bestja01's reviews
266 reviews

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

4.5

Loved this book- it took a while to understand the large cast of characters and their relationships, but it was easy to fall in love with them and root for their successes. The final 1/4 of the book was particularly satisfying, as all of the threads connected. 

The Idiot by Elif Batuman

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

Very unique narrative voice- I don’t think I’ve ever read a first-person book where it felt like that. A strange combination of passivity and reflection- it was very interesting, but took a while to acclimate to.

The Cave Dwellers by Christina McDowell

dark reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

I was really intrigued by the premise of the book, and the glimpse behind the curtain at these ultra-privileged, ultra-insulated insiders. The story worked best when watching these characters deal with the threat to their stability and security- they weren’t necessarily likeable characters (though I felt sympathy for the younger ones, trapped in a system they didn’t choose), but they were interesting characters and the author did a great job digging into their psyches. I wanted more resolution from the inciting murder incident, but the reality is that those kinds of things don’t always have a tidy ending.

The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

A pretty cynical but very honest view of academia, grad school, and life in your late 20s/early 30s. I connected deeply with the way the author described art, making art, school, and the way we present ourselves in different situations. It’s honest but not hopeless, and I resonated deeply with the characters and their stories.

Severance by Ling Ma

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious sad 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

4.5

I was very drawn into this world, and thought it was a fascinating take on an apocalyptic story. The imagery and characters were very well structured, and I found myself dying to learn more about them. I loved that this point of view was from a regular person who didn’t have all the answers, and so we as the readers never got all the answers. The themes on consumerism, routine, and apathy were apparent and creatively woven within a compelling story.

The Waiter by Matias Faldbakken

reflective slow-paced

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

2.75

It felt like the book equivalent of a Wes Anderson film- I could appreciate the craft, but I didn’t find the aesthetic or plot very attention-holding. 

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I devoured this book like I devoured the rest of the series- it was an action-packed, satisfying end to this epic story. I read the entire series in just a few weeks. It was a lot of fun, and this ending had some heartbreak as well- as it should, not everybody gets away unscathed. It didn’t surprise me- none of these novels were particularly surprising- but it satisfied me, and I enjoyed being immersed in this complex and well-built world, with likeable characters and a fun plot. 

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-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

4.0

I loved that this book deviated completely from the rest of the series. It was great to get more insight into Chaol- it made me like him again. I loved Nesryn’s adventures as well, and the new cast of characters we got to meet. It was weird to just leave the primary plot behind for an entire book, but this adventure was interesting and exciting in its own right.

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous emotional tense medium-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

4.25

The plot continues to expand, and it can be a bit hard to keep track of all the threads, but I continue to love these characters and am very invested in the storyline. I’m getting a bit tired of Arlin’s nonsense, and her inability to communicate with the people she loves, but the rest of the characters make up for it.

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Best in the series so far! I find myself more and more engaged in the world Maas has built and the characters that inhabit it. I’m finding myself very invested in Aedion, and it was great to see Aelin back home. Fantastic conclusion, and left me desperate for the next book.