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ali1311's reviews
251 reviews
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This one is such a banger it's unreal
One of the Good Ones by Maritza Moulite, Maika Moulite
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book was interesting, but I think it was trying to do too much. It wanted to be an informative historical essay, a call to action, and a mystery all at once, but it couldn't be all of that. So it ended up feeling disjointed to me. I thought if the twist had come earlier, or if the story had committed more to a genre, it would have worked more effectively. Instead, we're tossed into a bunch of point of views and never really get a sense of the characters as a whole. The last 75% of this book is where it shines, but then it ends very abruptly, and the payoff doesn't really come. Which was a bummer because the premise and the story were definitely compelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Homophobia, Racism, and Police brutality
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
My first foray into Maya Angelou's writing--and I get it!! This was not only a super interesting autobiography, but Angelou has such a unique and gorgeous writing style. This book nearly read like fiction the way I was whizzing through it, dying to know what would happen next. Also the only autobiography I've ever read that felt like it ended on a cliffhanger? I need to read the rest of her autobiographies because wow. It's always such a joy to witness such a prolific writer for the first time and truly understand why they're one of the greats; this was my experience with this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, and Classism
A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
This was such a sweet read! I loved how developed the characters were and this premise is just too good. The author also had a funny tone to her writing that wasn't trying too hard and worked perfectly. The book was probably a bit long and felt like it was two parts, but I didn't even mind because I loved hanging out with the characters. It was such a cool idea overall and was executed super well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
Minor: Colonisation
Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I love a book that is also a time capsule. Sometimes it really is brutal to read about growing up a girl, which is just so sad. But this book was bittersweet in that way that really encapsulates girlhood, I think.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I fear I'm an Ali Hazelwood stan. I contemplated not giving this 5 stars, but the disappointment I felt after finishing it knowing I wouldn't get to spend more time with these characters and never read it for the first time again, made me feel like it was deserving of all those 5 stars. This could change, largely because as much as I loved Lukas as the protector in this, I wish we'd gotten to see more moments where he was struggling like Scarlett was. Just because I think the relationship would have been slightly more dynamic if she had to take care of him a little more onscreen. I loved this book because the characters were so well-crafted. I also love Ali's ability to change her writing/narration style across books for her characters. Scarlett was so specific, and I loved her and loved being in her head. I am sad this is over, but I am reassured by the fact that Madame Hazelwood will continue writing books and that I can always pick this up and reread it :)
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
Chokepoint Capitalism: How Big Tech and Big Content Captured Creative Labor Markets and How We'll Win Them Back by Rebecca Giblin, Cory Doctorow
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
This was super interesting! It was a little hard to get through sometimes just because the content is so dense--but that's on the music industry making up random rules in order for it to take advantage of artists. This probably would've stuck better in my brain if I read it instead of listening to it on audio, but it was still a very interesting book. It essentially explains why everything sucks even though you already know it does. Useful to know the why!
The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Read this book a bit faster than was wise because OOF it packed a punch. I really enjoy how these books are tackling such heavy "grown up" themes throughout them. This one was a bit slow to start and then picked up in the second half or so.
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
I liked this but there was a lot of almost-conflict and not as much full on conflict as I may have liked. I'm really into this love triangle thing though, sorry not sorry! Looking forward to Breanna leveling up in the next book. I think this was a fun read but it was clearly setting the stage for a lot of the future books. And I'll allow it because I anticipate these next books being realll good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Sexual assault
Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ooh this was EVERYTHING I was hoping it would be!! The wait was well worth it for these characters. This book almost had a different tone than Tessa's others in general and in the series, and I think that's because the relationship was that much more intense and that was reflected in her writing. There were certainly some flaws and times I had to suspend my disbelief--and I simply did not care! This was just a fun read. The tension was insane. I think it's safe to say this is now my favorite book in this series.