burnedstory's reviews
186 reviews

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.75

I think the twist carried the majority of the weight of the book other than that seems pretty average to me.

Ambrosia for Afters by Kalpana Swaminathan

slow-paced

1.25

I genuinely don't understand what the hell this book was trying to put forth.

The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I loved it. Shroff has acquired the feat of telling such a heavy story, portraying such heavy issues in such a humours but impactful way. A real page turner. Often when talked about India casteism is not talked about, it's like an unspoken devil in the nation but the way it was written in the story, I applaud it (Here I understand my privelige of being an upper caste person and not knowing even the tip of discrimination). The humour in the story in my opinion is commendable, shows the strength and courage of these women. Shroff says, she wanted to honour the Bandit Queen, Phoolan Mallah and I think she acheived that in a wonderful way. One of the major takeaways for me from the book was the power of female friendship, how these women stood behind each other warmed my heart. As we talk about feminism in the modern world, somewhere we forget about women like Geeta, Saloni, Farah and co. So I am very grateful to get to read their story. One where they are not put on pedestals, one where they are human and make wrong decisions and face the consequences of it. It's beautiful to read.
If "I support women's rights and women's wrongs" could be a book this very well might be it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Blood, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Murder, Gaslighting

Normal People by Sally Rooney

dark emotional 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? Yes

4.5

I don't think I've ever felt the feeling I had when I finally read the kast sentence of Normal people and I don't think I'll ever feel that again. Wonderful writing by Sally Ronney, never did I feel bored. This one deserves it's cult status is all I have to say, what beautiful characters, the complexity of their minds is portrayed with such care it's astonishing. I'll come back and re-read this probably a few years later and I feel I'll still find it this good then too.

Promise Boys by Nick Brooks

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.5

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

adventurous emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.75

Acts of God by Kanan Gill

adventurous funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Witty, to the point and incredible. 
The writing style may take some time to get used to but it's such a good way to present a book, I have no complaints really.