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dododenise's reviews
373 reviews
Pole Position by Rebecca J. Caffery
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Something about sports romances just hits the right spot.
Harper was quite hard to like but the moments between him and Kian when they were on good terms were just so good that I had to root for them.
Harper was quite hard to like but the moments between him and Kian when they were on good terms were just so good that I had to root for them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book started out great, full of potential, filled with amazing characters that I grew to love from sunbearer trials, and then it did…nothing new?
Basically this entire book is them fighting a monster and then some character moments, and then they fight something again. And the fights got old really quick. Either it’s me or the fights truly aren’t that exciting and different to each other. The character moments were good though, especially since I love the characters so much.
And then there’s also the romance. I was so hyped for it since the sunbearer trials slowly warmed me up to it until I was so hooked. And then the resolution of it was so underwhelming. It barely made me feel anything.
The writing style also sometimes slipped into more of a middle grade territory which I found odd.
Underwhelmed feelings is what summarises most of the second half for me. While there were good moments, a lot of it stretched out. It just needed to do something different after a while.
I wanted to love this book so bad since I adored the sunbearer trials, but it simply didn’t manage to do it for me.
Basically this entire book is them fighting a monster and then some character moments, and then they fight something again. And the fights got old really quick. Either it’s me or the fights truly aren’t that exciting and different to each other. The character moments were good though, especially since I love the characters so much.
And then there’s also the romance. I was so hyped for it since the sunbearer trials slowly warmed me up to it until I was so hooked. And then the resolution of it was so underwhelming. It barely made me feel anything.
The writing style also sometimes slipped into more of a middle grade territory which I found odd.
Underwhelmed feelings is what summarises most of the second half for me. While there were good moments, a lot of it stretched out. It just needed to do something different after a while.
I wanted to love this book so bad since I adored the sunbearer trials, but it simply didn’t manage to do it for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
For a book that I went into that I fully expecting to dnf I really enjoyed myself. You know, this is just a very fun story. The setting makes for a great story to tell and it definitely took advantage of that. I also really enjoy YA fantasy, more so than adult fantasy, and for the most part this book feels like YA. The story it’s telling and the writing style could easily be YA, if it were not for the very horny 20 year olds. Loved the dragons. Dragons are great and these dragons specifically are my favourite characters in the entire book.
I rushed through the first half and had a really good time. Then the second half started.
In the second half the story starts to feel too long. It becomes a bit repetitive. This story should’ve been told in 300-400 pages otherwise it looses its charm. And that gave me the opportunity to think. And thinking when reading this book is dangerous business.
The world building is lacklustre. We barely know anything about it and the things we know are so basic and really not that exciting. I definitely wouldn’t call it intricate. The book should’ve kept to its magical school vibe but no, it tried to do bigger things. And I’m not sure I like it or think it works well. It’s just not giving me enough to think “oooh interesting world building here”. And that ruined a lot for me. If it had kept to a simpler story than it would’ve been easier to stay in the moment and just enjoy it. Now I’m thinking about how it’s all not that deep.
Now something very much from my personal taste: this book is very straight. And I am not and I don’t really enjoy straight books. An added factor for me not really enjoying the second half as much was that Violet and Xaden’s relationship became a bigger focus. And well, I did not care for them at all. Their relationship didn’t work for me. And quite frankly, their horniness for each other was very exhausting. I like Violet and Xaden as a characters but their relationship I did not.
The other characters were lacking a bit. I already forgot about most of them. There’s Dain of course, an annoying walking red flag. Liam was a very cool character. I can’t tell you about anyone else to be honest so that’s a shame. I did not feel like getting to know them anyway because people kept dying so I knew if it wasn’t the main couple, well, they’re probably going to die.
Did have fun? Surprisingly yes. Would I say this book is good? I don’t know.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Toxic friendship, War, and Injury/Injury detail
If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch
emotional
sad
medium-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
3.5
Clark was a great main character, I loved spending time with him. Beau was also a great love interest. For him being the love interest though, we spent an incredibly small amount of time with him. The side characters were wonderful too!
I loved that the book utilised the time loop concept to talk about mental health. However, I couldn’t stop thinking how not sleeping would drive me up the walls, even if it didn’t have any physical effect on me.
I am disappointed with the ending though. We spent so much time with the side characters and it would have been rewarding to see Clark finally build a two sided relationship with them after the time loop is broken. His relationship with his family wasn’t truly resolved and his actual day ended up bringing them quite a lot of distress since Clark disappeared. The book ended too early.
I loved that the book utilised the time loop concept to talk about mental health. However, I couldn’t stop thinking how not sleeping would drive me up the walls, even if it didn’t have any physical effect on me.
The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall
medium-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
4.0
I loved the friend group! Those characters were so fun! I loved how the story centred around Hollis finding herself and her courage.
The scenes that described the S&S games were boring to me, but I also never was the kind of person to enjoy listening to other people’s dnd games either so that might be a me thing.
The scenes that described the S&S games were boring to me, but I also never was the kind of person to enjoy listening to other people’s dnd games either so that might be a me thing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Fatphobia and Transphobia
The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This was such a hard yet empowering read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual assault
Moderate: Ableism, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and Gaslighting
They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody
emotional
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
This was so cute!! It offers exactly what you expect it to: beautifully tropey nemesis-to-lovers, with a big load of fake dating and still not lacking on character depth. It’s exactly my cup of tea and had such a good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
challenging
emotional
mysterious
- 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
4.0
This book made me feel so much.
I was at awe of the beautiful writing. All the pieces the book kept giving me.
I was overwhelmed. Because I had so many pieces handed to me that I didn’t know what to do with them.
I was confused. Desperately trying to make sense of the pieces.
I loved. The characters that grew close to my heart. Seeing their love shine.
I was sad. Seeing loved ones ripped apart. Desperately trying to find back to each other. Seeing stories end.
Now I sit here and wonder what this book means to me. What did this story try to tell me? I feel like it tried telling me so much more than what I actually understood. I definitely need to think on this. Sit in the feelings. Let the story go through my mind and let the pieces connect. Perhaps my rating will be higher once I reach that conclusion.
I was at awe of the beautiful writing. All the pieces the book kept giving me.
I was overwhelmed. Because I had so many pieces handed to me that I didn’t know what to do with them.
I was confused. Desperately trying to make sense of the pieces.
I loved. The characters that grew close to my heart. Seeing their love shine.
I was sad. Seeing loved ones ripped apart. Desperately trying to find back to each other. Seeing stories end.
Now I sit here and wonder what this book means to me. What did this story try to tell me? I feel like it tried telling me so much more than what I actually understood. I definitely need to think on this. Sit in the feelings. Let the story go through my mind and let the pieces connect. Perhaps my rating will be higher once I reach that conclusion.
Reforged by Seth Haddon
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
3.5
For a book that is marketed as a romantasy the romance elements are rather small. Most of the time is spent with politics. I can definitely enjoy that, however, it got rather repetitive and didn’t give all that much after some time. I liked the characters though and I could enjoy myself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
Of Feathers and Thorns by Kit Vincent
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Just a very fun magical adventure. Nothing extraordinary, but very enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War