charvi_not_just_fiction's reviews
730 reviews

Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan

adventurous funny mysterious reflective medium-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

4.5

I'm so glad that reading Percy Jackson still feels warm and fuzzy and as if I'm coming home. It's always lovely to read more about our favourite trio and join their adventures.

I think the only main criticism I have is that in these books set post the HOO war, Riordan doesn't seem to be writing Percy in the ways that having gone through two wars might have affected him. Yes, there are callbacks and attempts made but it doesn't feel enough and sort of a betrayal to the character? I love reading more about Percy but I wish we shifted more into YA or adult spaces for his character and development because it feels like he needs and deserves that space. I hope Rick stops writing Percy after the third book in this series or decides to write him more maturely in future.

But still, I'm never not going to pick up a PJO book :)

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

While I think the concept of a cat and a reader trying to 'save' books was quite interesting the execution failed me a bit. It's a very cosy read and I like how we explore Rinatro, our mc's life after the death of his grandfather aka his only living family. Left behind with the bookstore, Rintaro seems to lose his soul in books but over the course of the book we see him develop and come out of his shell.

I didn't quite enjoy the saving of the books and the lessons gained from them. They seemed too on the nose or kind of obvious, at least for me. So there was no real moment when I went ohhh with some sort of revelation or insight which is what made the book sort of boring for me. Some readers say they didn't like how preachy the cat and Rintaro were about other people reading their own books which I guess I agree with to some extent.

Overall, this is one you can choose to skip.

The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes

emotional inspiring reflective sad tense 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

This book has all my heart <3

The author's writing style is so engaging and the characters and their relationships are so well-built and developed that I was immediately attached to each and every one of them. This book deals with a lot of heavy matters and honestly, all the kids in this book have already gone through so much I just want to hug these cinnamon rolls. 

And it felt so heartwarming to see all their platonic and romantic relationships built over time <3 Ari was my favourite and it was incredibly heartbreaking to have a mc with autism and selective mutism being taken advantage of in such a brutal way. But the way Ari persevered, stood up for herself and fought back was so wonderfully written - I cried multiple times. I especially enjoyed reading about her complicated family dynamics and how Ari navigates that.

Honestly, all in all, if you read YA and are especially looking for some bipoc, queer or disabled rep I'd highly, highly recommend this book! But definitely go into this book reading the trigger warnings. TWs I can think of: rape, cheating, slut shaming, queerphobia, biphobia, bullying, assault

I Am a Cat by Natsume Sōseki
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

This is somewhat of a social commentary from a cat's perspective which is really not the kind of thing I'm into. I was enjoying it at first but we get less and less of the cat bits as you go on and it's rather out of my realm so I just find myself zoning in and out with the audiobook.
Unfortunately, not my cup of tea :(

Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Honestly, how do you rate or review somebody's notes on their personal experience of grief? All I can say is that this book really touched me and resonated with many of my experiences with grief. It had me in tears, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie does a beautiful job of putting her emotions and experiences into words <3

The Lantern of Lost Memories by Sanaka Hiiragi

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

I saw this book making the rounds recently and wow the hype was not wrong this time.
This is such a heart-touching book about people's last moments and the memories they have left. Through multiple protagonists we get a glimpse into people's lives and their most treasured moments. I didn't think it would be such an emotional ride but I had tears every few minutes. And the last story truly had me bawling... I was also listening to the audiobook version which left me even more emotional. Both the translator and narrator did such a great job with this one <3

I told myself I want to read more of cozy translated literature that leaves me with all the big feels and if you agree with that sentiment I would highly recommend this book!

Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli, Aisha Saeed

emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

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

5.0

I don't have enough words to describe how much I loved this book!
Literally hitting myself on the head for not picking it up sooner. I love both these authors and they did such a fantastic job bringing Jamie and Maya's story to life!

While this book might be about elections and a romance brewing at the heart of it there's so much complexity to every theme this book picks up. Every character and the relationships they have are nuanced and well-developed. If you want to read a book about identity, love, friendships and family I'd highly recommend picking this one up <3

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

I never walk away from a Matt Haig book without feeling all the feels.

It's so hard to write a review after the experience that has been "The Life Impossible". This is a book about life, adventure and living our lives like the miracle they are. It's about truly appreciating everything on earth and even embracing the darkness.

The fact that our protagonist is a retired old maths teacher struggling with her own grief and guilt tells you that this book is different. What might this person have left to experience in life? Everything. Matt Haig does a brilliant job creating a fictional story with so much heart and life lessons to it that leave you reeling and crying. Almost every other page is tabbed and underlined in my copy and I started crying from the very first page. If that doesn't tell you how much this book moved me, I don't know what will.

All I'll say is, pick this book up and savour it. Don't rush it. Take your time. Let the book call out to you and let yourself reflect on its contents. This one is a treasure <3

Also as a side note: I agree that this book is different from the rest of his books in a way. If you're someone who cares more about the plot of Matt Haig's books this might not be for you. But if you're enamoured by his writing and the messages of hope Haig tries to portray then you'll end up loving it <3

The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.

Umm dnf at 34%

I'm sorry, I've just been reading this book for 252 days now as in I never read it and pick it up once in a blue moon to read a couple of pages and forget about it.
I don't know what's about this series for me, I have a sort of love-hate relationship with it. I think I really need to get a physical copy for this. The only reason I kept going is because I'm desperate to know what happens in the end but at this point, I might as well google it.

Honestly not the book's fault especially when I've loved the other two books but it is what it is.

Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.

Dnf at 11%

A lot of my mutuals have rated this a very average read but I still decided to give it a shot because I've had it on my TBr forever. But oh my god the audiobook was SUCH a bad idea. It's honestly so hard to keep up wth the worldbuilding in audiobook format to the point I've actively stopped listening to audiobooks to avoid reading this one...

I'd like to say one day I might try an e-copy but it's very unlikely.