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_al's reviews
19 reviews

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Sometimes the book has everything you like and it just doesn't hit, like this one for me. I adore time travel, love short stories, and love love when book character-driven. But this one in a little more than 200 pages was so difficult to get through for me. Closer to the end I found out this was a play originally and I think I would enjoy it more on stage.
But like this i didnt a good time in the slightest and I'm not sure it was because of translation or author's style or me not just vibing with it.
2.6 stars for last story and very interesting concept of time travel and its rules. I think I will try one more book with different translator to get it but I don't think I will continue with whole series.

Content Warnings

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

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challenging dark emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I wanted to give this book 3.5/75 out of 5 but it was nice distraction from hard stuff and I very enjoyed the writing, so I'm boosting it up to 4.

Writing was main thing of this book for me. Madeline Miller's prose is so captivating and smooth, I'm amazed each time I opened the book. But I wanted more from Patroclus. Patroclus has such interesting stuff going on but just a bit more of..basically everything would be so good.

I enjoyed Achilles and I enjoyed reading about him and his struggles between love, social expectations and desire for glory. I don't think it was handled perfectly from start to finish because there are moments that felt almost awkward but overall he was one of best parts of the book.

But overall, I enjoyed it – i had fun, characters were interesting to follow, their relationship is beautiful and i felt for them and it resurrected my love for mythology and give me interest to ancient history. Maybe reread it when i need the distraction with feelings. And definitely will check out Circe in near future.

Content Warnings

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Cute lovestory with some dark elements along the way. It sat on shelf for years collecting dust, now I kinda regret it bc I would enjoy it much more if I read it when I bought it.
3/3.5 out for 5. It's fine, I found it somewhat lacking but still enjoyed it.

Content Warnings

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I honestly wanna give it 2 stars, bc the plot was kinda dull, even though I wad interested in the story. But the last 180-150 have some interesting stuff, although very rushed and underdeveloped for me. The characters are okay with some shining moments (conversation Lilliac with her father? kinda banger ngl)
But I also recognize that I'm far from targeted audience and the book wasn't horrible and it distracted me, so solid 2.5-3 stars. I will give a go the rest of the trilogy, bc im interested in the world.

Content Warnings