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crescentsays's reviews
517 reviews
On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Grimm Curiosities by Sharon Lynn Fisher
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Kat and Meg Conquer the World by Anna Priemaza
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
I adored this book. I think this is the first book that has made me really feel so much emotion for the characters. I cared so deeply for all of them, even the background ones. As a person with ADHD, Meg is an incredible representation of how it feels, especially when it seems that you're rejected all of the time. Kat's anxiety is also me, although more severe than I have it, but it really helped me to see that characters can be complex and still so caring.
About the game, I want to play it! I believe from the acknowledgements that it's based off of Minecraft, which makes me want to play it. I loved the chat logs, and seeing a sort of zoomed out view of the game world. For readers who are worried about reading a book full of stats and numbers, this is not that at all. It does use the game as a central point, but otherwise it's about fandom and parasocial relationships, and friendship, and courage, and so many more things that I could list, but this is already long enough.
If you are at all interested, please, give it a chance.
About the game, I want to play it! I believe from the acknowledgements that it's based off of Minecraft, which makes me want to play it. I loved the chat logs, and seeing a sort of zoomed out view of the game world. For readers who are worried about reading a book full of stats and numbers, this is not that at all. It does use the game as a central point, but otherwise it's about fandom and parasocial relationships, and friendship, and courage, and so many more things that I could list, but this is already long enough.
If you are at all interested, please, give it a chance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content
Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Contact by Carl Sagan
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
In short, I loved this book. I am not a romance reader. I find most romance books cringy and awkward to read, especially if they're straight couples. this book changed that. I loved the twins and getting to see the relationships they each form with the other's lives. The fact that there's a cat and dog just add to the magic. All in all, a great light romance read with no spice (1 or 2/5 on the scale for those who know), and was easy to get through. Also for a book set at christmas time, there was no religion which I sincerely appreciated.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
The Magician's Land by Lev Grossman
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Magician King by Lev Grossman
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed The Magician King more than its predecessor, but it still left me with mixed feelings. Quentin remains a frustrating character at times, but he showed more growth in this book, which made him slightly more bearable. The alternating storyline focusing on Julia was a welcome addition—her backstory and transformation were far more compelling than Quentin’s journey in both books combined.
The plot here is more focused and engaging, with higher stakes and better pacing. I appreciated that the story leaned more into the quest-like narrative, which made the fantasy elements shine. However, the darker and grittier tone persists, and while it added depth to Julia’s arc, it sometimes felt unnecessarily bleak.
Once again, the worldbuilding is a highlight. Fillory remains an intriguing and magical setting, and I loved how this installment expanded on its lore and history. That said, the emotional connection to the characters still fell short for me. While the plot kept me interested, I didn’t feel as invested in their personal stakes as I wanted to.
Overall, The Magician King improves on the first book in terms of plot and pacing, but the series still struggles with creating likable or relatable characters. If you enjoyed the world of The Magicians and want to dive deeper into Fillory, this sequel is worth picking up.
The plot here is more focused and engaging, with higher stakes and better pacing. I appreciated that the story leaned more into the quest-like narrative, which made the fantasy elements shine. However, the darker and grittier tone persists, and while it added depth to Julia’s arc, it sometimes felt unnecessarily bleak.
Once again, the worldbuilding is a highlight. Fillory remains an intriguing and magical setting, and I loved how this installment expanded on its lore and history. That said, the emotional connection to the characters still fell short for me. While the plot kept me interested, I didn’t feel as invested in their personal stakes as I wanted to.
Overall, The Magician King improves on the first book in terms of plot and pacing, but the series still struggles with creating likable or relatable characters. If you enjoyed the world of The Magicians and want to dive deeper into Fillory, this sequel is worth picking up.
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I went into The Magicians hoping for an immersive and magical experience, but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations. The main character, Quentin, is insufferably whiny and self-centered, making it hard to root for or even care about him. His lack of growth and depth made the journey feel like a slog.
On the positive side, the setting of Brakebills was captivating. The magical school had so much potential to shine as the central focus of the story. Unfortunately, the plot sprawled beyond the school into areas that felt unnecessary and less engaging. If the book had just focused on the school and its intricacies, I think it could have been something truly special.
Instead, the narrative leaned heavily on plot over character development. I found myself detached from the characters, unable to form any real connection to their struggles or triumphs. The emphasis on moving the story forward at the expense of deeper emotional engagement left me cold.
While some readers may enjoy the darker, grittier take on fantasy, The Magicians just didn’t work for me. If you’re looking for a more character-driven or school-centered story, this might not be the one for you. That said, I am too curious not to at least try the next book.
On the positive side, the setting of Brakebills was captivating. The magical school had so much potential to shine as the central focus of the story. Unfortunately, the plot sprawled beyond the school into areas that felt unnecessary and less engaging. If the book had just focused on the school and its intricacies, I think it could have been something truly special.
Instead, the narrative leaned heavily on plot over character development. I found myself detached from the characters, unable to form any real connection to their struggles or triumphs. The emphasis on moving the story forward at the expense of deeper emotional engagement left me cold.
While some readers may enjoy the darker, grittier take on fantasy, The Magicians just didn’t work for me. If you’re looking for a more character-driven or school-centered story, this might not be the one for you. That said, I am too curious not to at least try the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail