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cora_hreads's reviews
35 reviews
Renegades by Marissa Meyer
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
*SPOILERS THROUGHOUT!*
I leave “Renegades” feeling both interested and a little confused. We end with three sub-plot lines to be resolved in book 2: romantic endeavors between Adrian and Nova, the Council’s ulterior motives with Max’s power-of-origin, and Ace Anarchy being alive. While they all lead up to a great book 2 setup, I’m wish that the way they were written was a bit different. Instead of Nova leaving Adrian at the end without much information, she could’ve led him on with something gentle (like a hug). That’s my main “peeve,” but everything else seems to be in the in-between of good and somewhat plot hole-y. Hopefully book 2 helps bring those to a close.
For the entire book, I liked that there was a good, solid balance between character development and action. For every sample of relationships that the reader learns about, some aspect of action or fighting was in progress, had just happened, or was going on. The action itself was engaging and broke up the book well — surprisingly, for me, it was a part that I really liked! I also felt like I could have a true understanding of most of the characters. They were funny, loving, charismatic — more than just characters, they were really people. I can’t commend Meyer enough for putting so much into them.
Overall, I give “Renegades” 4/5 stars because of how well written both the actions and the characters were written (along with plot pacing). I do wish that some of the sub plots were tied up a little bit more at the end, though, even if book 2 was in mind during the writing of book 1.
I leave “Renegades” feeling both interested and a little confused. We end with three sub-plot lines to be resolved in book 2: romantic endeavors between Adrian and Nova, the Council’s ulterior motives with Max’s power-of-origin, and Ace Anarchy being alive. While they all lead up to a great book 2 setup, I’m wish that the way they were written was a bit different. Instead of Nova leaving Adrian at the end without much information, she could’ve led him on with something gentle (like a hug). That’s my main “peeve,” but everything else seems to be in the in-between of good and somewhat plot hole-y. Hopefully book 2 helps bring those to a close.
For the entire book, I liked that there was a good, solid balance between character development and action. For every sample of relationships that the reader learns about, some aspect of action or fighting was in progress, had just happened, or was going on. The action itself was engaging and broke up the book well — surprisingly, for me, it was a part that I really liked! I also felt like I could have a true understanding of most of the characters. They were funny, loving, charismatic — more than just characters, they were really people. I can’t commend Meyer enough for putting so much into them.
Overall, I give “Renegades” 4/5 stars because of how well written both the actions and the characters were written (along with plot pacing). I do wish that some of the sub plots were tied up a little bit more at the end, though, even if book 2 was in mind during the writing of book 1.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Wife Upstairs was... weird, but I couldn't put it down in the second half. It was just so odd that it kept me engaged and putting the pieces of the plot together, just a few steps ahead of Jane yet also on the same path. This book is definitely not something I would've picked up on my own if it weren't for recommendations online. I want to say that I'm glad I read it, but I'm still not entirely sure about that.
It started out pretty harmless, with the intruige of Bea's parts in the book skewing the reader's view of Eddie and how all the events were going to play out. You're lead to believe that one person "did it," and can find out in advance who really did it before the plot twist, but it still shocks you when it happens. I feel like Jane was a really good character to use as the main point-of-view, as she acted like an audience insert with a goal, like if you were following a friend's train of thought as you figured out a puzzle. Jane is still her own person, but with enough wiggle room that the reader finds out everything that she does around the same time.
When you get further into the book, now having multiple instances of Bea and Jane's point-of-view, The Wife Upstairs starts to take the turn from its Jane Eyre origins and dives into its own story. This is especially important at the lake scene -- I won't say much more than that.
One of the aspects of the book that I liked was how at the end, everything seemed to come full circle, with Jane ending up where she was right at the start. It also wasn't a super rushed ending, as the tension built throughout the story made the ending's pace and total chain of events make sense. I also found it interesting that it's an open ending -- the reader, along with Jane, thinks that one person did one thing, but it isn't entirely true -- for all we know, it could be entirely false. Jane is like an unreliable narrator, but in a way that makes sense to the audience and, again, is like an audience insert.
Overall, The Wife Upstairs was a book that was certainly not something I'd normally read, but I'm glad that I read it at all. It's not a life-changing read by any means, but it did serve as a gateway to more weird and gothic-inspired novels for me to read. 3.5/5 stars.
It started out pretty harmless, with the intruige of Bea's parts in the book skewing the reader's view of Eddie and how all the events were going to play out. You're lead to believe that one person "did it," and can find out in advance who really did it before the plot twist, but it still shocks you when it happens. I feel like Jane was a really good character to use as the main point-of-view, as she acted like an audience insert with a goal, like if you were following a friend's train of thought as you figured out a puzzle. Jane is still her own person, but with enough wiggle room that the reader finds out everything that she does around the same time.
When you get further into the book, now having multiple instances of Bea and Jane's point-of-view, The Wife Upstairs starts to take the turn from its Jane Eyre origins and dives into its own story. This is especially important at the lake scene -- I won't say much more than that.
One of the aspects of the book that I liked was how at the end, everything seemed to come full circle, with Jane ending up where she was right at the start. It also wasn't a super rushed ending, as the tension built throughout the story made the ending's pace and total chain of events make sense. I also found it interesting that it's an open ending -- the reader, along with Jane, thinks that one person did one thing, but it isn't entirely true -- for all we know, it could be entirely false. Jane is like an unreliable narrator, but in a way that makes sense to the audience and, again, is like an audience insert.
Overall, The Wife Upstairs was a book that was certainly not something I'd normally read, but I'm glad that I read it at all. It's not a life-changing read by any means, but it did serve as a gateway to more weird and gothic-inspired novels for me to read. 3.5/5 stars.
Immunity by Erin Bowman
This book was really good all throughout, especially with the buildup for the end. You could feel the pressure that was put on all the characters as they left their old life, but the actual end wasn’t enough for me (if it is the ending — the hosts that Thea and Coen hinted at while they were fighting might be looked into if there’s a future book). The end does make sense, as Thea and Coen have to build their relationship like everybody else does now, but it just wasn’t quite enough to make me feel that everything had had its proper repercussion — even Burke succumbed to an ending that was too quick, to “let’s move on with the story”
for him. Overall I believe it was an amazing book, but the end climax and its execution should have been more rigid, like you knew the trauma was going to take time to overcome and deal with (as it does in real life).
4.0
Spoiler
Actual Rating: 3.5/5This book was really good all throughout, especially with the buildup for the end. You could feel the pressure that was put on all the characters as they left their old life, but the actual end wasn’t enough for me (if it is the ending — the hosts that Thea and Coen hinted at while they were fighting might be looked into if there’s a future book). The end does make sense, as Thea and Coen have to build their relationship like everybody else does now, but it just wasn’t quite enough to make me feel that everything had had its proper repercussion — even Burke succumbed to an ending that was too quick, to “let’s move on with the story”
for him. Overall I believe it was an amazing book, but the end climax and its execution should have been more rigid, like you knew the trauma was going to take time to overcome and deal with (as it does in real life).
Jelly by Clare Rees
4.0
This was out of my comfort zone but a good choice in total. It communicated the plot points and mannerisms of the characters well, while also bringing up climate change. The way the characters used the plastic and abandoned houses to their advantage was an excellently discreet way to say how there’s an absurd amount of pollution in the ocean (as well as everything else about rising sea levels). The POV is very important to how everything was explained, too. Assuming that Martha is around 17-20 years old, it makes the complex topic(s) digestible.
If there was a critique I had to give the book, it would be to narrow down the ages of the main 4 characters. I understand that it’s been years since they first got on the Jellyfish, but it would’ve allowed a clearer perspective on how readers could interpret the plot from Martha’s understanding. How did she end up on the Jellyfish so young? Was she swept up in chaos or deliberately involved? That sort of thing.
Overall, this book is a 4/5 for me.
If there was a critique I had to give the book, it would be to narrow down the ages of the main 4 characters. I understand that it’s been years since they first got on the Jellyfish, but it would’ve allowed a clearer perspective on how readers could interpret the plot from Martha’s understanding. How did she end up on the Jellyfish so young? Was she swept up in chaos or deliberately involved? That sort of thing.
Overall, this book is a 4/5 for me.
Mark of the Wicked by Georgia Bowers
I absolutely loved the ending. Matilda came to terms with her magic and creating a coven — the falling-down-the-well scene was the defining moment in the book for her. The last chapter was incredibly wholesome, too. Many books have ended in an odd way lately, but this hit the nail on the head. Everything about it was phenomenal — Oliver’s punishment (she was really strong to let him go with all his abilities back, that was indescribably excellent), her gift of magic from Ivy — all of it. Amazing.
The only critique I have is for the writing style. While keeping it uniquely the author’s, I think that it could’ve been a bit smoother and consistent in tone from the beginning to around the middle. It became that in the end, yes, but it could’ve always been that way. This isn’t a critique I thought about the whole book, just some food for thought.
Overall I’d definitely recommend this if someone wants to get into reading mystery/fantasy. Incredible!
4.0
Spoiler
I KNEW OLIVER WAS SUSPICIOUS! At her birthday celebration he seemed to be getting way too comfortable with her. Constantly calling her “birthday girl” reminded me of the whole “what’s wrong babygirl?” event that happened, which made me greatly uncomfortable. After the reveal that Oliver was, in fact, causing Matilda all this trouble out of pettiness (he does have the right to feel violated by what Matilda had done to his sister, but he shouldn’t have done what he did for vengeance), everything started to line up. The freezing chills Matilda had whenever Oliver touched her, the fact that nearly every blackout happened when he was around — it all makes sense.I absolutely loved the ending. Matilda came to terms with her magic and creating a coven — the falling-down-the-well scene was the defining moment in the book for her. The last chapter was incredibly wholesome, too. Many books have ended in an odd way lately, but this hit the nail on the head. Everything about it was phenomenal — Oliver’s punishment (she was really strong to let him go with all his abilities back, that was indescribably excellent), her gift of magic from Ivy — all of it. Amazing.
The only critique I have is for the writing style. While keeping it uniquely the author’s, I think that it could’ve been a bit smoother and consistent in tone from the beginning to around the middle. It became that in the end, yes, but it could’ve always been that way. This isn’t a critique I thought about the whole book, just some food for thought.
Overall I’d definitely recommend this if someone wants to get into reading mystery/fantasy. Incredible!
Reaper of Souls by Rena Barron
4.0
This story was brilliant and held lots of detail. The characters had a great amount of depth and the settings were described in an incredible way. The torment that Arrah and Rudjek go through is almost like a tangible feeling. Everything made sense in the plot too (though the character reveals were odd. That’s most likely on my part for not reading the first installment beforehand). I found the writing style very interesting — when the narrative was changing between the demon and Rudjek, for example, the lack of italics was clever. You get confused on who’s talking — just like how the body is confused on who’s commanding it. The pacing kept my interest but it wasn’t without faults.
Things got really interesting only towards the last quarter of the book. It could be that most of the book was trying recap the previous book, but I felt that it was difficult to get through for a while. Also, when the stories of Dimma and Arrah became closer and closer together in revealing details, it got confusing about how all the rules worked and who did what to cause everything. It was unclear.
Overall I give Reaper of Souls a 4/5 stars. The plot and detail was phenomenal, but pacing and perspective could be improved.
Things got really interesting only towards the last quarter of the book. It could be that most of the book was trying recap the previous book, but I felt that it was difficult to get through for a while. Also, when the stories of Dimma and Arrah became closer and closer together in revealing details, it got confusing about how all the rules worked and who did what to cause everything. It was unclear.
Overall I give Reaper of Souls a 4/5 stars. The plot and detail was phenomenal, but pacing and perspective could be improved.
Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli, Aisha Saeed
4.0
I give "Yes No Maybe So" 4.5/5 stars. The development of Maya and Jamie individually was gradual and realistic. Their involvement in Rossum's political campaign was excellently linked to their feelings for each other. For example, Jamie becomes more aware of the injustices towards Muslim women (and the greater effects of H. B. 28) by listening to what Maya and her mother go through on a daily basis. This not only furthers his intrinsic motivations to better Georgia, but he sympathizes with Maya and has a deeper care for her.
I sincerely appreciate the advice that Maya and Jamie's parents were giving them whenever they had ideas for canvassing or doing campaign work. If Jamie had really pushed the politics during Sophie's bat mitzvah, it certainly would've ruined her night and diminished the happiness of the gathering. But in his speech, he accredited all of the hard work to his sister which elegantly put politics and celebration together. He made a smart move, probably one that ultimately saved him in the end. When Maya's mother reminds her of how relationships must be taken seriously if they are to go into the future, it creates a dynamic between the two main characters that the reader has to keep in mind. Jamie may be fine with casual dating and its hardships, but Maya has to think critically about who she wants to be with in the long run. The fact that all of these are private thoughts not expressed to the other character is an intrigue to the book that made it all the better.
Essentially, the character arcs, plot developments, and intertwining of the subplots was all brilliantly executed in "Yes No Maybe So". Maya and Jamie are relatable and lovable characters that will have you rooting for them as they spend more and more time together. 4.5/5 stars.
I sincerely appreciate the advice that Maya and Jamie's parents were giving them whenever they had ideas for canvassing or doing campaign work. If Jamie had really pushed the politics during Sophie's bat mitzvah, it certainly would've ruined her night and diminished the happiness of the gathering. But in his speech, he accredited all of the hard work to his sister which elegantly put politics and celebration together. He made a smart move, probably one that ultimately saved him in the end. When Maya's mother reminds her of how relationships must be taken seriously if they are to go into the future, it creates a dynamic between the two main characters that the reader has to keep in mind. Jamie may be fine with casual dating and its hardships, but Maya has to think critically about who she wants to be with in the long run. The fact that all of these are private thoughts not expressed to the other character is an intrigue to the book that made it all the better.
Essentially, the character arcs, plot developments, and intertwining of the subplots was all brilliantly executed in "Yes No Maybe So". Maya and Jamie are relatable and lovable characters that will have you rooting for them as they spend more and more time together. 4.5/5 stars.