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beth_waller97's reviews
312 reviews
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
5.0
This is the only book to ever make me cry. I loved this story so much, and could not put it down. Amazingly easy read, and it was easy to empathise with all characters in this book. My heart wishes the ending had been different, but nevertheless one of my all-time favourites to date.
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
5.0
What an insane third book, is all I can say. My heart is full with this book! So well written.
Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. I love how much all of the characters have developed since the first book - especially Ronan and his relationship with Blue. I love how brave they all are, and how they’ve all found their place within their little gang of explorers. I cannot wait to read the fourth book, although I know that means a massive tragedy and I don’t think my heart is quite ready for that yet.
Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. I love how much all of the characters have developed since the first book - especially Ronan and his relationship with Blue. I love how brave they all are, and how they’ve all found their place within their little gang of explorers. I cannot wait to read the fourth book, although I know that means a massive tragedy and I don’t think my heart is quite ready for that yet.
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
5.0
I’m so satisfied with the ending!!! Honestly this brought a great sense of conclusion to the series, but definitely left room for other books to further other characters’ stories. Would highly recommend this series to anyone. It’s so well written, and I found myself SO emotionally invested with all the characters. I made so many notes about tension between characters and there there so many moments when I threw my phone down in frustration because of some of the scenes!!! But it was so perfect. So amazing. I can’t wait to read Ronan’s trilogy.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
5.0
Honestly, this book is so moving and highlights such important issues that I feel we’ve undermined for so long.
This book gives you an insight into what life is like for the black community, as well as other minorities. Reading this, you realise that we must do better. We can’t forget the injustices that are highlighted throughout.
The story is impeccably written, and I found myself relating to Star so much. The way she changed herself to fit in with her school broke my heart, as did the injustices she faced. Her growth was amazing; seeing her go from a rather timid character, scared of her heritage, to a girl on the news throwing tear gas back at police? Breathtaking. I was so emotionally invested in her and her family, and at some parts I was brought to tears.
This isn’t just a fiction novel. This is a reality that I’m privileged enough to not have experienced. This book is life changing, and gives you a whole new perspective.
I’m already eyeing up some new purchases from this author because I love her writing style and her storytelling abilities.
I hope this review has somehow done this book justice, but I doubt it has.
This book gives you an insight into what life is like for the black community, as well as other minorities. Reading this, you realise that we must do better. We can’t forget the injustices that are highlighted throughout.
The story is impeccably written, and I found myself relating to Star so much. The way she changed herself to fit in with her school broke my heart, as did the injustices she faced. Her growth was amazing; seeing her go from a rather timid character, scared of her heritage, to a girl on the news throwing tear gas back at police? Breathtaking. I was so emotionally invested in her and her family, and at some parts I was brought to tears.
This isn’t just a fiction novel. This is a reality that I’m privileged enough to not have experienced. This book is life changing, and gives you a whole new perspective.
I’m already eyeing up some new purchases from this author because I love her writing style and her storytelling abilities.
I hope this review has somehow done this book justice, but I doubt it has.
The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
5.0
This book simultaneously made my heart happy and broke it. The story of teenagers trying to make their way in the world where they are not welcome resonates so loudly. The comradely bonds made are so beautiful and touching, and I’m so glad I got to see these blossom into what became in the end.
I’m not going to lie, the ending broke me completely. I did NOT see it coming, even though I probably should have.
This book is not your ‘happily ever after’. This book takes a dystopian world and makes it even crueler. I found my heart getting broken by betrayal and love, twists and turns in every chapter.
Ruby starting and ending on her own is heartbreaking.
I have the second two books on order and I’m PRAYING she gets the ending she deserves.
I’m trying my hardest to write reviews without spoilers and it’s very difficult!!
I’m not going to lie, the ending broke me completely. I did NOT see it coming, even though I probably should have.
This book is not your ‘happily ever after’. This book takes a dystopian world and makes it even crueler. I found my heart getting broken by betrayal and love, twists and turns in every chapter.
Ruby starting and ending on her own is heartbreaking.
I have the second two books on order and I’m PRAYING she gets the ending she deserves.
I’m trying my hardest to write reviews without spoilers and it’s very difficult!!
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
5.0
This book is a heartbreak the entire way through.
Liesel Meminger starts off as a 10 year old girl, her life being torn apart by having to leave her family. Not to mention death himself following her around.
The story is told from the perspective of Death, narrating the awful and crippling events of Nazi Germany between 1939 and 1943. Liesel is caught up in the midst, and the events that follow are nothing short of horrifying.
The Book Thief is by far one of the most devastating books I've ever read, but also the most heartwarming. It tells the story of Himmel Street trying to survive World War 2, and all of the horrors that made their way through in the 4 years the book is set in.
Themes of friendship, love, family and hardship can be found throughout, blended into the perfect story of wartime struggle told carefully and respectfully.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a historical fiction, specifically centred around the war, as well as those looking for the perfectly told tragedy.
You won't regret it, even when you're sobbing.
Liesel Meminger starts off as a 10 year old girl, her life being torn apart by having to leave her family. Not to mention death himself following her around.
The story is told from the perspective of Death, narrating the awful and crippling events of Nazi Germany between 1939 and 1943. Liesel is caught up in the midst, and the events that follow are nothing short of horrifying.
The Book Thief is by far one of the most devastating books I've ever read, but also the most heartwarming. It tells the story of Himmel Street trying to survive World War 2, and all of the horrors that made their way through in the 4 years the book is set in.
Themes of friendship, love, family and hardship can be found throughout, blended into the perfect story of wartime struggle told carefully and respectfully.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a historical fiction, specifically centred around the war, as well as those looking for the perfectly told tragedy.
You won't regret it, even when you're sobbing.
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
3.0
I wanted to love this book, so so bad. I really did.
With the first 200 pages, I'd have definitely given this book a 4 stars. I loved the relationships between characters, and how character's grew as time went on. I felt all the characters had an equal weight within the book, and it made my heart happy.
And then came that final plot twist with Nate. After that I felt like the book was rushed. Everything felt a lot shorter, and I couldn't really keep track of things as well as the rest of the book.
I think I was partially heartbroken by two characters in particular and their breakdown in the relationship - for me that was the biggest plot point and I loved seeing it develop. Seeing the pair start to spend more time with each other, the pure innocence of it and it made my heart so happy.
As for the story with Simon, it's the same sort of layout. I was finding it hard to work out who had done it, and loved that the first parts of the book didn't give that away. And then the plot twist came. And another. And another. And it just became a bit repetitive. By the end I didn't even really care about the murder-mystery aspect of the book and was more focused on the relationships and other characters.
I'll definitely be picking up the second book, but I'm sort of praying it's a spin-off about my favourite pair.
With the first 200 pages, I'd have definitely given this book a 4 stars. I loved the relationships between characters, and how character's grew as time went on. I felt all the characters had an equal weight within the book, and it made my heart happy.
And then came that final plot twist with Nate. After that I felt like the book was rushed. Everything felt a lot shorter, and I couldn't really keep track of things as well as the rest of the book.
I think I was partially heartbroken by two characters in particular and their breakdown in the relationship - for me that was the biggest plot point and I loved seeing it develop. Seeing the pair start to spend more time with each other, the pure innocence of it and it made my heart so happy.
As for the story with Simon, it's the same sort of layout. I was finding it hard to work out who had done it, and loved that the first parts of the book didn't give that away. And then the plot twist came. And another. And another. And it just became a bit repetitive. By the end I didn't even really care about the murder-mystery aspect of the book and was more focused on the relationships and other characters.
I'll definitely be picking up the second book, but I'm sort of praying it's a spin-off about my favourite pair.
The Selection by Kiera Cass
5.0
This book is the sweetest blossoming of a romance I’ve ever read. I love how natural everything feels; nothing it rushed or forced, and you see the characters genuinely learn more and more about each other.
I could spend all day writing a review, but instead I’m going to start reading the second book!
I could spend all day writing a review, but instead I’m going to start reading the second book!