anastasia_raf's reviews
133 reviews

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.

I can't. I'm finally DNFing it. I tried five times to finish it. I'm sparing myself. This is exactly what you call a hit of a miss because I can see why people love it. I even sometimes did. But unfortunately, it was short lived

Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renée Russell

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

medium-paced

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

I will not rate this book. I don't think I could, if I did I would have done it accordingly. This book includes racism, ableism, sexism, etc. But is considered progressive for its time. It's considered feminist. To that, I will disagree. Feminism MUST include all women. I see no such thing in this book. Jane uses many racial slurs and judgement against women of colour (take her encounter with the fortune teller as an example,) And many times she brings other women down and condemns their likings when they don't much her own.
As a kid, Jane, I think was "more" of a feminist. I don't know if it makes sense, but I felt she was more open-minded, less concerned with societal views but still had to play the role chosen for her and yet she defied more often what that role meant or expected of her. I don't know, I think her more revolutionary in her youngest years. I can see that her dreams and what she wanted to make of her life were progressive enough. (See the spoiler at the end)

But still, how can you judge that book so? Since it's just a biography. It was never aiming to be feminist. The writer just wanted to narrate her heroine's life, to tell her story. She was a strong woman indeed and progressive enough. But no, I wouldn't categorise this book as a feminist read, nor romance. It's a biography. Nothing more, nothing less.

Especially her want for independence

But she rejected all that in the name of love. Which is beautiful but not something uncommon, especially with women heroines

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Did not finish book. Stopped at 56%.

Nope. Nope. I can't do this anymore. I cannot continue reading this book. The promise of the story was charming, captivating... So where did that story go?

I tried so hard. Gave it so many chances.... But I should have known I wouldn't like it since Stephen King blurb-ed it...

Her writing did not feel the same. I don't if it was just me, but sometimes it read like a crime book written by a white cishet man... The book took so long for NOTHING. All of the narration and description with little to no dialogue. It was frustrating.

I finally give up. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, and Sexual harassment

Afterlove by Tanya Byrne

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense 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? No

4.0

It broke me. Unique and powerful.

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston

hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

3.75

It was a great middle grade! (See what I did there??) The world-building? Chef's kiss. The characters? Most of them were great! So why 3.75 stars? Well, I believe it would've benefited the book a quicker pace and the "villain" was so obvious, I was screaming their name from the start. I'd also like to add, that we needed more Elsie- Amari scenes. All in all, for a debut, is very close to flawless. 

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds
Did not finish book. Stopped at 67%.

The concept was interesting, that's what drew me to pick up the book... But it didn't live up to my expectations. Half of the book just repeated itself, I know that's kind of the point, still, I got bored and dnfd it 

The Ravens by Danielle Paige, Kass Morgan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.

Meh...

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0