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husnaibrahim_'s reviews
202 reviews
Promises in Death by J.D. Robb
4.5
This one is easily among my favorites from the series. There’s just something special when Lieutenant Eve Dallas investigates a murder involving her closest circle. What’s not to love about solving a murder over breakfast with your girlfriends, especially after a night of, well, let’s say adventurous activities? Like drunk swimming while naked.
I’ve always had a soft spot for the books where Eve’s entire friend group gets involved, and this one doesn’t disappoint in that regard. Except the fact that Morris is the one at the end of the short stick this time around. I genuinely wished things didn’t unfold the way they did for Ammy. I had a feeling Eve might have really liked her if they had a chance to get to know each other better. But I guess Morris was one of the few out of the friend group that we didn’t get to see have a portion of his life upturned by murder.
Honestly, I didn’t suspect the murderer at all, not until the memorial. It’s funny how I had my eye on the ex, even though I actually liked him. I suppose mysteries can’t always be so obvious. The one thing that still piques my curiosity is whether he got to witness the final moments of the interrogation, considering he was at Central. That would have added an interesting twist, to say the least.
I’ve always had a soft spot for the books where Eve’s entire friend group gets involved, and this one doesn’t disappoint in that regard. Except the fact that Morris is the one at the end of the short stick this time around. I genuinely wished things didn’t unfold the way they did for Ammy. I had a feeling Eve might have really liked her if they had a chance to get to know each other better. But I guess Morris was one of the few out of the friend group that we didn’t get to see have a portion of his life upturned by murder.
Honestly, I didn’t suspect the murderer at all, not until the memorial. It’s funny how I had my eye on the ex, even though I actually liked him. I suppose mysteries can’t always be so obvious. The one thing that still piques my curiosity is whether he got to witness the final moments of the interrogation, considering he was at Central. That would have added an interesting twist, to say the least.
So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix by Bethany C. Morrow
4.0
This version really stands out as one of my favourites. I appreciated how it delved into some crucial aspects of American history, especially the portrayal of the Northerners' involvement in slavery and their subsequent attempts at becoming white saviors during the following years. I think the way it tackled the concept of freed individuals reclaiming their narrative, both physically and through writing, was compelling. Plus, I found the dynamics within the March family more intriguing this time around.
The resolution, where each character gets their happy ending, even though it might not be entirely realistic, seems to work well in the context of this story. I particularly liked how Meg's happiness was prioritized right from the start. As the oldest sister, she often got the short end of the stick in previous versions, so this felt refreshing. Her relationship with Wisdom was also done really well, and the deliberate inclusion of his interactions with their father added depth to it.
Also whilst I've always had a soft spot for their mother, Amy somehow always manages to emerge as my favorite March sister in almost every version. Maybe it's because, like Amy, I'm the youngest sister, and I see a lot of myself in her. Plus her journey from youthful innocence to a confident and sophisticated young woman, especially in this retelling, is something I really enjoyed. What's really fascinating to me is how she retains her childlike playfulness around her sisters but transforms into a composed high-society figure outside the family circle. You can see this shift in her interactions with —her romantic interest— Joseph Williams compared to her interactions with her family, and it just adds another layer to her character that I truly appreciate.
In contrast to how Amy is usually portrayed in other versions, this one shows something different. She still has her moments of self-doubt about her talents and often finds herself comparing to Jo, but this version handles it uniquely. It actually brings out the fact that, deep down, they're just typical sisters. They're so different yet can't help but look up to each other or sometimes feel a bit inferior when making those comparisons.
What makes this version stand out is how it ditches that typical competitive and self-doubting sibling dynamic. Sure, there's still the usual bickering, but everyone here gets to follow their own paths without tripping over those nagging doubts. Plus, I think that Jo is a little less overbearing here.
Now, as for Beth's ending in this one, it feels just right. In other adaptations, she often feels like she's in the shadows. But in this one, justice is done to her character. I've also always believed that Beth's quiet nature aligns better with what Jo probably envisioned for herself. There's an African proverb that says, "he who makes the loudest noise is an empty barrel." While this saying may not directly apply to Jo, it's intriguing to consider that, in most versions, Jo might be depicted as the unmarried sister by choice, because she is so persistent about it being so. Yet it seems to realistically apply more to Beth if anything.
So it’s interesting to see how this adaptation offers a fresh perspective on this aspect of the story, which I find particularly interesting.
The resolution, where each character gets their happy ending, even though it might not be entirely realistic, seems to work well in the context of this story. I particularly liked how Meg's happiness was prioritized right from the start. As the oldest sister, she often got the short end of the stick in previous versions, so this felt refreshing. Her relationship with Wisdom was also done really well, and the deliberate inclusion of his interactions with their father added depth to it.
Also whilst I've always had a soft spot for their mother, Amy somehow always manages to emerge as my favorite March sister in almost every version. Maybe it's because, like Amy, I'm the youngest sister, and I see a lot of myself in her. Plus her journey from youthful innocence to a confident and sophisticated young woman, especially in this retelling, is something I really enjoyed. What's really fascinating to me is how she retains her childlike playfulness around her sisters but transforms into a composed high-society figure outside the family circle. You can see this shift in her interactions with —her romantic interest— Joseph Williams compared to her interactions with her family, and it just adds another layer to her character that I truly appreciate.
In contrast to how Amy is usually portrayed in other versions, this one shows something different. She still has her moments of self-doubt about her talents and often finds herself comparing to Jo, but this version handles it uniquely. It actually brings out the fact that, deep down, they're just typical sisters. They're so different yet can't help but look up to each other or sometimes feel a bit inferior when making those comparisons.
What makes this version stand out is how it ditches that typical competitive and self-doubting sibling dynamic. Sure, there's still the usual bickering, but everyone here gets to follow their own paths without tripping over those nagging doubts. Plus, I think that Jo is a little less overbearing here.
Now, as for Beth's ending in this one, it feels just right. In other adaptations, she often feels like she's in the shadows. But in this one, justice is done to her character. I've also always believed that Beth's quiet nature aligns better with what Jo probably envisioned for herself. There's an African proverb that says, "he who makes the loudest noise is an empty barrel." While this saying may not directly apply to Jo, it's intriguing to consider that, in most versions, Jo might be depicted as the unmarried sister by choice, because she is so persistent about it being so. Yet it seems to realistically apply more to Beth if anything.
So it’s interesting to see how this adaptation offers a fresh perspective on this aspect of the story, which I find particularly interesting.
Her Wicked Marquess by Stacy Reid
4.5
This was a really great read and I loved Maryann and Nicolas together.
I loved their secret meets in her bedroom, their garden-meet scene and her relationship with her brother. I just wished he wasn’t involved in what happened with Nicolas’s past! That just made everything feel complicated and so rushed towards the ending, especially with what we found out about his best friend too.
Other than that, this was a well written book and I’d definitely be reading Ophelia’s book too cause I find the whole double lifestyle thing intriguing honestly. Plus I’m honestly really curious to see what she thinks when she finds out that Devlin has been secretly keeping all the scoundrels away from her!
I loved their secret meets in her bedroom, their garden-meet scene and her relationship with her brother. I just wished he wasn’t involved in what happened with Nicolas’s past! That just made everything feel complicated and so rushed towards the ending, especially with what we found out about his best friend too.
Other than that, this was a well written book and I’d definitely be reading Ophelia’s book too cause I find the whole double lifestyle thing intriguing honestly. Plus I’m honestly really curious to see what she thinks when she finds out that Devlin has been secretly keeping all the scoundrels away from her!
You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi
2.75
Someday, I’ll find the right words to express why I didn’t quite connect with this book, even though it’s undeniably well-crafted in terms of writing and character development. It’s honestly so beautifully written in how it portrays each character and what shapes them into what and who they become.
Salvation in Death by J.D. Robb
2.0
I’ve read more than half of the books in this series, and I’ve got to say, this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Now, I’m a Muslim, so I might miss some of the Christian nuances, but I do think they handled it well within the story. Father Lopez’s character was on point, and I’m hoping to see more of him in future books.
Now, the moment Dr. Mira began speculating about the killer’s gender, I had a strong sense of who it might be, based what Inez had shared with Eve. Despite that, It was fun watching it all play out and the takedown of the killer was rather enjoyable. However, I couldn’t help but wish that the ending didn’t feel so rushed.
Then there’s the matter of the other religious figure’s murder. I kinda wished they’d brought the media in more. It’s funny how, in some of the other books, the media oversteps boundaries, but when you’ve got a juicy case, suddenly, Nadine’s quiet. Maybe I’m a bit cynical, but more media action would’ve spiced things up and would have added more depth too.
And you know, I’m starting to notice that those quirks I once admired about Eve, those quirks that define her, can sometimes be rather irksome. She’s super “American,” which can be grating at times, I suppose that’s the best way to describe it. So Occasionally, I find myself wishing she were more open-minded. But hey, at least it does balance out somewhat since most of the people around her are indeed open-minded.
Now, the moment Dr. Mira began speculating about the killer’s gender, I had a strong sense of who it might be, based what Inez had shared with Eve. Despite that, It was fun watching it all play out and the takedown of the killer was rather enjoyable. However, I couldn’t help but wish that the ending didn’t feel so rushed.
Then there’s the matter of the other religious figure’s murder. I kinda wished they’d brought the media in more. It’s funny how, in some of the other books, the media oversteps boundaries, but when you’ve got a juicy case, suddenly, Nadine’s quiet. Maybe I’m a bit cynical, but more media action would’ve spiced things up and would have added more depth too.
And you know, I’m starting to notice that those quirks I once admired about Eve, those quirks that define her, can sometimes be rather irksome. She’s super “American,” which can be grating at times, I suppose that’s the best way to describe it. So Occasionally, I find myself wishing she were more open-minded. But hey, at least it does balance out somewhat since most of the people around her are indeed open-minded.
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
5.0
As a Nigerian, this book was a mix of strange and intriguing for me. Growing up, we've heard our fair share of stories about snakes assuming human forms, possession by spirits like ‘mami-water,’ and the unsettling use of children in rituals, then their lives spiraling dramatically downhill as a result. So, the core concept and theme of the book weren’t surprising or off-putting to me.
What really caught my attention was how the story was told and the unconventional narrative style. It provided insights into the perspectives of her ‘brothers and sisters,’ how she coped with it all, and the transformation that overcame her when one of them took control. It was pretty fascinating.
Though, I kind of wished we saw more of her as her own self or got glimpses of what could have been her true self, you know, what she'd have been under different circumstances.
What really caught my attention was how the story was told and the unconventional narrative style. It provided insights into the perspectives of her ‘brothers and sisters,’ how she coped with it all, and the transformation that overcame her when one of them took control. It was pretty fascinating.
Though, I kind of wished we saw more of her as her own self or got glimpses of what could have been her true self, you know, what she'd have been under different circumstances.
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
4.75
This was quite a disturbing yet intriguing read! Initially, I felt really disturbed and unsettled by the story. I kept thinking ‘what is wrong with these people? Well, at least Marcos seems like the only decent one from the bunch.’ Then he went on to do something possibly worse than breeding and eating flesh!
But I really wonder, in such a situation, how can we even determine which is worse—the actions of the government and society or what Marcos did, despite claiming a higher moral ground?
Then I think the way his wife got roped into it all at the end was cruel too. Yes they were both grieving, clearly in different ways, but it’s all just truly messed up.
I was really starting to hope that they might have been a possibility that Jasmine would eventually become a person of her own, have her own thoughts and be able to make her own decisions in that society, but I guess it seemed like too much hope or delusion.
Also I find it really funny that Gaston says this right before he offers himself to be slaughtered:
“The human being is the cause of all evil in this world. We are our own virus.”
It takes all kinds, truly!
But I really wonder, in such a situation, how can we even determine which is worse—the actions of the government and society or what Marcos did, despite claiming a higher moral ground?
Then I think the way his wife got roped into it all at the end was cruel too. Yes they were both grieving, clearly in different ways, but it’s all just truly messed up.
I was really starting to hope that they might have been a possibility that Jasmine would eventually become a person of her own, have her own thoughts and be able to make her own decisions in that society, but I guess it seemed like too much hope or delusion.
Also I find it really funny that Gaston says this right before he offers himself to be slaughtered:
“The human being is the cause of all evil in this world. We are our own virus.”
It takes all kinds, truly!