annamariesreads's reviews
66 reviews

Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.

It is with regret that I didn't finish.

This book just didn't make me feel anything unfortunately. I felt like the characters felt manufactured and the plot devices were used quite heavy handedly.

I was going to persist but I realised I would be ok not knowing what happened at the end and that's enough for me to want to dnf. Sorry.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

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challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

The best thing about the novel was the style. Cormac McCarthy is definitely a talented writer (stating the obvious).

The relationship between father and son was utterly convincing and reminded me slightly of the novel Room by Emma Donoghue.

The reason I've not given this novel a higher score is that I just wish I knew more. I wish the world was better built and I wish there had been a bit more focus on the plot, although the characters were very compelling.

Definitely not a waste of time to read but if you are looking for a plot that satisfies, this may not be for you.

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

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challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

I've just finished Yellowface. I started on Thursday so I read it in 3 days.
I was unsure whether to rate 3.75 or 3.5, for me it lies somewhere in the middle, but I am going to go with the higher option, just because I was fully engaged and finished it quickly.

This book's greatest strength was its narrative voice. The character of June was so unabashedly repulsive at times and yet, Kuang would keep you on the edge with a hint of unreliable narrator, so you knew you'd need to keep reading. Shout-out to Helen Laser and all her voices on the audiobook, they were amazing. June being so sure of things and then being made to question them really had me on edge the entire book, wondering if there was something I fundamentally misunderstood about her journey due to her unreliable narration.

I also think the way it explores the theme of plagiarism, and the way such a simple deceit can cause lifelong damage is super interesting. Planning to keep this review spoiler free so I'll leave it there.

I think honestly, this book definitely bites. I think it has a lot to say and it packs a punch when it does it. Every chapter was blunt and frank in a way that was refreshing. Unfortunately, where this novel fell short is that I sometimes feel like sometimes, it failed to add nuance to these biting points and I am left at the end, wondering what the moral of the story is. For a book that seemed to have a lot to say, I will probably spend a few days wondering what that is. I guess some would call that the beauty of reading a book, but I feel slightly empty coming away from it.

Nevertheless, I am just a June Hayward and the Athena Lius of the world do not owe me their story. And that is something I did learn.

Overall I enjoyed it, but it just falls short of a four star.

Greywaren by Maggie Stiefvater

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.5

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

I’ll be thinking about this book for a while

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

4.5

This is my favourite book of Helen Hoang’s and the best book in the trilogy by a long way. I read it in under 24 hours. I don’t often write full reviews but this book earned it. I knew Helen Hoang was writing from her heart and it showed. I would recommend reading content warnings before starting this book as it’s not as light and fluffy as the other two but ultimately that was this book’s unique strength. I would recommend this book every day of the week 😊

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced