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dododenise's reviews
373 reviews
The Pale Dreamer by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A nice little introduction into this universe. Definitely makes me curious about the series and to start the bone season.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I went into this book highly critical of whether I would like it. I haven’t read a single historical fantasy book I enjoyed before. And yet, here we are, me giving this book a four star rating.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It painted beautiful pictures and swept me right along the adventure. The characters were interesting and engaging and the world was so rich and wondrous.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It painted beautiful pictures and swept me right along the adventure. The characters were interesting and engaging and the world was so rich and wondrous.
The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.
The concept was intriguing but the story itself is just not doing enough for me. I didn’t care for the characters and the plot was uninspiring and boring for the most part.
This Is Why They Hate Us by Aaron H. Aceves
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book made me realise I am very much not the intended audience for it. But I am fine with that, since I am well aware I’m going into a young adult novel as an adult. This book is written for teen boys who are figuring out their sexuality. And I think that is very valuable.
I went into this book mostly because I heard that the love interest is Palestinian. Gosh he’s a cutie. Probably my favourite character in the book. The book also goes a little into what it’s like to be Palestinian and live in the US. Not all that much, which is expected and probably also appropriate for a writer who is not Palestinian himself, but still to a degree to raise awareness about the struggles.
The book teaches a lot of valuable lessons for teens. Enrique seems overly naive sometimes. However, that works great to showcase the dangers that can come from certain mindsets and for the most part the book discusses the issues that arise from it. It never becomes condescending with it, but approaches it with empathy. Sure, they do some stupid things, get themselves in icky situations, but at the end of the day they are just teens trying to figure themselves and the world out and that is okay. And thankfully there are adults and friends to support them along the way.
Enrique is a very horny character. That is cool, he’s a teenager, teens can be like that. But I did feel uncomfortable at times when it came to some intimate scenes. I felt like they were still a bit too descriptive. Quite frankly, I did not want to know that much about what these teenage characters were doing.
First and foremost this book is about Enrique’s journey and character development. It deals with his sexuality, romantic feelings and expectations, friendship, identity, homophobia, mental health, and probably some other things that don’t come to mind right now. This book does it in a very real and raw way.
I went into this book mostly because I heard that the love interest is Palestinian. Gosh he’s a cutie. Probably my favourite character in the book. The book also goes a little into what it’s like to be Palestinian and live in the US. Not all that much, which is expected and probably also appropriate for a writer who is not Palestinian himself, but still to a degree to raise awareness about the struggles.
The book teaches a lot of valuable lessons for teens. Enrique seems overly naive sometimes. However, that works great to showcase the dangers that can come from certain mindsets and for the most part the book discusses the issues that arise from it. It never becomes condescending with it, but approaches it with empathy. Sure, they do some stupid things, get themselves in icky situations, but at the end of the day they are just teens trying to figure themselves and the world out and that is okay. And thankfully there are adults and friends to support them along the way.
Enrique is a very horny character. That is cool, he’s a teenager, teens can be like that. But I did feel uncomfortable at times when it came to some intimate scenes. I felt like they were still a bit too descriptive. Quite frankly, I did not want to know that much about what these teenage characters were doing.
First and foremost this book is about Enrique’s journey and character development. It deals with his sexuality, romantic feelings and expectations, friendship, identity, homophobia, mental health, and probably some other things that don’t come to mind right now. This book does it in a very real and raw way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use and Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence
Boyfriends, Volume Three by refrainbow
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What do I even say about this book? It definitely took me somewhere different than I thought it would. I remember the first part of this book thinking “how cliché and tacky will this be?” and I know my opinion of the scene I was reading in that moment heavily depended on the answer. The beginning really wasn’t anything extraordinary, but somewhere beyond the halfway point I couldn’t put the book down. I am happy with a lot this book did. I think this book was very aware of what it was doing. The directions it was going and the conclusions later on made about it. I was happy that this happened instead of going the lighthearted route that avoids the problems that arose. This way the problems I noticed made me realise they were very much intentional and were addressed later on. I would have wished the addressing of these problems would have been in a more elaborate manner but I also realise that Kacen isn’t a therapist.
I didn’t really see the point in adding so much about the movie they were making into the story. At no point did I start caring for the movie and its plot, but perhaps there was a reason for adding so much that I am missing.In the last chapters Mattie says that he learned to unlock emotions and feel more through acting. But that many scenes were not needed to make that point and not that much emotional development is actually visible on page.
This is a serious book. A lot more serious than I thought it would be. Many romance novels have characters with mental health struggles, but rarely you see that being the main plot point.
I come into this book with an odd perspective as I am considering becoming a trauma therapist. I think that makes it very hard to judge how much I enjoyed reading this book because I was thinking a lot. Since I use romance as a fluffy escape, this really wasn’t what I expected from this reading experience. I can’t say I fully enjoyed reading this book, particularly the first parts, but I think a lot was well done.
I didn’t really see the point in adding so much about the movie they were making into the story. At no point did I start caring for the movie and its plot, but perhaps there was a reason for adding so much that I am missing.
This is a serious book. A lot more serious than I thought it would be. Many romance novels have characters with mental health struggles, but rarely you see that being the main plot point.
I come into this book with an odd perspective as I am considering becoming a trauma therapist. I think that makes it very hard to judge how much I enjoyed reading this book because I was thinking a lot. Since I use romance as a fluffy escape, this really wasn’t what I expected from this reading experience. I can’t say I fully enjoyed reading this book, particularly the first parts, but I think a lot was well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse and Racism
Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.75
Truly a very fun story. I was into it basically from the start. The magical school setting with a good rivalry will always win me over and so it did here again. And then there was a wonderful adventure with glorious character moments. I’ve grown incredibly fond of Leo and Grimm. They are both idiots in their own lovable way. Their relationship reminded me of some amazing fanfiction I read and I mean this as the highest compliment.
The world building was very cool and I loved the magic system. It feels like a lot of thought flowed into it and I can definitely appreciate it a lot!
I already cannot wait to read the next book in series and see everything develop even more. Especially with the promise of a great relationship and very interesting world building.
The audiobook format lent itself well to the book. The narrator brought the characters to live beautifully. However, it was extremely slow so I definitely needed to increase the speed.
Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the arc of the audiobook!
The world building was very cool and I loved the magic system. It feels like a lot of thought flowed into it and I can definitely appreciate it a lot!
I already cannot wait to read the next book in series and see everything develop even more. Especially with the promise of a great relationship and very interesting world building.
The audiobook format lent itself well to the book. The narrator brought the characters to live beautifully. However, it was extremely slow so I definitely needed to increase the speed.
Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the arc of the audiobook!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Violence, and Alcohol
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Boyfriends, Volume Two by refrainbow
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
cuties
Boyfriends, Volume One by refrainbow
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was toothachingly cute. Just pure fluff and cuteness.
D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Very fun read. D’Vaughn and Kris have great chemistry and are awesome characters. I only wish the book was a bit longer, both to develop their relationship more by showing us more, as well as give us more of the side characters.