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inknosedowl's reviews
85 reviews
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is the first time I’ve read Little Women and I did enjoy it. It was a very comforting novel and understand why people love it so much. It’s very lighthearted and you cant help but love all of the girls in the story. I didn’t realize there were two other books to this story, but I think I’ll be okay with leaving it to the main book. For sure worth the read at least once.
Honor by Elif Shafak
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What an amazing book! I feel like I almost read it too fast with how much I enjoyed it.
It took me minute to get everyone in the family straight and to keep the storylines in check, but overall I loved this novel.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Shafak is one of the most beautiful writers I think I’ll ever read. She has such a way of describing the way characters feel and the setting around them it blows me away every time. I never want to stop writing down her quotes.
Some of this book was honestly a little hard to read because of how intense and obviously toxic this family was. Seeing that tradition and honor can destroy a family so completely and horrifically put it in a new view for me. The writing was so intense and luring that it almost felt like it was from a personal point of view that really made me feel what was happening in the story.
The ending really threw me for a loop! I did not expect the twist at all and I enjoyed that It happened. I thought it was going to end differently so I was glad for the surprise.
I would absolutely read this book, but I would check trigger warnings before hand as well.
It took me minute to get everyone in the family straight and to keep the storylines in check, but overall I loved this novel.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Shafak is one of the most beautiful writers I think I’ll ever read. She has such a way of describing the way characters feel and the setting around them it blows me away every time. I never want to stop writing down her quotes.
Some of this book was honestly a little hard to read because of how intense and obviously toxic this family was. Seeing that tradition and honor can destroy a family so completely and horrifically put it in a new view for me. The writing was so intense and luring that it almost felt like it was from a personal point of view that really made me feel what was happening in the story.
The ending really threw me for a loop! I did not expect the twist at all and I enjoyed that It happened. I thought it was going to end differently so I was glad for the surprise.
I would absolutely read this book, but I would check trigger warnings before hand as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Arrows and Apologies by Sav R. Miller
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another great book in the monsters and muses series. It’s not a mind blowing book or anything, but I did enjoy the protective relationship that is Alistair and Cora.
Every spice troupe that is in this book is my absolute favorite so that part was amazing for me. It is nice to find different troupes found in the same book!
I for sure enjoyed it and it is worth the read. Excited to continue onto the next book!
Every spice troupe that is in this book is my absolute favorite so that part was amazing for me. It is nice to find different troupes found in the same book!
I for sure enjoyed it and it is worth the read. Excited to continue onto the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide and Gun violence
Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book almost as much as the first. The first part of the book was a little slow, but then when it picked up it really picked up! I did love the first chapter talking about her peace at her home for a little bit, but after that I’d want got a little slow for me.
After it picked up I really couldn’t put this book down. All the action was amazing and I always wanted to know what happened next.
This book did have me very conflicted at the end. I really love that she is finally happy, but the fact that she’ll eventually have Wenzhi really left me feeling conflicted. I mean he absolutely crushed her in the first book and Liwei had been so patient through out both books that it really broke my heart that he wasn’t able to be entirely happy as well. I know that Xingyin wouldn’t have been happy as Celestial Empress, but god I’m a sucker for first loves. I think that Liwei and Wenzhi were both good for her, but in the end Wenzhi no longer had the obligation of being a royal and they had fought together more than her and Liwei had
A very good duology. I am sad there is nothing more to look forward to in this universe. Would absolutely recommend!
After it picked up I really couldn’t put this book down. All the action was amazing and I always wanted to know what happened next.
This book did have me very conflicted at the end. I really love that she is finally happy, but the fact that she’ll eventually have Wenzhi really left me feeling conflicted. I mean he absolutely crushed her in the first book and Liwei had been so patient through out both books that it really broke my heart that he wasn’t able to be entirely happy as well. I know that Xingyin wouldn’t have been happy as Celestial Empress, but god I’m a sucker for first loves. I think that Liwei and Wenzhi were both good for her, but in the end Wenzhi no longer had the obligation of being a royal and they had fought together more than her and Liwei had
A very good duology. I am sad there is nothing more to look forward to in this universe. Would absolutely recommend!
Galatea by Madeline Miller
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a short story by Madeline Miller and I wish it was a full fledged book.
It is about misogyny and how women can be affected by this and how cruel it can be.
I wanted to learn more about Galatea and everything she faces and I also wanted a happier ending for her. All of those emotions I felt even though the story was only 57 pages.
I will continue to wait anxiously for her next book.
It is about misogyny and how women can be affected by this and how cruel it can be.
I wanted to learn more about Galatea and everything she faces and I also wanted a happier ending for her. All of those emotions I felt even though the story was only 57 pages.
I will continue to wait anxiously for her next book.
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Where do I begin with this book. It was honestly a huge disappointment for me. I really loved the Love Hypothesis, but this one is almost a step backwards.
I feel like the writing is so much worse than her previous book. Bee is probably the most cringy character I have ever read. Some of The things she said made me physically cringe and almost made me stop reading the book.
Bee was CONSTANTLY going against any emotions or facts that were right in front of her with Levi and it was not done tastefully. It was incredibly annoying and it made me hate the character more.
Levi was sweet of course, but he seemed to be a worse Adam Carlson.
The spice was okay and pretty mediocre and I’m hoping that that is on me reading spicer books than this recently.
It was entertaining enough that I finished the book, but all in all I would not suggest this book and I will unfortunately stop reading Ali Hazlewood novels.
I feel like the writing is so much worse than her previous book. Bee is probably the most cringy character I have ever read. Some of The things she said made me physically cringe and almost made me stop reading the book.
Bee was CONSTANTLY going against any emotions or facts that were right in front of her with Levi and it was not done tastefully. It was incredibly annoying and it made me hate the character more.
Levi was sweet of course, but he seemed to be a worse Adam Carlson.
The spice was okay and pretty mediocre and I’m hoping that that is on me reading spicer books than this recently.
It was entertaining enough that I finished the book, but all in all I would not suggest this book and I will unfortunately stop reading Ali Hazlewood novels.
Babel by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
OH. MY. GOD.
What an amazing story with deep characters and language. This is one of the most unique books I have ever read in my life. It goes from being Dark Academia, to Political Fiction, to Mystery, to Revolution and Kuang does it all flawlessly.
This book is not for the faint of heart. It is long and the story and characters are revolved around language and the implications of that on culture and race. The subject matter grows and grows until it is so obvious what she is wanting to say it slaps you in the face. The tolls and hardships that Robin and his cohort go through are so incredibly interesting you cant look away from the page. There were so many twists and turns in this novel it was always keeping me wanting more.
<SPOILER>
My heart is absolutely broken on how this beautiful story ends. They all fought so hard and learned so much in knowing who they are and who they are is amazing no matter what the British thinks. I am not surprised at Robins demise because once Griffin had fallen almost everything he loved was lost other than Victore. I feel horrible for Victore because he did not have the heart to stay alive for his one and only alive friend and she has to live with that for that for the rest of her life.
Going on to the writing it is truly to die for. It is challenging and beautiful what a wonderful book to challenge yourself with. A lot of the conversations are about language and how everything connects and what is lost in translation. This is entirely new to me and I found it so interesting and I loved how it played into the story.
I will recommend this book for the rest of my life. If you want something new please please please read this book!
What an amazing story with deep characters and language. This is one of the most unique books I have ever read in my life. It goes from being Dark Academia, to Political Fiction, to Mystery, to Revolution and Kuang does it all flawlessly.
This book is not for the faint of heart. It is long and the story and characters are revolved around language and the implications of that on culture and race. The subject matter grows and grows until it is so obvious what she is wanting to say it slaps you in the face. The tolls and hardships that Robin and his cohort go through are so incredibly interesting you cant look away from the page. There were so many twists and turns in this novel it was always keeping me wanting more.
<SPOILER>
My heart is absolutely broken on how this beautiful story ends. They all fought so hard and learned so much in knowing who they are and who they are is amazing no matter what the British thinks. I am not surprised at Robins demise because once Griffin had fallen almost everything he loved was lost other than Victore. I feel horrible for Victore because he did not have the heart to stay alive for his one and only alive friend and she has to live with that for that for the rest of her life.
Going on to the writing it is truly to die for. It is challenging and beautiful what a wonderful book to challenge yourself with. A lot of the conversations are about language and how everything connects and what is lost in translation. This is entirely new to me and I found it so interesting and I loved how it played into the story.
I will recommend this book for the rest of my life. If you want something new please please please read this book!
Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
I wanted to start this book to try to get to the silence of the lambs and learn more about Hannibal Lector, but this was just not it for me. It’s very heavy into explaining the crime scenes which is fine, but just detective work in books is not for me.
Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
4.5
The continuation of this beautiful story is just as amazing as the first book. The title is a great description of this novel. Ari truly dives into his new found self trying to navigate his love for Dante and his new found emotions.
I was found crying for not only the sad moments of the book, but for the amazing writing and happiness that Ari was experiencing. I relate to Ari in the way he feels about himself and seeing him grow into a more confident and happy person was such an amazing feeling.
I am so grateful that Sáenz wrote the second novel because it does nit disappoint. I think everyone should read the duology!
I was found crying for not only the sad moments of the book, but for the amazing writing and happiness that Ari was experiencing. I relate to Ari in the way he feels about himself and seeing him grow into a more confident and happy person was such an amazing feeling.
I am so grateful that Sáenz wrote the second novel because it does nit disappoint. I think everyone should read the duology!
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
4.0
I first read this book when I was 19 and just growing up. I read it for the second time today and it holds up just as well as the first time.
It shows the confusion of not only growing up, but the struggles of trying to find yourself. This book is well written and has very lovable and relatable characters. I think everyone should read this book. I cant wait to get started on the second book.
It shows the confusion of not only growing up, but the struggles of trying to find yourself. This book is well written and has very lovable and relatable characters. I think everyone should read this book. I cant wait to get started on the second book.