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anisyrah's reviews
70 reviews
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
I fully understand why everyone is loving this book. And you know what? There were times I was kicking my little feet too. But the amount of pure horniness in this book when the stakes are SO high feels out of place and, if anything, diminishes the incredibly well-crafted tension. Like, we're really going to want to bang right after she wakes up from being unconscious for three days?? Bye.
Am I going to read the second one? Yeah, of course. And I'm happy for all the TikTok girlies who are having a field day with it. Lowkey wish I could like it *that* much too.
Am I going to read the second one? Yeah, of course. And I'm happy for all the TikTok girlies who are having a field day with it. Lowkey wish I could like it *that* much too.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Feyre was a really enjoyable narrator to explore the world of Prythian, but the world-building fell to the side often to instead be blacked out with Feyre somehow being too intoxicated or inebriated to fully explore it. Her loss of will became an uncomfy plot device to end scenes sooner than I would’ve liked to be able to learn more about SJM’s world or her characters. Very little felt revealed about them beyond trope-like development.
I did greatly enjoy Feyre’s need to recall during the final challenge. As a reader, it felt very full circle. But the answer to the world-saving riddle felt a little too Disney and childish for my personal preference, especially for how high the stakes were.
Overall, SJM seems to be good at characters interacting together in a scene. The dialogue was incredibly fun to read. But I wish some of that wittiness was expanded elsewhere in the novel.
I did greatly enjoy Feyre’s need to recall during the final challenge. As a reader, it felt very full circle. But the answer to the world-saving riddle felt a little too Disney and childish for my personal preference, especially for how high the stakes were.
Overall, SJM seems to be good at characters interacting together in a scene. The dialogue was incredibly fun to read. But I wish some of that wittiness was expanded elsewhere in the novel.
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Returning to this world again has been so, so rewarding. I remember the second in this series not being my favorite, but it was still really good. The nostalgia factor really amps this up and, reading as an adult, I love Tyson so much more as a character.
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
5.0
"You have to speak the thing you're feeling, even if it scares you. You have to tell your story. You have to raise your voice."
Being candid: prior to this book, I knew very little about Britney Spears' life. I knew the average person's amount, things like her double denim look with Justin Timberlake; her shaved head (through memes); and her most popular songs that appear on her Spotify top five.
After this? I'll be doing an incredibly deep dive because while I'm not a fan of her music (yet), I'm a fan of her character. Britney absolutely spills her heart in this memoir. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me out loud cheer "Yes, Britney!" at so many points. I've just absolutely fallen in love with her written voice -- and I'm excited to convert that over to falling in love with her singing voice.
Being candid: prior to this book, I knew very little about Britney Spears' life. I knew the average person's amount, things like her double denim look with Justin Timberlake; her shaved head (through memes); and her most popular songs that appear on her Spotify top five.
After this? I'll be doing an incredibly deep dive because while I'm not a fan of her music (yet), I'm a fan of her character. Britney absolutely spills her heart in this memoir. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me out loud cheer "Yes, Britney!" at so many points. I've just absolutely fallen in love with her written voice -- and I'm excited to convert that over to falling in love with her singing voice.
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Umm was it just me or did I completely remember incorrectly just how much flack the Hunters of Artemis got?? I ADORED them as a kid reading this series! If anything? They contributed to my gay awakening to some degree, thinking about how badass it would be to be immortal forever, hunting with Artemis, and how easy it would be to give up boys for that. Nearly everyone dunked on them in the book. I don’t remember that at all and it gave early 2000s misogyny/feminism.
Beyond that major plot point, the book moved at a good pace and definitely built up the tension for the series. I remember this one being my favorite as a kid, but so far, the first book has been rereading as an adult. It was still a good addition to the series and plot!
Beyond that major plot point, the book moved at a good pace and definitely built up the tension for the series. I remember this one being my favorite as a kid, but so far, the first book has been rereading as an adult. It was still a good addition to the series and plot!
Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
“To be truly brave, at first you must be afraid. And to be afraid, you must have something you cannot bear to lose.”
I truly enjoyed these characters so much. All of them felt very clearly defined and well-rounded, so much so they popped off the page (or the audiobook’s transcript).
My only real fault with the book was that the plot felt a little shaky. I’ve read other Lex Croucher books and felt this way as well. Their endings often feel a bit jostling in terms of how we get from one plot point to the next.
The medieval vibes were absolutely immaculate and the banter was 10/10!
I truly enjoyed these characters so much. All of them felt very clearly defined and well-rounded, so much so they popped off the page (or the audiobook’s transcript).
My only real fault with the book was that the plot felt a little shaky. I’ve read other Lex Croucher books and felt this way as well. Their endings often feel a bit jostling in terms of how we get from one plot point to the next.
The medieval vibes were absolutely immaculate and the banter was 10/10!
Venom & Vow by Elliott McLemore, Anna-Marie McLemore
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.0
Venom & Vow unites the concept of two incredibly rich folklores with incredibly diverse main characters. Getting to explore both a trans masc and an enby’s POVs as they navigate both identity and an enemies to lovers plot line was scrumptious.
The vibes of this book are incredible. Scenes and outfits are described in ornate detail, which really make the story incredibly atmospheric. Not only are the main characters incredibly fun to explore through dual POVs, but their enemies to lovers trek is actually believable.
The only thing I would have loved more of was world building beyond a single scene or character interaction. The world had so much to offer and I truly just wanted more. The ending also felt a little rushed, but maybe that was just me not being ready to leave the book, its cozy setting, and its adorable characters yet!
The vibes of this book are incredible. Scenes and outfits are described in ornate detail, which really make the story incredibly atmospheric. Not only are the main characters incredibly fun to explore through dual POVs, but their enemies to lovers trek is actually believable.
The only thing I would have loved more of was world building beyond a single scene or character interaction. The world had so much to offer and I truly just wanted more. The ending also felt a little rushed, but maybe that was just me not being ready to leave the book, its cozy setting, and its adorable characters yet!
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book is not what it was advertised to me as, so it’s difficult to not have that cloud my opinion.
I was told this was a sapphic fantasy novel with fae, heavy emphasis on the queer romance. And while that was maybe 2% of the book, there was more on page development between two straight characters—and even then, the “development” of that romance wasn’t very strong.
And when we did get spice? It was so incredibly bland and maybe lasted a minute in audiobook reading. There was no kicking of my little feet, and that’s incredibly disappointing.
On top of that, the pacing of the book’s story as a whole feels incredibly slow and off-kilter. We spent so much time just wandering around that it felt very ungrounded and disorganized. Although I will say, the twist fully caught me off guard and I gasped, so that was a win!
Not my favorite. Not sure if I’ll read the rest in this series when they come out.
I was told this was a sapphic fantasy novel with fae, heavy emphasis on the queer romance. And while that was maybe 2% of the book, there was more on page development between two straight characters—and even then, the “development” of that romance wasn’t very strong.
And when we did get spice? It was so incredibly bland and maybe lasted a minute in audiobook reading. There was no kicking of my little feet, and that’s incredibly disappointing.
On top of that, the pacing of the book’s story as a whole feels incredibly slow and off-kilter. We spent so much time just wandering around that it felt very ungrounded and disorganized. Although I will say, the twist fully caught me off guard and I gasped, so that was a win!
Not my favorite. Not sure if I’ll read the rest in this series when they come out.
Not in the Plan by Dana Hawkins
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
"What in the white chocolate mocha hell is going on?" AHHH!!
As an ex-barista who served her time and sentence, I adored the setting of this book so, so much. Not in the Plan's main characters Charlie and Mack absolutely pop off the page. I can call them best friends even though they're fictional . . . right??! I need them in a queer friend group ASAP, please and thank you.
Charlie's development as a previously co-dependent person was so lovely to see. There's truly nothing like seeing a character, especially a queer woman, fully come into her own, accept her own value, and appreciate herself. Mack's such an incredibly big, anxious sweetheart who, despite her own issues, really grows individually and thanks to Charlie. Getting to see these two grow as people with the motivation of being better individuals to be better partners was so heartwarming to see. I really liked that their flaws were discussed so much. These two were such a fun pairing. I'd read literally anything else these two are in -- or that Dana publishes!! Please more soon!!
Thank you SO much NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my first ever e-ARC! All opinions are my own
As an ex-barista who served her time and sentence, I adored the setting of this book so, so much. Not in the Plan's main characters Charlie and Mack absolutely pop off the page. I can call them best friends even though they're fictional . . . right??! I need them in a queer friend group ASAP, please and thank you.
Charlie's development as a previously co-dependent person was so lovely to see. There's truly nothing like seeing a character, especially a queer woman, fully come into her own, accept her own value, and appreciate herself. Mack's such an incredibly big, anxious sweetheart who, despite her own issues, really grows individually and thanks to Charlie. Getting to see these two grow as people with the motivation of being better individuals to be better partners was so heartwarming to see. I really liked that their flaws were discussed so much. These two were such a fun pairing. I'd read literally anything else these two are in -- or that Dana publishes!! Please more soon!!
Thank you SO much NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my first ever e-ARC! All opinions are my own
The Tea Dragon Festival by K. O'Neill
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0