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eve_reads's reviews
121 reviews
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
3.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The main character is 90% a Katniss Everdeen “angry girl” trope and 10% a soft cinnamon roll who is anxious about having friends. I love her a lot.
⁕ There is LOTS of info dumping, and it slows the story down at points.
⁕ The monsters and magic in this novel are ridiculous, bordering absurd at some points. Maybe it’s just me, but I had a hard time envisioning some of the things depicted.
⁕ I probably will read the next book in this series (duology?) just because the cliffhanger at the end was so shocking.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ The main character is 90% a Katniss Everdeen “angry girl” trope and 10% a soft cinnamon roll who is anxious about having friends. I love her a lot.
⁕ There is LOTS of info dumping, and it slows the story down at points.
⁕ The monsters and magic in this novel are ridiculous, bordering absurd at some points. Maybe it’s just me, but I had a hard time envisioning some of the things depicted.
⁕ I probably will read the next book in this series (duology?) just because the cliffhanger at the end was so shocking.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, and Death of parent
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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
3.75
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ I like that this is a feminist text but that the main female character does not start out as a strong, independent, kick-butt woman. I like that she is co-dependent and vulnerable and that the reader gets to see how difficult and messy it is to grow out of that.
⁕ My biggest complaint about this book is that it is too short. I would have loved more time with the characters, more time to build-up to the main conflicts.
⁕ This book is advertised as magical realism but there's really only one small reference to potential magic at the end. I also wish this was more developed.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ I like that this is a feminist text but that the main female character does not start out as a strong, independent, kick-butt woman. I like that she is co-dependent and vulnerable and that the reader gets to see how difficult and messy it is to grow out of that.
⁕ My biggest complaint about this book is that it is too short. I would have loved more time with the characters, more time to build-up to the main conflicts.
⁕ This book is advertised as magical realism but there's really only one small reference to potential magic at the end. I also wish this was more developed.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Emotional abuse
Minor: Gore
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ This is a book with an amoral main character, and the audio narration REALLY plays that up with his tone and inflection. That being said, while it is well written and presented, it is also super hard to listen to without feeling angry or annoyed.
⁕ Until the last 20% of the novel or so, it felt more like a heavy contemporary than it did a thriller. It's worth it when you get there, but you have to stick it through a lot of slow development first.
⁕ I appreciated the multiple narratives in the text, but I wish it would have been more balanced between them.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ This is a book with an amoral main character, and the audio narration REALLY plays that up with his tone and inflection. That being said, while it is well written and presented, it is also super hard to listen to without feeling angry or annoyed.
⁕ Until the last 20% of the novel or so, it felt more like a heavy contemporary than it did a thriller. It's worth it when you get there, but you have to stick it through a lot of slow development first.
⁕ I appreciated the multiple narratives in the text, but I wish it would have been more balanced between them.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexism, and Stalking
Moderate: Sexual content
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The ending of the book was super meaningful but VERY predictable.
⁕ This book is HEAVY, especially in the beginning. Definitely tread cautiously, especially if the pandemic has had you feeling down or "behind" in life.
⁕ The flow and structure of this book became very predictable: Nora visits a new life, learns something about it, and then repeats.
⁕ The strongest aspect of the entire novel is Nora's character development and inner monologue.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ The ending of the book was super meaningful but VERY predictable.
⁕ This book is HEAVY, especially in the beginning. Definitely tread cautiously, especially if the pandemic has had you feeling down or "behind" in life.
⁕ The flow and structure of this book became very predictable: Nora visits a new life, learns something about it, and then repeats.
⁕ The strongest aspect of the entire novel is Nora's character development and inner monologue.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, and Death of parent
Additional Content Warnings: alcohol usage
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ Gong is a literary master — the way she seamlessly blends the story of her characters with Shakespeare’s play AND historical Shanghai blows my mind. There are so many little nuggets of detail and references in here that sent my heart a flutter!
⁕ This book is structured around a quest-type plot, which is not my favorite but Gong kept it interesting with lots of suspense.
⁕ I love that we see Juliette’s character develop so much in the present story of the book but we also get information about how her past experiences shape her as well
⁕ I want more information and world-building in regards to each character’s families and their respective gangs! I hope that’s included in the next book.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ Gong is a literary master — the way she seamlessly blends the story of her characters with Shakespeare’s play AND historical Shanghai blows my mind. There are so many little nuggets of detail and references in here that sent my heart a flutter!
⁕ This book is structured around a quest-type plot, which is not my favorite but Gong kept it interesting with lots of suspense.
⁕ I love that we see Juliette’s character develop so much in the present story of the book but we also get information about how her past experiences shape her as well
⁕ I want more information and world-building in regards to each character’s families and their respective gangs! I hope that’s included in the next book.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Sexism, and Transphobia
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ If you’re someone who enjoys YA fantasy but want to introduce more adult fantasy into your reading, this book is the perfect stepping stone! There are lots of mature themes present, but it’s not overly complicated and still has some quirky banter and other YA staples.
⁕ This book is SUPER fast-paced and action-packed (hello, fight scenes!).
⁕ Schwab sets the stage beautifully for the character development of our two main heroes by introducing us to all their desires, ugly fears, and bad habits.
⁕ I would take a bullet for Lilah Bard. That is all.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ If you’re someone who enjoys YA fantasy but want to introduce more adult fantasy into your reading, this book is the perfect stepping stone! There are lots of mature themes present, but it’s not overly complicated and still has some quirky banter and other YA staples.
⁕ This book is SUPER fast-paced and action-packed (hello, fight scenes!).
⁕ Schwab sets the stage beautifully for the character development of our two main heroes by introducing us to all their desires, ugly fears, and bad habits.
⁕ I would take a bullet for Lilah Bard. That is all.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Torture, and Violence
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
- 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
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ Contemporary romance novels scare me because I have this (probably false) idea that they will be unbearably cheesy. Thankfully, that was not the case with this book. It is super cute, but also well-balanced with political drama, identity exploration, non-romantic relationship development, and so much more.
⁕ The character development of Alex is SO well written. My heart ached for him and soared for him.
⁕ The chapters are short and nearly all of them end on cliffhangers, making the book impossible to put down. I don’t recommend starting unless you have the time to read it in one full sitting 😂
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ Contemporary romance novels scare me because I have this (probably false) idea that they will be unbearably cheesy. Thankfully, that was not the case with this book. It is super cute, but also well-balanced with political drama, identity exploration, non-romantic relationship development, and so much more.
⁕ The character development of Alex is SO well written. My heart ached for him and soared for him.
⁕ The chapters are short and nearly all of them end on cliffhangers, making the book impossible to put down. I don’t recommend starting unless you have the time to read it in one full sitting 😂
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Additional Content Warnings: heavy alcohol consumption, outing of a character
It's past midnight somewhere: A debut collection of poetry and illustrations reliving pain, reclaiming heritage and rediscovering bliss in solitude. by Jamal-E-Fatima Rafat
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The illustrations by Hira Noor are some of the most detailed I’ve seen in a collection! They complement the text so well and add to the overall reading experience.
⁕ Some of the poems are very specific to Fatima’s lived experiences, while others are more generalized references to humanity as a whole. ALL of the pieces are beautiful and impactful in their own ways, but their variety in length and subject added depth to the collection as a whole.
⁕ Fatima’s writing style is incredibly rhythmic and lyrical. I actually kept going back to read certain pieces out loud because they just SOUND so good.
⁕ As someone who enjoys strong narratives in any text I pick up, I love that the collection is divided into four broader sections that create a sense of direction and conclusion.
⁕ The illustrations by Hira Noor are some of the most detailed I’ve seen in a collection! They complement the text so well and add to the overall reading experience.
⁕ Some of the poems are very specific to Fatima’s lived experiences, while others are more generalized references to humanity as a whole. ALL of the pieces are beautiful and impactful in their own ways, but their variety in length and subject added depth to the collection as a whole.
⁕ Fatima’s writing style is incredibly rhythmic and lyrical. I actually kept going back to read certain pieces out loud because they just SOUND so good.
⁕ As someone who enjoys strong narratives in any text I pick up, I love that the collection is divided into four broader sections that create a sense of direction and conclusion.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Sexism
Additional content warning: references to body image
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone looking to step into the horror genre, especially if you’re used to fantasy. This hybrid book blends the two beautifully and felt very accessible.
⁕ This book is short and fast-paced, but I never felt that the story was rushed. The ending was also very satisfying.
⁕ The development of the character relationships is SO GOOD, especially between the main character and love interest.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone looking to step into the horror genre, especially if you’re used to fantasy. This hybrid book blends the two beautifully and felt very accessible.
⁕ This book is short and fast-paced, but I never felt that the story was rushed. The ending was also very satisfying.
⁕ The development of the character relationships is SO GOOD, especially between the main character and love interest.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Suicide, and Death of parent