Scan barcode
durrareadsstuff's reviews
154 reviews
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
ABSOLUTE PERFECTION 💯
The writing was just sublime, every scene is described so meticulously you feel immersed and it's just so magical. The vibes were definitely immaculate. I admit it did take a while for me to understand what was going on, but the way the intrigue was built and the plotline was so mysterious and well constructed. AND THE ROMANCE? girl, don't even get me started. I was worried at first that there weren't enough interaction between the characters, but damn does this author know how to build chemistry and tension. I love the side characters so much, and I think the twins and bailey are just adorable!!
I don't think anyone would actually hate this book, it's just too fun and cute and magical!! go and read it!!!
The writing was just sublime, every scene is described so meticulously you feel immersed and it's just so magical. The vibes were definitely immaculate. I admit it did take a while for me to understand what was going on, but the way the intrigue was built and the plotline was so mysterious and well constructed. AND THE ROMANCE? girl, don't even get me started. I was worried at first that there weren't enough interaction between the characters, but damn does this author know how to build chemistry and tension. I love the side characters so much, and I think the twins and bailey are just adorable!!
I don't think anyone would actually hate this book, it's just too fun and cute and magical!! go and read it!!!
Thorn by Intisar Khanani
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I had a good time, perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it a few years ago. It took me a while to get into it but I admit I was hooked. The plot was pretty predictable but I still had fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Rape
The Promise by Damon Galgut
dark
emotional
slow-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
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
adventurous
dark
tense
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
3.5
The story itself was pretty mundane—there was nothing too spooky about it. But the writing was so atmospheric that you can imagine every single thing happening.
Moonrise by Sarah Crossan
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I appreciate the author trying to write about the justice system, specifically the execution and how it all is just so messed up, I mean, that's really hard to properly write about. And I think she did a good job. I just found the verses to be boring. But it was really sad though.
When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
THIS WAS SO CUTE!!!! If you're looking for a fun, light-hearted romance, this is the one for you. Especially if you're a fan of musical theatre. I barely watch any musicals, but I didn't really mind all the references littered across the pages. AND THERE WERE A LOT, seriously.
I thought that the characters felt really real and well developed. And they were just so much fun! I loved Millie, I thought she was an amazing main character. so determined and dramatic, and I love it and relate to it so much. I think my favourite thing was her friendship with Teddy, they're so adorable 😭😭. It was so wholesome. AND OLIVER YANG OH MY GOD I NEED ONE ASAP!!
The rival to lovers trope was done perfectly! THE CHEMISTRY, THE TENSION I LOVE IT 💗❤️❤️❤️🙆🏻🙆🏻 Honestly one of the best book couples I have ever read about.
I thought that the characters felt really real and well developed. And they were just so much fun! I loved Millie, I thought she was an amazing main character. so determined and dramatic, and I love it and relate to it so much. I think my favourite thing was her friendship with Teddy, they're so adorable 😭😭. It was so wholesome. AND OLIVER YANG OH MY GOD I NEED ONE ASAP!!
The rival to lovers trope was done perfectly! THE CHEMISTRY, THE TENSION I LOVE IT 💗❤️❤️❤️🙆🏻🙆🏻 Honestly one of the best book couples I have ever read about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe
dark
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
My Plain Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
I just wanna say, THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS BOOK AND CHANGING THE STORY FOR ME. Not that the original Jane Eyre was bad, per se, but I honestly could only go through 3/4 of the book because I hated Mr Rochester so much. It was so nice for Jane to explore herself and her powers in this retelling. I feel like there was character development, but at the same time she feels like the same person in the original one. You know what I mean? Like it just feels like an alternate story, sort of.
It was fantastically executed. The ghosts, the plots, all the extra characters and how it all ties in with the storyline, SO👏PERFECT!👏 And I loved the humour, although at times it did get a bit cringe, but I really liked it. It really put me in a good mood.
I really appreciate the presence of the Brontës in here, and did I mention the multi-POVs???? I loved how the romance was instead focused between Charlotte and Alexander who are just the cutest!!! 💗💗💘💗
I did also enjoy the “references“? I don’t know what they’re called. The mini fact-checks, I guess. Those were really nice. Admittedly, there were times I felt they were annoying, but overall, I really liked them.
It was fantastically executed. The ghosts, the plots, all the extra characters and how it all ties in with the storyline, SO👏PERFECT!👏 And I loved the humour, although at times it did get a bit cringe, but I really liked it. It really put me in a good mood.
I really appreciate the presence of the Brontës in here, and did I mention the multi-POVs???? I loved how the romance was instead focused between Charlotte and Alexander who are just the cutest!!! 💗💗💘💗
I did also enjoy the “references“? I don’t know what they’re called. The mini fact-checks, I guess. Those were really nice. Admittedly, there were times I felt they were annoying, but overall, I really liked them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Sexism
Moderate: Gore, Murder, Grief, Gaslighting, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Child abuse
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
If I could give this 6 stars, I would. This is hands-down one of the most well-written books I have ever read. Zusak has a way of introducing characters and making you love them with all your heart then heartlessly revealing how they will die in like, the next paragraph. And even then, even when you know their death is coming, it still hurts like heck when you actually read about it. But seriously though, approach with caution. You will inevitably cry, or at least get teary-eyed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Racism, and Racial slurs
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
I don't know if it's because I just got out of a reading slump, but this is honestly one of the best books I have ever read. In the beginning, I had my doubts and complaints but it all just ties up nicely in the end.
IT'S SO GOOD AND HILARIOUS AND THE PACING IS JUST PERFECT PLEASE READ IT!!!!
Especially if you find yourself unable to finish a single work of fiction in months like I did, this book will save you from the abyss! Okay that was a bit dramatic. But seriously, I thought I would be underwhelmed but this honestly lives up to all the hype it's getting.
I really enjoyed Pippa's character. I loved how she's so strong and independent and smart smart, you know? like not justa pretend detective who misses the most obvious details. like you can tell she's very analytical and resourceful and well-read. and the way that this was written, you can feel the adrenaline rush when the characters are theorising or on the hunt (?)
I also loved the friendship between Pip and Ravi and how it gradually turned romantic. Could it have been better? Yeah, maybe. But this book doesn't center on romance and I quite like it that way. It's very subtle and you know, just nice. Sometimes teen mystery/thriller books play too much with romance and making out and stuff that it becomes annoying, and so I really appreciate the lack thereof in this book. They also have perfect chemistry, nothing seems forced or "surface-level" if you know what I mean. I love how they're only co-dependent to an extent. Like, they can exist on their own perfectly fine but the relationship still feels complementary. IT'S JUST SUCH A NICE PAIRING AAAAH
I thought the characters were so well written, each with their own vulnerabilities and every suspect is very um, well, suspicious. I loved Pippa's family and friends, and how they're just really healthy relationships. I just want to know more about them.
I appreciate that the author managed the address some themes pretty well, such as racism, emotional abuse and bullying. (that's just off the top of my head, there's probably more)
There are minor details that I felt weren't completely resolved, but maybe it will be addressed in the coming books? (WHICH I AM SO EXCITED TO READ BY THE WAY) and a few other things I felt were a tad unnecessary, but I'll let it slide. Overall, it's a really really good book.
*oh and it's a bit hard to enjoy when you're reading the ebook, because there are production logs and emails and stuff which would be way cooler on print
I was convinced that Andie was still alive, especially after that whole grandma incident. Also, I thought Naomi was the killer, but ELLIOT?? WOW. I feel kind of stupid for not suspecting him earlier, given my claim that I like mystery books lol. But seriously, I like how the murderers aren't "evil", they're just haunted with their guilt, shame and other strong emotions and didn't deal with them the right way.
IT'S SO GOOD AND HILARIOUS AND THE PACING IS JUST PERFECT PLEASE READ IT!!!!
Especially if you find yourself unable to finish a single work of fiction in months like I did, this book will save you from the abyss! Okay that was a bit dramatic. But seriously, I thought I would be underwhelmed but this honestly lives up to all the hype it's getting.
I really enjoyed Pippa's character. I loved how she's so strong and independent and smart smart, you know? like not justa pretend detective who misses the most obvious details. like you can tell she's very analytical and resourceful and well-read. and the way that this was written, you can feel the adrenaline rush when the characters are theorising or on the hunt (?)
I also loved the friendship between Pip and Ravi and how it gradually turned romantic. Could it have been better? Yeah, maybe. But this book doesn't center on romance and I quite like it that way. It's very subtle and you know, just nice. Sometimes teen mystery/thriller books play too much with romance and making out and stuff that it becomes annoying, and so I really appreciate the lack thereof in this book. They also have perfect chemistry, nothing seems forced or "surface-level" if you know what I mean. I love how they're only co-dependent to an extent. Like, they can exist on their own perfectly fine but the relationship still feels complementary. IT'S JUST SUCH A NICE PAIRING AAAAH
I thought the characters were so well written, each with their own vulnerabilities and every suspect is very um, well, suspicious. I loved Pippa's family and friends, and how they're just really healthy relationships. I just want to know more about them.
I appreciate that the author managed the address some themes pretty well, such as racism, emotional abuse and bullying. (that's just off the top of my head, there's probably more)
There are minor details that I felt weren't completely resolved, but maybe it will be addressed in the coming books? (WHICH I AM SO EXCITED TO READ BY THE WAY) and a few other things I felt were a tad unnecessary, but I'll let it slide. Overall, it's a really really good book.
*oh and it's a bit hard to enjoy when you're reading the ebook, because there are production logs and emails and stuff which would be way cooler on print
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Racism, and Self harm