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dpearson5257's reviews
718 reviews
The Sun Trail by Erin Hunter
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.5
They got me at the end! The beginning was a bit slow and took a while to grasp who our characters were. There was lots of movement, which totally makes sense because this is our Origin series. But once we got to our destination, they held back no strings. I always laugh at myself with how much these Cats get me in my feels or I’ll catch myself rooting for a clan and their efforts. Such a good start!
Amari and the Despicable Wonders by B.B. Alston
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.0
I think overall this is a great series for young kiddos in this generation. Originally it was supposed to be a trilogy but now Alston has announced there will be another 2 books.
As much as I loved these books, I think I’m done with Amari’s story. But I highly encourage anyone and everyone to read these and get lost in her adventures.
As much as I loved these books, I think I’m done with Amari’s story. But I highly encourage anyone and everyone to read these and get lost in her adventures.
Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhà Lại
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Soldiers of Fortune by Jana DeLeon
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Not my favorite but fun, quick palette cleanser!
Swamp Team 3!
Swamp Team 3!
The Endless War by Danielle L. Jensen
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
This was a struggle for me. I started losing momentum with book 3 with the repeat of book 2 just a different perspective. And that book was long as hell🫠then continued their story by this point I was just over it. I will say the Keris we got from Lara’s books, I feel was more suave than what we got in his books. I was underwhelmed by his presence. And sure we love a bad ass FMC but there was little romance development for me with these 2. Until the very freaking end when he said that one thing about all his lives are for her😩😍 now if we got THAT throughout the whole darn book then I would’ve enjoyed this more. But this one was just blah.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I think I had different expectations for this book because it is a highly loved story and it’s been around for years. I saw the movie years ago and really enjoyed it. So I was really intrigued to read the inspiration for the movie.
The good -
- a very cute story of friendship and the complexities of school at that age and being able to have a friend through those tough times
- being able to broaden your mind and creativity “just across the bridge”
- Jesse’s character arc was bland but still heart warming, he was from a lower/poor household but he had a really good heart
The bland -
- the structure of the book was just kind of blah, there wasn’t much that got you gripped and wanting to keep turning the page, I think because I knew the ending I was kind of just reading to get to the build up
- the aftermath of the accident I also think could’ve been a bit more in depth, but at the same time there wasn’t truly much in depth about this story as a whole
Things discussed - child abuse, death of a friend and grief, friendships, escapism through creativity
The good -
- a very cute story of friendship and the complexities of school at that age and being able to have a friend through those tough times
- being able to broaden your mind and creativity “just across the bridge”
- Jesse’s character arc was bland but still heart warming, he was from a lower/poor household but he had a really good heart
The bland -
- the structure of the book was just kind of blah, there wasn’t much that got you gripped and wanting to keep turning the page, I think because I knew the ending I was kind of just reading to get to the build up
- the aftermath of the accident I also think could’ve been a bit more in depth, but at the same time there wasn’t truly much in depth about this story as a whole
Things discussed - child abuse, death of a friend and grief, friendships, escapism through creativity
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
5.0
This was so good!!!!
I felt everything and want everyone to read this!
If you love single dad stories, spunky kiddos with big personalities, grief processing and found family, this is a brilliant story. I did cry, so obviously 5 ⭐️!
I felt everything and want everyone to read this!
If you love single dad stories, spunky kiddos with big personalities, grief processing and found family, this is a brilliant story. I did cry, so obviously 5 ⭐️!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
All Friends Are Necessary: A Novel by Tomas Moniz
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
*mild spoilers*
This is very comparative to Family Meal which I also enjoyed. Hugely character focused, around the time of Covid. The timeline was a bit disjointed with all the friends we are introduced to and following their daily journeys. I did really enjoy the sense of found family. This story is heavily themed around community and friendship and what that feels like when it’s stripped away. But on the flip side…there’s ALOT of sexual references, like I did not need to know what everyone’s public hair looked like in vivid description and cat balls lol a bit of an over share.
This is very comparative to Family Meal which I also enjoyed. Hugely character focused, around the time of Covid. The timeline was a bit disjointed with all the friends we are introduced to and following their daily journeys. I did really enjoy the sense of found family. This story is heavily themed around community and friendship and what that feels like when it’s stripped away. But on the flip side…there’s ALOT of sexual references, like I did not need to know what everyone’s public hair looked like in vivid description and cat balls lol a bit of an over share.
Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.
DNF @ 48%
Ok this is a ME issue. This is my third attempt with her books and I think she’s just not an either for me which freaking sucks because I so badly want to be in the know with these stories. I can’t figure out if it’s the writing style, the characters or the plot. But this heavy romantic fantasy is just cringy for me😫
This started off much better than The Wicked books but at some point I was just like wait how did we get here, there was no real tension, she just literally laid there and let him have it. No I need some build up. And him and his brothers is just annoying. I love the concept of the sinful bros but this is just not doing it for me.
Ok this is a ME issue. This is my third attempt with her books and I think she’s just not an either for me which freaking sucks because I so badly want to be in the know with these stories. I can’t figure out if it’s the writing style, the characters or the plot. But this heavy romantic fantasy is just cringy for me😫
This started off much better than The Wicked books but at some point I was just like wait how did we get here, there was no real tension, she just literally laid there and let him have it. No I need some build up. And him and his brothers is just annoying. I love the concept of the sinful bros but this is just not doing it for me.
Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Yeeepppppp
Now looking back on this trilogy plus the novellas, I would say there’s a pretty consistent climb of events and character growth. It’s seriously a strong 4-5⭐️trilogy. Theres novellas are not my favorite, I was highly sketchy of what’s his face and was concerned with everyone who loved him afterwards, but Ignite Me…baby he plays no games about this woman. Is it obsessive? Yes. Is it questionable? Yerp! But do we somehow love it? You betcha!
Theres a set up, the characters have a purpose and the plot makes sense, and there’s a “completion” of some sort. But also because this is an ongoing series, we know there’s extensions to this story. I am elated to continue and book 4 has already been ordered!!
Now looking back on this trilogy plus the novellas, I would say there’s a pretty consistent climb of events and character growth. It’s seriously a strong 4-5⭐️trilogy. Theres novellas are not my favorite, I was highly sketchy of what’s his face and was concerned with everyone who loved him afterwards, but Ignite Me…baby he plays no games about this woman. Is it obsessive? Yes. Is it questionable? Yerp! But do we somehow love it? You betcha!
Theres a set up, the characters have a purpose and the plot makes sense, and there’s a “completion” of some sort. But also because this is an ongoing series, we know there’s extensions to this story. I am elated to continue and book 4 has already been ordered!!