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alertnerd's Reviews (169)
I struggled with this book at first. The pacing in the beginning was a little off and that made it hard to get into. Audre’s story was told very quickly, while Mabel still didn’t have a lot going on at the beginning and it took longer for her story to take shape.
Petrus’ ability to make two very distinct voices is impressive though and the way she wrote both girls’ voices made them very easy to relate to. I loved the way she was able to show the two accents and make the girls’ voices so uniquely their own.
Overall, it was a pretty quick and easy read. It’s so important that we have more books about queer black girls.
Petrus’ ability to make two very distinct voices is impressive though and the way she wrote both girls’ voices made them very easy to relate to. I loved the way she was able to show the two accents and make the girls’ voices so uniquely their own.
Overall, it was a pretty quick and easy read. It’s so important that we have more books about queer black girls.
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi is the kind of fantasy book that I want to read more of. I don’t read a lot of fantasy novels because I often feel excluded from the world the author created. Too often, fantasy novels rely on imagery of Medieval Europe to create their worlds; setting their stories in a world where women are oppressed and apparently black and brown people don’t exist.
Emezi doesn’t do any of that. The world they created is more diverse, more vibrant and more like our world should be. Emezi doesn’t spend any time building this world either, they just dive right in as if this is the same world the audience is part of.
Instead of focusing on how different Jam’s world is from ours, Emezi just presents it all as fact, maybe implying that this is exactly how our world should be too.
Emezi doesn’t do any of that. The world they created is more diverse, more vibrant and more like our world should be. Emezi doesn’t spend any time building this world either, they just dive right in as if this is the same world the audience is part of.
Instead of focusing on how different Jam’s world is from ours, Emezi just presents it all as fact, maybe implying that this is exactly how our world should be too.
I’ve seen many other people re-reading Mildred D. Taylor’s Logan series in anticipation of the final book being released. It’s been fun re-reading these stories as an adult and appreciating them even more than I did as a kid.
Taylor’s ability to write for children through the eyes of a child, but still tackle these big issues is astounding. Cassie’s voice is so clear and Taylor is able to capture that youthful naivete without it being overdone or without making Cassie annoying. That’s what made this book so enjoyable for me as a kid, but also made me able to still enjoy it years later as an adult.
Even though the events are traumatic and heavy, there’s something so comforting and calming about reading this family. Almost immediately, I felt like a member of the family. Like I was sitting in their house in front of the fire listening to all these stories.
The familiarity of the Logan family is so comforting -- it feels like getting a big hug every time I read one of these books.
Taylor’s ability to write for children through the eyes of a child, but still tackle these big issues is astounding. Cassie’s voice is so clear and Taylor is able to capture that youthful naivete without it being overdone or without making Cassie annoying. That’s what made this book so enjoyable for me as a kid, but also made me able to still enjoy it years later as an adult.
Even though the events are traumatic and heavy, there’s something so comforting and calming about reading this family. Almost immediately, I felt like a member of the family. Like I was sitting in their house in front of the fire listening to all these stories.
The familiarity of the Logan family is so comforting -- it feels like getting a big hug every time I read one of these books.
Full disclosure, I picked up this book because the cover is absolutely stunning. To top it off, finding out that it’s a fantasy novel based heavily on Bolivian mythos made me want to read it even more.
The story started out kind of slow for me, and it took me a little while to get into it. I wasn’t sure if I really cared about the characters as much as I should have. It didn’t take long though for this to change and for me to be fully invested in what was happening.
The mystery surrounding El Lobo’s identity was what really sealed the deal for me. I guessed right away who he was, but then Ibañez made me second guess myself, but then it turned out I was right all along!
On top of the gorgeous world-building and complex characters, and a compelling mystery, there’s also a completely swoon-worthy romance. I couldn’t make up my mind if I wanted to root for this couple, but toward the end I was 100% behind them.
The story started out kind of slow for me, and it took me a little while to get into it. I wasn’t sure if I really cared about the characters as much as I should have. It didn’t take long though for this to change and for me to be fully invested in what was happening.
The mystery surrounding El Lobo’s identity was what really sealed the deal for me. I guessed right away who he was, but then Ibañez made me second guess myself, but then it turned out I was right all along!
On top of the gorgeous world-building and complex characters, and a compelling mystery, there’s also a completely swoon-worthy romance. I couldn’t make up my mind if I wanted to root for this couple, but toward the end I was 100% behind them.
The first half of this book reads like a very typical coming-of-age story about a black teen dealing with racism in his everyday life. There’s a bit of a love story, some issues with friends, anxieties about college. Everything you would expect from a YA Contemporary. I felt like this was going to be a very simple and straight-forward read, and then the second half of the book happened.
The way the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half was formatted was amazing. I thought the story was going to continue to focus on Justyce’s one encounter with the police officer, so the shooting that left Manny dead was really a surprise to me. It really took the whole story to another level.
I felt like when I was reading it, everything was going as expected in the beginning, then the shooting happened and suddenly everything started spiraling out of control. Justyce was spiraling and making poor decisions, and while I was reading it, I felt like I was spiraling right with him. Stone’s ability to show these emotions and make the reader feel them along with her characters is impressive.
I felt like when I was reading it, everything was going as expected in the beginning, then the shooting happened and suddenly everything started spiraling out of control. Justyce was spiraling and making poor decisions, and while I was reading it, I felt like I was spiraling right with him. Stone’s ability to show these emotions and make the reader feel them along with her characters is impressive.
Let me start out by saying, I’ve never loved a character as quickly as I loved Adunni while reading this. She’s funny, she’s smart, she’s sassy, and she’s loveable. I was rooting for her from the beginning. Hoping she got away from her dad, hoping she got away from her disgusting husband, hoping she got away from her abusive boss. I just wanted Adunni to be happy.
Despite all the terrible things that happen to Adunni in this book, I really appreciated the optimism that Daré chose to inject into Adunni’s voice. It was very refreshing and added something a little different to the story.
After finishing The Girl With the Louding Voice, I can’t wait to read more of Abi Daré’s work.
Despite all the terrible things that happen to Adunni in this book, I really appreciated the optimism that Daré chose to inject into Adunni’s voice. It was very refreshing and added something a little different to the story.
After finishing The Girl With the Louding Voice, I can’t wait to read more of Abi Daré’s work.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
To start off, I read this book in one day because I couldn’t put it down. I was hooked from the very first chapter. It was really what I needed in these strange, uncertain times. It was nice to be able to completely lose myself in another world, and the writing had just enough humor to keep the heavy subject matter from getting too heavy.
On the topic of the heaviness of the topic, my heart hurt for Sebastian the further I got into this story. I was so glad that at the end, we got to see some of the story from his perspective because I think that added a lot to the emotion of the story.
There were multiple times while reading that I actually said “that’s not where it ends is it?” because I was so worried about it having an unresolved ending and Tanner and Sebastian not having their happy ending. I think I would have been incredibly disappointed if after everything they went through, they didn’t get their happy ending.
The only thing I wasn’t really feeling about the story was Tanner and Autumn’s relationship. I was worried with the direction that their relationship was going, but I ended up liking how the authors chose to handle it.
Overall, this novel was funny, heartwarming, sweet, romantic and emotional. I highly recommend it.
On the topic of the heaviness of the topic, my heart hurt for Sebastian the further I got into this story. I was so glad that at the end, we got to see some of the story from his perspective because I think that added a lot to the emotion of the story.
There were multiple times while reading that I actually said “that’s not where it ends is it?” because I was so worried about it having an unresolved ending and Tanner and Sebastian not having their happy ending. I think I would have been incredibly disappointed if after everything they went through, they didn’t get their happy ending.
The only thing I wasn’t really feeling about the story was Tanner and Autumn’s relationship. I was worried with the direction that their relationship was going, but I ended up liking how the authors chose to handle it.
Overall, this novel was funny, heartwarming, sweet, romantic and emotional. I highly recommend it.
I had read a review that described this book as ‘heartbreaking’ and I think that’s really accurate. Each new chapter felt like a punch to the guy as Jay discovered new details about his cousin’s death. Reading the book while I am currently grieving made it even more impactful.
I really like how Ribay chose to show the complexities of being an addict and also of loving an addict. I was worried that throughout the whole story, Jun’s possible addiction was being framed as a reason for his murder. Jay was treating it like he didn’t deserve to be murdered because he wasn’t an addict, instead of saying he didn’t deserve to be murdered period.
I also felt like it did a good job of showing how we idolize those who have died. Jay began to see Jun how he wanted him to be, instead of seeing how he truly was. He began to excuse his faults and didn’t believe any of the mistakes he had made. I liked how late in the story Jay found out that Jun actually was an addict and this made him see him for who he truly was and realize that he was still a good person even though he made mistakes.
The one thing I didn’t really like about the story was the love story between Jay and Mia. It felt a little tacked on at the last minute. I was glad that it wasn’t further developed because I didn’t feel like it added anything to the story. I didn’t find myself really rooting for their relationship, so I didn’t care if they ended up together or not.
I really like how Ribay chose to show the complexities of being an addict and also of loving an addict. I was worried that throughout the whole story, Jun’s possible addiction was being framed as a reason for his murder. Jay was treating it like he didn’t deserve to be murdered because he wasn’t an addict, instead of saying he didn’t deserve to be murdered period.
I also felt like it did a good job of showing how we idolize those who have died. Jay began to see Jun how he wanted him to be, instead of seeing how he truly was. He began to excuse his faults and didn’t believe any of the mistakes he had made. I liked how late in the story Jay found out that Jun actually was an addict and this made him see him for who he truly was and realize that he was still a good person even though he made mistakes.
The one thing I didn’t really like about the story was the love story between Jay and Mia. It felt a little tacked on at the last minute. I was glad that it wasn’t further developed because I didn’t feel like it added anything to the story. I didn’t find myself really rooting for their relationship, so I didn’t care if they ended up together or not.
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After reading [b:A Nation of Enemies: Chile under Pinochet|98416|A Nation of Enemies Chile under Pinochet|Pamela Constable|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1349079262l/98416._SY75_.jpg|94871], I was looking for a fictional account of the dictatorship in Chile. Isabel Allende was the obvious choice because of her close connection to those involved in the coup. In Eva Luna, Allende mixes a few different country’s histories and fictionalizes where necessary, but a lot of the story closely resembles the history of Chile. I would recommend reading A Nation of Enemies to get a more complete story of what Allende is writing about.
To start, this novel was written in 1987, and some of the writing is a little dated. There are tiny hints of xenophobia throughout that made me a little uncomfortable, and there were some aspects of the way Mimi’s story was told that wouldn’t be accepted today.
Onto the novel, I really loved how this read more like a series of short stories told through Eva Luna’s eyes than one cohesive novel. And the more ridiculous the stories became, the more fun it was to read. By the end, I was thinking ‘I can’t believe Eva has gotten herself into this.’
My favorite of the stories was Mimi and La Señora. I was so happy when Eva ran back into Mimi and they ended up spending the rest of the story together. I want to read more about Mimi’s life, it sounds just as interesting, if not more interesting, than Eva Luna’s life. Seeing Mimi become a successful actress and meet the love of her life, made me so happy. I was waiting for some tragic end to her story, but was relieved that wasn’t the direction Allende went with it.
I spent the whole novel waiting for Eva Luna and Rolf Carlé to meet, and I was a little disappointed when they finally did. I was hoping more time would be spent on them connecting, but it ended up being rushed and a little overshadowed by Eva’s love for Huberto Naranjo. With how often it was hinted that Eva didn’t like happy endings, I wasn’t expecting the final words of the novel to be ‘happy endings’ but I loved that.
To start, this novel was written in 1987, and some of the writing is a little dated. There are tiny hints of xenophobia throughout that made me a little uncomfortable, and there were some aspects of the way Mimi’s story was told that wouldn’t be accepted today.
Onto the novel, I really loved how this read more like a series of short stories told through Eva Luna’s eyes than one cohesive novel. And the more ridiculous the stories became, the more fun it was to read. By the end, I was thinking ‘I can’t believe Eva has gotten herself into this.’
My favorite of the stories was Mimi and La Señora. I was so happy when Eva ran back into Mimi and they ended up spending the rest of the story together. I want to read more about Mimi’s life, it sounds just as interesting, if not more interesting, than Eva Luna’s life. Seeing Mimi become a successful actress and meet the love of her life, made me so happy. I was waiting for some tragic end to her story, but was relieved that wasn’t the direction Allende went with it.
I spent the whole novel waiting for Eva Luna and Rolf Carlé to meet, and I was a little disappointed when they finally did. I was hoping more time would be spent on them connecting, but it ended up being rushed and a little overshadowed by Eva’s love for Huberto Naranjo. With how often it was hinted that Eva didn’t like happy endings, I wasn’t expecting the final words of the novel to be ‘happy endings’ but I loved that.
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My favorite thing about this book is that Emoni is a young mother. It’s not presented as a cautionary tale, but it’s just how it is. Emoni is a mom and she’s doing her best to complete school and go to college. It’s refreshing to see this story told in this way. It’s also different from any other YA book I’ve read. I don’t think I’ve ever read a YA book about a teen mom where that isn’t the focus of the story.
Reading this, I was super invested in Emoni and Malachi from the beginning. I really like how their relationship develops throughout the story, but is left kind of open at the end. As Emoni describes it, they’re just friends who sometimes kiss and stuff. It’s another really unique part of the story that you don’t see too often in YA books.
My only wish is that Angelica was fleshed out more. I wanted to know more about her and her relationship. She felt kind of like an afterthought in the story.
Overall though, this was a very quick and fun read. I love reading stories with a happy ending, so this was perfect for me.
Reading this, I was super invested in Emoni and Malachi from the beginning. I really like how their relationship develops throughout the story, but is left kind of open at the end. As Emoni describes it, they’re just friends who sometimes kiss and stuff. It’s another really unique part of the story that you don’t see too often in YA books.
My only wish is that Angelica was fleshed out more. I wanted to know more about her and her relationship. She felt kind of like an afterthought in the story.
Overall though, this was a very quick and fun read. I love reading stories with a happy ending, so this was perfect for me.