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baponthecob's reviews
65 reviews
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I'm not going to lie, I feel like they're the kind of couple that will break up after high school. But they're cute for now and that's fine.
When Night Breaks by Janella Angeles
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
While i love the endgame couple's dynamic, i just can never understand fast romances like this. do allos really fall in love that fast? they had chemistry and friendship and everything i love in a couple, but i wish there was more pining.
however, i know that this is what a lot of people dream of for a relationship. the overall themes of friendship and staying true to yourself really resonated with me and carried me away with the story. usually, too-fast romance takes me out of things, but i was able to forget about that and just enjoy that this is Noah's life right now and he's figuring things out and things will be messy. it was a story about hope. i dont think it needed to be realistic, but it was anyway
however, i know that this is what a lot of people dream of for a relationship. the overall themes of friendship and staying true to yourself really resonated with me and carried me away with the story. usually, too-fast romance takes me out of things, but i was able to forget about that and just enjoy that this is Noah's life right now and he's figuring things out and things will be messy. it was a story about hope. i dont think it needed to be realistic, but it was anyway
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Suicide attempt
The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
the pacing was on the fast side for me. this book couldve benefitred from a little more nuance, but I understand that's not the kind of story everyone wants to tell.
the characters and relationships were realistic, although I think the romance was too rushed. so was the resolution. realistically, things get messy and there are ups and downs, and awkwardness, and unsureness before you can really go back to being true friends with someone you've disconnected from. I'm envious of the optimistic ending, but i think that makes me appreciate it more
I think I read this book at the right time in my life. it's given me hope that maybe things will turn out ok
the characters and relationships were realistic, although I think the romance was too rushed. so was the resolution.
I think I read this book at the right time in my life. it's given me hope that maybe things will turn out ok
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Bullying
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Misogyny, Suicide, Abortion, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Body shaming, Homophobia, Blood, and Vomit
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A truly phenomenal book. Definitely holds up 9 years after the first time I read it in grade school.
My only real criticism is that we dont see enough of the Owenses. It really seems like Silas is the one who raised Bod. (I mean, Bod literally called him dad that one time.)
Of course, I know that his parents love him so much, but it would have been amazing to see them being a family more often.
It feels like for the most part, they dismissed Bod a lot bc they wanted to protect him. Silas was the only one who was straight with him.
Also, I'm glad the massive fucking tree trunk eventually fell out of Miss Lupescu's ass, but why was she such an asshole at first anyway???
Overall, I loved seeing Bod grow up and learn about the world and make friends :( it was really heartwarming to see how much everyone in the graveyard cared about him.
The ending was really bittersweet, and it hits different as someone who is supposed to have hit adulthood and gained independence already. But, yk, the time comes when it comes.
My only real criticism is that we dont see enough of the Owenses. It really seems like Silas is the one who raised Bod. (I mean, Bod literally called him dad that one time.)
Of course, I know that his parents love him so much, but it would have been amazing to see them being a family more often.
It feels like for the most part, they dismissed Bod a lot bc they wanted to protect him. Silas was the only one who was straight with him.
Also, I'm glad the massive fucking tree trunk eventually fell out of Miss Lupescu's ass, but why was she such an asshole at first anyway???
Overall, I loved seeing Bod grow up and learn about the world and make friends :( it was really heartwarming to see how much everyone in the graveyard cared about him.
The ending was really bittersweet, and it hits different as someone who is supposed to have hit adulthood and gained independence already. But, yk, the time comes when it comes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Child death, Confinement, Car accident, and Alcohol
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Honestly I wasn't initially that compelled by a first contact story, but I became really invested in the plot and characters??? April May felt so real. She's kind of a shit, but that's the point. I relate to the parts of her that are impulsive and want to sabotage her relationships and are overly prideful to hide how she's deeply insecure. She wasn't some kind of hero; she was just. A person.
I love how she had to learn that she couldnt do everything by herself. She had to let go of her pride and allow herself to be vulnerable, and to admit that she needs help.
The writing style threw me off at first bc it was so casual, but I ended up liking it. Hearing it on an audiobook made it feel like something a regular person actually documented. Kind of refreshing compared to what I've read lately
The pacing was fast for me, but it didnt bother me too much. Maybe some of April's traits could have been built up to instead of her kind of info dumping before something happened. But overall, not a big deal
That cliffhanger at the end should be illegal though 😔 jail
I love how she had to learn that she couldnt do everything by herself. She had to let go of her pride and allow herself to be vulnerable, and to admit that she needs help.
The writing style threw me off at first bc it was so casual, but I ended up liking it. Hearing it on an audiobook made it feel like something a regular person actually documented. Kind of refreshing compared to what I've read lately
The pacing was fast for me, but it didnt bother me too much. Maybe some of April's traits could have been built up to instead of her kind of info dumping before something happened. But overall, not a big deal
That cliffhanger at the end should be illegal though 😔 jail
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Medical content
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I don't even know how to describe what this book means to me. I haven't seen that much queer Asian representation in media, so it was amazing to see that here. Especially her family's reaction to her coming out.
I think it's more heartbreaking that everyone in Lily's life who disapprove simply don't understand. They love her and just want the best for her. Her parents, her aunt. Even Shirley must have cared about her. But that doesn't change how traumatic an experience this was for Lily. She was never really heard.
I was really pissed off at Lily's mom for getting mad at her for running away. How can you make your home an unsafe space for your child and then be mad that she doesn't want to be there? I love Lily's brother for offering to beat people up for her though.
The epilogue was bittersweet to me because she's still close with her family, but to me, it's clear that they still don't like the fact that she's gay. And yet, she's found a way to keep in touch with Kath and they're together again. She can be in both worlds, but not at the same time. It's sad, but I guess I would rather see it positively: she's able to find a way to be queer, successful, and happy despite the obstacles.
I was really pissed off at Lily's mom for getting mad at her for running away. How can you make your home an unsafe space for your child and then be mad that she doesn't want to be there? I love Lily's brother for offering to beat people up for her though.
The epilogue was bittersweet to me because she's still close with her family, but to me, it's clear that they still don't like the fact that she's gay. And yet, she's found a way to keep in touch with Kath and they're together again. She can be in both worlds, but not at the same time. It's sad, but I guess I would rather see it positively: she's able to find a way to be queer, successful, and happy despite the obstacles.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Sexism, Xenophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Miscarriage, and War
On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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
There is absolutely nothing I would change about this book. The art is gorgeous. I fell in love with all the characters and their friendship and relationships. Elliot is the nonbinary icon I needed to see. Everyone is queer. Enough said.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit, Medical content, and Death of parent
Minor: Confinement, Transphobia, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
There were actually a lot of things in this book that I dont usually like, but I let it slide here bc I was just enjoying the story as a whole.
There was instalove, so I didnt really understand the romance. It didnt really click for me, but the way their interactions were written were just really soft and sweet :) but yeah it was very much giving high school puppy love. Imo, at the end, Flora/Florian should have had to move on from Evelyn's death instead of joining her as a mermaid. Family was supposed to be kinda important, so I just cant see why she has just obtained a father figure and reunited with her brother only to leave them to be with a girl.
The witch arc also felt really rushed despite it being the longest part of the book. Actually all the parts just felt really fast to me?
I was also confused by the epilogue. But, overall, a fun read.
There was instalove, so I didnt really understand the romance. It didnt really click for me, but the way their interactions were written were just really soft and sweet :) but yeah it was very much giving high school puppy love. Imo, at the end,
The witch arc also felt really rushed despite it being the longest part of the book. Actually all the parts just felt really fast to me?
I was also confused by the epilogue. But, overall, a fun read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Slavery, Vomit, Trafficking, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Medical content