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bookslovebrains's reviews
330 reviews
Januaries: Stories of Love, Magic & Betrayal by Olivie Blake
3.5
3.5 bittersweet stars. Overall, I quite liked Januaries, but the problem is two-fold.
1) I'd read a short-story that would make me want to rate it 3 stars or less and then I'd read one that would make me want to give it all the stars. Then, I'd read one that would make me want to skip it altogether (and in fact, there are several that I did).
2) I think these stories are just not for me. Even the ones I liked were often too bittersweet or ambiguous for me - a romantic at heart - to really appreciate it for what it was - a literary masterpiece.
And this is why I've rounded up to 4 stars (on Goodreads) - this is beautifully written. It is, in fact, written so well that I would class this as literature. It's confusing and beautiful, but sometimes written in a way that would mean I'd have to analyze it to actually appreciate it. And to be honest, that's why I skimmed some of the ones I did. I just don't enjoy that kind of reading.
My fave short story: How To Dispel Friends & Curse People. It's a novel in verse (obviously very short, though), funny, fantastical, and romantical. I've wanted to read a novel in verse for a long while and am glad this was my introduction to the medium.
My least fave short story: Monsterlove. To be quite frank, I just didn't understand it. This is one of those one's I was talking about needing to analyze.
1) I'd read a short-story that would make me want to rate it 3 stars or less and then I'd read one that would make me want to give it all the stars. Then, I'd read one that would make me want to skip it altogether (and in fact, there are several that I did).
2) I think these stories are just not for me. Even the ones I liked were often too bittersweet or ambiguous for me - a romantic at heart - to really appreciate it for what it was - a literary masterpiece.
And this is why I've rounded up to 4 stars (on Goodreads) - this is beautifully written. It is, in fact, written so well that I would class this as literature. It's confusing and beautiful, but sometimes written in a way that would mean I'd have to analyze it to actually appreciate it. And to be honest, that's why I skimmed some of the ones I did. I just don't enjoy that kind of reading.
My fave short story: How To Dispel Friends & Curse People. It's a novel in verse (obviously very short, though), funny, fantastical, and romantical. I've wanted to read a novel in verse for a long while and am glad this was my introduction to the medium.
My least fave short story: Monsterlove. To be quite frank, I just didn't understand it. This is one of those one's I was talking about needing to analyze.
Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
DNF'ed at 11%.
I don't understand the high ratings on this one (at least on Goodreads), but I'm glad others were able to enjoy it. I just couldn't do it.
There is so MUCH information dumping via dialogue. Literal paragraphs worth. And okay, yeah. Not that big a deal. But the dialogue is also so cringey!
Example 1: "juicy artery" (H to h about her neck).
Example 2: "I thawt I thaw a putty tat." (H to h upon her wakening after he kidnaps her to torture her).
Example 3: "No one, ass-munch!" (our h, who is 22 to our H - like, are you 12?).
Example 4: “But the main point is that he still had swimmers in his sacks.” (H again. And people find him hot?).
I only read 42 pages and I could keep going with the examples, but I think you get the point. Info-dumping is one thing, but this isn't even done tastefully. Maybe it gets better if you push through (I mean, there are a lot of high ratings), but I just didn't want to continue to struggle to connect with the characters. Maybe I'll try again in the future.
I don't understand the high ratings on this one (at least on Goodreads), but I'm glad others were able to enjoy it. I just couldn't do it.
There is so MUCH information dumping via dialogue. Literal paragraphs worth. And okay, yeah. Not that big a deal. But the dialogue is also so cringey!
Example 1: "juicy artery" (H to h about her neck).
Example 2: "I thawt I thaw a putty tat." (H to h upon her wakening after he kidnaps her to torture her).
Example 3: "No one, ass-munch!" (our h, who is 22 to our H - like, are you 12?).
Example 4: “But the main point is that he still had swimmers in his sacks.” (H again. And people find him hot?).
I only read 42 pages and I could keep going with the examples, but I think you get the point. Info-dumping is one thing, but this isn't even done tastefully. Maybe it gets better if you push through (I mean, there are a lot of high ratings), but I just didn't want to continue to struggle to connect with the characters. Maybe I'll try again in the future.
The Vampire Prince by Juliette N. Banks
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
I would’ve DNF’ed earlier than this if I wasn’t so determined to make this work for a challenge I’m doing. But I just can’t.
It’s written like a Wattpad story (one of the bad ones) (grammar mistakes, redundancy after redundancy, characters having conversations that go one way but ends with the H/h concluding something off the wall with subsequent conversations going absolutely fucking nowhere, and an overwhelmingly amount of describing rather than showing). It was just getting too silly and I couldn’t do it anymore.
It’s written like a Wattpad story (one of the bad ones) (grammar mistakes, redundancy after redundancy, characters having conversations that go one way but ends with the H/h concluding something off the wall with subsequent conversations going absolutely fucking nowhere, and an overwhelmingly amount of describing rather than showing). It was just getting too silly and I couldn’t do it anymore.
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
dark
funny
slow-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
4.0
NGL, this was turning out to be a 3 star read, but that ending alone racked up a whole star.
I thought the trials were kinda lame (though the last one was pretty good), the banter was good but a little repetitive, and the author tried to create tension and drama but couldn't quite do it because her characters were so strong (but not necessarily Gary or Mary Sue strong). It was good, but maybe not quite living up to the hype (until it did).
But what I did like about it - the characters; the powers the Resistance (when we were introduced to it, I literally annotated "finally something interesting"; the slow burn; the <i>chemistry</i> between the mains - was SO good.
And that ending! No huge plot twist or anything - I think almost anyone could've seen something like that coming, but it was just so. well. written. And sets us up for greatness with the next book (*fingers crossed*).
I thought the trials were kinda lame (though the last one was pretty good), the banter was good but a little repetitive, and the author tried to create tension and drama but couldn't quite do it because her characters were so strong (but not necessarily Gary or Mary Sue strong). It was good, but maybe not quite living up to the hype (until it did).
But what I did like about it - the characters; the powers the Resistance (when we were introduced to it, I literally annotated "finally something interesting"; the slow burn; the <i>chemistry</i> between the mains - was SO good.
And that ending! No huge plot twist or anything - I think almost anyone could've seen something like that coming, but it was just so. well. written. And sets us up for greatness with the next book (*fingers crossed*).
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
This book is so cozy and sweet that I almost hate it (only a little bit, though). But really, it’s nothing but feel-good vibes with magic and found family.
It avoids almost any and all tension, with any drama quickly resolved. It has quite a humorous undertone and the characters are largely loveable.
The following snippet alludes to the humor and sweet was found throughout this novel:
”Forearms are my ruin,” she said dreamily.
He kissed her brown. “You’re my ruin.”
It avoids almost any and all tension, with any drama quickly resolved. It has quite a humorous undertone and the characters are largely loveable.
The following snippet alludes to the humor and sweet was found throughout this novel:
”Forearms are my ruin,” she said dreamily.
He kissed her brown. “You’re my ruin.”
Go Fetch by Shelly Laurenston
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Pack Challenge by Shelly Laurenston
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0