apenguinkeeper's reviews
504 reviews

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black

3.75

I was in a debilitating reading slump when I started this book, so  it’s not Stolen Heir’s fault. It’s also been a while since I read the original trilogy so jumping into it was a little difficult.

I picked it back up about halfway through a couple days ago, now out of the slump, and it was amazing. THE ROMANCE. THE DRAMA. THE BETRAYAL. And I finally understood what was going on instead of blacking out every few pages so that’s good news.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

3.5

The beginning was unbelievably boring. It dragged, and I wanted it to speed up. The messaging during the beginning was important though, I just thought it could've been more interesting.

THE TRIAL THOUGH. It picked up about 2/3 through the book when the trial started, and that part was thrilling. The ups and downs I felt-

At the end, it was boring again, but it was sad boring. It was easier to get through than the beginning.

The Secret of the Moon Conch by Guadalupe García McCall, David Bowles

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Honestly, I feel like a lot of this book was another book that was what I call a “representation book,” a book written by the authors to create a cast of characters that are diverse without making those characters 3-dimensional outside of their respective representated communities. It’s not inherently a bad thing, I just find it harder to enjoy those kinds of books when I feel like im not connecting with the characters if I’m not the specific group they represent. Diverse characters can be diverse and also be complicated characters with traits everyone can connect to.

But regardless of that, I think the message this book portrays is hugely important, especially going into the 2024 election and everything, where Trump plans on deporting many undocumented immigrants like Sitlali in this novel. I don’t usually like to bring political views into books, but I think the message was really clear and really well done. 

Tales from the Hinterland by Melissa Albert

4.75

I haven't read the OG series, and I'd love to have read it because maybe I would've gotten even more out of these stories.

I loved them. I don't really have anything else to add, they were great.

The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman

3.0

I loved the concept, I've never seen anything like it. The plot was overall great. 

I would say this is a very cozy book, so in terms of stakes it didn't seem very high to me. This was a very nice book and for the right person it will definitely be a 5.

House of Marionne by J. Elle

4.5

I actually loved this concept, loved the protagonist. The love interest was a little iffy for me as a person but I can maybe look past it. 

That twist though? Beautiful. Spectacular. Wish I could’ve predicted it.

Also Abby as a character is just the best. I love her and I want to see more of her. 

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

5.0

In all honesty, this wasn’t the most thrilling book I’ve ever read. It got boring at times. But boy was it one of the most unique and best books I’ve ever read.

My brain hurts. A lot. I’m definitely going to remember this book for a long time. The art of spoiling certain parts of the book while still making it shocking and interesting was amazing. All of the characters were memorable, and the number of twists at the end had me wondering how it all came together with nothing missed and realizing that everything during this book was deliberate.

Definitely in the top 3 mysteries I’ve ever read now.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

5.0

I absolutely LOVED this concept.

Girl on the boundaries of death? Falls in love with Death??? Beautiful.

THAT MOMENT WHEN SILAS TURNED OUT TO ALSO BE DEATH HAD ME SCREAMINGGGG

Was so not expecting Percy. I thought it was Elijah the whole time but omg it was PERCY WHAT A LOOP

There’s so much screaming happening and it was so worth it I need to read the next book

The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi

5.0

ALRIGHT. WHAT.

First off, what a wild ride. I was kept very invested nearly the entire book.

Good on Laila for finally telling SOMEONE she's dying. But did it have to be Enrique who told Severin??? THAT HURTED.

KILLING EVERYONE OFF WAS JUST A POWER MOVE BY THE AUTHOR AT THIS POINT. Never rest easy in these books. I've never felt more attacked by the author of a novel in my life. And cutting it off before they're clearly going to come back to life?? RUDE. VERY RUDE.

Anyway highly recommend this trilogy. Have fun y'all.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

4.5

This book was definitely amazing.

I loved so many elements of it. The whole

Grey meets Jake and Noah and they instantly hate him was amazing and that scene will probably live in my head for awhile.

I will say even though it’s marketed as a Beauty and the Beast retelling, it only very vaguely had that.

He’s not a beast almost all of the book, and although she has to fall in love with him to break the curse, he was a man the entire time she was falling in love with him.

It just felt more like an inspiration than a retelling, and there’s nothing wrong with that but it shouldn’t have been marketed that way.