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elfeeza's reviews
400 reviews
Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire
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? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed reading about Cora and Sumi the most in this book. I love how Cora’s character grows throughout the book and how straightforward and matter-of-factly Sumi is in her interactions with the other characters in the book without being rude.
“”I just said something big and ridiculous and impossible that can’t possibly be so. Now it’s your turn to say something big and ridiculous and impossible. I want you to believe me, so I’ll believe you, and then we’ll be friends, because friends believe each other. It’s your turn.””
Above is an example of Sumi’s confidence in approaching other characters and how she sees it as something natural and logical and is a fact. She has a few other moments like these in the book. Her character is so transparent and candid in expressing her thoughts.
Just like the other books in this series, the plot is made simple and obvious to the reader and it feels like you are reading a fairytale and this worked for the story.
I’m giving this book 3.75 stars.
“”I just said something big and ridiculous and impossible that can’t possibly be so. Now it’s your turn to say something big and ridiculous and impossible. I want you to believe me, so I’ll believe you, and then we’ll be friends, because friends believe each other. It’s your turn.””
Above is an example of Sumi’s confidence in approaching other characters and how she sees it as something natural and logical and is a fact. She has a few other moments like these in the book. Her character is so transparent and candid in expressing her thoughts.
Just like the other books in this series, the plot is made simple and obvious to the reader and it feels like you are reading a fairytale and this worked for the story.
I’m giving this book 3.75 stars.
The Ersatz Elevator by Lemony Snicket
adventurous
tense
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? No
3.5
There are a couple of plot twists in this book that makes me like it more than the other books.
I still am annoyed by the fact that the adults were easily fooled by Olaf and his gang but the plot twists and saved the book for me.
I still am annoyed by the fact that the adults were easily fooled by Olaf and his gang but the plot twists and saved the book for me.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
This book is not for me at the moment. I so intend to return to this book at another time when I feel like I am in the mood for it. There are just so many other books that I want to read right now and this is just not one of them.
The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I liked this book better than the previous one but I still get tired of how the adults are so easily fooled as is the recurring theme in this series.
The reason I liked this book more than the previous one is because it discussed how school environments can be challenging with how mean kids can be but yet there will always be someone who has something in common with you and has your back. There will always be a group in which you could belong to and make your experience there more bearable.
It also discussed how the teachers and the managing staff (principal, vice principal) also contributed to the whole climate and experience of the school and when this group of people do not carry out their responsibilities well, they can bring harm to the students who are under their care.
It also discussed the dynamics between the staff within the hierarchy and how the people lower in the hierarchy often choose to turn a blind eye instead of standing up to what is right just to keep their jobs and as a result continue to allow unqualified and irresponsible people to stay in the higher ranks and go unchecked.
For the content mentioned above, I decided to rank this book higher than I would if it was solely based on my enjoyment of the story.
The reason I liked this book more than the previous one is because it discussed how school environments can be challenging with how mean kids can be but yet there will always be someone who has something in common with you and has your back. There will always be a group in which you could belong to and make your experience there more bearable.
It also discussed how the teachers and the managing staff (principal, vice principal) also contributed to the whole climate and experience of the school and when this group of people do not carry out their responsibilities well, they can bring harm to the students who are under their care.
It also discussed the dynamics between the staff within the hierarchy and how the people lower in the hierarchy often choose to turn a blind eye instead of standing up to what is right just to keep their jobs and as a result continue to allow unqualified and irresponsible people to stay in the higher ranks and go unchecked.
For the content mentioned above, I decided to rank this book higher than I would if it was solely based on my enjoyment of the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket
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? No
2.0
This would be my least favourite book in the series thus far. The children's guardian in this book has got to be the worst of them all in my opinion.
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Exciting plot development. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
The Qur'an by Anonymous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
A book I would continue to re-read throughout the year.
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Reading this book as I listened to the audiobook was like watching La Bamba, Bohemian Rhapsody and all the other biographical movies about rockstars/singers that I’ve watched but more. I’d like to purchase a physical copy of this book and re-read and annotate it. There’s just so much to learn from it. I love it!
Winter by Marissa Meyer
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Overall a satisfying ending to the series. I do want to make this series a part of my personal library. Can’t wait to read the final novellas. I’m also looking forward to re-reading the series.
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Enjoyed this book thoroughly. It is a good second book in the series. A lot of the questions from the first book were answered satisfactorily for me. I can’t wait to read the second book and I definitely look forward to re-reading this trilogy soon with a physical copy for me to annotate and reflect upon as well.