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aldoregan's reviews
389 reviews
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
3.0
Wuthering Heights was undeniably a dark read, which I had not expected at all. It isn't a dark read with a fantasy element in it. I can't clearly explain it. All I can say is that it was a different kind of dark to the other dark books I've read. It had ghosts, villainous characters, a picture perfect horror manor house, dark skies and grey clouds, you name it. Like I said, undeniably dark. This book was filled with unlikeable characters with unreasonable motives, but this doesn't mean I didn't like it.
I had a bit of trouble getting into the story at first. But as I continued to read it, I've come to understand what the story's all about and where it's going. As for the characters, they were very unlikeable in my opinion. I left the book not even claiming a favorite. Each character either had a peevish or wicked characteristic or both. And it baffles me (in a good way) as to why Emily Brontë chose such characters for her story.
Heathcliff, most especially, was wicked to the bone. And this was mostly because he was driven by revenge. It makes me feel sorry for him because he has wasted his time on seeking vengeance when he could've proved himself a better man than his tormentor. All throughout the story, I'm guessing Brontë wanted the readers to feel sympathy towards Heathcliff, but I failed to feel such emotion for him. Although I didn't despise him as well, mind you.
The ending was intriguing, although at first I kind of just felt satisfaction because of what Mr. Lockwood states. But Brontë was smart enough to leave the ending to us readers, depending on how we understood it in our own perception now that we know the whole story. Mr. Lockwood states, in the end, that Heathcliff and Catherine will finally be at peace. But come to think of it, putting the names of Heathcliff and Catherine beside peace is unlikely. And it makes me wonder, are you sure about that Mr. Lockwood?
I had a bit of trouble getting into the story at first. But as I continued to read it, I've come to understand what the story's all about and where it's going. As for the characters, they were very unlikeable in my opinion. I left the book not even claiming a favorite. Each character either had a peevish or wicked characteristic or both. And it baffles me (in a good way) as to why Emily Brontë chose such characters for her story.
Heathcliff, most especially, was wicked to the bone. And this was mostly because he was driven by revenge. It makes me feel sorry for him because he has wasted his time on seeking vengeance when he could've proved himself a better man than his tormentor. All throughout the story, I'm guessing Brontë wanted the readers to feel sympathy towards Heathcliff, but I failed to feel such emotion for him. Although I didn't despise him as well, mind you.
The ending was intriguing, although at first I kind of just felt satisfaction because of what Mr. Lockwood states. But Brontë was smart enough to leave the ending to us readers, depending on how we understood it in our own perception now that we know the whole story. Mr. Lockwood states, in the end, that Heathcliff and Catherine will finally be at peace. But come to think of it, putting the names of Heathcliff and Catherine beside peace is unlikely. And it makes me wonder, are you sure about that Mr. Lockwood?
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
I SOBBED THROUGHOUT THE LAST TWO CHAPTERS OF THIS BOOK
Crown of Midnight was SO hard to put down. Believe me, I tried putting it down a couple times and I just ended up reading more. THIS WAS JUST SO GOOD! And this was actually creepier and weirder than the first one. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK *SOBS*
THANK YOU FOR THIS BOOK SARAH J MAAS *BOWS DOWN*
((and no nuh uh NOPE I WONT LOSE HOPE ON CHAOLAENA))
10 / 5 STARS!!
Crown of Midnight was SO hard to put down. Believe me, I tried putting it down a couple times and I just ended up reading more. THIS WAS JUST SO GOOD! And this was actually creepier and weirder than the first one. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK *SOBS*
THANK YOU FOR THIS BOOK SARAH J MAAS *BOWS DOWN*
((and no nuh uh NOPE I WONT LOSE HOPE ON CHAOLAENA))
10 / 5 STARS!!
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
1.0
And the award for the most boring and uninteresting book I've read this year goes to Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer!
Whew, I'm really glad I've finally finished it. I felt like the whole time I was reading it I was just wasting my time. But, for the sake of my goodreads challenge, I read it and finished it. (I mostly skimmed the pages when I reached half of it, it was THAT boring.)
This is the worst book in the series. The first and second books were tolerable, whilst this one was just infuriating! It wasn't riveting nor was it captivating. There was no thrilling moment. No nail-biting, gripping, heart-palpitating scenes. It was so dull!!!
We all know Bella has personality issues, but she was just so frustrating in this book. I just wanted to shake her so hard and yell at her. She is needy, selfish, and is batshit crazy for Edward (to the point where she's willing to throw everything that she has away just to be with him). It's not like she has a horrible life. Her mother and father love her. She has friends. And, yeah, her life's pretty ordinary but at least it doesn't suck. I don't understand why people would find this romantic. It was beyond idiotic. Edward was too controlling. Again, I don't understand why people would fall in love with his character. Combine that with Bella's neediness, well, you've got yourself one frustrating ship.
The plot was there but it was delivered in such a ponderous way. If you think there's going to be a thrilling, action-packed scene, please stop. Because that won't happen in this book.
I'm so frustrated. 629 pages of needy Bella and controlling Edward fawning over each other with no moment, scene, whatsoever that was actually worth the read. I'm sorry to all the Twilight fans, I just really think this is horrible.
Whew, I'm really glad I've finally finished it. I felt like the whole time I was reading it I was just wasting my time. But, for the sake of my goodreads challenge, I read it and finished it. (I mostly skimmed the pages when I reached half of it, it was THAT boring.)
This is the worst book in the series. The first and second books were tolerable, whilst this one was just infuriating! It wasn't riveting nor was it captivating. There was no thrilling moment. No nail-biting, gripping, heart-palpitating scenes. It was so dull!!!
We all know Bella has personality issues, but she was just so frustrating in this book. I just wanted to shake her so hard and yell at her. She is needy, selfish, and is batshit crazy for Edward (to the point where she's willing to throw everything that she has away just to be with him). It's not like she has a horrible life. Her mother and father love her. She has friends. And, yeah, her life's pretty ordinary but at least it doesn't suck. I don't understand why people would find this romantic. It was beyond idiotic. Edward was too controlling. Again, I don't understand why people would fall in love with his character. Combine that with Bella's neediness, well, you've got yourself one frustrating ship.
The plot was there but it was delivered in such a ponderous way. If you think there's going to be a thrilling, action-packed scene, please stop. Because that won't happen in this book.
I'm so frustrated. 629 pages of needy Bella and controlling Edward fawning over each other with no moment, scene, whatsoever that was actually worth the read. I'm sorry to all the Twilight fans, I just really think this is horrible.
Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi
3.0
Furthermore is a light-read with quirky characters, a whimsical setting, and playful writing. I admire Tahereh Mafi's consistent writing style throughout the story. From the first page to the last page, we get this feeling of playfulness and color and fun from the words on the paper. We all fell in love with Tahereh's poetic writing in the Shatter Me trilogy and, fortunately, that can still be evident in this book. Although I cannot say that this was better than the Shatter Me trilogy. I wouldn't suggest going into this book thinking that it's going to be like the Shatter Me books because it's nowhere near that.
I absolutely adored the whole concept of Furthermore (the world, not the book), although it wasn't explained thoroughly which was a huge disappointment. You see, Furthermore is a big and a very complex magical world. When you think you've gotten it all figured out, it suddenly takes you into a massive 360-turn and you're all confused again. That's honestly how I felt whilst taking down the path of Furthermore. I don't know if we're going to get more books set in Furthermore. I have no idea if this was intentional. But right now I would've like it if the land of Furthermore was explained better.
I can't say that the pacing was good. It was just okay. There were times when everything was on point but it suddenly slows down again. The characters, however, were splendid. They're the flawed, imperfect, realistic characters we want to read about. They make mistakes and foolish decisions just like the rest of us and I really liked that.
The ending felt like it was rushed. Tahereh could've made their task more complicated, but she took the easy way out. Overall, this wasn't as good as the Shatter Me trilogy but it's enjoyable. And if you want a quirky, whimsical, and easy read then you should definitely check this out.
“She'd decided long ago that life was a long journey. She would be strong and she would be weak, and both would be okay.”
I absolutely adored the whole concept of Furthermore (the world, not the book), although it wasn't explained thoroughly which was a huge disappointment. You see, Furthermore is a big and a very complex magical world. When you think you've gotten it all figured out, it suddenly takes you into a massive 360-turn and you're all confused again. That's honestly how I felt whilst taking down the path of Furthermore. I don't know if we're going to get more books set in Furthermore. I have no idea if this was intentional. But right now I would've like it if the land of Furthermore was explained better.
I can't say that the pacing was good. It was just okay. There were times when everything was on point but it suddenly slows down again. The characters, however, were splendid. They're the flawed, imperfect, realistic characters we want to read about. They make mistakes and foolish decisions just like the rest of us and I really liked that.
The ending felt like it was rushed. Tahereh could've made their task more complicated, but she took the easy way out. Overall, this wasn't as good as the Shatter Me trilogy but it's enjoyable. And if you want a quirky, whimsical, and easy read then you should definitely check this out.
“She'd decided long ago that life was a long journey. She would be strong and she would be weak, and both would be okay.”
Winter by Marissa Meyer
5.0
03/24/2016
I love this book! It was everything I wanted it to be and more! It was a fantastic end to a fantastic series!!!! WHAT AN AMAZING FINALE!!!! I JUST LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!! I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH!!!!
I SWEAR THIS IS MY NUMBER ONE FAVORITE SERIES!!!!
I had a lot of doubts about this series before I actually read Cinder and if it wasn't for this friend of mine, I would never have read these books. BUT THANK THE STARS I DID! When I finished reading Cinder, I knew that this series was going to be one of my most favorites. I just never knew how IMMENSELY EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED I AM TO THE STORY AND TO THE MAIN CHARACTERS OF THIS SERIES until I read Winter. I was so excited to read this but as I kept on reading and noticed the number of pages ascending too quickly for my liking and nearing the end, I discovered how badly I wanted to make this book last forever. So I tried to read it slowly but seriously I couldn't stop myself and eventually I found myself in page 824 sobbing my eyes out because it's over. I never really cry this much when it comes to last books of a series (especially if the ending is like that), but The Lunar Chronicles have garnered a very very VERY special place in my heart and all the main characters,--Cinder, Kai, Thorne, Iko, Scarlet, Wolf, Cress, Winter, and Jacin-- the whole crew, these fictional characters mean the whole world (and Luna) to me. (And may I just gush over that last part with Cinder and Kai *screaming and sobbing* MY NUMBER ONE OTP OF THIS SERIESADHFLHLFM!!!! <333333) I've yet to read Stars Above but I know after that it will officially be over and it's so sad but I am SO HAPPY because I was able to read these books. I was able to experience the agony of waiting for the next book. I was able to experience the non-stop thinking about what's gonna happen in the final book. And I am absolutely HAPPY because I was able to meet these incredible, heroic, flawed, witty main characters and I AM SO PROUD OF ALL OF THEM. The Lunar Chronicles might've officially ended but I will never forget about this series and how it made me feel. It's so hard to let go of this series. To say goodbye to these characters, but like they said "all good things come to an end." And though this is the last book of the series, this definitely won't be the last time that I'll think about The Lunar Chronicles.
10 / 5 STARS ABOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
03/24/2016 ( 2 a.m.)
I can't stop crying because this is the last book of the series and my heart just can'tasfafbcgjlhddcnyd
I love this book! It was everything I wanted it to be and more! It was a fantastic end to a fantastic series!!!! WHAT AN AMAZING FINALE!!!! I JUST LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!! I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH!!!!
I SWEAR THIS IS MY NUMBER ONE FAVORITE SERIES!!!!
I had a lot of doubts about this series before I actually read Cinder and if it wasn't for this friend of mine, I would never have read these books. BUT THANK THE STARS I DID! When I finished reading Cinder, I knew that this series was going to be one of my most favorites. I just never knew how IMMENSELY EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED I AM TO THE STORY AND TO THE MAIN CHARACTERS OF THIS SERIES until I read Winter. I was so excited to read this but as I kept on reading and noticed the number of pages ascending too quickly for my liking and nearing the end, I discovered how badly I wanted to make this book last forever. So I tried to read it slowly but seriously I couldn't stop myself and eventually I found myself in page 824 sobbing my eyes out because it's over. I never really cry this much when it comes to last books of a series (especially if the ending is like that), but The Lunar Chronicles have garnered a very very VERY special place in my heart and all the main characters,--Cinder, Kai, Thorne, Iko, Scarlet, Wolf, Cress, Winter, and Jacin-- the whole crew, these fictional characters mean the whole world (and Luna) to me. (And may I just gush over that last part with Cinder and Kai *screaming and sobbing* MY NUMBER ONE OTP OF THIS SERIESADHFLHLFM!!!! <333333) I've yet to read Stars Above but I know after that it will officially be over and it's so sad but I am SO HAPPY because I was able to read these books. I was able to experience the agony of waiting for the next book. I was able to experience the non-stop thinking about what's gonna happen in the final book. And I am absolutely HAPPY because I was able to meet these incredible, heroic, flawed, witty main characters and I AM SO PROUD OF ALL OF THEM. The Lunar Chronicles might've officially ended but I will never forget about this series and how it made me feel. It's so hard to let go of this series. To say goodbye to these characters, but like they said "all good things come to an end." And though this is the last book of the series, this definitely won't be the last time that I'll think about The Lunar Chronicles.
10 / 5 STARS ABOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
03/24/2016 ( 2 a.m.)
I can't stop crying because this is the last book of the series and my heart just can'tasfafbcgjlhddcnyd
The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye
3.0
I highly recommend The Crown's Game to those who are new to the fantasy genre because it isn't as heavy or as complex as the other fantasy books. There aren't any new terms or languages that you have to get used to. It's pretty simple.
Those who are big fans of fantasy, like I am, would say that this book wasn't as captivating or amazing as the others. If you put this book besides Throne of Glass, or A Darker Shade of Magic, this would seem bland. But despite it's simplicity and non-complex magic and world building, I still find this one enjoyable. The first half was uneventful, and the magical elements that were introduced weren't impressive to be honest. But the second half was what I really enjoyed. And I somehow found myself intrigued and anxious for the next scenes/parts.
The romance had a little bit of insta-love (or a better word for it would be infatuation). But I didn't really mind it because it wasn't the kind of insta-love we get from contemporary novels (you know what I mean *looks at Colleen Hoover*).
Overall, even though this wasn't as amazing, captivating, fascinating, and enchanting as other fantasy books, The Crown's Game was still a pretty good read. And I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Those who are big fans of fantasy, like I am, would say that this book wasn't as captivating or amazing as the others. If you put this book besides Throne of Glass, or A Darker Shade of Magic, this would seem bland. But despite it's simplicity and non-complex magic and world building, I still find this one enjoyable. The first half was uneventful, and the magical elements that were introduced weren't impressive to be honest. But the second half was what I really enjoyed. And I somehow found myself intrigued and anxious for the next scenes/parts.
The romance had a little bit of insta-love (or a better word for it would be infatuation). But I didn't really mind it because it wasn't the kind of insta-love we get from contemporary novels (you know what I mean *looks at Colleen Hoover*).
Overall, even though this wasn't as amazing, captivating, fascinating, and enchanting as other fantasy books, The Crown's Game was still a pretty good read. And I'm looking forward to the next installment.
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
3.0
"love is the strangest, most illogical thing in the world."
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, despite the spectacular title, didn't blow me away. The story wasn't special nor was it unique. But it was a cute, light, and romantic read nonetheless.
"it's not the changes that will break your heart; it's that tug of familiarity."
This story used a lot of contemporary romance tropes. Like starting the love story in an airport (because don't y'all agree with me when I say that airports are a mainstream setting for a romance story??). And, of course, the whole love at first sight thing. Which, by the way, actually didn't bother me at all because Jennifer E. Smith wrote it in a way that it was real and believable. I could really feel the connection Oliver and Hadley had, and I understood why they were so attracted to each other. This book was also a bucketful of cliche. But I've come to terms that love is a cliche. And, guess what? That's perfectly fine. And sometimes we readers just need to enjoy the story as it is, rather than using the critical eye and keep on digging up flaws. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and adore the story itself. This book was not the best. But was it entertaining and fun to read? Yes, it was. I think the characters were well-written. Their backstories were very interesting and moving. The storyline was so cute. It made me feel like I was straight up watching a chick flick movie.
"it's one thing to run away when someone's chasing you. it's entirely another to be running all alone."
I don't really think this book is about love, eventhough the title and the blurb tells you otherwise. I believe this story is about new beginnings, and that's what I love most about it.
"is it better to have had a good thing and lost it, or never to have had it?"
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, despite the spectacular title, didn't blow me away. The story wasn't special nor was it unique. But it was a cute, light, and romantic read nonetheless.
"it's not the changes that will break your heart; it's that tug of familiarity."
This story used a lot of contemporary romance tropes. Like starting the love story in an airport (because don't y'all agree with me when I say that airports are a mainstream setting for a romance story??). And, of course, the whole love at first sight thing. Which, by the way, actually didn't bother me at all because Jennifer E. Smith wrote it in a way that it was real and believable. I could really feel the connection Oliver and Hadley had, and I understood why they were so attracted to each other. This book was also a bucketful of cliche. But I've come to terms that love is a cliche. And, guess what? That's perfectly fine. And sometimes we readers just need to enjoy the story as it is, rather than using the critical eye and keep on digging up flaws. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and adore the story itself. This book was not the best. But was it entertaining and fun to read? Yes, it was. I think the characters were well-written. Their backstories were very interesting and moving. The storyline was so cute. It made me feel like I was straight up watching a chick flick movie.
"it's one thing to run away when someone's chasing you. it's entirely another to be running all alone."
I don't really think this book is about love, eventhough the title and the blurb tells you otherwise. I believe this story is about new beginnings, and that's what I love most about it.
"is it better to have had a good thing and lost it, or never to have had it?"