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_chrstnlvly's reviews
216 reviews
A welcome reunion by Lucinda Berry
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I therefore conclude that Janie, the sociopathic 6-year-old child, was not the red flag: Christopher was.
Christopher was the dumbest male character I have ever read about. He infuriated me immensely. He was not thinking. He was purely foolish. And he is an orthopedic surgeon?! Come on. Where did his brain go? I cannot count how many times I gritted my teeth due to his stupidity.
Hannah deserved a better husband, because let's face it: Christopher didn't deserve Hannah. It just so happened that the one involved was a child, but if Christopher was attached to another woman his age, I am 100% certain he would have an affair and gaslight Hannah once she confronted him.
As for Janie, she was a mere child dealing with immense trauma. She needed more guidance. Hannah did her best, but Christopher, in his ignorance, continually interfered. He believed he was acting in Janie's best interest, but in reality, his actions exacerbated her condition. Such a pitiful child.
And Hannah... dear Hannah. I'm deeply sorry for the hardships you endured due to your foolish husband. You sought what was best for Janie, exerted every effort to assist her, but your husband chose not to support you or be part of your team. I hope you lead a fulfilling life, and I hope you permanently part ways with your husband. He's not the right man for you. His ability to reason is completely lacking.
Christopher was the dumbest male character I have ever read about. He infuriated me immensely. He was not thinking. He was purely foolish. And he is an orthopedic surgeon?! Come on. Where did his brain go? I cannot count how many times I gritted my teeth due to his stupidity.
Hannah deserved a better husband, because let's face it: Christopher didn't deserve Hannah. It just so happened that the one involved was a child, but if Christopher was attached to another woman his age, I am 100% certain he would have an affair and gaslight Hannah once she confronted him.
As for Janie, she was a mere child dealing with immense trauma. She needed more guidance. Hannah did her best, but Christopher, in his ignorance, continually interfered. He believed he was acting in Janie's best interest, but in reality, his actions exacerbated her condition. Such a pitiful child.
And Hannah... dear Hannah. I'm deeply sorry for the hardships you endured due to your foolish husband. You sought what was best for Janie, exerted every effort to assist her, but your husband chose not to support you or be part of your team. I hope you lead a fulfilling life, and I hope you permanently part ways with your husband. He's not the right man for you. His ability to reason is completely lacking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infertility, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Infidelity, Pedophilia, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
How difficult is it to edit this book that it appeared as if the editors gave up? PSA for all the apologists for bad writing: claiming that the phrasing of the sentences is due to us reading Feyre's mind is simply a poor excuse for the poor writing. If you ever wonder why I still read this series even though I keep complaining about the writing, I can admit that I was foolish enough to buy all the books in the series before I read the first book because I succumbed to the hype. In my defense, I purchased the series when I regained my love for reading, also known as when I emerged from my 3-year reading slump, and I was too excited to buy anything that caught my interest. I am too frugal with money that I continue reading the series even if I dislike the writing, simply because I already bought all the books. Anyway.
I don't hate fantasy books being long. I actually like it when fantasy books are long because I know that it takes a lot to describe the world and give the backstories of the events and characters. BUT ACOWAR is too long, in my opinion. It could have been 200 pages shorter if Maas didn't repeat scenes over and over again.
I won't deny that I liked ACOWAR more than ACOTAR and ACOMAF.
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Page 2 and the fragmented sentences are back. š
As expected, the poor writing and editing bothered me, especially the fragmented sentences.
Sample:
As expected, the poor writing and editing bothered me, especially the fragmented sentences.
Sample:
I had not dared to ask for more details about Cassian and Azriel ā or my sisters. In terror of knowing how bad it had been ā and what I'd do if their healing turned grim. What I'd bring down upon these people.
Healing. Alive and healing. I reminded myself of that every day.
Even when I still heard their screams, smelled their blood.
But I did not ask for more. Did not risk touching the bond beyond that first time.
How difficult is it to edit this book that it appeared as if the editors gave up? PSA for all the apologists for bad writing: claiming that the phrasing of the sentences is due to us reading Feyre's mind is simply a poor excuse for the poor writing. If you ever wonder why I still read this series even though I keep complaining about the writing, I can admit that I was foolish enough to buy all the books in the series before I read the first book because I succumbed to the hype. In my defense, I purchased the series when I regained my love for reading, also known as when I emerged from my 3-year reading slump, and I was too excited to buy anything that caught my interest. I am too frugal with money that I continue reading the series even if I dislike the writing, simply because I already bought all the books. Anyway.
I don't hate fantasy books being long. I actually like it when fantasy books are long because I know that it takes a lot to describe the world and give the backstories of the events and characters. BUT ACOWAR is too long, in my opinion. It could have been 200 pages shorter if Maas didn't repeat scenes over and over again.
I won't deny that I liked ACOWAR more than ACOTAR and ACOMAF.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Vomit, and Death of parent
Minor: Confinement, Rape, and Grief
Eleven Eleven by Micalea Smeltzer
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
To Via: I understand. You're insecure. However, you're already in your 30s and you can't distinguish between things worth losing sleep over and those that are not. Your constant sharing and display of insecurities has become tiring. Also, you persistently compare Chase and Reid. Granted, you always mention Chase's faults (and you always counter it with āā¦but Reid is betterā), but if I were Reid, I wouldn't be that patient with you.
To Reid: Yes, you're perfect. Since you're perfect, you need to hear this truth: you deserve someone better.
To Micalea Smeltzer: Your writing is easy to understand, but it's quite drawn out. Numerous chapters could be removed, reducing the book to half its length if you avoided reiterating points already made. Your readers can grasp how low Via's self-esteem is without its constant mention in nearly every other chapter. An effective author does not need to belabor their point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I'm glad I finished this book because I can finally say I read it, though it was just okay. The number of characters introduced in the first chapter was overwhelming. This is my third book by Rebecca Yarros, and it seems like she often includes a lot of information at once.
The unexpected twist at the end was surprising and emotional, but I moved on quickly, which personally meant it didn't fully satisfy me.
I enjoyed Scarlett and Jameson's love story, but Noah and Georgia's relationship felt forced.
To be honest, I might revise this review later, as I'm starting to feel more disappointed than okay.
The unexpected twist at the end was surprising and emotional, but I moved on quickly, which personally meant it didn't fully satisfy me.
I enjoyed Scarlett and Jameson's love story, but Noah and Georgia's relationship felt forced.
To be honest, I might revise this review later, as I'm starting to feel more disappointed than okay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and War
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
All's Well by Mona Awad
This book confirmed my suspicion that Mona Awad will be an auto-buy author for me. Awad has indeed made it to my list of favorite authors because I have an affinity for the peculiar.
Articulating my thoughts on Awad's books is always a challenge, despite the excellence of her prose and storytelling. Rating All's Well was difficult as I found the ending slightly underwhelming. I sought more rage and a more unhinged narrative.
While I rate Bunny higher (I wish I could read that book for the first time again), All's Well is still a good read. It's just so frustrating for me to still not know what Miranda's, the main character of All's Well, mental health issue is, unlike in Bunny when it was clearly schizophrenia. However, maybe I'm overanalyzing and All's Well is merely about the dismissal of women's pain coupled with misogyny, even from women themselves.
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Although All's Well is classified as horror, similar to Bunny, but it could be more appropriately categorized under magical realism (or perhaps surrealism), just like Bunny.
This book confirmed my suspicion that Mona Awad will be an auto-buy author for me. Awad has indeed made it to my list of favorite authors because I have an affinity for the peculiar.
Articulating my thoughts on Awad's books is always a challenge, despite the excellence of her prose and storytelling. Rating All's Well was difficult as I found the ending slightly underwhelming. I sought more rage and a more unhinged narrative.
While I rate Bunny higher (I wish I could read that book for the first time again), All's Well is still a good read. It's just so frustrating for me to still not know what Miranda's, the main character of All's Well, mental health issue is, unlike in Bunny when it was clearly schizophrenia. However, maybe I'm overanalyzing and All's Well is merely about the dismissal of women's pain coupled with misogyny, even from women themselves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Sexual content
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
While the book was enjoyable with satisfying pacing, it felt lacklustre overall.
Although it's labelled as a thriller, it seemed more like a cosy mystery due to the relaxed pacing despite high stakes.
The book's purpose was unclear. It followed a group of 60-year-old assassinsā¦ and then?
The characters felt flat, and their actions, typical of younger individuals, were unconvincing considering their age. Despite being trained assassins, their actions often seemed unbelievable for their age group.
The ending was abrupt, as if the author simply decided to stop writing. We saw glimpses of the characters' plans, but the conclusion felt empty and incomplete.
Although it's labelled as a thriller, it seemed more like a cosy mystery due to the relaxed pacing despite high stakes.
The book's purpose was unclear. It followed a group of 60-year-old assassinsā¦ and then?
The characters felt flat, and their actions, typical of younger individuals, were unconvincing considering their age. Despite being trained assassins, their actions often seemed unbelievable for their age group.
The ending was abrupt, as if the author simply decided to stop writing. We saw glimpses of the characters' plans, but the conclusion felt empty and incomplete.
I Temporarily Do by Ellie Cahill
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Car accident, and Death of parent
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Minor: Domestic abuse