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irene043043's reviews
29 reviews
Cross Your Heart, Take My Name by Novoneel Chakraborty
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
3.0
Novoneel's works are something I picked up when the real world felt too tough, when I badly needed a medium to escape. And I return to them even now, after long intervals of time. Whenever I crave a sense of familiarity in the things I read, a touch of comfort.
I give it 3 stars out of 5.
⭐- I loved the way the characters were woven, especially the protagonist, Garv.
⭐- The psychology behind extra marital affairs explained by the author was up to the mark. People are indeed ready to risk a bond nurtured for years because of temporary thrill.
⭐- Like all his books, it was unputdownable.
⭐🚫- The ending was not completely agreeing to me. It felt like an 'I can fix him' trope. To be true, Garv did not deserve Nihira.
⭐🚫- I expected a more dominant role of social media in the storyline.
I give it 3 stars out of 5.
⭐- I loved the way the characters were woven, especially the protagonist, Garv.
⭐- The psychology behind extra marital affairs explained by the author was up to the mark. People are indeed ready to risk a bond nurtured for years because of temporary thrill.
⭐- Like all his books, it was unputdownable.
⭐🚫- The ending was not completely agreeing to me. It felt like an 'I can fix him' trope. To be true, Garv did not deserve Nihira.
⭐🚫- I expected a more dominant role of social media in the storyline.
All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This one was better than most of the Coho novels. And probably the last of her books I would read for a couple of years.
3 stars out of 5.
⭐- The topic which the book rotated around has my attention. Infertility. I liked the way it was dealt with.
⭐- The alternating timeline was really engaging to read. Whenever the past chapters erupted, I waited with bated breath for the present. The emotional tussle between the two protagonists was crafted amazingly.
⭐- I was able to feel the character's emotions. Especially when Graham says, "Am I nothing to you? Am I not enough for you?" It had been quite a while since Coho characters touched me to this extent.
⭐🚫- The HEA 🤷. I am tired of 'Happily Ever Afters'. Not every story needs to have a happy ending. Sometimes, new beginnings are more appreciative than remaining in toxic relationships.
⭐🚫- I strictly don't believe in second chances, especially in the cases of infidelity in romantic relationships. A person who cheats once, can do it again and again. No matter how many promises he makes, how grand his romantic gestures are.
3 stars out of 5.
⭐- The topic which the book rotated around has my attention. Infertility. I liked the way it was dealt with.
⭐- The alternating timeline was really engaging to read. Whenever the past chapters erupted, I waited with bated breath for the present. The emotional tussle between the two protagonists was crafted amazingly.
⭐- I was able to feel the character's emotions. Especially when Graham says, "Am I nothing to you? Am I not enough for you?" It had been quite a while since Coho characters touched me to this extent.
⭐🚫- The HEA 🤷. I am tired of 'Happily Ever Afters'. Not every story needs to have a happy ending. Sometimes, new beginnings are more appreciative than remaining in toxic relationships.
⭐🚫- I strictly don't believe in second chances, especially in the cases of infidelity in romantic relationships. A person who cheats once, can do it again and again. No matter how many promises he makes, how grand his romantic gestures are.
For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was not a thriller in true sense. It missed the usual chilling elements. Because from the very first, we follow the viewpoint of the killer, not the victims.
I would like to give it 3 stars out of 5.
⭐- The author have handled the killer's POV pretty well. I wasn't expecting that impactful twists.
⭐- I loved how subtle the hints were. The red herrings. It wasn't easy to join the dots.
⭐- The concept of karma which span throughout the length of the novel, pleased me. You reap what you sow. Always.
⭐🚫- The characters failed to suck me inside the story. They felt two dimensional, not properly fleshed out. Though best friends to lovers is my favorite trope, Zach and Courtney failed to touch a nerve.
⭐🚫- It didn't have a grasping factor. One which would keep me engaged. The only reason it took me ages to finish 🤧.
I would like to give it 3 stars out of 5.
⭐- The author have handled the killer's POV pretty well. I wasn't expecting that impactful twists.
⭐- I loved how subtle the hints were. The red herrings. It wasn't easy to join the dots.
⭐- The concept of karma which span throughout the length of the novel, pleased me. You reap what you sow. Always.
⭐🚫- The characters failed to suck me inside the story. They felt two dimensional, not properly fleshed out. Though best friends to lovers is my favorite trope, Zach and Courtney failed to touch a nerve.
⭐🚫- It didn't have a grasping factor. One which would keep me engaged. The only reason it took me ages to finish 🤧.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R.R. Martin
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Time for a confession. I don't know how to review compilations pointwise, okay? 😂
I would love to give it 5 stars.
I enjoyed reading the stories. Twists at the end of each adventure hit right at the gut.
Egg and Dunk are two of the most adorable characters I met in GOT universe 🙈.
I was badly wishing that Dunk gets a love interest at last. But, GRRM doesn't work that way 😂.
Madame Rohanne and Tanselle got all my heart.
Looking forward to more spin-offs!!
I would love to give it 5 stars.
I enjoyed reading the stories. Twists at the end of each adventure hit right at the gut.
Egg and Dunk are two of the most adorable characters I met in GOT universe 🙈.
I was badly wishing that Dunk gets a love interest at last. But, GRRM doesn't work that way 😂.
Madame Rohanne and Tanselle got all my heart.
Looking forward to more spin-offs!!
Layla by Colleen Hoover
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I have learnt that the best way of reading a Coho is to have no expectations. But I still haven't acquired the expertise of not kindling a small ray of hope after few good chapters.
I would give it 2 stars out of 5.
⭐- The first few chapters succeeded in grasping my attention. Especially when they returned to the bed and breakfast and the paranormal activities started.
⭐- The initial twist amazed me. And for a second, you can not stop reading. But only for a second.
⭐🚫- Can we already be done with 'love at first sight' in Coho novels?? It's not just unrealistic, it's highly risky too. How can you be sure that the opposite person is not a psychopath or an axe murderer?
⭐🚫- The impression which the initial twist created was destroyed by the final blow. It felt cheap, included for the sake of being included. I shouldn't have let my hopes rise at all 🥲.
⭐🚫- The ending was aimless. Would you let your sister stay with a person who could have assaulted her?
🐱- Initially, when I come to know about Willow being Sable, I was excited. I expected a revenge story, Sable following her obsession in her afterlife too. Or something about Layla, maybe? Maybe she never loved Leeds?
🐱- The storyline had great potential. It would have been one of the most unique storylines I have followed, if handled a bit differently.
🐱- The HEA disappointed me. Who can guarantee that Leeds won't fall in love with another ghost at future and let her use Layla's body? 😂
I would give it 2 stars out of 5.
⭐- The first few chapters succeeded in grasping my attention. Especially when they returned to the bed and breakfast and the paranormal activities started.
⭐- The initial twist amazed me. And for a second, you can not stop reading. But only for a second.
⭐🚫- Can we already be done with 'love at first sight' in Coho novels?? It's not just unrealistic, it's highly risky too. How can you be sure that the opposite person is not a psychopath or an axe murderer?
⭐🚫- The impression which the initial twist created was destroyed by the final blow. It felt cheap, included for the sake of being included. I shouldn't have let my hopes rise at all 🥲.
⭐🚫- The ending was aimless. Would you let your sister stay with a person who could have assaulted her?
🐱- Initially, when I come to know about Willow being Sable, I was excited. I expected a revenge story, Sable following her obsession in her afterlife too. Or something about Layla, maybe? Maybe she never loved Leeds?
🐱- The storyline had great potential. It would have been one of the most unique storylines I have followed, if handled a bit differently.
🐱- The HEA disappointed me. Who can guarantee that Leeds won't fall in love with another ghost at future and let her use Layla's body? 😂
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book has been in my TBR for ages and I can't put into words how glad I am to be reading books from that pile 🤣.
I would give it 3 stars out of 5.
⭐- Sonja and Ove portrays a love which is not represented much nowadays. Neither in films, not in books. It was a pleasant change.
⭐- The way the concept of loneliness was described. Ove wasn't rude just did not how to communicate his emotions healthily.
⭐- His bonding with Parvaneh and her two kids was really engaging to read.
⭐🚫- The biggest turn off, which almost drove me to the verge of DNFing it, was the writing style. Too stuffy, too wordy. Each time I tried to enter into the prose, the crowd of alphabets threw me out 🙂.
⭐🚫- Though I liked the core of the story, I failed to fall in love with the characters.
I would give it 3 stars out of 5.
⭐- Sonja and Ove portrays a love which is not represented much nowadays. Neither in films, not in books. It was a pleasant change.
⭐- The way the concept of loneliness was described. Ove wasn't rude just did not how to communicate his emotions healthily.
⭐- His bonding with Parvaneh and her two kids was really engaging to read.
⭐🚫- The biggest turn off, which almost drove me to the verge of DNFing it, was the writing style. Too stuffy, too wordy. Each time I tried to enter into the prose, the crowd of alphabets threw me out 🙂.
⭐🚫- Though I liked the core of the story, I failed to fall in love with the characters.
The Queens of Hastinapur by Sharath Komarraju
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
This is the third and final installment of the Hastinapur series and whew! It flew away like a breeze.
I would give this 4 stars out of 5.
⭐- This would be the first book in this series in which I loved almost all the protagonists. I admired the strength in them, be it Jahnavi, be it Gandhari or Pritha.
⭐- Once again I fell in love with the way the author pulled the women to the forefront, distinguished them.
⭐- The emotional tussle between Pritha, Pandu and Madri got all my heart. I could place myself at Pritha's place, feel all those which she felt.
⭐- The scene where Gandhari lost her child brought tears to my eyes. It's been quite a while since some book gave me tremors.
⭐🚫- I don't know what exactly I take away this star for. You know the feeling when you love a book, but don't want to give it 5 stars? It's good but not excellent.
🐱- How can this series end without Draupadi's POV? When you decide to narrate Mahabharata from the eyes of the women present there, you have to include her! She is the most important one!!
🐱- I loved how the fertility ritual was portrayed. It beautifully brought out the difference between lust and love. The difference between being physical with someone and making love.
🐱- I would recommend this series to everyone. It's worth your time!
I would give this 4 stars out of 5.
⭐- This would be the first book in this series in which I loved almost all the protagonists. I admired the strength in them, be it Jahnavi, be it Gandhari or Pritha.
⭐- Once again I fell in love with the way the author pulled the women to the forefront, distinguished them.
⭐- The emotional tussle between Pritha, Pandu and Madri got all my heart. I could place myself at Pritha's place, feel all those which she felt.
⭐- The scene where Gandhari lost her child brought tears to my eyes. It's been quite a while since some book gave me tremors.
⭐🚫- I don't know what exactly I take away this star for. You know the feeling when you love a book, but don't want to give it 5 stars? It's good but not excellent.
🐱- How can this series end without Draupadi's POV? When you decide to narrate Mahabharata from the eyes of the women present there, you have to include her! She is the most important one!!
🐱- I loved how the fertility ritual was portrayed. It beautifully brought out the difference between lust and love. The difference between being physical with someone and making love.
🐱- I would recommend this series to everyone. It's worth your time!
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
This book is a gem, a masterpiece, it's stuffed with all the elaborate words I can think of. Or rather the words which are not even enlisted in my vocabulary.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
⭐- The narration of the story is like nothing I have read before. It is wrapped up in a cover of gloominess, conveyed by Death itself.
⭐- I tried my best not to fall in love with the characters. I knew the more I engaged with them, the more hurt I would be at last. I just can't refrain, no matter how hard I tried.
⭐- The way the author weaved a heaven in Himmel Street filled with thiefs, childish worries, silly crushes, soccer fights. Want to know what is worse than death? Being alive when none of your dear ones are.
⭐- Liesel being an Aryan was a pleasant surprise. Most of the books portray a protagonist as one of the minorities, going through all the oppression. Your nationality never defines your soul.
⭐- The stories which Max Vandenburg wrote, never failed to touch a nerve. Especially the illustrations.
🐱- I related to Liesel, a bit too much. The part where she wonders, "Had I always been in love with Rudy?" Don't we all have that conversation with ourselves at a point or the other? Had I fallen in love with him at this very second or I have loved him all my life and just not known?
🐱- I never knew predictability can be this pretty. You would know how things would turn out from the very first pages, yet hold your breath.
🐱- Even after Liesel married someone else, had kids, grandkids, she was unable to forget. This brings forth the age old question, do we ever really move on? Or we only learn to live with this throbbing pain? A part of our soul keeps residing in our past, a period which we so badly desire to be our reality.
🐱- The power of words can never be measured. A pen is mightier than the sword. Always.
🐱- She wandered around the river, talking about a book and a Saumensch.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
⭐- The narration of the story is like nothing I have read before. It is wrapped up in a cover of gloominess, conveyed by Death itself.
⭐- I tried my best not to fall in love with the characters. I knew the more I engaged with them, the more hurt I would be at last. I just can't refrain, no matter how hard I tried.
⭐- The way the author weaved a heaven in Himmel Street filled with thiefs, childish worries, silly crushes, soccer fights. Want to know what is worse than death? Being alive when none of your dear ones are.
⭐- Liesel being an Aryan was a pleasant surprise. Most of the books portray a protagonist as one of the minorities, going through all the oppression. Your nationality never defines your soul.
⭐- The stories which Max Vandenburg wrote, never failed to touch a nerve. Especially the illustrations.
🐱- I related to Liesel, a bit too much. The part where she wonders, "Had I always been in love with Rudy?" Don't we all have that conversation with ourselves at a point or the other? Had I fallen in love with him at this very second or I have loved him all my life and just not known?
🐱- I never knew predictability can be this pretty. You would know how things would turn out from the very first pages, yet hold your breath.
🐱- Even after Liesel married someone else, had kids, grandkids, she was unable to forget. This brings forth the age old question, do we ever really move on? Or we only learn to live with this throbbing pain? A part of our soul keeps residing in our past, a period which we so badly desire to be our reality.
🐱- The power of words can never be measured. A pen is mightier than the sword. Always.
🐱- She wandered around the river, talking about a book and a Saumensch.
The Rise of Hastinapur by Sharath Komarraju
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Ahhhh, I don't know how to put together this review. Mixed feelings, maybe?
I would give it 3 stars out of 5.
⭐- The characterization is pretty well done. None of the characters are black or white, each of them emits a grey aura. Which makes them more realistic, more down to earth.
⭐- I loved Amba. The way she learnt her lessons from the struggles in her life.
⭐- I liked how the author looks at Mahabharata in a different light. The battle of Kurukshetra is not the most important event, it's the final destination of thousands of deceits, thousands of lies, thousands of ambitions.
⭐🚫- Though the writing style is great, I can't help but get bored sometimes. Not at all compelling. I didn't care enough.
⭐🚫- Somewhere the female characters were too same. It's impossible for every individual to reach to the same realisation, to have the same priorities. It was too much of a generalisation of a particular gender. Not every female wants to have kids and being a wife is not everyone's definition of happiness.
I would give it 3 stars out of 5.
⭐- The characterization is pretty well done. None of the characters are black or white, each of them emits a grey aura. Which makes them more realistic, more down to earth.
⭐- I loved Amba. The way she learnt her lessons from the struggles in her life.
⭐- I liked how the author looks at Mahabharata in a different light. The battle of Kurukshetra is not the most important event, it's the final destination of thousands of deceits, thousands of lies, thousands of ambitions.
⭐🚫- Though the writing style is great, I can't help but get bored sometimes. Not at all compelling. I didn't care enough.
⭐🚫- Somewhere the female characters were too same. It's impossible for every individual to reach to the same realisation, to have the same priorities. It was too much of a generalisation of a particular gender. Not every female wants to have kids and being a wife is not everyone's definition of happiness.
Without Merit by Colleen Hoover
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
With all these Coho disasters happening around me nowadays, I am glad to announce, this one was a pleasant change. Not having much expectations from something reduces the risk of disappointment.
I would give it 3 stars out of 5.
⭐- I loved the way the concept of mental health was dealt with. Opting for therapy is nothing to be ashamed about. Mental ailments are not less important than physical ones.
⭐- I enjoyed how chaotic and messy the family secrets got. Else, the story dragged.
⭐- The ending delighted me in a strange manner. I ended up liking Sagan, the only person who was somewhat less messy than others 😂.
⭐🚫- At this point, after reading a couple of Coho novels, I am tired of instalove. It is impossible of an individual to meet a person, fall in love and have a kiss, all in one day. That too, the first day. It's utterly unrealistic.
⭐🚫- Again some of my ideologies clashed with the author's. Food was prepared only to be thrown in the trash. I hated how Merit mentioned that slangs sound cute in a child's vocabulary. I have met some kids like that, who curse twice in a single sentence. Believe me, it's nothing near cute. Rather repulsive.
I would give it 3 stars out of 5.
⭐- I loved the way the concept of mental health was dealt with. Opting for therapy is nothing to be ashamed about. Mental ailments are not less important than physical ones.
⭐- I enjoyed how chaotic and messy the family secrets got. Else, the story dragged.
⭐- The ending delighted me in a strange manner. I ended up liking Sagan, the only person who was somewhat less messy than others 😂.
⭐🚫- At this point, after reading a couple of Coho novels, I am tired of instalove. It is impossible of an individual to meet a person, fall in love and have a kiss, all in one day. That too, the first day. It's utterly unrealistic.
⭐🚫- Again some of my ideologies clashed with the author's. Food was prepared only to be thrown in the trash. I hated how Merit mentioned that slangs sound cute in a child's vocabulary. I have met some kids like that, who curse twice in a single sentence. Believe me, it's nothing near cute. Rather repulsive.