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coralinejones's reviews
413 reviews
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I think I have a slight bias against this book because I read Babel first. I really love Babel. It became my new favorite book before I had even finished it. And I had assumed that the writing in Poppy War would be as articulate and academic as that one.
I absolutely assumed R.F Kuang's writing style was just of that and nothing else because of my first impression with her. Although, I do know that Poppy War was her debut, and her first series, and she said it was like knocking the training wheels off for other projects. So I'm not mad at her for improving her writing style beyond Poppy War #1.
This book, at first, read like a YA school fantasy. I enjoyed the very beginning, but couldn't really stand any of the scenes when Rin was in school. Later, the book got as dark as I assumed it would and ended up really liking it.
I admittedly enjoyed the latter half of the novel more than the beginning, even though I really enjoyed the very start of the book. I want to read the second and third installments of the series, but I probably won't do it anytime soon.
I absolutely assumed R.F Kuang's writing style was just of that and nothing else because of my first impression with her. Although, I do know that Poppy War was her debut, and her first series, and she said it was like knocking the training wheels off for other projects. So I'm not mad at her for improving her writing style beyond Poppy War #1.
This book, at first, read like a YA school fantasy. I enjoyed the very beginning, but couldn't really stand any of the scenes when Rin was in school. Later, the book got as dark as I assumed it would and ended up really liking it.
I admittedly enjoyed the latter half of the novel more than the beginning, even though I really enjoyed the very start of the book. I want to read the second and third installments of the series, but I probably won't do it anytime soon.
Babel by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-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'M HEARTBROKEN
No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Sex and Rage by Eve Babitz
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
made me sleepy tired. pretty prose but not very much going on, none of the events so far caught my attention enough to continue
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
2.75
this was nothing special. it was cute at first, nothing memorable; towards the end i ended up skimming most of it. very predictable. nothing like daisy jones & the six, so the marketing there was terrible.
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.
i don't even have the words to explain why i hated this so badly and why it's impossible for me to finish this book. i don't mind when characters are unlikable but everyone, everyone, in this book is insufferable. there's barely a plot, so i'm inclined to believe that this is a character study of sorts? for a book that is character driven, the development of said characters, and the interactions between them, shouldn't be to trite and tedious to read through.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
i just reallu dislike lucy foley's writing style because i wasn't into the paris apartment, either