ari_oreo's reviews
96 reviews

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Poor Sejanus. Poor sensitive foolish Sejanus

I’m in actual pain but Suzanne Collins never disappoints. She rolls out banger after banger 
I don’t usually like prequels focusing on a villain but this? This was amazing. I would go higher than 5 stars if I could. This is a wonderful addition to The Hunger Games series not only for the character but for the worldwide lore. Amazing 

My favorite character died though. It was necessary like Finnicks or Prims death in the main trilogy. Still hurts. My poor boy Sejanus didn’t deserve that!! Katniss is Sejanus’s revenge

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, War, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Animal cruelty

Minor: Cannibalism, Misogyny, Grief, Sexism, Body shaming, Addiction, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, and Drug use

1984 by George Orwell

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

4.75

ow. My brain. It’s broken

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Forced institutionalization, Classism, Violence, Body horror, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Confinement, Death, and Blood

Moderate: Child death, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Cursing, Animal cruelty, Antisemitism, and Emotional abuse

A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Castle of Lies by Kiersi Burkhart

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

1.25

THE MAIN CHARACTER HAS SEX WITH HER COUSIN AND HAS A PHYSICAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM AND A NON-BINARY ELF THAT HAS SUBJUGATED HER RACE. ITS NOT OKAY. THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD SAY ITS NOT OKAY. SHE STILL DOES IT

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders

the main character has sex with her cousin in a weird throuple with an ancient elf

Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim

adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Fairest by Chanda Hahn
Did not finish book. Stopped at 85%.

Oh like this book and series are great for younger readers. Perhaps kids within the 10-13 age range. Like I used to love this series as a 9 year old kid to the point where I begged my mom to buy me the sequels after getting the first for free. I got through Unenchanted, the first book and I could feel my fond memories fading away as I read. It seems time has been my enemy and I just can’t read these anymore. I’m nearly 17 now and older than the protagonist and it feels so immature. It’s my problem and again I will say I love this series. I’ve found it best to leave my memories alone and not spoil them with an older mind. If y’all have younger family members or friends, you should recommend this series - if only to give them a little idea of what life was like in the 2010s