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goldenelegy's reviews
148 reviews
The Baby Dragon Café by A.T. Qureshi
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
i decided so because i couldn't stand the writing, it felt too childish. what irks me the most was the way she added additional explanations. they were out of place idk, very much like tmi. i also didn't like the use of slash (/) it felt like i was reading a text message instead of a book. i agree with the other reviewers, the author tells a lot but doesn't show. i could sense that in how she describes the characters. it was said that saphira is a bubbly person but there was not much showing of that. the characters rather feel bland. and aiden doesn't look like he's as grumpy and reserved like how he was described. i couldn't stand the romance part, there was no chemistry, no yearning, no anything that would make it more exciting. last but not least, i feel like the problems were resolved too easily, there was no complication or turning point that could've made the plot more thrilling.
borrowed this from a library but it was due today. based on the points above, i couldn't see the point of borrowing it again so i decided to just drop it.
borrowed this from a library but it was due today. based on the points above, i couldn't see the point of borrowing it again so i decided to just drop it.
Spring Garden by Tomoka Shibasaki
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
a really unique slice-of-life story centering around a divorced man living in a flat and a woman next door who has fixation on the sky blue house near them. i enjoyed the characters dynamics. well i think this is the most realistic a slice-of-life story could be. the kind of story that doesn't delve too deep to the emotional aspects but doesn't stay too shallow either. it's a light story, literally does not cause emotional pain. my issue is most of the time i had difficulty picturing the building and furniture details in my head. i know those are the main aspect of the story but i have so little knowledge about those stuffs.
True Mothers by Mizuki Tsujimura
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
my first thought after finishing this book: oh my god this is so well-executed. this book portrays motherhood in such a raw and delicate way, from the point of view of a woman who cannot have a child and a teen girl who has no choice but to separate from her baby. though having different conditions, both characters carry around their motherly love. this raw and realistic portrayal makes the story even more heart wrenching. there's also some points to reflect on, mainly about the harsh reality a child must endure because of her neglectful and strict parents. it also leaves one big question, do parents actually care about their child or do they care more about their reputation?
though the story flows with agony, the story ends in a way that'll give you a sense of relief (the last line!! that was such a beautiful conclusion!) so i think this book is definitely worth to read.
though the story flows with agony, the story ends in a way that'll give you a sense of relief (the last line!! that was such a beautiful conclusion!) so i think this book is definitely worth to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Pregnancy, Abandonment
Moderate: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking
We Hunt the Flame: Memburu Api by Hafsah Faizal
adventurous
challenging
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
it usually takes a while for me to be invested in a fantasy book, and that was what happened to me trying to read this book. what kept me going is the beautifully-written descriptions. and i think the translation did justice to it. the first 50 pages felt a bit hard to follow, but as i read more, it got easier to digest. the MCs doesn't meet until like halfway through the book, i think? but everything feels perfectly paced. plot twist by plot twist unveils, but nothing feels too forced or too sudden. also the slow-burn romance is just perfect. the romance doesn't overshadow anything else. it feels natural. some chapters left me confused, though, like why is the MC suddenly in another place?? but then i as i continued reading i started to get them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Death of parent
A Publicity Stunt by Hening Swastika
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
sebagai yang pernah ikut klub jurnalistik, aku sangat tertarik ada buku yang latarnya seputar jurnalistik!
aku suka sih sama gaya penulisannya. menurutku plotnya juga rapi banget. saking serunya, aku gak sadar udah selesai baca bukunya dalam sekali duduk. kisahnya mayra sungguh menyayat hati. bahkan aku sampai ikut nangis ketika mayra bilang dia merasa jadi beban untuk orang-orang 😭
ceritanya kompleks dan konfliknya bisa dibilang cukup menggambarkan struggle yang dihadapi remaja. secara logika mungkin yang dilakuin mayra kayak berlebihan, tapi kalau memosisikan diri sebagai remaja seumuran dia dan dengan cobaan hidup demikian, paham sih kenapa dia sampai begitu. terus mayra ini tipe strong character yang sangat gigih mengusahakan apa yang ingin dia capai. aku suka sekali karakter yang kayak gini.
aku suka sih sama gaya penulisannya. menurutku plotnya juga rapi banget. saking serunya, aku gak sadar udah selesai baca bukunya dalam sekali duduk. kisahnya mayra sungguh menyayat hati. bahkan aku sampai ikut nangis ketika mayra bilang dia merasa jadi beban untuk orang-orang 😭
ceritanya kompleks dan konfliknya bisa dibilang cukup menggambarkan struggle yang dihadapi remaja. secara logika mungkin yang dilakuin mayra kayak berlebihan, tapi kalau memosisikan diri sebagai remaja seumuran dia dan dengan cobaan hidup demikian, paham sih kenapa dia sampai begitu. terus mayra ini tipe strong character yang sangat gigih mengusahakan apa yang ingin dia capai. aku suka sekali karakter yang kayak gini.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent