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aldoregan's reviews
389 reviews
Never Never: Part Two by Tarryn Fisher, Colleen Hoover
3.0
ALL I CAN SAY ABOUT NEVER NEVER PART TWO AND THAT FREAKING ENDING IS "WHAT THE HELL :)))))))))))))"
COLLEEN HOOVER AND TARRYN FISHER ARE DESTROYING MY LIFE. :))) IF YOU'RE WILLING TO LET THEM DESTROY YOUR LIFE AS WELL, THEN READ NEVER NEVER. :D
COLLEEN HOOVER AND TARRYN FISHER ARE DESTROYING MY LIFE. :))) IF YOU'RE WILLING TO LET THEM DESTROY YOUR LIFE AS WELL, THEN READ NEVER NEVER. :D
Stars Above by Marissa Meyer
3.0
The Lunar Chronicles is such a beautiful series and words are not enough to express how much I love these books and how attached I am to this story, to the characters, and to the world Marissa Meyer has created. And now, it is officially the end. But Marissa ended it perfectly, I couldn't ask for more.
I'm quite surprised by how fast I read this. I finished it in 2 days, which is really surprising considering I have tons of schoolwork. I guess this is just what happens when it's a favourite series (or book) I'm reading. (Lmao how biased). It's actually kind of a bad thing because I really wanted to prolong reading Stars Above because I didn't want it to end yet, but sighhh turns out I'd finish it in just 2 days.
My top three favourite short stories would probably be The Queen's Army, The Little Android, and Something Old, Something New (!!!).
I have to admit, I really didn't care about Wolf during the previous books. Mostly because he was pretty much useless and dangerous to the gang. But reading his story, The Queen's Army, made me feel sympathy towards his character. I really feel sorry for him, especially with all the circumstances he's been through in the previous books. Good thing he has Scarlet. (5/5)
The Little Android was something I never thought I'd like so much. It was so sad! Mech6.0's story broke my heart even though it was just 45 pages! (5/5)
And of course, Something Old, Something New. This short story is considered as an epilogue of this series and it was the perfect epilogue we could ever get! It was so nice seeing the gang altogether! I actually teared up when I read this story. All I can say is that I love it so so so so much!!!! (5/5)
My ratings for the other short stories:
The Keeper: 4/5 I really like Michelle Benoit. I really wish Cinder met her. :((
Glitches: 4/5
Carswell's Guide to Being Lucky: 3/5
After Sunshine Passes By: 3/5
The Princess and The Guard: 4/5
The Mechanic: 4.5/5 bc KAIDER!!!
Overall rating: 4/5
I'm really going to miss this series a lot. TLC will always have a special place in my heart.<3
I'm quite surprised by how fast I read this. I finished it in 2 days, which is really surprising considering I have tons of schoolwork. I guess this is just what happens when it's a favourite series (or book) I'm reading. (Lmao how biased). It's actually kind of a bad thing because I really wanted to prolong reading Stars Above because I didn't want it to end yet, but sighhh turns out I'd finish it in just 2 days.
My top three favourite short stories would probably be The Queen's Army, The Little Android, and Something Old, Something New (!!!).
I have to admit, I really didn't care about Wolf during the previous books. Mostly because he was pretty much useless and dangerous to the gang. But reading his story, The Queen's Army, made me feel sympathy towards his character. I really feel sorry for him, especially with all the circumstances he's been through in the previous books. Good thing he has Scarlet. (5/5)
The Little Android was something I never thought I'd like so much. It was so sad! Mech6.0's story broke my heart even though it was just 45 pages! (5/5)
And of course, Something Old, Something New. This short story is considered as an epilogue of this series and it was the perfect epilogue we could ever get! It was so nice seeing the gang altogether! I actually teared up when I read this story. All I can say is that I love it so so so so much!!!! (5/5)
My ratings for the other short stories:
The Keeper: 4/5 I really like Michelle Benoit. I really wish Cinder met her. :((
Glitches: 4/5
Carswell's Guide to Being Lucky: 3/5
After Sunshine Passes By: 3/5
The Princess and The Guard: 4/5
The Mechanic: 4.5/5 bc KAIDER!!!
Overall rating: 4/5
I'm really going to miss this series a lot. TLC will always have a special place in my heart.<3
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
2.0
I've always thought this book was amazing, but reading it again has made me realized that A Court of Thorns and Roses isn't really THAT amazing. Maybe my true opinions were all blinded by the hype that surrounded this book when it was released last year. I honestly like the Throne of Glass series better (eventhough I have an extreme love-hate relationship with that series) in terms of worldbuilding, characters, and plot.
Quarterback by Jess Winters
1.0
I was emailed a pdf copy of this book in exchange for an honest feedback.
My main problem with this book was it had no beginning and no end. I would've loved to see their relationship blossom, but the first thing we got was the middle of the story.
There's also a difference between an open ending, and no ending at all. This book literally ended without a conclusion and it went by in a rush.
The characters weren't fleshed out so us readers have no attachment or connection to the characters. You knew them, but you don't KNOW them. Get what I mean?
The writing style was honestly okay, although it does need improvements. But I'm pretty sure over time the author will be able to develop and make her writing style better.
Maybe it's because this is a novella that's why I didn't feel that satisfaction of finishing a story after reading it? Or maybe it's because this really was just too rushed?
My main problem with this book was it had no beginning and no end. I would've loved to see their relationship blossom, but the first thing we got was the middle of the story.
There's also a difference between an open ending, and no ending at all. This book literally ended without a conclusion and it went by in a rush.
The characters weren't fleshed out so us readers have no attachment or connection to the characters. You knew them, but you don't KNOW them. Get what I mean?
The writing style was honestly okay, although it does need improvements. But I'm pretty sure over time the author will be able to develop and make her writing style better.
Maybe it's because this is a novella that's why I didn't feel that satisfaction of finishing a story after reading it? Or maybe it's because this really was just too rushed?
My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga
2.0
I don’t really have that much to say about this book.
This tackled important issues but tends to sugarcoat it, creating an easy way out for the characters. The end seemed a little too convenient and unrealistic. It was sudden and underdeveloped. The representation wasn’t as compelling and the characters’s feelings seemed a little too forced sometimes. Like it was trying too hard to make their mental illness believable. Maybe that’s just me, but I just didn’t find anything good about the representation of mental illness in this book and the way it was handled— the way that they kind of just romanticize depression (like so many other YA novels that tackle mental illness do). I think the idea for the storyline was good but the execution was not. However, there were certain parts that I did like. I really enjoyed the poetic writing style. And even the family aspect that we get to see from this book. There were some quotes that I found to be really relatable as well.
Mental illness is always going to be a difficult subject matter when it comes to stories that’s why it’s either a hit or miss for me. Fortunately, I didn’t set high expectations for this book so the bar was set pretty low. I wasn’t as disappointed as I probably would’ve if I’d thought differently. If the romance wasn’t as big of a plot device, then I would’ve liked this more. However, it is a beautifully written book and an easy read. I can see why some have adored it.
This tackled important issues but tends to sugarcoat it, creating an easy way out for the characters. The end seemed a little too convenient and unrealistic. It was sudden and underdeveloped. The representation wasn’t as compelling and the characters’s feelings seemed a little too forced sometimes. Like it was trying too hard to make their mental illness believable. Maybe that’s just me, but I just didn’t find anything good about the representation of mental illness in this book and the way it was handled— the way that they kind of just romanticize depression (like so many other YA novels that tackle mental illness do). I think the idea for the storyline was good but the execution was not. However, there were certain parts that I did like. I really enjoyed the poetic writing style. And even the family aspect that we get to see from this book. There were some quotes that I found to be really relatable as well.
Mental illness is always going to be a difficult subject matter when it comes to stories that’s why it’s either a hit or miss for me. Fortunately, I didn’t set high expectations for this book so the bar was set pretty low. I wasn’t as disappointed as I probably would’ve if I’d thought differently. If the romance wasn’t as big of a plot device, then I would’ve liked this more. However, it is a beautifully written book and an easy read. I can see why some have adored it.
My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins
3.0
My True Love Gave To Me is such a light, heartwarming, and easy read. After all the fantasy books I've been recently reading, I decided it was time to take a break from all that. And besides, I haven't read a YA Contemporary in ages. I know I'm a little bit early to be getting on the Christmas spirits and reading a book for the holiday season, but I thought to myself what the heck- it's September already.
One thing I loved about each and every short story in this book was the endings. I personally think that endings are always the hardest to write, whether it's an essay, a story, a speech. When it comes to writing endings, you have to keep in mind that you have to leave an impression to the reader. Although I didn't really like some of the short stories, the endings of each one always seemed to fill my heart in one way or another.
I'm not going to dwell on each story since there's quite a lot. So I'm just going to write down my ratings for each short story.
* Midnights by Rainbow Rowell- 4/5
* The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link- 3/5
* Angels in the Snow by Matt De La Peña- 4/5
* Polaris is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han- 3/5
* It's A Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins- 2/5
* Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan- 4/5
* Krampuslauf by Holly Black- 2/5
* What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman- 2/5
* Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra Mcentire- 2/5
* Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White- 4.5/5
* Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter- 4/5
* The Girl Who Woke The Dreamer by Laini Taylor- 2/5
My favorite short story would have to be Christmas, CA by Kiersten White. I really appreciate how there was so much character development with the protagonist in such a small number of pages. And the romance between Maria and Ben was adorable. (Ben's dishes also made my stomach grumble, am I the only one? Lol). I also love how the relationship of Maria, her mom and stepdad came to be in the near end. Tbh, I got teary-eyed. This was such a good short story. Strong plot, characters, and setting.
"But it doesn't matter anymore if you can't find my home. I found it for myself."
One thing I loved about each and every short story in this book was the endings. I personally think that endings are always the hardest to write, whether it's an essay, a story, a speech. When it comes to writing endings, you have to keep in mind that you have to leave an impression to the reader. Although I didn't really like some of the short stories, the endings of each one always seemed to fill my heart in one way or another.
I'm not going to dwell on each story since there's quite a lot. So I'm just going to write down my ratings for each short story.
* Midnights by Rainbow Rowell- 4/5
* The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link- 3/5
* Angels in the Snow by Matt De La Peña- 4/5
* Polaris is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han- 3/5
* It's A Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins- 2/5
* Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan- 4/5
* Krampuslauf by Holly Black- 2/5
* What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman- 2/5
* Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra Mcentire- 2/5
* Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White- 4.5/5
* Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter- 4/5
* The Girl Who Woke The Dreamer by Laini Taylor- 2/5
My favorite short story would have to be Christmas, CA by Kiersten White. I really appreciate how there was so much character development with the protagonist in such a small number of pages. And the romance between Maria and Ben was adorable. (Ben's dishes also made my stomach grumble, am I the only one? Lol). I also love how the relationship of Maria, her mom and stepdad came to be in the near end. Tbh, I got teary-eyed. This was such a good short story. Strong plot, characters, and setting.
"But it doesn't matter anymore if you can't find my home. I found it for myself."
The Siren by Meg Xuemei X
1.0
I voluntarily reviewed a copy from the Rachel E. Carter YA Book Club on Goodreads.
I didn't really like this book. It wasn't quite enjoyable, particularly because of the pacing. Everything that happened went too fast for my liking and there wasn't much in depth explanations as to what was going on. I would've preferred if this was longer. There was also no consistency in the writing style, that's why I had trouble reading the story. There was inadequate connection amongst the characters. I wish the author would've introduced her characters thoroughly so we could understand them better. And the relations the characters had with each other seemed very dull to me because there was no background given to us.
The setting was really fascinating since it was a combination of the modern and old times. Although I wish we had gone through it more. The premise was interesting but it wasn't engaging. Sadly, this book failed to leave an impression on me.
I didn't really like this book. It wasn't quite enjoyable, particularly because of the pacing. Everything that happened went too fast for my liking and there wasn't much in depth explanations as to what was going on. I would've preferred if this was longer. There was also no consistency in the writing style, that's why I had trouble reading the story. There was inadequate connection amongst the characters. I wish the author would've introduced her characters thoroughly so we could understand them better. And the relations the characters had with each other seemed very dull to me because there was no background given to us.
The setting was really fascinating since it was a combination of the modern and old times. Although I wish we had gone through it more. The premise was interesting but it wasn't engaging. Sadly, this book failed to leave an impression on me.