chrysoula_amv's reviews
145 reviews

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

This was a mesmerizing character study. Complex, intriguing and very disturbing. I felt like I was peeking through a keyhole seeing this girl's life. The characters, the thoughts and the implications of the actions taken were incredibly well fleshed out. You could understand the point of view of the girl and her complicated psychology yet still know what is happening is horrible. Like watching through rose colored glasses with cracks. Furthermore, I loved how this book was full of metaphors in a simple and consice writing style. Sometimes only a few simple words saying a very simple thing could convey immense emotions. I couldn't put it down. 
Lastly, I definitely recommend the audiobook. The actress did a phenomenal job.
Might bring it up to 5 stars depending on how much I keep thinking about it the next few days. 

Αγαπητέ Θεέ by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt, Αχιλλέας Κυριακίδης

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad fast-paced

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

4.5

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

This book gave me a LOT of existential dread and hopelessness for the future. Didn't realise it was because of it in the beginning however and reportedly the timing was also to blame. The dialogues and people feel very real and I really liked how the directing tips are incorporated throughout. In the end I wanted to throw the book across the room and tbh I did a few times. All my fault for, despite knowing his style of storytelling, I dared momentarily to hope in a somewhat happy ending. Don't do that lol. Really nice play and I also really liked the essay at the end. It felt like I was reading his journal.

Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa

emotional informative 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? Yes

5.0

Started reading this to read from a Palestinian author. I did not expect to stumble upon such a masterpiece. This was so well researched and articulated that I thought for a long time it was a memoir and not fiction. The writing is stunning I will definitely read a poetry collection of Susan Abulhawa. This book transported me. It was indeed like I lived another life. I cried 3-4 times and fell in love with all the character who I cannot believe are only fictional. I also learned a lot, provoked me to do my own research as well on the Palestine-Israeli situation and gave me a profound insight on how for each person truth differs which you can only get from being in another's head and daily life. This is a book about morally grey people against other morally grey people struggling to survive in a morally grey world. (+some outright evil people as well from whom there are zero excuses or empathy) Lastly, it made me so grateful for having a place in the world, a place I call home with all my relatives and people I love close. And I am also grateful for being able to travel, to move in the world (especially in the EU) so freely. I don't know what will happen with this war and the others going on in the world. I am insignificant in the face of them. I cannot stop them. I cannot bring peace to those people. Reading books is a blessing and a curse for how do you go from this to your daily routine and how, when you inevitably do, do you not feel bad about it.

The Yellow Wallpaper (AmazonClassics Edition) by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

Even better than the first time I read this. Beautiful and eerie.

Powerless by Lauren Roberts

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I started this on a whim not expecting match. Have only read one other fantasy romance book and didn't like it. It's not a literary masterpiece by any means but it was so fun, the romance made sense for the characters, the stakes were constantly high, the romance was blended into a larger plot and there was a very interesting and preferable to me twist on what typically would be a love triangle. The ending was very good and built up the tension for the continuation of the series brilliantly with were each character is mentally at the end. Though the world portrayed is nothing new and clearly inspired by the hunger games and other young adult series Lauren Roberts hasn't copied them. She took it to her own direction and I liked that. Also, there is not something extra to be said or a bigger conversation to be had stemming from this fantasy-dystopian society like for example with the hunger games which I consider fucking brilliant. However, the world was a great set up for all the action and the character dynamics. This book is just a lot of fun and sometimes that is enough. I am not the best person to judge because I am just now first delving into this genre but I was very pleasantly surprised.

A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

5.0

I just loved this book. Beautifully and brilliantly written and narrated. It includes many life lessons in a very casual way integrated in both funny and serious stories. It's crazy how well he managed to organise his life into experiences. Also, being into acting myself (it is a hobby I love dearly and want ti improve at it as best I can) it was an acting lesson just by itself. He explains how he grasps the understanding and essense of a role in a very actionable way. It felt like a way in to a deeper understanding of all the theory there is out there. Started it just because I had finished Breaking Bad and was craving for more but ended up being so much more for me. 

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

adventurous funny hopeful informative lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.5

As a teen I was obsessed with this series. It didn't do the same for me this time around sadly. (However, I remembered very few things and it was fun revisiting.) It was funny well thought of and written just not for my age right now. Younger me would have given the entire series a 5 stars though and it's an incredible one to get kids and teens into reading and greek mythology. I will continue with it as it is really relaxing to do chores to and the series is coming out. I do have to say though, being greek, it was so funny how intentionally americanised everything was.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

5.0

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin

challenging informative reflective tense fast-paced

4.0