asteri_mou's reviews
32 reviews

Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova

challenging dark emotional reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.25

I have no idea how to sum up my thoughts of this book. It was such a strange and unusual yet beautifully written exploration of grief and love. The thing I loved most about the book was how montastrilio and M were written. To me, I feel like I was experiencing the struggle between conforming to the human expectations and the Deep desire to be the creature that m was born, with the character. This also reminded me of the book Frankenstein and the things the creature experienced in the human world but also this felt like a different path of what Frankenstein could have been. Because M loved his parents and wasn't angry unlike the creature in frankenstein. There's a lot more I want to say about this book but I have so many feelings and emotions that I just can't put it all into words.

What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher

fast-paced

1.75

This book was a very forgettable experience for me. I don't think the book is actually as bad as I rated it however I did not enjoy it compared to the first one. I rated the first book in this duology five stars. This book is a lot different in the first book in the sense that this is more of a psychological horror. I also just was not invested in the story. I was waiting for this book to come out for a little bit and my expectations were not met. I really like the author's style of writing but it did not Translate well for my enjoyment in this book. I did think that the author explored an interesting idea and I don't think that my rating is a true Testament for the book because I do know people who have enjoyed it but compared to the first one it really was not what I expected it to be.

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

4.0

The book was good overall. It is a little longer than what I usually read so it felt a little slow and boring at times. However, I love Alex and though I somt usually like fantasy, the world building is pretty good and I feel myself fully immersed throughout the book. 

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

The book only got four stars instead of five because I was unable to read it consistently due to my schedule and unfortunately that did hinder the initial understanding of the book. Other than that, this book is so good. It's so incredibly important and Alice Walker is such an incredibly talented author in the way she writes about Sealy's experience and her interactions with the world as being disabled black woman. Even just the Nuance with the historical context woven with the narrative is so incredibly well done and I honestly felt like I was reading a primary historical document. And in a sense it is, even though it is fiction. There's a reason why this book is so highly praised and I honestly think that everybody should read it.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

3.25

I think the author explores a really interesting concept about somebody who isn't happy with their life experiencing different variations of what could have been. And I think that the author explored that well in terms of showing the different variations of life and how even and ones where the characters successful doesn't mean it's always the best life or that everything is perfect. This book is definitely quick feel good read a little temporary boosts and momentum. I don't have very many issues with the writing style though I will admit sometimes the message felt really in your face and really corny. I think that this book could have been a lot more beautiful if the message was more so shown rather than told. I also think that the author didn't do a really good job of showing the reality of depression and suicide ideation. I think that the characters recovery so to speak was too unrealistic; however, for this fictional story I do think that it makes sense for the message of the author's trying to get across. Overall, this book was enjoyable.

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

fast-paced

2.75

This is a good book for young people or people who are beginning to unlearn their perfectionist mindset. However, if you have Listen to If you TED talks on this topic, been to a couple of leadership conferences or professional and personal development meetings, this book might be a little too flat for you.

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak

hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

Elif Shafak, my favorite author. What a beautiful book. 

The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

5.0

My favorite book of all time.

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.25

Shakespeare is Shakespeare. Besides the witches, not his best play; however, he's still a genius. Macbeth was a funny little middle finger to King James.