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iamnotacentipede's reviews
197 reviews
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
4.0
This was a deeply gorgeous novel spanning an entire community and how one act of kindness can spread and change a whole history of possibilities.
I feel like this book was so well composed together and it fit together so well that by the end you notice how precise of a puzzle this book was.
I will say that there were several moments I felt like we didn't need a specific character POV, though it did add an additional splash of flavor to the story.
I feel like this book was so well composed together and it fit together so well that by the end you notice how precise of a puzzle this book was.
I will say that there were several moments I felt like we didn't need a specific character POV, though it did add an additional splash of flavor to the story.
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
2.0
I feel like this book could have offered so much and in the end it just fell flat.
The characters were very one note, we don't really get to know them too much as people - idk if it was the scenes or writing style but they never really connected for me.
This felt like such a chore to read, and while there were some fun moments overall this was a dud. I felt like this book was too long and almost nothing really changed from the start of the book, and all the "issues" were so easily overcome and handled in the background.
I feel like the author has promise and with that hope it makes me not want to give up on some of the other books that are written by them, but this book was so bland to me.
I was so excited when I noticed that this world was loosely based on Ireland and UK drama, but that kinda also went no where for most of the book. The queer representation was nice and was such a cute little thing to keep in the story, but that's literally one of the only positives I have for this read.
The characters were very one note, we don't really get to know them too much as people - idk if it was the scenes or writing style but they never really connected for me.
This felt like such a chore to read, and while there were some fun moments overall this was a dud. I felt like this book was too long and almost nothing really changed from the start of the book, and all the "issues" were so easily overcome and handled in the background.
I feel like the author has promise and with that hope it makes me not want to give up on some of the other books that are written by them, but this book was so bland to me.
I was so excited when I noticed that this world was loosely based on Ireland and UK drama, but that kinda also went no where for most of the book. The queer representation was nice and was such a cute little thing to keep in the story, but that's literally one of the only positives I have for this read.
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer
2.0
So after re-reading Twilight last year and then reading this book I can tell that the writing style and overall prose was cleaned up and gotten much better. Twilight was a little clunky and cringe with it's constant reuse of the same phrasing, the condescending, and just overall very early 2000's YA vibe.
This little novella felt more polished up and things seemed to flow so much better. I will say that again there is very much an insta-love moment, which...come on Stephanie not EVERY book needs to have a love interest. It also still very much added to Bella being very female lead role with her addition to this story and being almost center of attention there at the end because of the little newbie army talking so much about how her blood smells so sweet.
I think it was a fine little book, but I honestly felt like this didn't do much to add to the Twilight universe and felt if anything that could have been left out. Ending on a 2 star because there were still some issues with it besides the above mentioned problems like the semi-descriptions of the other members of the army but not enough to really make them memorable or explain much of the inner workings. Things just felt very base level with this story.
This little novella felt more polished up and things seemed to flow so much better. I will say that again there is very much an insta-love moment, which...come on Stephanie not EVERY book needs to have a love interest. It also still very much added to Bella being very female lead role with her addition to this story and being almost center of attention there at the end because of the little newbie army talking so much about how her blood smells so sweet.
I think it was a fine little book, but I honestly felt like this didn't do much to add to the Twilight universe and felt if anything that could have been left out. Ending on a 2 star because there were still some issues with it besides the above mentioned problems like the semi-descriptions of the other members of the army but not enough to really make them memorable or explain much of the inner workings. Things just felt very base level with this story.
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
2.75
I want to start off the review on positives before I air out all my frustrations with this book, so let me first say that the banter was actually really funny. Several times I caught myself giggling at just how silly some of these characters were. While I don't think it totally fit with the age group of some of these characters (it felt more like college freshman/high school seniors) it was still entertaining. I also think that it was a very "cozy" read if you are wanting something that requires almost no brain power to process. Nate was a good love interest as he was always there for Anastasia and had good communication and didn't have a problem admitting when he was wrong or was being ridiculous (even though in the book it breaks the fourth wall by admitting that he very much is a character written by a woman hah).
Now, moving all that aside there are many faults with this story. First, I felt like the plot was all over the place and the "drama" was just not really there for me, everyone that reads this book can tell a mile away that Aaron is an ass, so to keep that all going for over 400 pages is excessive. Also, we had so many chapters just with their day to day life that I felt made the book so long to read and I wasn't invested to keep picking it up.
Another thing that had me a little frustrated was that the author seemed to take on too many characters and it didn't feel really well established with them. I understand it's a whole hockey team but she could have literally picked any sport. I felt like we only got tidbits at best of like a handful of his teammates without really getting to know them other than a few base character info dumping and then a random side character of the team would be thrown in to make a scene feel more "full cast" in that moment which I feel didn't really work. Not to mention that several characters have almost the same names with just a few tweaks so it makes it so hard to remember when they aren't mentioned very frequently who is who.
Ending thoughts: this was fine if you are wanting something easy to read and in it for the spicy scenes (you get one in just about every chapter -- but the content will be basic vanilla things) then this is for you because the plot and characters are kinda just a jumbled mess.
Now, moving all that aside there are many faults with this story. First, I felt like the plot was all over the place and the "drama" was just not really there for me, everyone that reads this book can tell a mile away that Aaron is an ass, so to keep that all going for over 400 pages is excessive. Also, we had so many chapters just with their day to day life that I felt made the book so long to read and I wasn't invested to keep picking it up.
Another thing that had me a little frustrated was that the author seemed to take on too many characters and it didn't feel really well established with them. I understand it's a whole hockey team but she could have literally picked any sport. I felt like we only got tidbits at best of like a handful of his teammates without really getting to know them other than a few base character info dumping and then a random side character of the team would be thrown in to make a scene feel more "full cast" in that moment which I feel didn't really work. Not to mention that several characters have almost the same names with just a few tweaks so it makes it so hard to remember when they aren't mentioned very frequently who is who.
Ending thoughts: this was fine if you are wanting something easy to read and in it for the spicy scenes (you get one in just about every chapter -- but the content will be basic vanilla things) then this is for you because the plot and characters are kinda just a jumbled mess.
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
5.0
What a beautifully haunting story for anyone that has at some point not been able to find their way until they do.
I just finished this book less than 30mins from writing this review and any negative thoughts I had while reading this (I swear I had at least one or two things I was going to fault or have issues with) I can't even remember after the ending. It was so creepy, and wonderful, and messy, and literally perfect.
I can't even put into words the emotions I felt, am feeling, will probably continue to feel as I keep on this series (because of course I will!).
The representation in each of these characters, the one liners that punch you in the gut and make you feel as you go along in this world of whimsy and madness and wonder...
I didn't know what I was getting into, and honestly I feel so much better after reading this. I can see why this was suggested to me, because I really do feel that it's a book that everyone would enjoy.
I just finished this book less than 30mins from writing this review and any negative thoughts I had while reading this (I swear I had at least one or two things I was going to fault or have issues with) I can't even remember after the ending. It was so creepy, and wonderful, and messy, and literally perfect.
I can't even put into words the emotions I felt, am feeling, will probably continue to feel as I keep on this series (because of course I will!).
The representation in each of these characters, the one liners that punch you in the gut and make you feel as you go along in this world of whimsy and madness and wonder...
I didn't know what I was getting into, and honestly I feel so much better after reading this. I can see why this was suggested to me, because I really do feel that it's a book that everyone would enjoy.
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
4.75
Sometimes when reading you encounter a book that is so complex on multiple levels that it's hard to put into words a review...this is that type of book.
While as a simple reader I do not have all the necessary education to break down all the descriptions and details written within these pages, I am a reader that can appreciate how much this book made me feel. From the very poetic and lyrical writing style, to the raw emotions and imagery that unfolded as you dive further and further into this story this book is truly a masterpiece.
I can 100% say this was like looking at an abstract piece of art, one that lingers and haunts you and even if you can't fully understand, part of that not knowing is what makes the piece so impactful, reading this book was like that.
The only complaint I have with this novel was that I would have preferred less time talking about his first boyfriend which at times felt drawn out in the story, but this is such a minor complaint in the grand scheme of this reading experience.
While as a simple reader I do not have all the necessary education to break down all the descriptions and details written within these pages, I am a reader that can appreciate how much this book made me feel. From the very poetic and lyrical writing style, to the raw emotions and imagery that unfolded as you dive further and further into this story this book is truly a masterpiece.
I can 100% say this was like looking at an abstract piece of art, one that lingers and haunts you and even if you can't fully understand, part of that not knowing is what makes the piece so impactful, reading this book was like that.
The only complaint I have with this novel was that I would have preferred less time talking about his first boyfriend which at times felt drawn out in the story, but this is such a minor complaint in the grand scheme of this reading experience.
Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
4.0
Let me start off by saying that this was very much a YA novel, but in the end I liked this more than I thought that I would. I thought that this book was going to be a cringe read since it's a 50/50 bet for me personally in the YA genre, but I actually was VERY much sucked into this book. There are some very blatant YA moments in here like the weird style of cursing: one minute they will say "jackass" and the next it's more reserved by saying "biscuits" or something along those lines. It just felt very "teen" behavior and the constant flirtation and sexual undertone jokes were also very faux young adult mannerisms. I was a little irritated with the way the characters handled their love affairs, the only ones really doing it right was Finian and Scarlett.
This was like if The Breakfast Club, Enders Game, and StarTrek were to be mashed together. I really liked the dynamic of the characters and how the plot evolved as you went along. It was also pretty cool to see nods at classic Sci-Fi tropes and themes.
I will say that I liked this book much more than Illuminae that the authors also did but there were still some similarities like nuclear attacks for EMPs and parasitic style control over people. So it would have been nice to kinda have more of an original concept.
Another complaint that I had was this book was almost 500 pages and we really didn't get too much backstory on some characters, things were hinted at but didn't circle back around to discuss those, looking at Zila and Finian.
I also felt like the amount of POV that we got through the story was a little unnecessary, I caught myself several times forgetting which character I was reading from.
I want to applaud the representation and inclusion of different style of cultures in this world and even within this group. There were queer characters and people of color and even dynamic ways each species operates even if we see it only in passing.
Even with the complaints I still very much liked this book and will continue the series hoping to see how everything is going to play out for this group.
This was like if The Breakfast Club, Enders Game, and StarTrek were to be mashed together. I really liked the dynamic of the characters and how the plot evolved as you went along. It was also pretty cool to see nods at classic Sci-Fi tropes and themes.
I will say that I liked this book much more than Illuminae that the authors also did but there were still some similarities like nuclear attacks for EMPs and parasitic style control over people. So it would have been nice to kinda have more of an original concept.
Another complaint that I had was this book was almost 500 pages and we really didn't get too much backstory on some characters, things were hinted at but didn't circle back around to discuss those, looking at Zila and Finian.
I also felt like the amount of POV that we got through the story was a little unnecessary, I caught myself several times forgetting which character I was reading from.
I want to applaud the representation and inclusion of different style of cultures in this world and even within this group. There were queer characters and people of color and even dynamic ways each species operates even if we see it only in passing.
Even with the complaints I still very much liked this book and will continue the series hoping to see how everything is going to play out for this group.
Girl Unknown by Karen Perry
2.5
To me this fell below the mark of even "average" for books and thriller. Don't get me wrong there were moments when reading that I had to double guess if there indeed was something underhanded happening in the grand scheme of things but overall this was just...bland.
The first 80 pages were nothing but edging of constant references of what was to come later that I felt like were not really leading anywhere. Second David as a character lacking so much backbone that it was infuriating to see him being "in control" on this family.
Also, the implication of this book that every male was attracted to Zoe was just weird to me, since it also included her dad and half brother. The ending felt a scramble of trying to piece all the puzzle pieces together and not really well thought out.
Overall I felt like this was kind of a waste to read and almost felt like a drag to get through. The only reason this was not rated lower was the middle part of the book was actually pretty decent. But almost everything else was not enough to save this book.
The first 80 pages were nothing but edging of constant references of what was to come later that I felt like were not really leading anywhere. Second David as a character lacking so much backbone that it was infuriating to see him being "in control" on this family.
Also, the implication of this book that every male was attracted to Zoe was just weird to me, since it also included her dad and half brother. The ending felt a scramble of trying to piece all the puzzle pieces together and not really well thought out.
Overall I felt like this was kind of a waste to read and almost felt like a drag to get through. The only reason this was not rated lower was the middle part of the book was actually pretty decent. But almost everything else was not enough to save this book.
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
4.5
I debated strongly between 4.5 stars or just 4 because the very first book was such a strong 4 stars to me and while I feel like this book was not necessarily better in terms of story, I do feel like the writing is getting stronger and stronger with each book. There were less grammar mistakes and the whole concept of being on edge to see if/how the main prophecy was to take place really captured me.
Whatever was lacking in the second book was made up for with this one, because I feel like this book in the series was so much closer to the feel of the first and was really heart warming. Now, I will say that the second book probably had the most "action" between all of them in the set so far but I really liked the small encounters and little stops that the quests end up taking.
The main reasons this wasn't a 5 star read for me was because there were a few grammar mistakes still, and also some inconsistencies with the story along with a few character deaths that I feel like would have been more meaningful if we had gotten more screen time with them.
Overall this might beat out the first book for me by only by such a small margin. I am loving how easy these books are to consume and really make for some amazing palette cleansers between heavy books.
Whatever was lacking in the second book was made up for with this one, because I feel like this book in the series was so much closer to the feel of the first and was really heart warming. Now, I will say that the second book probably had the most "action" between all of them in the set so far but I really liked the small encounters and little stops that the quests end up taking.
The main reasons this wasn't a 5 star read for me was because there were a few grammar mistakes still, and also some inconsistencies with the story along with a few character deaths that I feel like would have been more meaningful if we had gotten more screen time with them.
Overall this might beat out the first book for me by only by such a small margin. I am loving how easy these books are to consume and really make for some amazing palette cleansers between heavy books.
A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum
The only reason I did not rate this book higher was because there were viewpoints that I felt didn't really offer too much to the story (Fareeda's specifically) or that the ways the characters acted didn't seem consistent. Also, near the end there felt like there was some filler and could have been trimmed out as well as the ending was left in a way that you had to assume what ultimately ended up happening and I would have liked to see it more described.
Overall this was a very eye opening experience of what Arab and Muslim women might go through (I say might because I'm sure each experience and culture will be different) and in the end you really feel for these characters and how damaging ignoring cries for help just for the sake of "face" can ultimately cost a whole community.
4.5
This was a very moving book about what it means to be a woman in a culture that is toxic to gender. I will say that by no means did the author make this work come off as an Islamophobia piece. Her origins of coming from Palestinian parents wove a very real and raw account of what it means to be present in a household that is so rarely spoken about.
I will 100% say to please check the trigger warnings of this book because there many, but I felt every page of this book as you piece together the struggle of each woman and generation and how that leads to these "norms" getting established.
I will 100% say to please check the trigger warnings of this book because there many, but I felt every page of this book as you piece together the struggle of each woman and generation and how that leads to these "norms" getting established.
The only reason I did not rate this book higher was because there were viewpoints that I felt didn't really offer too much to the story (Fareeda's specifically) or that the ways the characters acted didn't seem consistent. Also, near the end there felt like there was some filler and could have been trimmed out as well as the ending was left in a way that you had to assume what ultimately ended up happening and I would have liked to see it more described.
Overall this was a very eye opening experience of what Arab and Muslim women might go through (I say might because I'm sure each experience and culture will be different) and in the end you really feel for these characters and how damaging ignoring cries for help just for the sake of "face" can ultimately cost a whole community.