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amandaplease50's reviews
160 reviews
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was such a quick and fun (sort of devastating) read. The main characters all have these layers that the reader keeps discovering as you go on. Makes for very interesting small twists. And there are two big sort of reveals in the last 1/4th of the book. One sort of expected the second was wild (to me) really gets the reader exceptionally for a sequel though!
Zetian I personally enjoyed as a MC. A lot of people called her cringy and a “man hater” but for one she’s 18 there’s bound to be some cringe at that age. And I don’t see the man hater part. She’s a character with a lot of generational trauma. Which may not make her a perfect “hero” but she’s amazing anti hero to me.
This book wasn’t perfect but it’s a really great story and I know the author can only get better as their career progresses!
Zetian I personally enjoyed as a MC. A lot of people called her cringy and a “man hater” but for one she’s 18 there’s bound to be some cringe at that age. And I don’t see the man hater part. She’s a character with a lot of generational trauma. Which may not make her a perfect “hero” but she’s amazing anti hero to me.
This book wasn’t perfect but it’s a really great story and I know the author can only get better as their career progresses!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
The one “issue” I had was that I’m not Jewish and in the beginning there I was a lot of words I found myself googling to better understand (or just getting through context clues) but I kept thinking I wish there was a glossary. But about 3/4ths through the book I realized there is one at the back! So don’t be me use that thing!
But even if there was not I’d still give this book 5 stars. Just such an amazing book and discusses things like gender dysphoria and what I took to be impostor syndrome and used great I guess metaphors (I’m I STEM person forgive me if that’s not the right term) to help explain someone who doesn’t experience those things.
And the characters loved everyone of them 😊. There are so many things I wish I could explain in this review but I’m terrible at words and reviews. But gives this book a try it won’t disappoint!
But even if there was not I’d still give this book 5 stars. Just such an amazing book and discusses things like gender dysphoria and what I took to be impostor syndrome and used great I guess metaphors (I’m I STEM person forgive me if that’s not the right term) to help explain someone who doesn’t experience those things.
And the characters loved everyone of them 😊. There are so many things I wish I could explain in this review but I’m terrible at words and reviews. But gives this book a try it won’t disappoint!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Antisemitism and Murder
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
4.25
Usually not a horror ish book person! But saw a look of recommendations for this one online and I was not disappointed!
Looks of religious imagery and casual transphobia and homophobia. Lots of -ism too so proceed with caution.
I’m glad I decided to take a leap and check out this book and genre. Rating I think reflects on my feelings of steeping out my genre comfort zone plus a few parts I maybe which were different! But still highly recommend!
Looks of religious imagery and casual transphobia and homophobia. Lots of -ism too so proceed with caution.
I’m glad I decided to take a leap and check out this book and genre. Rating I think reflects on my feelings of steeping out my genre comfort zone plus a few parts I maybe which were different! But still highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, and War
Minor: Toxic relationship
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.75
I probably could’ve just given this five stars but honestly was just disappointed it wasn’t longer! This was such an easy read almost got it done it one sitting but long work week got me.
I’m not sure you can really spoil a book of letters from real people…I just wished Helene would have made it to England during the timeline. I googled and I believe she went later in the 70s it was just so upsetting she couldn’t make it sooner!
Highly recommend but I love books that tell a story in letters! And it doesn’t read like any nonfiction I’ve read before. Which is definitely a good thing!
I’m not sure you can really spoil a book of letters from real people…I just wished Helene would have made it to England during the timeline. I googled and I believe she went later in the 70s it was just so upsetting she couldn’t make it sooner!
Highly recommend but I love books that tell a story in letters! And it doesn’t read like any nonfiction I’ve read before. Which is definitely a good thing!
Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Very easy read and I really enjoyed it! And as person who realized things about themselves later in life I can really appreciate Astrid’s little struggles. And I loved the author’s s dedication as well made me a little teary eyed.
Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a fun almost like novella between what was book one and what I think book two will be. Little bit of mystery and all the mains discovering more about themselves! Definitely angsty but there were some lovely Baz and Simon moments. Really hoping the best for them in the final book!
Loved the new character introduced I’m assuming he’ll be sticking around so can’t wait to see more of him!
Loved the new character introduced I’m assuming he’ll be sticking around so can’t wait to see more of him!
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was such a good read! Super quick read as well! But a great plot plus the characters were interesting and fun! I did say the characters were diverse but that was more in the LGBTQ+ sense and less because they were many or any POC characters.
I don’t think the characters were too over the top either. Could have had the whole evil stepmother/sister thing but I really appreciated the author not doing that. And I’m always here for a good bi/pan woman character. Definitely recommend and I already checked out the second Bright Falls book focused on Astrid.
Also loved the relationship ship building with Claire’s daughter Ruby not only with dad but with Delilah as well. It was good to see growth with the characters you’re rooting for!
I don’t think the characters were too over the top either. Could have had the whole evil stepmother/sister thing but I really appreciated the author not doing that. And I’m always here for a good bi/pan woman character. Definitely recommend and I already checked out the second Bright Falls book focused on Astrid.
Also loved the relationship ship building with Claire’s daughter Ruby not only with dad but with Delilah as well. It was good to see growth with the characters you’re rooting for!
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.25
Author took the best things about that other chosen one and made them better. Characters seem to have more personality and are more self aware! And just fun to read about!
Beginning was a little slow but understandably needed to build the world. Once past that first 1/4 quickest 350+ pages!
The switching POV did give me a little trouble sometimes because I’d forget who was “talking” but that’s just my own reading issues.
Already have the second book on hold at the library can’t wait to finish the series.
Beginning was a little slow but understandably needed to build the world. Once past that first 1/4 quickest 350+ pages!
The switching POV did give me a little trouble sometimes because I’d forget who was “talking” but that’s just my own reading issues.
Already have the second book on hold at the library can’t wait to finish the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia