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berrybiaful's reviews
69 reviews
Allergies: Poems on Grieving and Loving by Maggie Bowyer
emotional
sad
medium-paced
1.5
1.5 stars
I received this a copy through a giveaway on The StoryGraph.
yeah, I can't get past the structure of this book. felt too much like song lyrics and completely destroyed any sense of flow or direction. the themes were okay, but i was so disorientated throughout the book.
can we please retire this poetry style lol
I received this a copy through a giveaway on The StoryGraph.
yeah, I can't get past the structure of this book. felt too much like song lyrics and completely destroyed any sense of flow or direction. the themes were okay, but i was so disorientated throughout the book.
can we please retire this poetry style lol
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
A Florist Called Daisy by Elsie G. Beya
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
DNF @ 24%
I feel as if reading this some other time would have meant I actually finished it, however I just can't get into the story right now.
The FMC is giving me very much 'pick me' vibes and thinking she is better than women, including her friend. And they should not be friends, lol. The MMC is okay. I just could not care about this characters, at all and that's what draws me into a story - a connection with at least one of its characters.
The pacing was also very slow and the plot was just...leaving me bored. I really did try but I honestly couldn't get into this story.
Maybe I could give it a go some other time, though.
DNF @ 24%
I feel as if reading this some other time would have meant I actually finished it, however I just can't get into the story right now.
The FMC is giving me very much 'pick me' vibes and thinking she is better than women, including her friend. And they should not be friends, lol. The MMC is okay. I just could not care about this characters, at all and that's what draws me into a story - a connection with at least one of its characters.
The pacing was also very slow and the plot was just...leaving me bored. I really did try but I honestly couldn't get into this story.
Maybe I could give it a go some other time, though.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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
5.0
I well and truly loved this book
This book was such a warm, cozy book and full of hope and love! The plot was nicely done and I loved the portrayal of magic here. Each character was lovable (well, minus one) and I'll always pick a book with a diverse cast because I am sick of reading about yt characters lol
Honestly, I could not put it down once I had time to read it
This book was such a warm, cozy book and full of hope and love! The plot was nicely done and I loved the portrayal of magic here. Each character was lovable (well, minus one) and I'll always pick a book with a diverse cast because I am sick of reading about yt characters lol
Honestly, I could not put it down once I had time to read it
Song of the Mango and Other New Myths by Vida Cruz
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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
4.0
I received an ARC of this book from the author through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
4 stars!
This was a thoroughly enjoyable book, and really mad me appreciate Filipino folk-lore. I might have to do a deep-dive and research more of the culture's myths!
The blend of myths with modern elements is a great way to make these stories more engaging and I found myself totally engrossed with each tale. I found the illustrations to be a nice touch, especially as someone who visualises the books they read.
Sometimes the pacing needed to be broken up and made me want to take a break from the book at times, but overall I think the book had good pacing.
Also, as someone who isn't well-versed in Filipino myths, the terminology went over my head for most of the book. Perhaps a little index page would have helped with that.
Overall, I think this collection of stories were a really great way to present myths and folklore! I would definitely read more in this sort of style!
4 stars!
This was a thoroughly enjoyable book, and really mad me appreciate Filipino folk-lore. I might have to do a deep-dive and research more of the culture's myths!
The blend of myths with modern elements is a great way to make these stories more engaging and I found myself totally engrossed with each tale. I found the illustrations to be a nice touch, especially as someone who visualises the books they read.
Sometimes the pacing needed to be broken up and made me want to take a break from the book at times, but overall I think the book had good pacing.
Also, as someone who isn't well-versed in Filipino myths, the terminology went over my head for most of the book. Perhaps a little index page would have helped with that.
Overall, I think this collection of stories were a really great way to present myths and folklore! I would definitely read more in this sort of style!
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
I loved this. The plot, the pace, the characters...all amazing.
The differing lengths of the chapters was refreshing and helped break up the book. I think that the amount of information being thrown at you at times required a bit of a change in pace.
Though admittedly, I'm not sure how I feel about reading about the Covid 19 pandemic in fiction...maybe it's too soon for me??
I was impressed by how everything was linked and how smoothly the story looped back. By the last quarter of the book my mouth was hanging open in shock and awe lol
This was definitely an example of the time travel trope done righ
The differing lengths of the chapters was refreshing and helped break up the book. I think that the amount of information being thrown at you at times required a bit of a change in pace.
Though admittedly, I'm not sure how I feel about reading about the Covid 19 pandemic in fiction...maybe it's too soon for me??
I was impressed by how everything was linked and how smoothly the story looped back. By the last quarter of the book my mouth was hanging open in shock and awe lol
This was definitely an example of the time travel trope done righ
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
4 stars
i think this was the retelling of medusa that we needed. overall i enjoyed the flow and writing-style and how the events were told but it could get confusing when minor time-lapses occurred. i did feel like the story would digress a little but all in all, the characters and events were intertwined.
the trio of hermes, athene and perseus was hilarious but fuck perseus lol
i think this was the retelling of medusa that we needed. overall i enjoyed the flow and writing-style and how the events were told but it could get confusing when minor time-lapses occurred. i did feel like the story would digress a little but all in all, the characters and events were intertwined.
the trio of hermes, athene and perseus was hilarious but fuck perseus lol
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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
5 stars
i loved loved this so much, what a great sequel to the first book! i adore how cozy and comforting this series is but atill encourages self-reflection and challenges the way we perceive ourselves and the world.
dex and mosscap are such a wholesome duo and their adventures and chemistry warmed my heart. i just wish this book were longer...i want to see if there's going to be another book...
i feel like i'll come back to reread this series soon
i loved loved this so much, what a great sequel to the first book! i adore how cozy and comforting this series is but atill encourages self-reflection and challenges the way we perceive ourselves and the world.
dex and mosscap are such a wholesome duo and their adventures and chemistry warmed my heart. i just wish this book were longer...i want to see if there's going to be another book...
i feel like i'll come back to reread this series soon
There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
4 stars
this was such a reflective and engrossing read and i couldn't put it down at times. there really wasn't a chapter that i found boring.
now i'm really thinking about what to do about my life career-wise lol
this was such a reflective and engrossing read and i couldn't put it down at times. there really wasn't a chapter that i found boring.
now i'm really thinking about what to do about my life career-wise lol
The House of Sorrowing Stars by Beth Cartwright
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars
this was a nice, cozy read with a good plot. it could be a bit slow at times, and i wish the romance would have been developed a bit more, but it wasn't really a romance to begin with. the characters were all unique and well fleshed out and i really want to read more books like this
this was a nice, cozy read with a good plot. it could be a bit slow at times, and i wish the romance would have been developed a bit more, but it wasn't really a romance to begin with. the characters were all unique and well fleshed out and i really want to read more books like this
Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5 stars!!!
i love love loved this!! i'm not usually into enemies-to-lovers but this was done right!!
kareena is a character i related to 100% and i was crying half the time because i felt a lot of things going through this book!!
getting fricky in desi clothing?? yes.
desi romances just hit different
i love love loved this!! i'm not usually into enemies-to-lovers but this was done right!!
kareena is a character i related to 100% and i was crying half the time because i felt a lot of things going through this book!!
getting fricky in desi clothing?? yes.
desi romances just hit different