aguiarbibs's reviews
471 reviews

Strong Female Character by Fern Brady

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Maeve Fly by CJ Leede

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This Is Where We Talk Things Out by Caitlin Marceau

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

jesus christ on a motorbike that was dark.
but the gaslighting? perfect 

The Shadow Cabinet by Juno Dawson

adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5

The Gunslinger by Stephen King

5.0

Exceptional! King is the best at criticizing human behavior. Enthralling story of a gunslinger on the hunt of a major secret. The metaphors and innuendo are my favorite part of the book. Loved it!

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

5.0

5 stars. I knew it. How can you not relate? And I don't mean with Colin, I mean with everyone. Granted, if you're not into maths, this book probably will irk you but it's a dream if you sometimes view life as a mathematical equation. Which isn't a common thing, I know, but still. Excellent book. The main characters are so different from one another and yet I couldn't help but understand them all. Incredible. The struggle Colin faces (not the relationship one) felt stupidly real and touching, though I realise many people won't understand it - he is a genius after all...

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

5.0

This book was not what I expected it to be.
Honestly, I don't even know what I expected but it really blew my mind.

1. The politics
May I say, amazing? The plotting, the scheming, the lies and plot twists... uh, it fueled my brain like gasoline to a fire.

2. The magic system
I reaaly enjoyed what Sanderson did with the magic system. Some may say it was basic or simple but I think he took something and ran with it. And the fact that not even the characters knew how it all worked? Even better. I felt like I was guessing along with them.

3. Religion
Throughout the book, religion was mentioned and discussed in a very interesting way. I found that fascinating and I think it could open a bigger discussion around it. Even if we don't wish to draw parallels between the discussion of religion in the book and reality, i think this added element was a very enjoyable aspect of the book.

4. Characters
Though I liked all characters and what they did for the story itself, Vin and Kelsier were just chef's kiss. Both of their developments as characters were incredible. Especially, Vin's.

Overall, I read this book at an incredible pace. It made me laugh and even cry.

Spoiler

Kelsier's death? The note he left for Vin calling her a daughter? Fuck, I was sobbing after that one.

Now, onto the next ones so I can reread them in the future.

Pet Sematary by Stephen King

5.0

4.5
it starts off slow and it feels aimless (?) but then the cat happens and you start getting an idea but you still have no clue. basically this book grips you and folds you into the story in a crescendo.
it felt real, it was creepy and it was heartbreaking.
Stephen King calls this his scariest novel and I understand why.
the lunacy really shows through and even you start to feel the grief and your mind slipping away and wandering and reaching weird places.
the stumbling, the falling, the weird ramblings, it all added to a scary creepy atmosphere that had you gripped particularly in the last 200 pages.
(wish i hadn't read the last part at night but i couldn't stop)

Spoiler

i loved Louis and Jud and Ellie and Gage and i only realised that when it was too late - was that purposeful from King or a coincidence? was it an effort from King to discuss how you often realise you loved people more than you thought when they're gone?

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

5.0

this book is an experience