ddnreads's reviews
408 reviews

Vilest Things by Chloe Gong

adventurous challenging dark emotional fast-paced

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

3.0

I finished this book in one sitting!! That said something~ in a way that the storyline is gripping enough, the pace is okay (they're wrecking havoc 30% in so yeah). 

I feel like this book is finally underline the series' title (False God). 

For me, Vilest Things is enjoyable in the matter of me turning off my critical thinking skills and receive  whatever Chloe Gong throw my way throughout the plot.... (It's still all over the place, but page turning I guess)

I mean, yes we get this kind of magic system. We understood it from the prev book, only for it to be useless bcs there are so many exceptions. The plot armor..... A lot of things don't make sense. The author conveniently change the way of the magic as she saw fit. In the end it's about the chosen one and it makes the whole series less interesting for me. 

And I think book one lost its importance. Vilest Things is very very different than Immortal Longing. Anton and Calla didn't have to go through the bloody games to be in this position for the second book to go through (?) the game itself is not necessarily crucial in the end. 

Wondering how someone who's in coma for 7 years, wake up, and basically the strongest person there???? (Told ya if you're not muling over things too hard you may enjoy the book better. Don't question it).

This book has more medieval vibes with the crown that choose the leader kind of thing. Revolution and challenge the monarchy.

For an adult sff novel, I've seen better (in terms of writing, premise, and plot).

Oh, and I actually liked the characters dynamic. Chloe Gong strength 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾


If you're into SFF with kingdom intricts, unhinged FMC, toppling down monarch, laced with compli ated romance, and plot twists, give this series a go!!!

You can start by reading its first installment, Immortal Longing.

Thank you Sgaa Press and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for honest review. 

Mallory in Full Color by Elisa Stone Leahy

emotional lighthearted reflective 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

4.5

Mallory in Full Color is a coming of age story of a tween. Mallory is the eldest daughter of divorced parents in an Asian American household. She fits perfectly into a perfect daughter and a perfect friend category. She always wants to please everyone and she did with consequences of losing herself. But Mallory is more than what people saw through her easy-going and perfect daughter with perfect score facade. She created an on going online comics that goes viral. This is where her passion lays. To draw and color and make art and write. But no one knows it was her. When one thing leads to another, we saw how Mallory life turned upside down. How will she manage the current? Give this book a go if this is such a your cup of tea. 

This is a complete queer friendly coming of age for middle grade readers. I really love the characters portrayal. She felt real and very specific, and sure relatable in a lot of household. This for everyone who loves to bottle up their feelings. For those burdened from being the eldest daughter. The people pleaser. It told a story of a family, friendship and queer community. I personally enjoy this a lot.

Thanks so much for the publisher and Netgalley for the arc in exchange of honest review.

A Song For You And I by K. O'Neill

adventurous lighthearted relaxing 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

4.75

A light heartwarming story. Finished this in one sitting. The art-style and color palettes are sure eye-candies. It revolved around the values we take along the journey. Finding bravery to try again, acknowledge one's mistake and getting back to our purpose. To not lose ourselves. love it!!

If you're into graphic novel with coming of age heartwarming story, give it a go!!

Thanks so much publisher and netgalley for the arc in exchange for honest review.  

Huda F Wants to Know? by Huda Fahmy

challenging funny informative inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.5

Huda Fahmy did it again!!!

It has the balance of having heavy family issue wrapped in light-hearted iconic art style and sarcastic and funny expressions. Out of all Huda's stories, I feel like this is the heaviest one.

It is enjoyable and gentle. It revolved around mental health, and dealing with divorced parents and how people dealt with it. Second-ing all the parts which said in our community we don't address those kind of things enough.

However, with more people aware of the mental health issues nowadays, hopefully we can navigate life better and find help sooner!!!

Oh, and reading this during Ramadan is the cherry on top! 

Your Letter by Hyeon A. Cho

emotional lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

I love this. A light eye-pleasing graphic novel about friendship. It started off with something harsh, but turned out ti be something powerful and inspiring. I kinda want to read more about them.

Loving the art styles and colour combination!!! Oh, and the little twist at the end.

If you're into friendship, treasure hunt, and standing up for bullies, give it a go!!!

Mama Needs a Minute!: A Candid, Funny, All-Too-Relatable Comic Memoir about Surviving Motherhood by Mary Catherine Starr

adventurous challenging emotional informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

It was so good! Mama Needs a Minute is an unhinged work of art revolving around mother's struggles, the imbalance societal pressure on moms, navigating a marriage life as new parents. 

This is gold. Im sure lots of women and mothers feel seen, and understood. The bravery to challenge the status quo, the willingness to make it better. It's all there. Very honest. No sugar coating. Still very much informativeness without being patronising.

Highly recommended for everyone who wants to have a child. Especially If you're a perfectionist and overthinker and easily anxious. This book helps a lot. 

Thanks so much publisher and netgalley for the arc in exchange for honest review 🫶🏾✨

A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett

adventurous dark hopeful informative fast-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

Best reading experience for me is gobbling down this book right after I finished The Tainted Cup. It's so enjoyable to see Din and Ana solving mysterious gruesome most unordinary crime in far away land. In this sequel, we were brought to Yarrowdale. A part of the Empire but not exactly part of the empire. It revolved around kings and natives and empire "experiment" with the leviathan's carcass. 

I felt like Din is more colorful in this book. We see more other side of him including his background. And Ana!!!! Omg. The eccentric Ana is back with even more mind-bending problem solving. Not only that, it's her vulnerability also that stole the spotlight. I love their dynamics so much. And I love how they have a new lovable friend to the group.

Same as the previous book, it started of as a gruesome murder, led to clues and investigations. However, in this book the interviews are followed with more action and field-investigation which is nice!!! The focus is in the apoth. We see more of their wonders.

Then the scheme👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾 the clues ar here and there along the way. The revelation is satisfying. I enjoy this so much.

Thanks so much Del Rey and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for honest review 🩷

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror

Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood

lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.0

This is my least favourite story from Ali Hazelwood:( the couple didn't get me hooked and the years of pining and denial just didn't work for me. 

We Could Be Magic by Marissa Meyer

adventurous funny inspiring 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? No

4.0

I enjoy this so much!!!

What I like from this book:
- The artstyle!! The colour palette?! Very eye-pleasing
- James. Must protect at all cost. I love how James and Tabi dynamic is warm and supportive🌸
- Tabi 🩷🩷🩷 our FMC. She worked so hard and so deserved to earn the magical things floored in this book. The ups and downs. The never give up!!! And as a curvy myself, I feel seen and appreciated and it feels nice to make magic with this kind of body 🫶🏾
- Loving how the plot centred around Tabi's struggles yet her determination to reach her dream. And what she got in the end exceeding my expectations.

Read if you like:
- light magical summer romance revolving wonderland and princess and kitty!!!
- graphic novel to be read in one sitting
- Strong determined FMC
- Loveable couples

Thanks for the arc in exchange for honest review ✨

One for My Enemy by Olivie Blake

dark emotional hopeful mysterious 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

Me knowing full well is a Romeo Juliet inspired book. 
Also me: upset with the miscommunication and deaths🫠

But honestly, it's good!!! It has all the tragedies a fan of Romeo Juliet would crave~ I love the twist, the author gave to her story. 

Recommended 👌🏾