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athenacomplex's reviews
220 reviews
Atonement by Ian McEwan
Or, in which jealous teenager Briony Tallis walks in on her older sister Cecilia having a romantic tryst with gardener boy Robbie Turner. Briony, a writer with an overactive imagination, assumes Robbie sexually assaulted Cecilia and their cousin Lola. Briony reports this to the police, and chaos ensues.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Rich with food for thought, but often too slow-paced.
"Yes, she was just a child. But not every child sends a man to prison with a lie."
Or, in which jealous teenager Briony Tallis walks in on her older sister Cecilia having a romantic tryst with gardener boy Robbie Turner. Briony, a writer with an overactive imagination, assumes Robbie sexually assaulted Cecilia and their cousin Lola. Briony reports this to the police, and chaos ensues.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Sexual assault
Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood
the strangely buff man strikes again, as usual
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
short and simple
"Please don't build an atomic bomb."
"Don't tell me what to do."
He sighs. "I'll make room for the plutonium in the cheese drawer."
the strangely buff man strikes again, as usual
Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
sometimes the enemies to lovers is a little too fast ali hazelwood ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ i get it’s a novella but…
Assassin of Fire and Sacrifice by Mary Mecham
Some intriguing but surface-level commentary on political figureheads, a few unnecessary plot twists, and some plot holes.
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Predictable but cute.
"You were never bluffing, were you? ...Who are you?"
Some intriguing but surface-level commentary on political figureheads, a few unnecessary plot twists, and some plot holes.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Contrary to my magical middle school memories of this book, it was stuffed with one-dimensional villains and unsatisfying insta-love. Cinder's sisterly love for Peony carried the plot.
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Underwhelming re-read.
"I'm not sure I would label it a 'survivor,'" said Iko, her sensor darkening with disgust. "It looks more like a rotting pumpkin."
Contrary to my magical middle school memories of this book, it was stuffed with one-dimensional villains and unsatisfying insta-love. Cinder's sisterly love for Peony carried the plot.
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
Or, in which the devil wreaks havoc in Moscow. Provides interesting commentary on the necessity of evil to determine good, the vice of materialism, and the far-reaching lengths of Soviet tyranny.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Crazy, convoluted, and very cool.
"The only thing that can save a mortally wounded cat," said the cat, "is a swig of kerosene..."
Or, in which the devil wreaks havoc in Moscow. Provides interesting commentary on the necessity of evil to determine good, the vice of materialism, and the far-reaching lengths of Soviet tyranny.
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
probably not chess accurate but very cute; one of ali hazelwood’s best imo. as always the best friend character is one-dimensional and the main man is strangely buff, but the main character’s dysfunctional family trope was surprisingly not badly written. the abrupt ending was odd, but given the author’s lack of experience with chess, i’m sure it was difficult to write about the championship.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
on a mission to read the viral books and this is funny
In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
Or, in which readers obtain an account of historical figures enriched with societal symbolism through shifts in perspective and numerous other literary devices.
reflective
4.0
Intriguing and compelling.
"Everything is for sale here, everything but your freedom."
Or, in which readers obtain an account of historical figures enriched with societal symbolism through shifts in perspective and numerous other literary devices.