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brittishliterature's reviews
216 reviews
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I knew it couldn’t end well, but that didn’t make it any less heart-breaking. Especially since, compared to Ballad, I was actually rooting for our main character this time around. This added another layer of depth to the world and characters of the series that I really appreciated, and I’d been interested in learning this part of their story, but ugh - just one continuous hopeless situation. But I guess it had to be for Haymitch to end up the way we meet him later on.
The epilogue had me in tears, and I’m glad Suzanne Collins ended it that way.
I really enjoyed the cameos of characters from the main series and even from Ballad.
I’ve been excited for the movie to come out next year, but now I fear that my heart is not going to be able handle it 😭💔
“The snow may fall, but the sun also rises.” 🫶🏼
The epilogue had me in tears, and I’m glad Suzanne Collins ended it that way.
I really enjoyed the cameos of characters from the main series and even from Ballad.
I’ve been excited for the movie to come out next year, but now I fear that my heart is not going to be able handle it 😭💔
“The snow may fall, but the sun also rises.” 🫶🏼
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Ugh I’m so conflicted. On one hand I enjoyed this one but on another hand I hated the ending?!?!! I feel so betrayed but like I’m doing this to myself by choosing to read this series but also Rebecca why??
So much love for so many of the characters and dragons 🥹🫶🏼
I really enjoyed getting more into the world beyond Basgiath, too.
But as time went on I found Xaden increasingly annoying in certain moments. And by the end of the book I kind of lost some respect for him? To be determined.
So much love for so many of the characters and dragons 🥹🫶🏼
I really enjoyed getting more into the world beyond Basgiath, too.
But as time went on I found Xaden increasingly annoying in certain moments. And by the end of the book I kind of lost some respect for him? To be determined.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wanted to give Phoebe a hug for most of the book, you go girl ❤️
This was funny, heartwarming, tender, and a delight to see how it would all play out in the end. I thought the heavier topics were handled with such grace in a real and sensitive way. I ended up loving Lila and Juice and Marla a lot. But mostly I loved Phoebe and loved rooting for her.
This was funny, heartwarming, tender, and a delight to see how it would all play out in the end. I thought the heavier topics were handled with such grace in a real and sensitive way. I ended up loving Lila and Juice and Marla a lot. But mostly I loved Phoebe and loved rooting for her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death, Infidelity, Miscarriage
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was cute! (Though a certain plot point at the end was questionable/creepy to me even if the intentions were charitable and some of the views/language felt a little dated, but then again it was written in 1905 haha)
Glad I finally read this one and look forward to reading The Secret Garden 🫶🏼
EDIT: I watched the 1995 movie adaptation and loved it so much 🥹
Glad I finally read this one and look forward to reading The Secret Garden 🫶🏼
EDIT: I watched the 1995 movie adaptation and loved it so much 🥹
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Grief, Stalking, Colonisation
A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Might revisit next year, but just wasn’t grabbing me and I’ve moved on now.
Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
Read this one for a book club, and I’m not sure I would have stuck with it if it weren’t for that, but I was glad I did by the end.
Sometimes the pace felt a little slow to me, and while the story was interesting I found myself wanting to hurry it along or craving more action. Though this could have been more indicative of my reading mood at the time rather than of the book itself.
However, I did really like this book and how it came together in the end.
The chemistry between Will and Anna sometimes fell short for me, but I enjoyed Anna’s character development and the focus on her personal growth. (In a way, I could have seen this book ending with her not being in a relationship with anyone as a perfectly acceptable ending.) I thought that the friendships she forged and the bond with her sister and kids were so sweet and just as important.
I loved the Google searches at the beginning of each chapter as well. So relatable!
Reading the end of the last chapter made me smile and I’m glad I stuck with it. Overall a lovely read from Sophie Cousens and would definitely recommend. ❤️
Sometimes the pace felt a little slow to me, and while the story was interesting I found myself wanting to hurry it along or craving more action. Though this could have been more indicative of my reading mood at the time rather than of the book itself.
However, I did really like this book and how it came together in the end.
The chemistry between Will and Anna sometimes fell short for me, but I enjoyed Anna’s character development and the focus on her personal growth. (In a way, I could have seen this book ending with her not being in a relationship with anyone as a perfectly acceptable ending.) I thought that the friendships she forged and the bond with her sister and kids were so sweet and just as important.
I loved the Google searches at the beginning of each chapter as well. So relatable!
Reading the end of the last chapter made me smile and I’m glad I stuck with it. Overall a lovely read from Sophie Cousens and would definitely recommend. ❤️
One Day in December by Josie Silver
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Have loved listening to this series on audio for roadtrips or doing chores - there’s just something comforting about it 💚
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
Read this one for my local bookstore’s Bingo Book Club and loved it! A good mix of mystery and rom-com set around Christmas - and the audiobook narration was superb as well. 🎄🕵🏻♀️
I enjoyed the mystery aspect, which made it feel different enough and more interesting than the average holiday romance to keep me turning the page. The spice level was pretty PG, but I liked that, so just don’t expect much there if that’s what you’re looking for.
I would definitely recommend, it was such a fun read and I look forward to reading The Blonde Identity next. I also didn’t realize she wrote The Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor, which has been on my TBR for a while! And she wrote the Netflix rom-com “A Castle for Christmas” so I’ll have to watch that one.
(Also cool that she lives in Oklahoma! 🫶🏼)
I enjoyed the mystery aspect, which made it feel different enough and more interesting than the average holiday romance to keep me turning the page. The spice level was pretty PG, but I liked that, so just don’t expect much there if that’s what you’re looking for.
I would definitely recommend, it was such a fun read and I look forward to reading The Blonde Identity next. I also didn’t realize she wrote The Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor, which has been on my TBR for a while! And she wrote the Netflix rom-com “A Castle for Christmas” so I’ll have to watch that one.
(Also cool that she lives in Oklahoma! 🫶🏼)
Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God: The Scandalous Truth of the Very Good News by Brian Zahnd
Will come back to it later