Scan barcode
eponine20's reviews
264 reviews
The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan
adventurous
tense
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
4.5
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for this e-ARC of Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake.
I started this book without having read the other two instalments in the Bright Falls' series but it was easy to follow the story and the characters. I'm sure those who have read all of the previous books and who are waiting to read this one will not be disappointed.
The story follow Iris who, like the title say, doesn't date. She prefers hookups after some terrible relationships. Then she meet Stevie who is not used to hookups. Because of the pressure of her friends, she asks Iris to be her fake girlfriend. No way they could catch real feelings for each other... right ???
I read this book very easily and I really related to the main characters Iris and Stevie, both for different reasons. I was so happy to read a sapphic rom-com with a happy ending. It is such a hopeful story. I laugh, I got teary eyes, I roll my eyes. It was such a fun experience to read this book. I really love the growing relationship between Iris and Stevie and their personal growth.
I removed a star because I felt like the side characters such as Stevie's friends were not explored enough which I know is hard in a 400 pages book. I also loved the diverse representation but the diverse cast is just... featured extras in the movie of Iris and Stevie's life, they have no depth and it's a shame.
I started this book without having read the other two instalments in the Bright Falls' series but it was easy to follow the story and the characters. I'm sure those who have read all of the previous books and who are waiting to read this one will not be disappointed.
The story follow Iris who, like the title say, doesn't date. She prefers hookups after some terrible relationships. Then she meet Stevie who is not used to hookups. Because of the pressure of her friends, she asks Iris to be her fake girlfriend. No way they could catch real feelings for each other... right ???
I read this book very easily and I really related to the main characters Iris and Stevie, both for different reasons. I was so happy to read a sapphic rom-com with a happy ending. It is such a hopeful story. I laugh, I got teary eyes, I roll my eyes. It was such a fun experience to read this book. I really love the growing relationship between Iris and Stevie and their personal growth.
I removed a star because I felt like the side characters such as Stevie's friends were not explored enough which I know is hard in a 400 pages book. I also loved the diverse representation but the diverse cast is just... featured extras in the movie of Iris and Stevie's life, they have no depth and it's a shame.
You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you to Usborne, Holly Bourne and NetGalley for an ARC of You Could Be So Pretty.
At first, I was a little skeptical about the book with all the new terms and words with capital letters. I know this is a YA but for me, it read a little young and it's amazing because teenage girls are going to be reading about smashing the patriarchy and beauty standards.
It was my first book by Holly Bourne and I think she did an amazing job. This book reminds me of Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. I thought Joni and Belle were very well written and it was easy to get attached to the both of them. However, I did not like the ending for obvious reasons and I was hoping for a sort of happy ending at least. I understand the reasons behind this but it left a bad taste in my mouth after finishing reading. As a woman, this is (sadly) easy to relate to the story. I was also grateful for the representation in this book.
I would recommend checking trigger warnings for this book before reading as it deals with heavy subjects.
At first, I was a little skeptical about the book with all the new terms and words with capital letters. I know this is a YA but for me, it read a little young and it's amazing because teenage girls are going to be reading about smashing the patriarchy and beauty standards.
It was my first book by Holly Bourne and I think she did an amazing job. This book reminds me of Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. I thought Joni and Belle were very well written and it was easy to get attached to the both of them. However, I did not like the ending for obvious reasons and I was hoping for a sort of happy ending at least. I understand the reasons behind this but it left a bad taste in my mouth after finishing reading. As a woman, this is (sadly) easy to relate to the story. I was also grateful for the representation in this book.
I would recommend checking trigger warnings for this book before reading as it deals with heavy subjects.
Wren Martin Ruins It All by Amanda DeWitt
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC of Wren Martin Ruins It All by Amanda DeWitt.
The story follows Wren Martins, an asexual main character who is scared of dating because of his sexuality and who just became president of the student council. His first order of business ? Cancel the Valentine Day's Dance. His excuse ? It's too expensive (the real problem? It's too focused on relationship and romance). That's when vice-president and arch nemesis Leo Reyes suggests collaborating with Buddy (an app that anonymously pairs you with other people with same interest). It is settled, the Valentine Day's Dance will now be about all kind of love, to the displeasure of Wren. He then decides to download the app and see for himself. That's when Buddy Boy comes into his life. Wren will have to learn how to understand dating while asexual and he'll have to choose between his IRL crush and his Buddy crush.....
I would rate this book 4.25 or 4.5. It took me a little while to get into this book but once I was immersed in the story, I could not put it down. I know Wren does not always make sense, but I thought his character was really well written. I think some secondary characters could have been more developed but I liked Wren's best friend, Ryan's side story.
It such a pleasure to have a happy ending with an asexual character, without having the asexuality being a problem. It was mentioned multiple times in the story but it was never the main focus which was a blessing.
My only problem with the book was with the credibility of the story. There were some moments where I could not believe that the characters could not see more clearly. It was right in front of their eyes and they still were too oblivious.
I would highly recommend this book to people !
The story follows Wren Martins, an asexual main character who is scared of dating because of his sexuality and who just became president of the student council. His first order of business ? Cancel the Valentine Day's Dance. His excuse ? It's too expensive (the real problem? It's too focused on relationship and romance). That's when vice-president and arch nemesis Leo Reyes suggests collaborating with Buddy (an app that anonymously pairs you with other people with same interest). It is settled, the Valentine Day's Dance will now be about all kind of love, to the displeasure of Wren. He then decides to download the app and see for himself. That's when Buddy Boy comes into his life. Wren will have to learn how to understand dating while asexual and he'll have to choose between his IRL crush and his Buddy crush.....
I would rate this book 4.25 or 4.5. It took me a little while to get into this book but once I was immersed in the story, I could not put it down. I know Wren does not always make sense, but I thought his character was really well written. I think some secondary characters could have been more developed but I liked Wren's best friend, Ryan's side story.
It such a pleasure to have a happy ending with an asexual character, without having the asexuality being a problem. It was mentioned multiple times in the story but it was never the main focus which was a blessing.
My only problem with the book was with the credibility of the story. There were some moments where I could not believe that the characters could not see more clearly. It was right in front of their eyes and they still were too oblivious.
I would highly recommend this book to people !