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bookishdaylight's reviews
287 reviews
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
1.0
This is basically The Hunger Games with a fantasy aspect. There was no originality in the plot, It might have a few changes to not make it seem so Hunger Games-coded but it was so obvious that this was just inspired by other fantasy and dystopian books. This is primarily combined tropes in a book.
I was honestly disappointed with the world-building, the morally gray aspect of the said characters, and the lack of character development they have with one another. There was no connection or build-up with the plot. It needed more backstory to showcase why the people even supported the trials, and the willingness of the elites to compete in such trials for what goal they would accomplish.
what even is the power of the king? I don't think it was mentioned and I really wanted to know because of the way he fought, he didn't use his power, whatever that might be. There was no real struggle to overtake the kingdom if the elites were so gullible to merrily be oblivious to everything. They didn't question anything and I don't even understand the willingness to have a king rule if all the elites have power and if there is no potential danger for them to encounter except for the so-called trials for entertainment. It basically shows capitalism in a fantasy setting with a lot of plot holes.
The enemies to lovers in this book are not even that one bit. Sure she is ordinary and he hunts those ordinaries and she is supposed to hate him but other than that, they were lusting each other throughout the story. There was no build-up with their relationship, no emotional connection, it was a pure attraction with a lot of tension and knife-to-the-throat scenes with empty threats that were completely repetitive. They could've been easily Peeta and Katniss with the questions of what's your favorite color, the star-crossed lovers in the trials so on and so forth. Paedyn was even good with a bow for goodness sake, with Adelyn representing three characters in Hunger Games without spoiling it.
It was like rereading Hunger Games all over again with a different set of characters with similarities to the originals. This had the potential to be great but the similarities are too much and this could be marked as plagiarism by essentially copying everything. I love The Hunger Games and it's one of my favorite series to exist. So, I know that this book has no original plot or concept.
I was honestly disappointed with the world-building, the morally gray aspect of the said characters, and the lack of character development they have with one another. There was no connection or build-up with the plot. It needed more backstory to showcase why the people even supported the trials, and the willingness of the elites to compete in such trials for what goal they would accomplish.
what even is the power of the king? I don't think it was mentioned and I really wanted to know because of the way he fought, he didn't use his power, whatever that might be. There was no real struggle to overtake the kingdom if the elites were so gullible to merrily be oblivious to everything. They didn't question anything and I don't even understand the willingness to have a king rule if all the elites have power and if there is no potential danger for them to encounter except for the so-called trials for entertainment. It basically shows capitalism in a fantasy setting with a lot of plot holes.
The enemies to lovers in this book are not even that one bit. Sure she is ordinary and he hunts those ordinaries and she is supposed to hate him but other than that, they were lusting each other throughout the story. There was no build-up with their relationship, no emotional connection, it was a pure attraction with a lot of tension and knife-to-the-throat scenes with empty threats that were completely repetitive. They could've been easily Peeta and Katniss with the questions of what's your favorite color, the star-crossed lovers in the trials so on and so forth. Paedyn was even good with a bow for goodness sake, with Adelyn representing three characters in Hunger Games without spoiling it.
It was like rereading Hunger Games all over again with a different set of characters with similarities to the originals. This had the potential to be great but the similarities are too much and this could be marked as plagiarism by essentially copying everything. I love The Hunger Games and it's one of my favorite series to exist. So, I know that this book has no original plot or concept.
The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
2.5
What tf just happened? For some reason it was good but now it's not.
There is still so much to unpack, everything was rushed, and the beginning was a great hook but everything fell apart in the middle. It seemed like they were in running circles for all the dead ends they were trying to uncover with the truth about finding the history, their condition, and everything else.
What kind of ending was that? it was so confusing with how fast everything happened and I was having difficulty catching up. After the said incident in finding the truth, they were so blissfully happy with all the harm and danger they encountered as if that incident didn't happen at all.
This was a good concept for a series and I enjoyed the first two books but I'm going to pretend this book didn't happen at all and I'm going to imagine a different conclusion for this series altogether. I love the characters so much but I was so disappointed with how everything wrapped up. Jamie carried this whole book, without him, this book wouldn't exist.
There is still so much to unpack, everything was rushed, and the beginning was a great hook but everything fell apart in the middle. It seemed like they were in running circles for all the dead ends they were trying to uncover with the truth about finding the history, their condition, and everything else.
What kind of ending was that? it was so confusing with how fast everything happened and I was having difficulty catching up. After the said incident in finding the truth, they were so blissfully happy with all the harm and danger they encountered as if that incident didn't happen at all.
This was a good concept for a series and I enjoyed the first two books but I'm going to pretend this book didn't happen at all and I'm going to imagine a different conclusion for this series altogether. I love the characters so much but I was so disappointed with how everything wrapped up. Jamie carried this whole book, without him, this book wouldn't exist.
The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.5
An intense, twisted, and insane plot that became more unhinged as the story progressed.
I am hooked and speechless because I did not expect anything such as that to happen.
“Tell me what you see. Because I don't know what's real and what isn't or what's new or different and I can't trust myself, but I trust you.”
I know that Mara is an unreliable character, as she thinks she's insane, I'm starting to believe that too because of the twists and turns and how surprisingly unexpected it is. I've never been so confused and wary about the mind of Mara and her surroundings.
“But when everyone tells you you're crazy and no one believes you when you swear you aren't, a small part of you will always wonder if they're right.”
Noah Shaw is such a magnificent character. He is so mysterious and yet intentional with his actions. I frankly cannot predict his intentions throughout the story. If Mara is insane, so is Noah and everything else and you can't say otherwise.
“It doesn’t matter what we are. It matters what we do.”
I truly love the concept of this story and how unnatural, horrific, and ferocious everything is. There was so much drama, action, and craziness with the plotline that I was so paranoid and creeped out as things started to unravel.
I am hooked and speechless because I did not expect anything such as that to happen.
“Tell me what you see. Because I don't know what's real and what isn't or what's new or different and I can't trust myself, but I trust you.”
I know that Mara is an unreliable character, as she thinks she's insane, I'm starting to believe that too because of the twists and turns and how surprisingly unexpected it is. I've never been so confused and wary about the mind of Mara and her surroundings.
“But when everyone tells you you're crazy and no one believes you when you swear you aren't, a small part of you will always wonder if they're right.”
Noah Shaw is such a magnificent character. He is so mysterious and yet intentional with his actions. I frankly cannot predict his intentions throughout the story. If Mara is insane, so is Noah and everything else and you can't say otherwise.
“It doesn’t matter what we are. It matters what we do.”
I truly love the concept of this story and how unnatural, horrific, and ferocious everything is. There was so much drama, action, and craziness with the plotline that I was so paranoid and creeped out as things started to unravel.
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
4.0
“Thinking something does not make it true. Wanting something does not make it real.”
A mysterious, psychotic, and somber story about an unusual girl with a strange view of the world that questions what is real and what is an illusion. A story with a disorienting and alarming set of visions of adventures that unravels the creepy notions of the truth of the girl's life with an unreliable character with a circumstance that makes the imagination quite questionable.
“There's nothing I want. There's nothing I can't do. I don't care about anything. No matter what, I am an imposter. An actor in my own life.”
Filled with a mystery, a strange and atypical set of characters about the unexpected events that happened and maybe somehow connected to it altogether. A dark, twisted, and challenging set of reality with an intriguing creepy sense of it all. The two main characters are alike and somehow different in their way without knowing the intention of the other.
Overall it is a very slow but intentional pace with how the story progressed to uncover the truth of it all.
A mysterious, psychotic, and somber story about an unusual girl with a strange view of the world that questions what is real and what is an illusion. A story with a disorienting and alarming set of visions of adventures that unravels the creepy notions of the truth of the girl's life with an unreliable character with a circumstance that makes the imagination quite questionable.
“There's nothing I want. There's nothing I can't do. I don't care about anything. No matter what, I am an imposter. An actor in my own life.”
Filled with a mystery, a strange and atypical set of characters about the unexpected events that happened and maybe somehow connected to it altogether. A dark, twisted, and challenging set of reality with an intriguing creepy sense of it all. The two main characters are alike and somehow different in their way without knowing the intention of the other.
Overall it is a very slow but intentional pace with how the story progressed to uncover the truth of it all.
Twisted Lies by Ana Huang
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
An entertaining and thrilling read to sum up the twisted series. It was fun to see the cameos of the other characters as well as the growth of their relationships. The friend group with them being all together was the best thing here.
The relationship here is my favorite with how much priority they have for each other's work, patience, and passion for supporting one another. I loved the slow acquaintance to friends to lovers kind of situation. The banter, tension, and friendship were so fun as their relationship developed throughout the story. Their chemistry was perfectly written and shown on these pages.
This book hits differently because this is the end of the twisted series and the chapter of their stories with them finally having their supposed endings was the most wholesome thing to see.
The relationship here is my favorite with how much priority they have for each other's work, patience, and passion for supporting one another. I loved the slow acquaintance to friends to lovers kind of situation. The banter, tension, and friendship were so fun as their relationship developed throughout the story. Their chemistry was perfectly written and shown on these pages.
This book hits differently because this is the end of the twisted series and the chapter of their stories with them finally having their supposed endings was the most wholesome thing to see.
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
This is such a lighthearted fun read about STEM-academia rivals to lovers that is somehow similar to the love hypothesis with the same font and cover.
This was just an easy read with more character development, fewer cringe situations, and a lot of Twilight references. It was wholesome, sweet, and charming and I loved every bit of the characters presented here. A fun found-family dynamic between friends with their banter and thrilling personalities.
The main characters are well presented with their history and there is a lot to divulge within these pages. Amazing representation of diabetes and a cute cameo of Olive and Adam which was so amusing to read. The storyline can be predictable with the intentions of the characters nevertheless this was very entertaining.
This was just an easy read with more character development, fewer cringe situations, and a lot of Twilight references. It was wholesome, sweet, and charming and I loved every bit of the characters presented here. A fun found-family dynamic between friends with their banter and thrilling personalities.
The main characters are well presented with their history and there is a lot to divulge within these pages. Amazing representation of diabetes and a cute cameo of Olive and Adam which was so amusing to read. The storyline can be predictable with the intentions of the characters nevertheless this was very entertaining.
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
Two ruthless gangs with a volatile atmospheric feel. An intense gripping story about the survival of a mystery contagion, alliances with enemies, and rebellion. It is wonderfully explored with the rich culture and descriptive contrast of finding one's identity amidst the blood feud with the enemies.
Full of violence, graphic hate that screams I've always hated you and always will—merciless killers, brutal blows, petrifying full of doom of the inevitable ending. This fully embodies a great depiction of hatred so profoundly rooted and filled with disdain and malice.
The characters are amazingly portrayed with their personalities and I loved the contrast between Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov. Both are ruthless but Roma has a heart filled with care for others while Juliette is cold, violent, and merciless and I love it. The tension and angst of the two are there with their hatred for one another. It beautifully encaptures the inevitable ending this two has full of pain, hate, and loss.
Overall, this is such a remarkable historical retelling of the classic Romeo & Juliet but this should not be compared to that story because the similarities are few and this is on another high level of a story.
Full of violence, graphic hate that screams I've always hated you and always will—merciless killers, brutal blows, petrifying full of doom of the inevitable ending. This fully embodies a great depiction of hatred so profoundly rooted and filled with disdain and malice.
The characters are amazingly portrayed with their personalities and I loved the contrast between Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov. Both are ruthless but Roma has a heart filled with care for others while Juliette is cold, violent, and merciless and I love it. The tension and angst of the two are there with their hatred for one another. It beautifully encaptures the inevitable ending this two has full of pain, hate, and loss.
Overall, this is such a remarkable historical retelling of the classic Romeo & Juliet but this should not be compared to that story because the similarities are few and this is on another high level of a story.
Ms Perfectly Fine by Kate Callaghan
fast-paced
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story had a cute premise and an exciting beginning but the pacing was too fast and it all happened within a month.
There was no build-up to their relationship altogether, it was like they were already a couple with their interaction, with them living together they already made the steps without even doing anything. The forced banter seemed childish to me and they are in their mid-twenties so act like one. It was only three days and they already feel something for each other and for what exactly? it didn't make sense. Their relationship was insta-love and I would love to run from this trope.
The only good backstory here is Autumn, if there was more development on her background then I would have liked it more. I wanted to see her journey and hardships. Sadly, it lacked that and I was quite disappointed.
Elijah as a character is so cringe and had no personality whatsoever. It also showed that this is a rich people drama. They had to live together because the neighborhood is expensive. Excuse me. while you guys are fine with just throwing money at random purchases and being ok with it. Autumn for me seemed spoiled with that how she interacted with the other characters
Overall, this had the potential to be good but I was just disappointed.
This story had a cute premise and an exciting beginning but the pacing was too fast and it all happened within a month.
There was no build-up to their relationship altogether, it was like they were already a couple with their interaction, with them living together they already made the steps without even doing anything. The forced banter seemed childish to me and they are in their mid-twenties so act like one. It was only three days and they already feel something for each other and for what exactly? it didn't make sense. Their relationship was insta-love and I would love to run from this trope.
The only good backstory here is Autumn, if there was more development on her background then I would have liked it more. I wanted to see her journey and hardships. Sadly, it lacked that and I was quite disappointed.
Elijah as a character is so cringe and had no personality whatsoever. It also showed that this is a rich people drama. They had to live together because the neighborhood is expensive. Excuse me. while you guys are fine with just throwing money at random purchases and being ok with it. Autumn for me seemed spoiled with that how she interacted with the other characters
Overall, this had the potential to be good but I was just disappointed.
Dare You To Hate Me by B. Celeste
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
a bittersweet sad romance about new beginnings and reconciliation with old relationships. A beautiful story that embarks on finding oneself to find happiness.
“There are two types of strangers in the world—ones that you’ve never met before, and ones you share memories with.”
This somehow filled a void in my heart. An emotional story about survival, hope, and love. Escaping a toxic household and being on your own but being saddened by doing it, in the first place because realizing it's better to do so than stay. Setting boundaries and knowing your worth and having respect for yourself. A very raw type of discovery for a girl to have the courage to be on her own and find herself again.
“When you meet the right person, it doesn't matter what happens because fate will always bring you together. But it's your choices that will make them stay."
Sometimes friendships are a lifeline filled with love and care with the type of forever you want to have and this has the most comforting friends to lovers I've seen. An inspiring one with a big warm hug that everyone needs. Beautiful connections between the two characters with a great dynamic, full of passion, care, and patience.
“There are two types of strangers in the world—ones that you’ve never met before, and ones you share memories with.”
This somehow filled a void in my heart. An emotional story about survival, hope, and love. Escaping a toxic household and being on your own but being saddened by doing it, in the first place because realizing it's better to do so than stay. Setting boundaries and knowing your worth and having respect for yourself. A very raw type of discovery for a girl to have the courage to be on her own and find herself again.
“When you meet the right person, it doesn't matter what happens because fate will always bring you together. But it's your choices that will make them stay."
Sometimes friendships are a lifeline filled with love and care with the type of forever you want to have and this has the most comforting friends to lovers I've seen. An inspiring one with a big warm hug that everyone needs. Beautiful connections between the two characters with a great dynamic, full of passion, care, and patience.
Twisted Hate - Special Edition by Ana Huang
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
4.0
This is tension in a nutshell with amazing banter and dynamic between two people who hate each other. This was a fun and witty story and the backstories of both main characters added the layers of what this book is.
I was honestly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book altogether, in the previous books, I didn't care for the hate that Josh and Jules had and it seemed childish for me in the other stories maybe for the reason of how it was described but now, the writing has improved and it makes such a big difference. The growth of each character was shown in a way you can understand their predicament, the way they think and act.
Alex Volkov is a changed man, and it was cute and admirable for Josh to take his advice and it was just so wholesome. Josh and Jules's banter is something else, I was laughing nonstop at the disdain comments that they had. The conflict tbh could've easily been avoided through communication, I mean they did but after handling it on their own.
It was so obvious Josh was whipped from the beginning, he just hated her because he had to ok, like no one would know and notice everything about a single person unless you're interested or you're like obsessed with that person. Yes, he hated her but he secretly in a tiny bit liked her.
Overall this book was fun and interesting.
I was honestly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book altogether, in the previous books, I didn't care for the hate that Josh and Jules had and it seemed childish for me in the other stories maybe for the reason of how it was described but now, the writing has improved and it makes such a big difference. The growth of each character was shown in a way you can understand their predicament, the way they think and act.
Alex Volkov is a changed man, and it was cute and admirable for Josh to take his advice and it was just so wholesome. Josh and Jules's banter is something else, I was laughing nonstop at the disdain comments that they had. The conflict tbh could've easily been avoided through communication, I mean they did but after handling it on their own.
It was so obvious Josh was whipped from the beginning, he just hated her because he had to ok, like no one would know and notice everything about a single person unless you're interested or you're like obsessed with that person. Yes, he hated her but he secretly in a tiny bit liked her.
Overall this book was fun and interesting.