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aprilyang1's reviews
96 reviews
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
1.0
I rated ‘A Wrinkle in Time ‘ 1 star.
I read this because I wanted to read books I missed as a child. However, this story fell extremely flat. I enjoyed the first 3 chapters, but past that I struggled to understand where the story was going (it did not help that the children asked literally everyone what was going on and everyone kept saying “have patience”). Calvin was the only consistent character throughout the story and was probably more consistent than the story itself. Meg, despite being smarter or special, let her emotions take over and control her every move. It felt repetitive to see her lack of character development at every hurdle. I felt Calvin was more of a main character than Meg in all aspects.
The dialogue felt flat and interchangeable between characters. It didn’t feel unique or special in any way. I also felt the descriptions were there just to make the story longer and did not add anything substantial to the story itself.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book as a whole. Despite this, there were moments here and there I enjoyed.
I read this because I wanted to read books I missed as a child. However, this story fell extremely flat. I enjoyed the first 3 chapters, but past that I struggled to understand where the story was going (it did not help that the children asked literally everyone what was going on and everyone kept saying “have patience”). Calvin was the only consistent character throughout the story and was probably more consistent than the story itself. Meg, despite being smarter or special, let her emotions take over and control her every move. It felt repetitive to see her lack of character development at every hurdle. I felt Calvin was more of a main character than Meg in all aspects.
The dialogue felt flat and interchangeable between characters. It didn’t feel unique or special in any way. I also felt the descriptions were there just to make the story longer and did not add anything substantial to the story itself.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book as a whole. Despite this, there were moments here and there I enjoyed.
Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach
4.0
I rated ‘Not Here to be Liked’ 3.5 stars.
I felt that the first half was extremely slow and not captivating. I also felt Len was very two-dimensional resulting in me not understanding how Eliza showed any interest in him romantically. Aside from the fact that I knew he was important, I didn’t feel that he played any important role other than the obvious at this point.
Thankfully, it picked up around the half way point and from there I was sucked in and could not put the book down. I loved all the characters (yes, even Len half way through) and I loved the connections I made between Len and Eliza’s parents and my own.
Personally, in the beginning, I thought I wouldn’t like the book because of how feminism seemed to be portrayed, but by the end I think it’s really about Eliza and her friends journey on understanding what feminism is.
In the end, I would’ve loved more to highlight each character’s accomplishments in depth. Overall though, it was a nice light read and I enjoyed it!
I felt that the first half was extremely slow and not captivating. I also felt Len was very two-dimensional resulting in me not understanding how Eliza showed any interest in him romantically. Aside from the fact that I knew he was important, I didn’t feel that he played any important role other than the obvious at this point.
Thankfully, it picked up around the half way point and from there I was sucked in and could not put the book down. I loved all the characters (yes, even Len half way through) and I loved the connections I made between Len and Eliza’s parents and my own.
Personally, in the beginning, I thought I wouldn’t like the book because of how feminism seemed to be portrayed, but by the end I think it’s really about Eliza and her friends journey on understanding what feminism is.
In the end, I would’ve loved more to highlight each character’s accomplishments in depth. Overall though, it was a nice light read and I enjoyed it!
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
5.0
I never read the series as a child, but I have seen all the films and absolutely loved those. Of course, I’m not sure if that’s saying much since I’ve seen mixed feelings about how well the movies stayed true to the books.
However, overall, I felt this book had the perfect amount of world building and description needed to experience everything without becoming overwhelming. I also felt that the pacing was good for it being a relatively shorter children’s chapter book. It never felt dragged or rushed at any point.
Each character felt consistent and personable throughout the story to the point it was as if they were real people. The dialogue supported the characters further making everything flow seamlessly and naturally. This is a big thing for me because I feel there are many books that struggle to have conversations between characters sound natural, especially when creating dialogue between children.
Despite the fact that I feel the movie did decent in comparison, the book showed so much spunk and character that the movies did not fully replicate.
Overall, I think this is a really great book, as we all know, and I’m excited to finish the series!
However, overall, I felt this book had the perfect amount of world building and description needed to experience everything without becoming overwhelming. I also felt that the pacing was good for it being a relatively shorter children’s chapter book. It never felt dragged or rushed at any point.
Each character felt consistent and personable throughout the story to the point it was as if they were real people. The dialogue supported the characters further making everything flow seamlessly and naturally. This is a big thing for me because I feel there are many books that struggle to have conversations between characters sound natural, especially when creating dialogue between children.
Despite the fact that I feel the movie did decent in comparison, the book showed so much spunk and character that the movies did not fully replicate.
Overall, I think this is a really great book, as we all know, and I’m excited to finish the series!
Hollow City by Ransom Riggs
5.0
Absolutely amazing! The writing was so beautiful I felt like I was in the story. It got my adrenaline pumping! I found myself having to take a moment because my eyes wanted to read faster than I could comprehend.
The introduction to a few new peculiars was key to the story and flowed naturally. I felt that each new character had a significant role. The pictures, again, definitely added so much more depth to the story and those characters.
The twist at the end? I could not have ever imagined. I am immediately starting the next book because of this.
While I did find minor areas where it felt slow or over described, the overall story makes up for anything.
5 star read for sure.
The introduction to a few new peculiars was key to the story and flowed naturally. I felt that each new character had a significant role. The pictures, again, definitely added so much more depth to the story and those characters.
The twist at the end? I could not have ever imagined. I am immediately starting the next book because of this.
While I did find minor areas where it felt slow or over described, the overall story makes up for anything.
5 star read for sure.
Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs
4.0
Amazing.
It took me some time to get into the story, but it was still so well written I couldn’t put it down. The battle against Caul was so well written I felt as if I were there experiencing everything. It was the perfect amount of crazy, battle, and re-building.
I also enjoyed the development of Emma and Jacob’s relationship. The hard decisions they had to make felt so mature, especially since Jacob is only 16.
Overall, I absolutely adored this book. A 4/5 because of the slow start, but such an amazing story once it picks up.
It took me some time to get into the story, but it was still so well written I couldn’t put it down. The battle against Caul was so well written I felt as if I were there experiencing everything. It was the perfect amount of crazy, battle, and re-building.
I also enjoyed the development of Emma and Jacob’s relationship. The hard decisions they had to make felt so mature, especially since Jacob is only 16.
Overall, I absolutely adored this book. A 4/5 because of the slow start, but such an amazing story once it picks up.
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
5.0
I honestly liked this book way more than I thought I would! I picked it up randomly to see what it was about and I was drawn in right from the beginning. The pacing was great, it flowed so naturally throughout the entire book, i never felt bored while reading, and it was captivating all the way to the end.
I will admit the romance felt a bit forced between Emma & Jacob. I also still can’t wrap my head around them being a thing after Emma & Franklin (the grandpa)…BUT we’ll move past that because everything else in the story makes up for it.
Overall, such a surprising 5-star read for me!
I will admit the romance felt a bit forced between Emma & Jacob. I also still can’t wrap my head around them being a thing after Emma & Franklin (the grandpa)…BUT we’ll move past that because everything else in the story makes up for it.
Overall, such a surprising 5-star read for me!
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
5.0
My favorite book out of the series so far! I really really enjoyed the wizarding games concept.
This book serves as an important turning point in the story so a lot happens compared to the prior books. Because of this, it feels so much more detailed and engaging. I felt all the emotions while reading. I was anxious, angry, sad, and excited! I was so hooked making it hard for me to put the book down.
Like I said, definitely my favorite book out of the series so far! 5 star read for sure!
This book serves as an important turning point in the story so a lot happens compared to the prior books. Because of this, it feels so much more detailed and engaging. I felt all the emotions while reading. I was anxious, angry, sad, and excited! I was so hooked making it hard for me to put the book down.
Like I said, definitely my favorite book out of the series so far! 5 star read for sure!
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
4.5
I rated Order of the Phoenix a 4.5 stars, but rounded it up to 5 stars!
This book took me some time to get through because I was going through a reading slump and it did not help that the beginning of this book was not really grabbing my attention.
After some time, it really starts to pick up despite there not being any intense action. There was just a lot going on, but I felt like it was all so interesting and kept you wanting to read more.
There’s really no words for how much I enjoyed this book after I got over my little reading slump. Just so intriguing and I am so excited to read the next one. If you’ve only seen the movies (like myself) I think this is where you really start to get mad the movies took away and changed so much (at least that’s how I feel now).
This book took me some time to get through because I was going through a reading slump and it did not help that the beginning of this book was not really grabbing my attention.
After some time, it really starts to pick up despite there not being any intense action. There was just a lot going on, but I felt like it was all so interesting and kept you wanting to read more.
There’s really no words for how much I enjoyed this book after I got over my little reading slump. Just so intriguing and I am so excited to read the next one. If you’ve only seen the movies (like myself) I think this is where you really start to get mad the movies took away and changed so much (at least that’s how I feel now).