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bibliorama's reviews
156 reviews
Dreamer's Pool by Juliet Marillier
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Enjoyment - 4
Start - 3
Characters - 3.5
Atmosphere - 3.5
Plot - 3.5
Ending - 3.5
Style - 4
Overall - 3.5
Start - 3
Characters - 3.5
Atmosphere - 3.5
Plot - 3.5
Ending - 3.5
Style - 4
Overall - 3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Murder, Child abuse, Confinement, Kidnapping, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Though some of those spoilers might give you pause, this book truly doesn't describe them in any graphic way and its always in a conversation about how they are wrong. This book delves more into power dynamics amd the abuses from those in power, but it's not in a way that sits in the gruesome. This is why I put them under minor.
Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Did I power through this in a matter of days? Yes.
It was a pretty fast read compared to my normal speed. I was curious about this book series after remembering that I never really got any satisfaction from the show about A. I'm hoping the books give me that, and beyond that I'm in the mood for some toxic drama.
If you see this review and are worried about my reading tastes, don't worry, so am I.
(My star rating is purely off of vibes and means nothing)
It was a pretty fast read compared to my normal speed. I was curious about this book series after remembering that I never really got any satisfaction from the show about A. I'm hoping the books give me that, and beyond that I'm in the mood for some toxic drama.
If you see this review and are worried about my reading tastes, don't worry, so am I.
(My star rating is purely off of vibes and means nothing)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Eating disorder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, Lesbophobia, Stalking, and Classism
Minor: Self harm and Sexual content
The book is pretty much about how horrible young teens can be to each other, and there are some pretty crappy adults thrown in as well. The writing didn't feel as if it was showing these themes to be a good thing and it felt like it was highlighting how messed up it all is. While also dealing with heavy themes with the main characters, thr writing built in a lot of empathy for the main 4. I especially felt for Hanna and Emily.
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Enjoyment - 4
Start - 4
Characters - 3.5
Atmosphere - 3.5
Plot - 3
Ending - 3.5
Style - 2.5
The writing in this one was a bit more cheesy than the last ones at the "big" moments, but it's fine. This feels a bit like a fantasy soap opera and I'm okay with that.
Overall - 3.5
Start - 4
Characters - 3.5
Atmosphere - 3.5
Plot - 3
Ending - 3.5
Style - 2.5
The writing in this one was a bit more cheesy than the last ones at the "big" moments, but it's fine. This feels a bit like a fantasy soap opera and I'm okay with that.
Overall - 3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Miscarriage, Blood, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Vomit
Minor: Ableism, Sexual harassment, and Slavery
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This might change. The beast is done though.
Enjoyment - 2.5
This book really takes awhile before it starts trusting you with its emotional baggage. Most of the humor was used to mask the trauma that Joseph Heller was definitely processing through the writing. The 12 year old virgin jokes got old, milo running around got old, etc. In fact, the Milo the Mayor chapter should have been cut entirely (imo), it has some of the most dated jokes and the important info learned from the chapter is reiterated in the Milo chapter. There were heavy, poignant moments but they were covered up by the writing style and dated humor.
Characters - 3
Atmosphere - 2.5
Plot - 3
Ending - 4
Style - 3.5
Overall - 3
Enjoyment - 2.5
This book really takes awhile before it starts trusting you with its emotional baggage. Most of the humor was used to mask the trauma that Joseph Heller was definitely processing through the writing. The 12 year old virgin jokes got old, milo running around got old, etc. In fact, the Milo the Mayor chapter should have been cut entirely (imo), it has some of the most dated jokes and the important info learned from the chapter is reiterated in the Milo chapter. There were heavy, poignant moments but they were covered up by the writing style and dated humor.
Characters - 3
Atmosphere - 2.5
Plot - 3
Ending - 4
Style - 3.5
Overall - 3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and War
Minor: Sexual violence and Rape
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
challenging
dark
fast-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? Yes
3.5
Enjoyment - 4
Start - 3.5
Characters - 3.5
Atmosphere - 4
Plot - 3
Ending - 3.5
Style - 4
Overall - 3.5
Start - 3.5
Characters - 3.5
Atmosphere - 4
Plot - 3
Ending - 3.5
Style - 4
Overall - 3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Animal death, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Medical content
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
challenging
dark
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
5.0
Enjoyment - 5
Really well written and knows what vibes it wants to go for. Ghost story + murder mystery + secret societies = my cup of tea. Oh, and all on the Yale campus during winter - another plus.
Start - 5
Character - 5
Everyone was consistent and made choices that went hand-in-hand with their traits and beliefs.
Atmosphere - 5
Plot - 4.5
Ending - 4
Style - 5
This book must have taken a hell of a lot of research and work. I think it paid off.
Overall - 4.8 (basically a 5)
I'll write more of a review when I get around to it. Will definitely pick up the sequel.
Really well written and knows what vibes it wants to go for. Ghost story + murder mystery + secret societies = my cup of tea. Oh, and all on the Yale campus during winter - another plus.
Start - 5
Character - 5
Everyone was consistent and made choices that went hand-in-hand with their traits and beliefs.
Atmosphere - 5
Plot - 4.5
Ending - 4
Style - 5
This book must have taken a hell of a lot of research and work. I think it paid off.
Overall - 4.8 (basically a 5)
I'll write more of a review when I get around to it. Will definitely pick up the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Excrement, Gore, Death, Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Addiction, Blood, Sexual harassment, Violence, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, and Sexual assault
Listen, this is an adult book that is dealing with adult topics that can get dark. It deals a lot with who is in power, who has control, and what it's like to be at the bottom of the power system. That leads to some dark stuff. I found the topics to be well handled and make sense within the themes and conversations that the book is having. However, I would recommend you take to heart the content warnings for sexual violence in particular if that is something you would like to not read. I can't say this is the book for escapism if that's what you need right now.
Doll Bones by Holly Black
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Enjoyment - 3.5
A nice little time and quick to get through. I would give this book to my niece to read (she's ten). That 9-12 age is probably just right for this even though 12 might be pushing it just a bit. The characters are on that preteen cusp, so the themes of growing up and growing out of past games is prevalent throughout. It also has a slight ghost story element and a small, but realistic, adventure.
Start - 3.5
Characters - 4
Atmosphere - 3
Plot - 4
Ending - 4
Style - 3.5
Overall - 3.6 (rounded up for stars)
A nice little time and quick to get through. I would give this book to my niece to read (she's ten). That 9-12 age is probably just right for this even though 12 might be pushing it just a bit. The characters are on that preteen cusp, so the themes of growing up and growing out of past games is prevalent throughout. It also has a slight ghost story element and a small, but realistic, adventure.
Start - 3.5
Characters - 4
Atmosphere - 3
Plot - 4
Ending - 4
Style - 3.5
Overall - 3.6 (rounded up for stars)
Pretty Dead Queens by Alexa Donne
"Grams really fumbled the bag on this one."
- My friend Megan when I told her the rundown of the plot XD
Enjoyment - 4
This was a good, easy time. I actually would have liked to spend more time in the setup of the town and seen more of the characters before the major event. The small, coastal town vibe was a good setting choice and I appreciated that the natural environment of the town played a role in the plot.
Start - 3.5
This is the section I could have done with being longer. I wish we spent more time submerged in the new house and town with added details. The premise is a good one though. A murder done in the same fashion as one done decades before sets the stage for a lot of questions.
Characters - 4.5
There were some interesting character tropes being used, and I do like a complicated friend group. I just wish we had gotten more of it before the murder because the status quo was interesting in itself. Also, there were a good amount of questionable people around to make nailing down the culprit less easy.
Atmosphere - 3.5
Decent details, I could visualize the town easily. I just wanted more details (and isn't that the theme of this review).
Plot - 4
Kept a good pace and the progression felt natural for the most part. Towards the end it gets quicker and one reveal in particular feels half out of the blue. It was the twist I was hoping for but I wanted more setup for it. There was lots of good drama, but I wanted to sit in some of it more because there's some dark stuff introduced here.
Ending - 4
Loved the second twist, but again wanted more setup for it.
Style - 3
Writing was effective and had a realistic teen voice, I just don't have any standout lines that stick in my brain.
Overall - 3.8
dark
mysterious
fast-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
3.75
- My friend Megan when I told her the rundown of the plot XD
Enjoyment - 4
This was a good, easy time. I actually would have liked to spend more time in the setup of the town and seen more of the characters before the major event. The small, coastal town vibe was a good setting choice and I appreciated that the natural environment of the town played a role in the plot.
Start - 3.5
This is the section I could have done with being longer. I wish we spent more time submerged in the new house and town with added details. The premise is a good one though. A murder done in the same fashion as one done decades before sets the stage for a lot of questions.
Characters - 4.5
There were some interesting character tropes being used, and I do like a complicated friend group. I just wish we had gotten more of it before the murder because the status quo was interesting in itself. Also, there were a good amount of questionable people around to make nailing down the culprit less easy.
Atmosphere - 3.5
Decent details, I could visualize the town easily. I just wanted more details (and isn't that the theme of this review).
Plot - 4
Kept a good pace and the progression felt natural for the most part. Towards the end it gets quicker and one reveal in particular feels half out of the blue. It was the twist I was hoping for but I wanted more setup for it. There was lots of good drama, but I wanted to sit in some of it more because there's some dark stuff introduced here.
Ending - 4
Loved the second twist, but again wanted more setup for it.
Style - 3
Writing was effective and had a realistic teen voice, I just don't have any standout lines that stick in my brain.
Overall - 3.8
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Death, Murder, and Terminal illness
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
I'd say Mid to Upper YA
Tithe by Holly Black
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Well look at me, catching up on reviews. Finally.
Enjoyment - 5
I liked this far better than the Cruel Prince trilogy. The faeries here truly felt fantastical whereas the Cruel Prince world felt like a watered down version of Tithe. Tithe's world was dark yet whimsical and I got sucked into its story. It's also been forever since I had a truly nostalgic experience for the early 2000s, but this gave me that feeling.
Start - 4
This start sets you right into the world and the opening scene gives you a good visual of who Kaye is and what her lifestyle is like.
Characters - 5
These characters felt very of their time. They were also moments that made me cringe and go that would not fly nowadays, mainly Corny having a moment where he joked about going on a shooting spree and having the f slur thrown in (those two things don't happen in the same scene just to clarify) From looking online, it seems like some of those more questionable lines have been edited out or changed. Which is fine, but I'm not one who needs those kinds of changes because the book was published in 2002. Sometimes I appreciate the honesty of keeping those original lines even if I disagree with the sentiment behind the lines because then we can have discussions around the issue, or teach kids that they can read critically and don't have to agree with everything an author writes in the story, but that's just an opinion and not one anyone has to agree with.
Given those iffy moments, I still really liked Kaye as a character and was invested in her story. Holly Black's writing really gave her a voice that I enjoyed.
Atmosphere - 5
The grimy setting was so vivid and charming. It has that 90s grunge to it and yet it is described in such a way that it's beautiful. The faery world was dangerous and cramped. Plus the photoshopped, old cover really adds to the experience XD.
Plot - 4
It's been a minute since I've read this book and I have to say the plot isn't one that's stuck with me. I remember bits and pieces of it, but not in much detail. I know I enjoyed it while I was reading it, but I think the world and writing voice of the story is what impressed me the most.
Ending - 4
From the little I remember, the ending was satisfying. I don't remember there being any plot that I felt didn't get fleshed out or wrapped up. The 4 was my initial rating from after I first read it, so I must have liked it.
Style - 5
Really strong voice that's akin to someone like Neil Gaiman. Tithe had stronger storytelling elements compared to the Cruel Prince to me.
Overall - 4.6
Enjoyment - 5
I liked this far better than the Cruel Prince trilogy. The faeries here truly felt fantastical whereas the Cruel Prince world felt like a watered down version of Tithe. Tithe's world was dark yet whimsical and I got sucked into its story. It's also been forever since I had a truly nostalgic experience for the early 2000s, but this gave me that feeling.
Start - 4
This start sets you right into the world and the opening scene gives you a good visual of who Kaye is and what her lifestyle is like.
Characters - 5
These characters felt very of their time. They were also moments that made me cringe and go that would not fly nowadays,
Given those iffy moments, I still really liked Kaye as a character and was invested in her story. Holly Black's writing really gave her a voice that I enjoyed.
Atmosphere - 5
The grimy setting was so vivid and charming. It has that 90s grunge to it and yet it is described in such a way that it's beautiful. The faery world was dangerous and cramped. Plus the photoshopped, old cover really adds to the experience XD.
Plot - 4
It's been a minute since I've read this book and I have to say the plot isn't one that's stuck with me. I remember bits and pieces of it, but not in much detail. I know I enjoyed it while I was reading it, but I think the world and writing voice of the story is what impressed me the most.
Ending - 4
From the little I remember, the ending was satisfying. I don't remember there being any plot that I felt didn't get fleshed out or wrapped up. The 4 was my initial rating from after I first read it, so I must have liked it.
Style - 5
Really strong voice that's akin to someone like Neil Gaiman. Tithe had stronger storytelling elements compared to the Cruel Prince to me.
Overall - 4.6
Content Warnings
Minor: Mass/school shootings and Homophobia
In the old version, there was the F slur and Corny referencing going on a shooting spree. There also were some lines that leaned towards fetishization of Asian people. I have seen some people say the newer versions have these lines changed/edited out, but I haven't read the newer version so I can't say that for myself.
Golden Son by Pierce Brown
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Enjoyment - 5
Ah the part where shit hits the fan. My favorite!
Also I'd like to preface this by saying the terror that these Golds cause, while entertaining to me in book form, does not mean I want real life politics to emulate it in the slightest (even though I think sometimes it does to our detriment).
Start - 4.5
Once the book gets going, it doesn't stop. It's full steam ahead.
Characters - 5
Faves are still my faves (Sevro and Virginia looking straight at you). Though some new dynamics were introduced that by the end caused some major heartbreak and backstabbyness.
These are some of the most chaotic characters I have ever read, like every intrusive thought wins out. The theatrics of this book are also top tier and its politics are such a show. This book has one of my all-time favorite scenes being where Darrow challenges Cassius to a duel in the most dramatic fashion. It serves a political purpose while also being satisfying to see a character not half ass anything, he just takes it there.
Best quote: “My honour has been pissed upon. And I demand satisfaction.”
Atmosphere - 5
We get a lot more of the world in this book and more of the Sci Fi elements which were fun.
Plot - 4
Again, is it plot or is it vibes? It's very much just characters doing the absolute most and then having to deal with the consequences of their own actions. This creates a fascinating journey to watch go down, and man that ending was . . . the worst in the best way.
Ending - 5
Everything culminates to that ending and I'm not entirely sure how Darrow gets himself out of this one. There are betrayals where some I could see coming, but they still hurt. The characters are the stars of the show being complex, messy, and endearing.
and dammit I second guessed Virginia again. She's my literal fave and yet there's the feeling that her and Darrow are going to have a tragic end.
Style - 3
Writing is good, it has to be for me to connect as much as I did to the characters.
Overall - 4.5
After finishing this review, I want to go pick up the third one now. I've waited long enough.
Ah the part where shit hits the fan. My favorite!
Also I'd like to preface this by saying the terror that these Golds cause, while entertaining to me in book form, does not mean I want real life politics to emulate it in the slightest (even though I think sometimes it does to our detriment).
Start - 4.5
Once the book gets going, it doesn't stop. It's full steam ahead.
Characters - 5
Faves are still my faves (Sevro and Virginia looking straight at you). Though some new dynamics were introduced that by the end caused some major heartbreak and backstabbyness.
These are some of the most chaotic characters I have ever read, like every intrusive thought wins out. The theatrics of this book are also top tier and its politics are such a show. This book has one of my all-time favorite scenes being where Darrow challenges Cassius to a duel in the most dramatic fashion. It serves a political purpose while also being satisfying to see a character not half ass anything, he just takes it there.
Best quote: “My honour has been pissed upon. And I demand satisfaction.”
Atmosphere - 5
We get a lot more of the world in this book and more of the Sci Fi elements which were fun.
Plot - 4
Again, is it plot or is it vibes? It's very much just characters doing the absolute most and then having to deal with the consequences of their own actions. This creates a fascinating journey to watch go down, and man that ending was . . . the worst in the best way.
Ending - 5
Everything culminates to that ending and I'm not entirely sure how Darrow gets himself out of this one. There are betrayals where some I could see coming, but they still hurt. The characters are the stars of the show being complex, messy, and endearing.
Style - 3
Writing is good, it has to be for me to connect as much as I did to the characters.
Overall - 4.5
After finishing this review, I want to go pick up the third one now. I've waited long enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, War, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Classism