hevlav's reviews
69 reviews

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

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dark reflective

3.5

Reading through this for the first time, I found myself viewing the story through both the modern lens and that of 1850 when the book was originally published. 

Viewed modernly, this is a waxing, dated piece rooted in a racist, Anglo, Christian-centric world view. However, it does hold some level of self awareness that recognizes these truths.. sometimes. 

Viewed within the context of its publishing date, I can very much see how this was a progressive piece for the time. The empathetic light - though fraught at best - Hester is cast in is far more than women in any other story I can think of for the time. 

I found it surprisingly readable and interesting. 
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The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

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A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.0

This one had me at hummus with red lid = evil tbh. 
Babel by R.F. Kuang

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adventurous challenging reflective 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? No

5.0

(Reread)

RF Kuang the woman that you are. 
The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks

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adventurous mysterious reflective 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? No

3.0

There are a lot of fun elements of this book! However, the plot felt jumpy at points. 
Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood

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adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

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Scattered All Over the Earth by Yōko Tawada

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

Interesting concept, not sure if it felt like a complete story. 
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We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.25

Definitely feels like a step up from book 1 but I still was left wanting more! Faizal does some excellent world building, but I wish the story moved through more fluidly. 
Passage West by Rishi Reddi

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challenging emotional reflective tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

This is an absolutely brutal book. 
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The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

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emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

This is such a cute book about found family and celebrating the parts of yourself that make you unique. All the characters are wildly loveable, and the overall vibes are so cozy. 
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