benidamika's reviews
34 reviews

Sex and Rage by Eve Babitz

adventurous challenging reflective slow-paced

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

2.0

Glad it was over. I did not understand what she was on about. Only liked Sonia and the flower references

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective 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? Yes

4.75

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

challenging dark tense slow-paced

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

4.25

Reading a modern classic is always daunting. When I began TSH, I was intimidated by how thick the book was. It did take me 2 months to finish it, but I really enjoyed diving back into the dark academic atmosphere everytime I picked it up. I admit, it was a little slow for me. I wish I read it at a faster pace, maybe I could connect the lines and dots better that way because I felt like such an outsider through Richard's narration. I'm sure there are many tiny secrets I have missed, but I plan to reread it again someday. 

I think humans sympathize better with the dead. I felt drawn towards Bunny after he died. I loathe him and felt frustrated everytime I had to read him. The murder made sense. Even though recollections of him trickled as the book progressed, I felt a deep regret for the way his life was cut short. 

After Bunny's death, I felt like the entire friend group experienced a hurricane that never subsided until

Henry's

death. As long as he was alive, nobody felt safe. Everyone spiralled in their own way and his was the most unexpected.

His emotions were very difficult to read because of his stoicism.

But the ending definitely surprised me. I never would have predicted it would unfold the way it did. I thought I was satisfied with the summation of the characters' lives but Tartt had to hit me with that last line! 😩😭

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Violence, and Alcoholism

Hindsight: A Poetry Collection by Sunday Mornings At the River

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.0

Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You about Being Creative by Austin Kleon

funny hopeful inspiring relaxing fast-paced

4.25

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

dark emotional funny sad 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? It's complicated

4.75

it was a brilliant read. I sped through it and completed the novel within half an hour.

the plot was well written and the twists were unexpected. I could find no loop holes, I applaud Vera Brosgol for this masterpiece that tugged at my heart strings and maybe, even scared me a little bit.

the art style is amazing and fun. the expressions of the characters were impeccable. can't wait for more!!

To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing 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

4.5

Memoirs of a Polar Bear by Yōko Tawada

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

2.5

▫️What I liked:

I loved the complete twist of the retelling of the Cinderella fairytale. Never in my wildest dreams would I ever imagine the origin of the tale to be so dark.

I did enjoy the major theme of the book - women supporting women. Certain characters *cough cough Erin* did infuriate me for choosing to be blind out of fear but it is understandable.

*SPOILER ALERT* Cinderella and her sisters have always been pitted against one another and Bayron upturning their relationship was a very wholesome surprise. 

▪️What I disliked:

I particularly did not enjoy the writing style. It is YA fiction so maybe my expectations were too high?

The story was predictable and knew what was going to happen so the book sort of put me in a slump. I did enjoy the world I was in when I read it but I just knew what was up next.

In my opinion, the characters lacked chemistry. The relationship aspect was poorly developed.

The sarcastic remarks for me seemed a little too try hard. They weren't witty enough and most of the time I cringed.

The climax of the book lasted for .05 seconds. All the build up was over in a flash and it wasn't satisfying at all. It lacked poetic justice.

I felt like every character that we were introduced to got an "ending" after Sophia's victory, except Erin. I desperately wanted to know her thoughts after Sophia accomplished what Erin believed Sophia would never be able to do. 

**

There you go, those are my thoughts! Honestly, I would've loved the book if I was a little younger. It would've been right up my alley but yeah, it is a good book. I would recommend it if you're into retellings and dystopian fiction.