althea_reads's reviews
50 reviews

Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan

adventurous emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense slow-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? It's complicated

3.5

Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense 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? No

3.5

I think Aiden Thomas did a pretty good job with this retelling of my favorite story, Peter Pan. They added such a dark feel to this and I was admittedly so creeped out at times (then again, that's not saying much because I get creeped out fairly easily). 
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At first, I was wary about how a modern take on this would go, especially with how popular it is and with how many theories surround Peter Pan himself exist as it is, but I was more surprised than not. The fantastical element of this story was really intriguing and yet surprisingly minimal, which I think worked well with the mystery element of this book. 
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What I didn't like was just how hard I personally found it to stay invested in the story as a whole. There were times I felt like the characters were just repeating themselves unnecessarily, which I found to be dragging, and doing things out of their established character norms. 
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Overall, I liked it, but didn't necessarily love it. Still, it was a pretty good modernized take on a classic story 😊
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Also, couldn't help picturing Jeremy Sumpter in the role. No other live-action Peter Pan for me!
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CW: trauma, murder, kidnapping, PTSD, depression, 
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Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨/5

Instagram | @althea.reads

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Medical trauma, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Blood and Vomit

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense 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? No

5.0

Melissa by Alex Gino

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

We Contain Multitudes by Sarah Henstra

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Addiction, and Bullying

Moderate: Alcohol, Vomit, and Violence

When Night Breaks by Janella Angeles
Did not finish book. Stopped at 29%.

Sheets by Brenna Thummler

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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? No

4.0

Check, Please! Book 2: Sticks & Scones by Ngozi Ukazu

emotional funny lighthearted fast-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

3.5