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ginalucia's reviews
498 reviews
Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Let me start by saying I’m a fan of Cal Newport. But I do wonder if there’s a limit to how many times you can write a book about such similar topics and make it unique. In this case, I don’t think this is it.
Slow Productivity interested me because I tend to be one of those overly productive people who struggles to prioritise myself over just being productive all the time.
So let’s just say I had a specific need I hoped the book would help me work through.
It didn’t.
Cal does a great job of breaking down specific topics via credible stories, but in this case, these stories were so unrelatable I struggled to think my way into them. He’s very self-aware of this and acknowledges their unrealisticness. But as he does so, the alternative solutions he comes up with are also pretty unrealistic and inflexible.
He seemed quite unsure of his own advice. Like the principles in the book weren't as fleshed out or as confident as they were in Deep Work or Digital Minimalism.
Instead of feeling motivated to do less, or be productive in a slow way, I now feel motivated to work more. Which seems counterintuitive.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
Epilogues for Lost Gods by Cat Rector
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
The modern references just didn't quite work for me sadly. Still fantastic writing though!
This Cursed Light by Emily Thiede
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I really enjoyed the first book in this duology. It was fun, the magic system was cool, and the relationship build/tension really worked for me.
The second book was harmless and lighthearted, but it lacked plot. One of the main characters felt incredibly bland. The others were honestly slightly annoying. I didn’t feel this way in the first book. It was all just a little ‘meh’.
A shame because while the relationships were the main focus (and that’s fine), I wanted a little more.
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
In need of your next fantasy romance with witches, magic, and The Handmaid’s Tale vibes (what?!)? This might be it!
You're probably thinking, The Handmaid’s Tale, really?!
Let me explain myself. This book, even though it’s a YA romantasy, gave me those vibes.
Honest!
The world is kind of gritty, slightly dystopian-feeling, and the women within it either feel persecuted for something almost unexplained, almost natural, or they’re part of the system.
It’s gritty, kind of sad, and you don’t really know a lot because the world and its dynamic are slowly handed to you through the characters. I liked it. A lot.
Of course, there is a romance element. It wouldn’t be romantasy without it. This is the perfect blend of dark reality and relationship-building. The dynamic between characters is fantastic, and the near-constant drama and action pulls you through the story.
This book was a very easy and enjoyable read. Slightly predictable but with a dark edge. Can’t wait to read the next one.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
The Book of Japanese Folklore: An Encyclopedia of the Spirits, Monsters, and Yokai of Japanese Myth: The Stories of the Mischievous Kappa, Trickster Kitsune, Horrendous Oni, and More by Thersa Matsuura
informative
lighthearted
4.75
Lighthearted, slightly silly, informative, and charming. This is one of those non-fiction, kind of fiction books that hits all the marks.
The Book of Japanese Folklore tells you the stories, history, and cultural context of spirits, monsters, and yokai in Japanese myth.
Honestly, this kind of book is right up my street. As a 90s kid growing up watching a mix of Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, and Sailor Moon, I now eat up anything Japanese-related. Especially if it involves mythology and folklore.
Let’s just say it scratched that itch.
Each section within the book has just enough detail to feel like you've absorbed the information, but not so much that it's hard to follow.
Plus, I’m not sure there's anything better than learning about mythology and looking at some of the most gorgeous illustrations I’ve seen. They’re colourful, fun, and absolutely necessary.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier
adventurous
hopeful
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
5.0
Disney-like charm, a hint of darkness, magic, found family, mythology, and dragons? Yes please!
Dragonfruit was such a joy to read. It’s short, punchy, and if you enjoyed something like The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, you’ll love this.
I’m a firm believer in stories not being drawn out for the sake of page numbers, and Dragonfruit is a perfect example of this. It delivers a fun story while balancing some punchy atmosphere.
The descriptions of the beautiful islands, the unique and lovable heroine, and the incorporation of lesser-known mythology all contributed to this.
Let it be known that this is on the younger side of YA. So the themes are light, the vibes are pretty positive, and the messaging leaves you with a good feeling in your tummy.
More of this please!
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Children of Anguish and Anarchy wastes no time diving headfirst into the action, which keeps you on your toes from the start.
However, I couldn't shake the feeling of being thrown into a new storyline abruptly. It felt like picking up a sequel without the necessary setup, and it disoriented me.
It was like I’d missed something or misremembered the first two books because this felt like something entirely new rather than a conclusion to a series.
I wondered if condensing this into a duology might have helped. The rapid introduction of new elements made it hard to stay grounded in the established world and characters.
While the writing is undeniably strong and intense, I struggled to connect with the new direction of the plot. It felt like the relationships and developments from the earlier books were brushed aside for the sake of speed.
Children of Anguish and Anarchy is short and highly energetic, almost as if it were sprinting towards a conclusion. While this style has its thrills, it left me longing for what the first two books ultimately were, a lot better.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Just going to put this aside for obvious reasons
Scythe and Pen by A.C. Hobbs
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Scythe and Pen is all about atmosphere. It's gritty, dark, and intricately layered from the get-go. The characters are portrayed with finesse, down to their smallest quirks, which gives them a depth that feels genuine.
What struck me most was how the book avoids the usual pitfalls of its genre. Rather than leaning heavily on tropes and stereotypes, it crafts its world and characters with subtle, intricate details that lend authenticity to the time period and setting.
The dialogue is a standout feature. It’s almost cinematic in its delivery, making these scenes a joy to read.
Around the halfway mark, the story really picks up momentum and becomes incredibly gripping. You have to endure a gradual build-up of characters before the action kicks in, but once it does, it's worth the wait.
For me however, I found the book a bit lengthy. There were moments where the detailed descriptions and slower pacing made me lose interest. This is completely personal, I’m not a patient reader, and this reflects in my rating.
Scythe and Pen offers a fantastic story with rich themes and engaging characters. Due to its length, it's a lesson in patience, but for those willing to invest the time, the payoff is rewarding.
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ginaluciayt
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death