cath_reads_books's reviews
28 reviews

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

This was one of the most profound books I’ve read in a long time. Every chapter made me think and caused me to see pieces of my own life from a new perspective. Not only was I rooting for Nora to figure things out, but I was working to figure out what was important to me too.

Such a clever book that has, for sure, left a lasting impression on me. Time to go buy a copy for myself so I can keep it forever!

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The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

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dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-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

4.75

I thought this book was gonna be a cliché suspense/thriller; oh boy was I wrong.

At first I thought Fern was a mentally ill murderer. Turns out Fern is for sure neurodiverse and this ends up being one of the most twisted reveals of massive, massive family abuse and ableism I’ve ever read. ROSE, her SISTER, is a psychopath and abuser.

I truly loved the representation that comes from

having a neurodiverse main character. It’s not a point of view. I’ve seen often in novels, and I hope that more like it are written. Not only was just a good suspense/thriller novel, but it also highlights the struggles that neurodiverse individuals have in relationships and how they can be taken advantage of.

This is definitely one of those books that you learn from without really realizing you’re learning.

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A Whisper in the Walls by Scott Reintgen

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adventurous challenging dark tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

I just… this book series has me in a chokehold. They are SO. GOOD! Every character is extremely nuanced, at least slightly untrustworthy, and extremely cutthroat. There are plots within plots. The world-building for Ravinia was just as phenomenal at that for The Dires and Balmerick. Scott Reintgen truly delivered another masterpiece and I have zero critiques of this work.

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Where He Can't Find You by Darcy Coates

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Another epic page-turner from Darcy Coates!

I absolutely loved this book. I mean it when I say that once I started it, I could not put it down; I had to know how the story was going to end. I adored the IT vibes that the book had, as it centered around a group of childhood friends fighting a spectre-like/mythical creature who was abducting others. I don’t want to spoil too much about the book, but I will say that I enjoyed the loyalty and fast friendship of the group of kids in this book. The Stitcher was also one of the most unique villains/monsters I’ve come across to date. It was awesome to read about something new and fresh, while also having some body horror thrown in lol.

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The Favorite by Kiera Cass

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emotional lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

2.5

2.5 of 5 stars. It was nice to get a little more of Marlee’s story because she’s so sweet, but this novella didn’t really provide any revelations or insights about the series as a whole. It felt like reading for reading’s sake.

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The One by Kiera Cass

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-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? Yes

3.75

3.75 stars for this book. I loved finally getting to the end of America and Maxon’s story. They didn’t exactly get the picture perfect “Happy Ever After”, but the did end up together.

Having said all that, the ending of this book felt a little too convenient and it definitely felt rushed. The rest of the series seemed to dig into some pretty deep emotional moments and contexts. In this last book, there’s a bunch of trauma that happens in the last 50 pages or so, but none of it is given attention or is really discussed. It’s all just kind of tied up in a neat little bow, glazed over without any weight or consideration really given, so that the story could end. It seemed incongruous with the rest of the series, and it’s why my rating wasn’t higher for this particular book. Everything was wrapped up, there aren’t any loose ends, but I wish it was done it a better way.

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The Prince by Kiera Cass

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emotional hopeful informative reflective slow-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

4.0

This novella was so cute! I loved finding out that Amberly was able to have a child after all, and that the series would center around him and his Selection. Maxon is at once a child and adult. He has so many worries that a person of his age should not, yet he handles them with as much grace as he can.

I was so proud of him when he didn’t make the easy choice and begin to date his childhood friend. He could’ve just settled for an option that would have been safe, but he decided to be truthful and honest about his own feelings and go after a love match rather than a tactful one. I hope The Selection can provide the love match he’s looking for!

The Elite by Kiera Cass

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense 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

It’s safe to say this series has me absolutely hooked! It’s basically The Bachelor but with actually intelligent people, and the political status of an entire country hang in the balance of the outcome.

I thought I was Team Maxon before this book; now I’m definitely Team Maxon forever.

It’s heartbreaking to read about what a difficult spot he’s in: trying to be compassionate and show mercy to people around him while dealing with a tyrannical and abusive father. Finding out that Maxon has been taking physical punishments and beatings from his father for years absolutely broke me. And it made me love Maxon so much more, because clearly those punishments had not broken him or turned him into a monster of a person.

America continues to be the upstanding, caring, thoughtful heroine I needed in my life. She is devoted to what is fair and good, even if it means giving up a little of her privilege for others. In every decision she’s making she’s weighing not only what would be good for herself, but good for the country and the citizens of Illéa. I know she’s got doubts, but I honestly think she would make a fantastic princess and an even more wonderful queen! As an aside: I absolutely adore the relationship she has with her maids. 💜 She truly values everyone regardless of caste.

It was clear from the end of this book that Maxon and America have an extremely tough time ahead.

There’s still four girls left…

cannot wait to see how The Selection ends!

Content Warnings

The Guard by Kiera Cass

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emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

2.75

This was my least favorite installment of The Selection series thus far. It’s still a solid novella and definitely has its place in the series; overall though I don’t find Aspen’s character compelling.

This novella was told from his point of view, and let me tell you it gave me the ick. He constantly calls America “his girl” even though they’re not together. Even though he dumped her. It’s just gross. Furthermore, the novella starts with Marlee and Woodwork being beaten, yet Aspen continues to behave the way he does knowing that same punishment would be coming his way if they were caught?

What kind of protection is that?

Needless to say, I’m not a fan of Aspen. Average book, sub-average character.

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Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring tense fast-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? Yes

4.0

This book was great, as long as you don’t stack it up against Divine Rivals haha. That being said, I don’t think I’m ready for Kitt and Winnow’s story to be over! 😭 They truly had a great love.

I was very pleased with the role reversal that took place in this book; it really allowed it to carry the same vibes Divine Rivals had. And seeing the contrast between Iris and Roman’s relationship and that of Dacre and Enva… goodness gracious.

The one thing about this book that I have to critique is that

the ending felt a bit anticlimactic and almost rushed at points. Like the big climax everyone expected was over too quickly, but the story kept going. I also didn’t enjoy the suspicion that was cast on Enva unnecessarily. It seemed there was absolutely no point to that as it didn’t end up factoring into the outcome.

I did, however, appreciate how there were no loose ends and that the door wasn’t left open to continue these stories. Kitt and Winnow can stay tied up with a neat little bow.

A good conclusion to the story, but definitely overshadowed by how phenomenal Divine Rivals was.

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cath_reads_books's reviews 28 reviews

cath_reads_books's reviews
28 reviews