bellyberrypie's reviews
14 reviews

Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

funny mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

When it comes to the mystery aspect this is definitely better than the previous book! I was so nervous going into this despite everyone who liked the previous book praising this one but sequels are scary. I do love the characters and the concept idea of the previous book more though. 

In my review of the previous book I said I love everything about it except the reveal which ruined it a bit for me especially since the reveal is such an important part in the mystery genre!! Here however, the reveal was honestly really satisfying down to the epilogue. I actually managed to guess who the killer was and almost all the plot twists. Usually that kinda dampens my mood cause I like twists that I don't see coming but I really like the execution. 

An improvement from the first book but I will score them the same cause I prefer characters and dynamics over plot in any forms of media. 

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

funny mysterious fast-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

4.25

This is honestly way better than I expected it to be. I thought it would just be a nice read while I wait for my other library books to be available but it turns out to be one of my favorite reads in 2024. I was going to give it at least a 4.5 but then the reveal happened... Do not get me wrong, it wasn't bad nor did it not make sense. He foreshadowed the twist previously so I couldn't exactly be mad at it but it didn't feel as satisfying as I hoped it was. THE TWIST FOR THE KIDNAPPING CASE THOUGH that was what sent my head into a loop. 

I mostly like this book for the main character, our "author". He is funny and I like the meta humour. I also like the relationship of all the characters and how it all comes together and develops. Really my only complain is the reveal. 

Strike the Zither by Joan He
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.

I did not like the flow and the start did not intrigued me at all. 

Almond by Won-pyung Sohn

hopeful reflective 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? Yes

5.0

Definitely a book everyone should read at least once in their life. 

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

adventurous inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Love this book sooo sooo much!! I love studio ghibli's variation but this also holds so much of its own charm as well. The only reason why this isn't a 5 star is because some parts were kind of harder to go through than others but maybe it will change if I read it again. I was experiencing a lot of mood swings when I was reading this book years ago, maybe I just wasn't in the mood for some parts.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

medium-paced

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

1.0

The world building was good but sadly it is the only good thing about this book. I feel like this would have been better if the main character was Madoc and not Jude. 

I do not get why people are so attracted to Cardan and I absolutely hate Taryn. People keep saying this is mostly a political story but it just seems like a really bad and predictable telenovela.

Also for like half the book or more than half the book the enemies to lovers part is so unsatisfying. All Jude had done was put salt in their food, be aggressive in a tournament against them, and answer questions in class that they couldn't.... And in retaliation they drown her and her twin sister, made her sister betray her, and embarass her half naked in public... DOES THAT SOUND LIKE SATISFYING ENEMIES TO YOU OR DOES IT SOUND LIKE ABUSE???? Also with absolutely 0 character development they just kiss??? Really??? Cardan only got sad back story and somehow BOOM yeah Jude feels bad and is ok w kissing him??? Disgusting.

Maybe the next books would be better but I don't really want to risk my time on it. 

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

I love all the characters in this book!! Such a loveable cast. At first I was scared that this book would be too heavy since I wasn't really in the mood for something kinda sad and dark but this was the opposite of that!! This book gives so much hope and showcases the importance of being kinder than needed. My favorite part has got to be Jack Will's. 

Greek Lessons by Han Kang
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.

Probably Han kang's weakest entry to date, at least with what I have read from her. Also the only book from her currently that I could not finish. 

A lot of words, a lot of flowery words that leads... not really nowhere but you don't really go far. Maybe if I care about the characters enough I would not mind this approach and I can kinda see why she would take this approach but I just do not care enough. Maybe it's just one of those books that didn't and couldn't be translated well enough... Maybe the original text was a whole lot better, maybe it gave a whole better atmosphere... but from my experience it was a really tiring read, not a fun experience. 

Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jim Benton

funny 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

4.25

She is just a hater (and probs gay) and I respect that.

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

dark slow-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? It's complicated

3.75

Confusing but I still liked the book. I hated all the characters except for the sister but surprisingly my favourite part was not hers but her husbands. Even though her husband was the most disturbing one, it was also the most intriguing one for me. A lot of people think that his part turned the book into an erortica, which I cannot blame them cause it really kinda did... However I think it was necessary for this book and what I think Han Kang wanted her readers to feel which is to be disturbed and be uncomfortable and be reflective.