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amandasbooks1's reviews
32 reviews
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
These were the books that made me love reading 10 years ago and since the show just aired I decided to re-read them just for fun to see if they hold up in an adults eye.
I do love Rose and she is the perfect exemple of what I think most YA/NA fantasy MC's lack; confidence. I love that Rose knows she is a bad b*tch and hot enough to get anyone she wants. For young girls to read more of women like her, who arent afraid to love themselves no matter their flaws can change the way the see themselves.
For the story, these is a good amount of suspense to drive it forward and the writing is ok, not too bad but not the most amazing either.
One thing that did bother me was that Rose always seemed to figure things out in the right second it was happening or she had figured things out wayyyyy before Lissa or the heavy plotline arrived. That kind of foreshadowing isnt foreshadowing but just a hope the reader wont remember that Rose had already "spoiled" an important twist. But this could also be my eye being on the look out for certain things since I knew it was coming.
Thoughts on the love relationship between you know who I didnt see anything wrong with Dimitris and Rose's flirting/relationship when I was 12-14 and reading these books. I thought it was steamy.
But now that I have been 17 myself the age gap from 17-25 is seriously messed up. Like... very much so!!
I understand its appeal, because in our heads we dont think of Rose as 17, she acts like she is in her early 20's but she isnt and that just kinda gives me the ick over their relationship.
AND the reason why Dimitri had a problem with dating A CHILD and his STUDENT was not due to the fact that she is *gasp* A CHILD but for the fact that he might be a sucky guardian if they fell in love.
Hey I get it, I would throw myself in front of my love too instead of someone I didnt care for, but that could have been angled to the real issue instead of made romantic.
In the end, a fast entertaining read with surprising turns and I would recommend it. Tho do look up warnings and triggering topics beforehand bc some of them could be triggering for some people.
I do love Rose and she is the perfect exemple of what I think most YA/NA fantasy MC's lack; confidence. I love that Rose knows she is a bad b*tch and hot enough to get anyone she wants. For young girls to read more of women like her, who arent afraid to love themselves no matter their flaws can change the way the see themselves.
For the story, these is a good amount of suspense to drive it forward and the writing is ok, not too bad but not the most amazing either.
One thing that did bother me was that Rose always seemed to figure things out in the right second it was happening or she had figured things out wayyyyy before Lissa or the heavy plotline arrived. That kind of foreshadowing isnt foreshadowing but just a hope the reader wont remember that Rose had already "spoiled" an important twist. But this could also be my eye being on the look out for certain things since I knew it was coming.
Thoughts on the love relationship between you know who
But now that I have been 17 myself the age gap from 17-25 is seriously messed up. Like... very much so!!
I understand its appeal, because in our heads we dont think of Rose as 17, she acts like she is in her early 20's but she isnt and that just kinda gives me the ick over their relationship.
AND the reason why Dimitri had a problem with dating A CHILD and his STUDENT was not due to the fact that she is *gasp* A CHILD but for the fact that he might be a sucky guardian if they fell in love.
Hey I get it, I would throw myself in front of my love too instead of someone I didnt care for, but that could have been angled to the real issue instead of made romantic.
In the end, a fast entertaining read with surprising turns and I would recommend it. Tho do look up warnings and triggering topics beforehand bc some of them could be triggering for some people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Bullying, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual assault
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
This was a fun and lighthearted read! There was a quick progression, just the right amount of funny/quirky dialog and a cute romance story.
Some parts were cringey, and the MC's friends really pushed her in a way I don't think friends would ever do. Exemple "Go sit in his lap in this professional seminare".
The writing is okay, but I was very annoyed by how every page had to mention how tall/big/large/huge Adam is.
Everytime Olive saw him there was a comment about his size, or how her legs were so much shorter or her hands so much smaller etc. Is there no other attractive qualities or prominent features to Adam but his size???
The whole "Overprotective and sheltering man" trope was executed well and with very little to none signs of toxicity which is rare when it comes to these types of manly man romance stories.
Comments about the 18+ scene below
The 2 chapters long porno was not really the right vibe and came a bit surprising since the story overall is pretty PG and was not set up to be supersexualised. It was A LOT of change in character in just a few sentences for the way I portrayed Adam's character. Still not the worst I have read but it feels like the very explicit smut was "shoved in there" so the author could continue the AO3 feeling since they started writing fanfiction. It felt like a chapter from the After books accidentally slipped into the mix.
I did enjoy the Demisexual rep Olive provided but it wasn't plain written out which I believe would make a huge difference for representation of the Ace - spectrum.
But like I said, this could have been executed better.
Some parts were cringey, and the MC's friends really pushed her in a way I don't think friends would ever do. Exemple "Go sit in his lap in this professional seminare".
The writing is okay, but I was very annoyed by how every page had to mention how tall/big/large/huge Adam is.
Everytime Olive saw him there was a comment about his size, or how her legs were so much shorter or her hands so much smaller etc. Is there no other attractive qualities or prominent features to Adam but his size???
The whole "Overprotective and sheltering man" trope was executed well and with very little to none signs of toxicity which is rare when it comes to these types of manly man romance stories.
Comments about the 18+ scene below
I did enjoy the Demisexual rep Olive provided but it wasn't plain written out which I believe would make a huge difference for representation of the Ace - spectrum.
But like I said, this could have been executed better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Cursing
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
Air Awakens by Elise Kova
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This took me 2 months to get through because it was so extremely boring. The main character is very bland and a kinda bad stereotype of the "Oh how could the prince ever be in love with me I am just so ugly and boring" but guess what??? Every male she interacts with is in fact secretly in love with her.
The plot moved so slowly and consisted of mostly strange interactions up until the final 100 pages.
The male MC is okay at the whole "Stone heart but with a soft spot for her" but honestly went from being an asshole to trying to be redeemed way to fast.
Overall just very poorly executed and had promise of being good
Not sure if I will read the second one if its the same way
The plot moved so slowly and consisted of mostly strange interactions up until the final 100 pages.
The male MC is okay at the whole "Stone heart but with a soft spot for her" but honestly went from being an asshole to trying to be redeemed way to fast.
Overall just very poorly executed and had promise of being good
Not sure if I will read the second one if its the same way
All The Young Dudes - Volume One by MsKingBean89
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? No
3.5
I must say I expected more. Maggie has this way of words that I absolutely adore, such a unique writing style that engrips you. But the plot this book didnt really do it for me. It was slow and building up to what you think will be a dramatic point break - which happens but not in the way you expect. 3 books in leading up to certain events and they werent as big as I imagined.
Also some storylines werent tied up properly, the Laminore guys??? Cheng's mother and the Grey man??? What happened there?
Enriching a story with more elements is definietly good but when those elements dont get tied up its hard to understand how it connects to the story.
But I must say Noah fading and playing the part he did really tore my heart out. And Ronan and Adam really holds my heart
Also some storylines werent tied up properly, the Laminore guys??? Cheng's mother and the Grey man??? What happened there?
Enriching a story with more elements is definietly good but when those elements dont get tied up its hard to understand how it connects to the story.
But I must say
Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym M. Martineau
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
Neon Gods by Katee Robert
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
An okay read but not really my cup of tea. The dom/sub thing is just icky to me so there were tons of moment where I was just cringing. The plot wasnt that interesting or intruiging and the execution fell flat in the end. Summary, much spice and sex, not much else.
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Great book! Bardugo can really write twists that are so unexpected! The Six of Crows duology is now a definite fave
After We Fell by Anna Todd
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Almost DNF:ed this book. So done by now with the drama and honestly dont hold any love whatsoever for these characters. Probably wont finish the series because god... the writing is horrible and no book should ever be this long while containing absolutely nothing. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.