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gattolino_nn's reviews
566 reviews
Mirror, Mirror by Jen Calonita
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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
3.5
I thought this was a very interesting retelling of a Disney classic fairy tale. I thought Jen Calonita handle this fairy tale really well and made it someone new whilst keeping to the core of the original classic.
I really enjoyed the dual POV of Snow White and the Evil Queen. It was used well to highlight similarities in their lives and the differences too. It was used really well to help highlight certain aspects of the story. I liked that we also got some backstory and insight into the Evil Queen but wished you could have her fleshed out more.
Overall the story was entertaining and enjoyable.
I really enjoyed the dual POV of Snow White and the Evil Queen. It was used well to highlight similarities in their lives and the differences too. It was used really well to help highlight certain aspects of the story. I liked that we also got some backstory and insight into the Evil Queen but wished you could have her fleshed out more.
Overall the story was entertaining and enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
I love this series. It is a fun and easy to get into this book. I found that the plot did a really good job of tackling serious topics in a way that a younger audience can understand and relate to. This book in particular the topics racism, having friends move away and feeling alone in the world.
I think these topics are handled well in such a vibrant and exciting universe without taking away from the topics.
Beyond the topic of the book I found the overall story to feel like it has middle book syndrome as it does a lot of setup for the next book's plot. Whilst this is not bac it did feel like there was nothing that was really accomplished in this book. The loses out weighed the wins in this book.
In saying this I am super excited to read the next book in the series when it comes out.
I think these topics are handled well in such a vibrant and exciting universe without taking away from the topics.
Beyond the topic of the book I found the overall story to feel like it has middle book syndrome as it does a lot of setup for the next book's plot. Whilst this is not bac it did feel like there was nothing that was really accomplished in this book. The loses out weighed the wins in this book.
In saying this I am super excited to read the next book in the series when it comes out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, and Racism
Moderate: Deportation
The Hunter by Jenika Snow
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I read this right away after the first book and this did not disappoint.
I have always had a soft spot for Little Red Riding Hood retellings. Maybe it is because the Big Bad Wolf has always given me the vibe that they had enemies to lovers potential or anti-hero. This book has him as a solidly bad guy.
Much like its predecessor, this book is short and spicy making it a really enjoyable read. I would say the spice is a bit more spicy than the first but only like a mild medium maybe a medium. In saying that spice is something I rate as the act and how often I see it in my other reads. Also like the previous book, being a shorter read the spice to plot ratio is more towards the spice due to the size, so again something to look out for.
I have always had a soft spot for Little Red Riding Hood retellings. Maybe it is because the Big Bad Wolf has always given me the vibe that they had enemies to lovers potential or anti-hero. This book has him as a solidly bad guy.
Much like its predecessor, this book is short and spicy making it a really enjoyable read. I would say the spice is a bit more spicy than the first but only like a mild medium maybe a medium. In saying that spice is something I rate as the act and how often I see it in my other reads. Also like the previous book, being a shorter read the spice to plot ratio is more towards the spice due to the size, so again something to look out for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Kidnapping
Moderate: Violence and Blood
The Beast by Jenika Snow
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
Beauty and the beast retellings are always interesting to see what an author will take from the Disney movie and what they will take from the original tale and how they present the Beast.
This book was just perfect for what needed during the month. It is just short enough that I was able to sit down and read without looking at the book and thinking that I don't have time, and also just an enjoyable read that I needed during a very busy and stressful time. You can't go wrong with a short spicy novella read.
I wouldn't say the spice is overly spicy, there is a thing or two that might turn people off but the scenes themselves were only mild spicy to maybe medium spicy for me. In saying that with this being a shorter read the spice does take up a bit of the page count. Something to keep in mind if you don't want something that have a high page count for spice in comparison with the rest of the book.
This book was just perfect for what needed during the month. It is just short enough that I was able to sit down and read without looking at the book and thinking that I don't have time, and also just an enjoyable read that I needed during a very busy and stressful time. You can't go wrong with a short spicy novella read.
I wouldn't say the spice is overly spicy, there is a thing or two that might turn people off but the scenes themselves were only mild spicy to maybe medium spicy for me. In saying that with this being a shorter read the spice does take up a bit of the page count. Something to keep in mind if you don't want something that have a high page count for spice in comparison with the rest of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Blood
Moderate: Stalking and Murder
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
challenging
mysterious
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
I am pleasantly surprised by this book. I know classics are a classic for a reason but I tend to struggle with the writing style in a lot of classics, and the ones where they are following a life of someone tend to feel like they focus on the mundane stuff or events that don't feel important to the story.
Now The Count of Monte Cristo does do this as well. If it were written now I can guarantee that it would be much shorter. Everything in this book is given in a meandering way. If you are someone that can't handle the book jumping POVs, timelines and stories that eventually help build a bigger picture and pay off towards the end of the book, this may not be the read for you. There were many times that I was listening to a chapter having zero clue how we ended up here or why we needed to know this until a few or several hours later.
In saying that I thought the story was really good and it does feel nice to have those 'Ah-ha!' moments when listening. Seeing all the people and events come together almost feels like a mystery that is being unfolded in front of you. You feel like you are involved with the story.
I think those you read and enjoyed Six of Crows would really enjoy this. I felt like the books where paced and gave information to the reader in very similar ways.
Now The Count of Monte Cristo does do this as well. If it were written now I can guarantee that it would be much shorter. Everything in this book is given in a meandering way. If you are someone that can't handle the book jumping POVs, timelines and stories that eventually help build a bigger picture and pay off towards the end of the book, this may not be the read for you. There were many times that I was listening to a chapter having zero clue how we ended up here or why we needed to know this until a few or several hours later.
In saying that I thought the story was really good and it does feel nice to have those 'Ah-ha!' moments when listening. Seeing all the people and events come together almost feels like a mystery that is being unfolded in front of you. You feel like you are involved with the story.
I think those you read and enjoyed Six of Crows would really enjoy this. I felt like the books where paced and gave information to the reader in very similar ways.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse and Slavery
The Takedown by Lily Chu
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.75
I love Lily Chu's books. She writes compelling and driven characters that learn and grow by overcoming personal challenges through out the book. On top of the well written characters each of the couples feel real and different from one another. In this case Dee and Teddy had me giggling at how adorable and dorky the two were together.
They were so sweet and loving to each other, even when they make mistakes you can see how they love each other.
Lily Chu also has an amazing way of dealing with common mental and societal issues. For this book toxic positivity and both diversity and change in the workplace. I thought these issues were really well done and brought them to the reader's mind. It makes you think how you are involved with these issues and what you can do to help.
I cannot wait for her next book. Lily Chu is an auto buy author at this point.
They were so sweet and loving to each other, even when they make mistakes you can see how they love each other.
Lily Chu also has an amazing way of dealing with common mental and societal issues. For this book toxic positivity and both diversity and change in the workplace. I thought these issues were really well done and brought them to the reader's mind. It makes you think how you are involved with these issues and what you can do to help.
I cannot wait for her next book. Lily Chu is an auto buy author at this point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Misogyny and Cultural appropriation
Gild by Raven Kennedy
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I thought this was an interesting fantasy read. Often the main characters in these books tend to grow up in harsh situations that make them the main character and whilst Auren had a rough upbringing for the last 10 years of her life she has been shield away from reality in her golden cage. This makes her both out of touch from the world outside the castle and socially awkward, which was refreshing to see.
Watching the world through her eyes you get to see as she slowly starts to be reintroduced to the world and reality outside the castle.
Whilst there isn't any major character development I think the work has been laid for her to explore the world more and grow as a character in the others books. I cannot wait to see where she finds herself in the next book and what she will learn.
Watching the world through her eyes you get to see as she slowly starts to be reintroduced to the world and reality outside the castle.
Whilst there isn't any major character development I think the work has been laid for her to explore the world more and grow as a character in the others books. I cannot wait to see where she finds herself in the next book and what she will learn.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Violence, and War
Witch Undercover in Westerham by Dionne Lister
adventurous
funny
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
3.75
This book had so many things going for it. It was so close to being one of those reads that could be 5 star and make you want to devour the rest of the series. Without spoilers it touches on some interesting concepts and ideas but fall through with actually following up with them leaving me feeling that I wanted more of what I glimpsed at.
I would love for one of the characters to return and get some development and more depth but I highly doubt that would happen. I think it would have led to some really interesting dynamics among the group and something outside the organisation.
The only really issue I had with the book was a tell and not show. There is a character that is meant to be one of the best agents across multiple branches but in every instance they are in they're immature and unprofessional and NO ONE calls them out on it?? Like is this meant to be the best you have and no one else seems to think what they are doing is highly unprofessional and resembles someone who is just new to the work force and has never worked a day in their life. Oh gosh that just made me so annoyed, but it also made me look at them like they were new and not this amazing agent.
I would love for one of the characters to return and get some development and more depth but I highly doubt that would happen. I think it would have led to some really interesting dynamics among the group and something outside the organisation.
The only really issue I had with the book was a tell and not show. There is a character that is meant to be one of the best agents across multiple branches but in every instance they are in they're immature and unprofessional and NO ONE calls them out on it?? Like is this meant to be the best you have and no one else seems to think what they are doing is highly unprofessional and resembles someone who is just new to the work force and has never worked a day in their life. Oh gosh that just made me so annoyed, but it also made me look at them like they were new and not this amazing agent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Stalking, and Murder
Love, Furballs & Forever by Karen Drew
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
I thought this was a really cute and light hearted read. It had cats (what else could you want) and the plot wasn't trying to reach far and kept it ground but still had some urgency.
My only grip with the story was Tiffany being bought in at the end. I didn't mind how she was used in the book until then as it felt like she was bought in for little to no reason, especially as the conflict is resolved off page which makes it really feel unimportant. Other than this the book was really fun to read and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
My only grip with the story was Tiffany being bought in at the end. I didn't mind how she was used in the book until then as it felt like she was bought in for little to no reason, especially as the conflict is resolved off page which makes it really feel unimportant. Other than this the book was really fun to read and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
emotional
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
3.5
I didn't mind this book but out of the series as a whole it is certainly my least favourite. It felt like a struggle with the character dynamics as there was just so much blaming and questionable treatment that is frustrating to read about. it had me constantly yelling to talk like adults, but then I need to remember that one half of the cast are barely adults and the other are so old that they are use to what they want. Honestly I just want a novella now of Amren and Varian. These two were cute and helped keep my sanity.
It will be interesting to see how much of this carries over to the next book. I know it is centred around Nesta and Cassin so at least some of my frustrations will carry across but it will be interesting to see how the others act between the two books.
It will be interesting to see how much of this carries over to the next book. I know it is centred around Nesta and Cassin so at least some of my frustrations will carry across but it will be interesting to see how the others act between the two books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content