alexiasophii's reviews
429 reviews

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

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

2.5

Well... I've loved the movie for years and I was in the mood to read an autumn, witchy book but this... this isn't it. I will admit the only reason I got through it was because I read it on audiobook, otherwise, I doubt I would've finished it. The book is much darker, the characters are unlikable and, while the plot is somewhat similar, it seems... darker somehow. The way I can describe this book is like a dark looming cloud. It really disappointed me, I was expecting something different.
I guess this is the exception where the movie is better than the book. 
The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was cute! Not as cute as the first book (but a lot more smuttier!) and it only started picking up around the middle of the book. Overall, a nice, lighthearted read! 
Os Meus Dias na Livraria Morisaki by Satoshi Yagisawa

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Hmm. Not sure do to was because I read the Portuguese translation but I did not like it as much as I thought I would. I loved the environment and the ambience but the characters and the plot... Not so much. It was a nice read but it's not a book I would say I would re-read to be honest. 
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

THIS BOOK IS SO CUTEE!! I love these characters and this story!! 
My only complaint, which might be because of my edition, and I will check when my physical copy arrives (read it on Kindle), is that there are a LOT of time jumps with no warning whatsoever. I would love a bit of a time note, like even just one line "Two weeks later" or something, because, especially at the beginning, it gives you a bit of a whiplash. But besides that, THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING! And I can't wait to see the movie adaptation in a week!!!!!

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Antes Que o Café Arrefeça by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This is a very emotional and beautiful book. It almost made me cry in a café shop at 8 in the morning, I have to admit. The characters are very well created and the story makes sense. The way the "time travel" works... is very plausible. No matter what you do, you can't change the past but can come to terms with several situations and change your outlook on things. It is inspiring and sad, at the same time. I enjoyed it and I highly recommend it. 
The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting by Evanna Lynch

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

4.75

"We’re afraid that if we show these ugly, unpalatable parts of ourselves, it will be too much for others; that nobody will love and accept us, and we’ll be left alone with only the worst parts of ourselves for company."

"And I decide, now, in this moment, that I want it; I want this body. I want to inhabit her, enjoy her, care for her, and defend her in this world. And I no longer want to be yet another voice telling her she’s disgusting or embarrassing or inadequate or too much. I want to be one of those arresting voices of love and compassion, to offer her a space where she can go to restore, to feel safe, to grow.
"

WOW.
This book is profound, gut-wrenching, and transformative. Evanna's warning at the beginning of the book is true, the book focused about 80 or 90% of it on the eating disorder aspects. It is very graphic what Evanna went through. A good part of the book, and that I enjoyed, is that Evanna does not mention weights or calories or any of those things. As she says, eating disorders feed on the "achievements" and on measuring against other people. Learning how much other people weigh, especially at the lowest point of their battle, is not empathic, it is competitive. And it is not helpful to anyone. I particularly enjoyed how Evanna explains her journey and shows that healing is not linear, but a series of battles and fights, up and downs, wins and losses. 

This book is definitely not good for people who struggle with eating disorders, especially anorexia or bulimia. Be careful of Evanna's first Author's Note, she is being very sincere and direct in her warnings. 

Overall, I loved this book. I truly did. And I think it sparked something transformative in me and I will come back to it several times in the future. 

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No Tempo das Fogueiras by Jeanne Kalogridis

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4.0

I was a little afraid when I started reading this book, I wasn't sure what to expect of it. But, honestly, I ended up loving it.

I feel in love with the main character, she is amazing. And the story itself, I enjoyed it. 

The details, the scenes and the writing all conbined are wonderful and takes us right into the action of the book making us want to read more and more. 

I can really say that I recommed this book for anyone that likes a historical novel
Fangs by Sarah Andersen

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funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

This is such an adorable book! I love Sarah's work and this one is no exception! 
Harry Potter e a Pedra Filosofal by J.K. Rowling

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4.0

 Even though I've owned this book for years, I hand't had the chance to read it until now. I must say, I loved it. I always loved J. K. Rowling's writing and I missed it.

One thing I noticed is the chance on the writing when comparing this book to the most recent (I read Order of the Phoenix and the Half Blood Prince). I love how she writing is different which, in my opinion, makes us live the younger years of Harry in a much easier way. 
A Deusa do Jardim das Hespérides by Luiza Frazão

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
Este livro tem zero fontes históricas e zero citações para suportar as coisas que afirma. A autora dá muitas certezas mas sem nunca referir as fontes históricas no qual baseia as suas afirmações. O livro é acima de tudo baseado no UPG da autora e da sua tradição e sem componente histórica ou arqueológica para basear o que consta no mesmo. Não consegui acabá-lo e foi das maiores desilusões de 2018.