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cass_lit's reviews
1305 reviews
Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
5.0
Returning to Camp Half Blood will never not feel like returning home. I love the characters were introduced to in this one and the way it moves along the conflict (and the prophecy…).
Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
3.0
This was an unfortunate read for me personally. I loved the premise and I loved the dancing. I liked Evie, but I also got annoyed by a lot of her choices. And while you can’t normally fault a teenager in a YA for making teenager decisions, I went through a lot of the same situations she’s going through as a teenager which made it a tad difficult to read about. Especially the end — what do you mean you just choose what’s best for your sister and NOT tell her when she directly asks? You’re literally just doing exactly what your mom did to you. And maybe I’m just more stubborn (read: unhealthy, unhealed, etc.) but Evie gave in to both her dad/stepmom and her best friends ruining their senior trip far too easily for me.
The grief in this book is a whole other ball game as well. There’s a lot of sadness that tried to be hopeful with it, but I just left feeling sad unfortunately. Maybe that’s on me. All in all, I think this book will do great things for a lot of people. It wasn’t for me, and that’s ok.
The grief in this book is a whole other ball game as well. There’s a lot of sadness that tried to be hopeful with it, but I just left feeling sad unfortunately. Maybe that’s on me. All in all, I think this book will do great things for a lot of people. It wasn’t for me, and that’s ok.
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
5.0
I think the only two ways I could have loved this story more would be if 1) I got Kit and Theo’s POV for every single moment or 2) I was literally there with them. I don’t even know what to say. I liked this from the start, back when I was just thinking that Theo and Kit were infinitely cooler than I could ever be and that the setting made me want to hop on a plane to France. But by the end, I was so invested in them individually, them as a couple, every single person on their trip, every other person in their lives, everything they were sightseeing and eating. I was empathetically feeling these fictional characters’ feelings an unhealthy amount, but it’s because they were so relatable. I felt so seen in different parts of these characters and these stories despite being nothing like Kit or Theo in actuality.
Seriously though, I do wish the POVs were rotated a bit more, because I missed getting Theo’s thoughts the second half of the trip. And I will caveat that for the first few chapters of the second half *potential small spoiler but definitely not hugely plot-related*Kit refers to Theo with she/her pronouns in his thoughts because Theo hasn’t come out to him yet. He changes immediately upon being told, but it’s a little jarring as the reader already knowing Theo uses they/them. This is coming from a cis person’s viewpoint though, so I guess that’s just a fraction of the feelings trans people have when misgendered.
Casey McQuiston has a way of making me think everything will be okay in the world and in my life, even if just while I’m reading their work. It’s just an escape from reality, but it’s one that leaves me with so much hope and new will to live and to try. That’s something so special about very few books for people and I’m so thankful for it.
Seriously though, I do wish the POVs were rotated a bit more, because I missed getting Theo’s thoughts the second half of the trip. And I will caveat that for the first few chapters of the second half *potential small spoiler but definitely not hugely plot-related*
Casey McQuiston has a way of making me think everything will be okay in the world and in my life, even if just while I’m reading their work. It’s just an escape from reality, but it’s one that leaves me with so much hope and new will to live and to try. That’s something so special about very few books for people and I’m so thankful for it.
Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire
3.5
I didn’t get to this right after In an Absent Dream and then I put it off for so long because I was nervous about remembering everyone and everything. But it was never going to get better unless I reread the first 4, so I just went for it. It was better than I expected but definitely a still a little hazy. Some worlds are more my favorites than others, and while I was glad we got to finish Jack’s story, I don’t love the Moors. I’m glad I jumped back into this series though and I’m excited to continue!
Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
3.25
This is the only Bridgerton book I’ve read; I watched seasons 1 and 2 of the show and have been so excited for Colin and Penelope’s season! I got tired of waiting and decided to try out the book. Unsurprising to me, I like the tv versions of each character better than their book counterparts. But I was kind of nervous going in that I’d *hate* the book version and was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t! Everything was a little more toxic, the fatphobia and comments on Pen’s virginity were a bit much, and Colin’s attitude had me sighing every few chapters… but overall I had a good time. It definitely helped that I pictured the show characters, I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed this as much with no context.
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee
3.0
This was kind of a polarizing read for me personally. I didn’t realize it was a memoir until I started it, but that originally just made me more excited to read it. I liked a lot of the points, and I think the book’s biggest achievement is its vulnerability. Other people share all of the thoughts and feelings of the author (myself included on some!), and it’s great to have a resource to know you’re not alone.
However, I do think the nature of the memoir — a snippet of therapy sessions — does a disservice to some of the issues discussed. We get a tiny glimpse into her therapist’s advice, which is obviously going to be individualized and personal, but no broader level reflection or work towards “fixing” anything. There’s a lot of talk about body dysmorphia for example, and all I’m left with is that the author hasn’t fixed hers, I haven’t fixed mine, and now I know that at least some people with it are judging others on their appearance despite dealing with the same struggles! Some of the discussions just left me with a poor taste. Also, the therapist’s note at the end had me so confused…I know she knew she was being recorded, but to find out she had no idea her words would be published?!? Crazy to me.
One thing to also note is that this work is translated and is set in Korea, so these very personal issues will obviously be influenced by the culture the author grew up in. The obsession with physical appearance (and the directness in commenting on others’), for example, is very prevalent in Korea but may not be so everywhere else. Same thing with their views on social issues. I had to kind of readjust my knee-jerk reaction to certain parts of this, keeping that in mind.
However, I do think the nature of the memoir — a snippet of therapy sessions — does a disservice to some of the issues discussed. We get a tiny glimpse into her therapist’s advice, which is obviously going to be individualized and personal, but no broader level reflection or work towards “fixing” anything. There’s a lot of talk about body dysmorphia for example, and all I’m left with is that the author hasn’t fixed hers, I haven’t fixed mine, and now I know that at least some people with it are judging others on their appearance despite dealing with the same struggles! Some of the discussions just left me with a poor taste. Also, the therapist’s note at the end had me so confused…I know she knew she was being recorded, but to find out she had no idea her words would be published?!? Crazy to me.
One thing to also note is that this work is translated and is set in Korea, so these very personal issues will obviously be influenced by the culture the author grew up in. The obsession with physical appearance (and the directness in commenting on others’), for example, is very prevalent in Korea but may not be so everywhere else. Same thing with their views on social issues. I had to kind of readjust my knee-jerk reaction to certain parts of this, keeping that in mind.
One Piece, Vol. 4: The Black Cat Pirates by Eiichiro Oda
4.0
Starting to really enjoy these. I feel like the crew is coming together and I’m enjoying the ride.
Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa
4.5
I am pride & prejudice’s biggest fan, so it’s already hard for a retelling to fully wow me. But I particularly enjoy queer retellings, where we can reimagine a regency period allowing for characters to be their open selves. (The author’s note at the end regarding queer people in the regency era was super interesting as well!) And I loved this — I binged it in a day, rooting for Oliver and Darcy with the same intensity I root for the original Elizabeth and Darcy every reread or rewatch, even though I know the ending.
The one single flaw here for me was that sometimes it was too closely aligned to the story, but other times not at all and both in ways that felt a little off as someone who loves the original so much. Certain characters, for example, felt like caricatures of their original personality and not wholly original or true to the source. And then some plot points would happen just as they did in the original, but they didn’t make as much sense to me with the other changes. But these are wholly personal issues, and I still loved the book despite them!