love, but all I found was an extremely toxic relationship that was trying to be portrayed as somehow funny and sometimes cute. Their banter was extremely mean-spirited and the “pranksâ€� (if you can even call them that), mostly pulled by Naomi, were vengeful and done in bad taste. Also, the whole prank ordeal didn’t even seem like something between both characters, rather it was Naomi’s paranoia that led her to believe it was. I don’t think I have ever been this infuriated with an MC ever. I just wanted to shake her and to tell her to please learn to communicate like the adult that she is.

Even if she tried to portray her fiancĂŠ, Nicholas, as this unappreciative, sexist guy, Naomi was just rude, nasty and a total bitch due to non-founded paranoia and inflicted self-pity, that only caused Nicholas to be vindictive in return. I could tell that he was the only one still trying to hold together whatever relationship they had. There would be moments where he would try communicate how he felt and she would only belittle him and turn the situation to make herself into the victim, which made Nick shut down. She was written to be seen as cute and quirky and a yay-feminism female character (who lies that they can change a tire for feminism?!), but her actions dramatically soured her for me.

Nicholas also has serious issues. Communicating effectively being one of them, stemming mainly from not being able to put his foot down against his awful, bitchy mother when it came to Naomi. He never stepped up for her when she needed it, letting her believe his mother was more important to him. He also seemed to be quite pushy to get a rise out of her so she would no longer be “the ghostâ€� she was from his perspective. He was prideful but not as much as Naomi. The book would have benefitted greatly from also getting Nicholasâ€� POV. Constantly reading all of Naomi’s inner monologue was exhausting.

I was so over it that I was so close to DNF-ing it. Nonetheless, guiltily, I was still curious how this train-wreck of a relationship was going to be saved as promised by the synopsis. The whole 180 that happened between the characters was poorly done. More time should have been taken in transitioning from hate to love where there was some longing, some pinning. Writing the majority of the book where they hate their guts and then dedicating the last 100 pages to where the fall back in love was the wrong move. Just because they are engaged doesn’t mean they didn’t need development like any other couple.

I’m not trying to say relationships (i.e., hateful and bitter) can’t be written like this in books, but whatever message the author was trying to portray with Naomi and Nicholas got lost on me. How this book has gotten shining reviews is beyond me. But everyone has different tastes I guess.]]> 3.90 2020 You Deserve Each Other
author: Sarah Hogle
name: °ä˛š˛ő˛őâ„�
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2020
rating: 1
read at: 2020/04/22
date added: 2024/12/19
shelves: 2020-2024
review:
1.75 out of 5

No matter how cute the last 10% was I cannot wash off how awful and bitter the majority of this book was. The premise sounded so much fun, pulling pranks on each other and slowly falling back in love, but all I found was an extremely toxic relationship that was trying to be portrayed as somehow funny and sometimes cute. Their banter was extremely mean-spirited and the “pranksâ€� (if you can even call them that), mostly pulled by Naomi, were vengeful and done in bad taste. Also, the whole prank ordeal didn’t even seem like something between both characters, rather it was Naomi’s paranoia that led her to believe it was. I don’t think I have ever been this infuriated with an MC ever. I just wanted to shake her and to tell her to please learn to communicate like the adult that she is.

Even if she tried to portray her fiancĂŠ, Nicholas, as this unappreciative, sexist guy, Naomi was just rude, nasty and a total bitch due to non-founded paranoia and inflicted self-pity, that only caused Nicholas to be vindictive in return. I could tell that he was the only one still trying to hold together whatever relationship they had. There would be moments where he would try communicate how he felt and she would only belittle him and turn the situation to make herself into the victim, which made Nick shut down. She was written to be seen as cute and quirky and a yay-feminism female character (who lies that they can change a tire for feminism?!), but her actions dramatically soured her for me.

Nicholas also has serious issues. Communicating effectively being one of them, stemming mainly from not being able to put his foot down against his awful, bitchy mother when it came to Naomi. He never stepped up for her when she needed it, letting her believe his mother was more important to him. He also seemed to be quite pushy to get a rise out of her so she would no longer be “the ghostâ€� she was from his perspective. He was prideful but not as much as Naomi. The book would have benefitted greatly from also getting Nicholasâ€� POV. Constantly reading all of Naomi’s inner monologue was exhausting.

I was so over it that I was so close to DNF-ing it. Nonetheless, guiltily, I was still curious how this train-wreck of a relationship was going to be saved as promised by the synopsis. The whole 180 that happened between the characters was poorly done. More time should have been taken in transitioning from hate to love where there was some longing, some pinning. Writing the majority of the book where they hate their guts and then dedicating the last 100 pages to where the fall back in love was the wrong move. Just because they are engaged doesn’t mean they didn’t need development like any other couple.

I’m not trying to say relationships (i.e., hateful and bitter) can’t be written like this in books, but whatever message the author was trying to portray with Naomi and Nicholas got lost on me. How this book has gotten shining reviews is beyond me. But everyone has different tastes I guess.
]]>