_ash_mac's reviews
90 reviews

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Re-Reading in preparation for Sunrise on the Reaping (1/4)

Seriously, there is no universe where I give a hunger games book anything other than 5 stars.

Incredibly written, action-packed and insane!! I honestly forget how genuinely incredible this era and perspective is. 3rd person POV so we don’t get too close to what he’s really thinking or feeling, Collins your brain… 

I always love how this book constantly solidifies how truly deplorable and delusional Snow is.

Basically stealing Sejanus’ family; justifying his multiple murders to himself;  attempted to Texas chainsaw Massacre his girlfriend… President assassination… and still go onto become the most powerful man in Panem. Oh to be a rich white man…

Fantastic. Intriguing and thought-provoking as always. Definitely one eveyone should read in their lifetime.

The House of My Mother by Shari Franke

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

Remnants of Filth: Yuwu (Novel) Vol. 4 by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

SOMEBODY SEDATE ME 😭😭

These reveals are going to be the death of me, the soldier’s graveyard, Gu Mang’s backstory, the entire time mirror sequence oh god what the fuck 😭

The absolute whump of this story is killing me, it hurts so good. Insane lore drops and insane twists and turns. What incredible characters (the entire Chuyi/Yexue/Chenqing family drama is DESTROYING ME ) and I’m so excited to read more.

Fingers crossed we get a bit of a happy arc in book 5, I’m literally begging anyone we get a happy arc in book 5 😭🤞

Solitaire by Alice Oseman

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Remnants of Filth: Yuwu (Novel) Vol. 3 by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Okay this one had a little kick… 

I was debating a 5 star (and honestly might change it to 5 on my re-read) but I honestly can’t find any faults.

Heartbreaking. Absolutely devastating. Everyone warning you that this is the saddest, most gut-wrenching read is 100% correct. Their angst and drama means everything to me.

I love Mo Xi, I love Gu Mang. Their histories, their dynamic, their everything. I love relationships that really fight tooth and nail to work and repair and really deserve their happy ending. Holy fuck I’m PRAYING they get a happy ending. 

Some of the lines in this one were incredible, what an insanely talented translator! So excited to pick up book 4 but SO NOT READY FOR IT 😭

'Salem's Lot by Stephen King

dark emotional informative mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.0

My friend’s and I’s #2 book club book!

A descent read! I’m never really a fan of King’s female characters (and their “development”…

Why was Susan dumb as hell at the end there? The women in his books are victims 😭

) But as always, a solid horror. Incredible scenes that left me shocked and wanting more. A great ending for me, and one I’m happy I picked up.

Now to find some solid memes for the book club get together haha 

The Golden Raven by Nora Sakavic

dark emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Jean Moreau, you are so special to me…

Loved it! Jean and Jeremy, my darling shaylas :,) What a rollercoaster. Very happy we’re still getting updates about the Foxes and so satisfying to see the Raven’s continue to fall. 

Jabberwocky Moreau is the best character, a star for only one chapter but has captured my entire heart

So excited for the next book, but so sad it’s nearly over! The trojans have really captured my heart, so excited for Jean to finally get his deserved happy ending.

Remnants of Filth: Yuwu (Novel) Vol. 2 by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Yo, this hurts a lot more than I thought it would… 🥲

Heartbreaking, utterly heartbreaking. It hurts because everyone’s actions and reactions and thought processes are so entirely valid. I love Gu Mang :,( I love Mo Xie :’( Lord, take all their angst and unnecessary whump and give it to meee 

Love it. The’s characters have really stuck with me! Even Meatbun’s side characters really shine!! So excited for the next one 🥲

Remnants of Filth: Yuwu (Novel) Vol. 1 by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Not prepared. I’ve already grown attached and it’s volume 1… a mistake in the making… 

 I seem to really vibe with Meatbun’s writing, and while I was twiddling my thumbs waiting for erha, I thought I would give this a go! 

LOVED IT!  Mo Xi, Gu Mang, Yue Chenqing & Murong Lian and such a fun group that i’ve already really grown so attached to. But heartbreaking 🥲 it’s only book one and I can TELL this is going to hurt…

Excited for the next one!