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anavidreader_18's reviews
30 reviews
Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 19%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 19%.
Honestly this book was quite dark and depressing from the start. The politics side was a bit confusing and not something I'm massively invested in. I might pick it up later when I can handle a bit more death and sadness because I think I needed to read something a bit more light-hearted. Nothing legitimately wrong with this book just not for me 🤷♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Child death, and Death
Powerful by Lauren Roberts
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
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
4.75
I think this is the first time I've cried so hard over a book in a good long while.
This was a short Novella, obviously meant to be fast paced, and at the beginning it did feel a bit rushed to me but that could be because I'm more used to slow burn stories. But did the fact that this was only 245 pages make me loose or lack any connection to the characters? Hell the fuck no.
Both Mak and Adena where such beautifully fleshed out characters with so much depth I really got the sense that they were real people. Which only made the last 50 pages just that much harder. And Adena might as well be my twin because we are like bloody incarnates. Only she could make a friend while in prison.
It was also so refreshing to see a female main character in a fantasy novel be soft, kind – a lover not a fighter. And this never took away from her strength as a person and really showed that you don't need to know how to sword fight or be more traditionally "manly" in order to be badass. Which unfortunately, I think a lot of fantasy books follow. Both can be just as powerful as the next.
So in conclusion...
Did I kick and squeal so much I'd have to rock myself like a baby to calm down? ...maybe.
Did I scream and curse at Lauren for writing that ending? Yes.
Will I ever recover? Who knows.
All in all this was such a beautiful, somehow both comforting and painful read. I could really see Lauren's writing progress with this one and it makes me just that much more terrified and exited for her next installment.
10/10 recommend.
This was a short Novella, obviously meant to be fast paced, and at the beginning it did feel a bit rushed to me but that could be because I'm more used to slow burn stories. But did the fact that this was only 245 pages make me loose or lack any connection to the characters? Hell the fuck no.
Both Mak and Adena where such beautifully fleshed out characters with so much depth I really got the sense that they were real people. Which only made the last 50 pages just that much harder. And Adena might as well be my twin because we are like bloody incarnates. Only she could make a friend while in prison.
It was also so refreshing to see a female main character in a fantasy novel be soft, kind – a lover not a fighter. And this never took away from her strength as a person and really showed that you don't need to know how to sword fight or be more traditionally "manly" in order to be badass. Which unfortunately, I think a lot of fantasy books follow. Both can be just as powerful as the next.
So in conclusion...
Did I kick and squeal so much I'd have to rock myself like a baby to calm down? ...maybe.
Did I scream and curse at Lauren for writing that ending? Yes.
Will I ever recover? Who knows.
All in all this was such a beautiful, somehow both comforting and painful read. I could really see Lauren's writing progress with this one and it makes me just that much more terrified and exited for her next installment.
10/10 recommend.
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5
I will say this took me a while to get through. The first half of the book was slow going at first and it took me a while to really get invested in things, especially because this book was just over 500 pages long. But once it got going – oh man. Very intense and kept me guessing and at the edge of my seat the entire time. Would absolutely recommend.
So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a crying break before picking up the novella.
So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a crying break before picking up the novella.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Child death, Death, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent
Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach
challenging
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I don't honestly feel like I have much today. The reviews for this seem to be quite split, but I don't think I have very many strong feelings. I think the way feminism, the way it was challenged in Eliza throughout the book and the relationships she had with the other female characters were great.
But I will admit, this wasn't my cup of tea.
I didn't really feel connected to any of the characters and to be honest, didn't seem much of the chemistry between Eliza and Len. Of course this book was going to be quite feminist focused, but considering it's also a romance I was expecting a bit more... well, romance. I understand attraction doesn't always make sense and can kind of just happen, but I didn't get why they liked eachother so much? I'm not sure, maybe it was just me, but overall I didn't mind this book. It just took me quite a while to get through.
But I will admit, this wasn't my cup of tea.
I didn't really feel connected to any of the characters and to be honest, didn't seem much of the chemistry between Eliza and Len. Of course this book was going to be quite feminist focused, but considering it's also a romance I was expecting a bit more... well, romance. I understand attraction doesn't always make sense and can kind of just happen, but I didn't get why they liked eachother so much? I'm not sure, maybe it was just me, but overall I didn't mind this book. It just took me quite a while to get through.
Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.75
I Hope This Doesn't Find You by Ann Liang
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
Did not finish book. Stopped at 80%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 80%.
I want to start of with saying I don't think there's anything objectively wrong with this book.
It had a right pacing, I understood Elsie and really felt for her at times, definitely loved her relationship with Jack and wanted to see how things worked out. But I was about 100 pages away from finishing and just couldn't do it.
I didn't feel any pull to keep reading. There weren't many stakes, I didn't feel a whole lot of anxiety or tension. I felt like things kinda of resolved themselves quickly (which I glad about so that Elsie and Jack could form a great relationship with no prolonged miscommunication) but there wasn't much else that made me want to keep going.
The second act low point and the drama that would come with it didn't feel like it was coming. Maybe it came soon after I stopped reading, who knows? But I couldn't feel the anxiety building up knowing that it was just right around the corner.
It had a right pacing, I understood Elsie and really felt for her at times, definitely loved her relationship with Jack and wanted to see how things worked out. But I was about 100 pages away from finishing and just couldn't do it.
I didn't feel any pull to keep reading. There weren't many stakes, I didn't feel a whole lot of anxiety or tension. I felt like things kinda of resolved themselves quickly (which I glad about so that Elsie and Jack could form a great relationship with no prolonged miscommunication) but there wasn't much else that made me want to keep going.
The second act low point and the drama that would come with it didn't feel like it was coming. Maybe it came soon after I stopped reading, who knows? But I couldn't feel the anxiety building up knowing that it was just right around the corner.
My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
I didn't up connecting to any of these characters. They all felt flat and boring, nothing seemed to be happening and it just dragged on. Took me about a week to get 30-50 pages in and just gave up.
If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.5
Woah.
This book is just... woah.
This made me feel so many emotions. It made me cry, laugh and squeal like there was no tomorrow. The characters where to beautifully constructed, and they felt so real. With flaws like everyone else, but still just so wonderful and likeable.
I really felt for Alice throughout this story, and was so happy to see how she progress and developed.
Henry Li was also amazing, and I absolutely loved their dynamic and romantic progression. It felt so natural and coincided with Alice's character development well. I also deeply appreciated how they had eachother's backs, that there was no unnecessary fight or misunderstandings. You could tell they where so good for eachother.
This book also just had the most beautiful message and story. It was so complex and fleshed out, but was also easy to understand and relate to on some level. I just know this book is going to stay with me for a long time.
This book is just... woah.
This made me feel so many emotions. It made me cry, laugh and squeal like there was no tomorrow. The characters where to beautifully constructed, and they felt so real. With flaws like everyone else, but still just so wonderful and likeable.
I really felt for Alice throughout this story, and was so happy to see how she progress and developed.
Henry Li was also amazing, and I absolutely loved their dynamic and romantic progression. It felt so natural and coincided with Alice's character development well. I also deeply appreciated how they had eachother's backs, that there was no unnecessary fight or misunderstandings. You could tell they where so good for eachother.
This book also just had the most beautiful message and story. It was so complex and fleshed out, but was also easy to understand and relate to on some level. I just know this book is going to stay with me for a long time.