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anu_wil's reviews
392 reviews
The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma
adventurous
dark
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
3.75
This was GREAT for the first 375 pages or so and then the last hundred fell really flat for me. Looking forward to reading the next one, just wish it had gone a bit differently.
Defy the Storm by Tessa Gratton, Justina Ireland
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Ending felt a bit abrupt but what a fun dark academia slow burn. Good thing the next ones are already out. I liked how the story was told episodically as well, instead of with a continuous plot. Also love some scientifically-based magic
Spineless: The Science of Jellyfish and the Art of Growing a Backbone by Juli Berwald
informative
reflective
slow-paced
If I had known how flippant this author is about Israel I wouldn’t have read this. I was excited a pop sci author was actually visiting with non-western scientists but then she got to Israel and casually mentioned driving by the West Bank and how there are some political tensions between nations on the Mediterranean but they share a beautiful stretch of sea and I was like noooo. That aside, this was just…fine. Some good science, learned some things, didn’t care for the author
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
dark
emotional
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
Wow, haven’t read a book this fast in a long time. Being some years removed from the YA audience I recognized some twisting/countering of typical YA tropes, which I found clever. So much good stuff in here, with queerness, ENM, gender exploration, and a start at forgiveness for generational trauma. I would’ve loved to have this book when I was coming of age.
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I feel like I’m missing something? Some of the short stories were great, others were just fine. It all felt a little disjointed, I didn’t get an overall theme. Interesting format but doesn’t really pack a punch. Some exemplary performances in the audio as well.
The Blood Gift by N.E. Davenport
dark
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
3.0
Still a fun read but not as good as the first. Rarely do I think a series should be longer but this would’ve been stronger as two books. After a high stakes first book where nothing felt secure, this one had deus ex machina after deus ex machina and didn’t pack the same punch, along with uneven pacing others have mentioned. I do hope to see more of Davenport in the future!