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helenafaustina's reviews
367 reviews
The Elite by Kiera Cass
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
America Singer is insufferable. She just follows emotions without thinking. That's literally the whole book. So read this if you want a girl flip-flopping around about what she feels.
I was holding out hope for Maxon, but he disappointed me so much. Boo. Marlee disappointed me too. She did wrong, even if her sentence was harsh. Aspen is still a jerk.
The only character I like at this point is the queen and we probably only got one paragraph of her. The maids are still really nice, too.
Also, what is going on with palace security??? They can afford so much luxury, yet they apparently can't find a way to keep someone from breaking into the palace every two seconds. Not to mention we have the world's best detective team here who clearly is figuring out what the rebels want. (Spoiler, THEY STINK AT DETECTIVE WORK.)
I usually try to find nice things to say about books I have negative reviews about but I can't for this. It's false romance, predictable, annoying and uninspiring. And I hate that I need to know what happens to these characters. 😂
I was holding out hope for Maxon, but he disappointed me so much. Boo. Marlee disappointed me too. She did wrong, even if her sentence was harsh. Aspen is still a jerk.
The only character I like at this point is the queen and we probably only got one paragraph of her. The maids are still really nice, too.
Also, what is going on with palace security??? They can afford so much luxury, yet they apparently can't find a way to keep someone from breaking into the palace every two seconds. Not to mention we have the world's best detective team here who clearly is figuring out what the rebels want. (Spoiler, THEY STINK AT DETECTIVE WORK.)
I usually try to find nice things to say about books I have negative reviews about but I can't for this. It's false romance, predictable, annoying and uninspiring. And I hate that I need to know what happens to these characters. 😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Classism, Blood, Child abuse, Gore, and Infidelity
Moderate: Grief, Bullying, Cursing, Sexual content, Death, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Mass/school shootings, Miscarriage, and War
The Lord's name is taken in vain a couple times. Minor swear words are used.
Letters from Father Christmas, Centenary Edition by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I loved this so much! I had wanted something to keep me in the Christmas spirit this season, and this did just that. When reading the letters, I felt so connected and warm, as if I was apart of the Tolkien’s family lore. I’m definitely coming back to this in following Christmases! Definitely recommended this for a cozy, winter read!
Content Warnings
Minor: War
A Christmas Engagement: An Amish Romance by Linda Byler
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is the first Amish novel I've read, and I thought it was really interesting to learn about them! I realized I didn't actually know too much about the Amish.
I did want to love this book, but the characters didn't really pull me in. Maybe it's meant for an easier reading level, but I felt there could have been more development. But, it wasn't bad, and I enjoyed it!
I did want to love this book, but the characters didn't really pull me in. Maybe it's meant for an easier reading level, but I felt there could have been more development. But, it wasn't bad, and I enjoyed it!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
Perfectly clean other than about two references concerning a married couple.
Kunst-Malbuch, Coloring Book, Sisi by Annette Roeder
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
A fun book for kids to color and learn a little at the same time.
German À La Cartoon by Albert K. Small
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
A fun read that helps improve German/English while having a laugh!
The Selection by Kiera Cass
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I should preface this with saying that I just picked it up because it was popular. I didn’t have any excitement for it, or high expectations. But I did assume it would be better. But I did read it in five days, so I’ll give it fast-paced.
The main character, America Singer, was… annoying. I know a lot of people seem to dislike her name, but I think that America is a lovely name. 🇺🇸😂 She doesn’t think things through unless some bad shock happens to her. She’s rude, not to mention a not-like-other-girls type who thinks she isn’t pretty when she’s gorgeous, doesn’t like makeup, and prefers pants so much she had special allowance to wear them at the palace. I liked how she could recognize her faults, but that was few and far between and she didn’t really change from it. I liked her relationship with her sister, May, and with her maids. The only thing about her (by herself) that I liked was at the end, whenshe fiiiinally told Aspen “no” . Speaking of Aspen…
NO. Me no likey. Even when he was set up to be liked I didn’t. I don’t trust him and he’s just that annoying, sus, handsome guy.
Maxon was nice. Actually decent. Sometimes he annoyed me, but the whole point of the book is that he’s dating multiple women, so it was only a matter of time before he could annoy me. 😂 It’s definitely a lot like The Bachelor tv show, although more appropriate.
I didn’t like the romance. I’ve never liked love triangles, and ESPECIALLY when a character likes two people. That’s never something I understand or liked. The plot was very predictable, my updates have predictions that came true (and it wasn’t from a lot of detective work). However, it’s entertaining, so if you just wanted something only for the fun of it then this is good.
The main character, America Singer, was… annoying. I know a lot of people seem to dislike her name, but I think that America is a lovely name. 🇺🇸😂 She doesn’t think things through unless some bad shock happens to her. She’s rude, not to mention a not-like-other-girls type who thinks she isn’t pretty when she’s gorgeous, doesn’t like makeup, and prefers pants so much she had special allowance to wear them at the palace. I liked how she could recognize her faults, but that was few and far between and she didn’t really change from it. I liked her relationship with her sister, May, and with her maids. The only thing about her (by herself) that I liked was at the end, when
NO. Me no likey. Even when he was set up to be liked I didn’t. I don’t trust him and he’s just that annoying, sus, handsome guy.
Maxon was nice. Actually decent. Sometimes he annoyed me, but the whole point of the book is that he’s dating multiple women, so it was only a matter of time before he could annoy me. 😂 It’s definitely a lot like The Bachelor tv show, although more appropriate.
I didn’t like the romance. I’ve never liked love triangles, and ESPECIALLY when a character likes two people. That’s never something I understand or liked. The plot was very predictable, my updates have predictions that came true (and it wasn’t from a lot of detective work). However, it’s entertaining, so if you just wanted something only for the fun of it then this is good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Classism
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Cursing, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Mass/school shootings and Panic attacks/disorders
Some concerning aspects are passionate romance, not to the worst level, but enough to skip a paragraph or two. Some crass language for sensitive issues. D*mn and h*ll are used a handful of times. I'd say for age 15+.