itsjustkatereading's reviews
1628 reviews

The Bangalore Detectives Club by Harini Nagendra

mysterious 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

3.0

This is the perfect example of a book where I loved the journey but was throughly disappointed by the final destination. The first 90% of this book had me fully immersed in this story but the eventual ‘whodunnit’ reveal was so disappointing, simply because it was played into a tired trope I’m really not a fan of (but sadly can’t go into as it’d be a big spoiler.) It just felt uninspired compared to the rest of the book, which was refreshing and engaging. That being said, I did enjoy most of my time with this book and would definitely read more of the author’s work. It’s just a shame the ending left me feeling rather frustrated.  

The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I was both nervous and excited going into this. Excited because I adored The Serpent and the Wings of Night and couldn’t wait to dive back into this story. Nervous because I’d seen some very mixed reviews. Having now finished it, I’m thrilled to say I adored every single second of my time with this book. 

Carissa Broadbent superbly balances romance and action in this book. It’s slower paced than TSATWON in parts, which allowed for moments of deeper emotional connection and character growth and depth, which I adored. Oraya and Raihn were gorgeous characters to follow, both together and in their own right and I truly cannot get enough of their relationship dynamic.  

I didn’t expect to love this book and series as hard as I did but this is the first time in a long time a fantasy series has had this much of a fangirl style hold over me. 

Dramatic, romantic, action packed, emotional and a hell of a ride, this was such an epic conclusion of Oraya and Raihn’s story and I can’t wait to continue with the next instalment in this series. 

Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

This was a really fun read. I loved the treasure hunting elements and enjoyed the characters. I do wish there had been a little more depth to the romance, as it went from hate to love seemingly overnight. That being said, it was a very entertaining read and I’d definitely look forward to reading more from Jo Segura in the future. 

Lord of the Empty Isles by Jules Arbeaux

adventurous emotional 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

3.75

While the world building/magic system was a little confusing at times, I ultimately found myself very much enjoying this action-packed, yet cozy sci-fi story. The characters truly stole the show and I look forward to reading more from June Arbeaux in the future. I feel like this is a book I will love even more on a reread. 

Must Love Books by Shauna Robinson

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

I loved this book almost as much as I loved the cinnamon roll that is Andrew Santos.

Must Love Books is a raw and nuanced exploration of a side of depression not often discussed; not necessarily wanting to die but not knowing why you want to live. It's about a woman in her twenties not knowing where she fits in the world and not having the energy to find it. It's a messy story of keeping your head above water with lies and doing your best to try and seem okay. It's a gentle love story of many parts; romantic, familial and self love are all represented and given time to shine. 

I can see why people might be thrown if they went into this expecting a light romance. Yes, the romance is sweet and flawed and heartwarming but it's not this story's centre. At its centre, this is a story about a woman doing her best to keep up with the world she's found herself in, a world that she doesn't always feel strong enough to withstand. It's a story that truly stole my heart.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts

Midnights With You by Clare Osongco

dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

A devastating, moving and ultimately hopeful story of grief, parental emotional abuse, first love diaspora and generational trauma. This was raw, brutal, messy and beautiful. The romance tugged at every one of my heart strings and the ending was pure perfection. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Moderate: Racism

Reckless by Lauren Roberts

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25

I’d like to take a moment to give ms Roberts a round of applause for not only writing a dramatic and tear filled hair cutting scene circa 2012 (I loved it) but also for writing a plot twist that actually took me by surprise because I did not see that shit coming (although in hindsight, I definitely should have.) 

I think I possibly preferred this to Powerless and that’s something I did not see coming after reading the reviews. I loved the slower pace of this that essentially made for a book that was 80% Paedyn and Kai squabbling like an old married couple, who happen try to threaten murder every few hour. 

Anyway, now I’m off to stare at the ceiling until book three is released because what else is a girl to do after having read that ending? 

You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

This wasn't my favourite from Sutanto but an engaging and entertaining read nonetheless. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming

The Mistletoe Motive by Chloe Liese

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Perfectly cute and Christmassy, I couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas Day read. 

What to expect:

- grumpy x sunshine
- hate to love
- autism and demisexual rep (fmc)
- type 1 diabetes rep (mmc)
- delightfully bookish
- you’ve got mail vibes 

Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura

emotional hopeful mysterious 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

4.5

I had no idea what to expect from this book going into it and I’m so glad because this was such a beautiful surprise. An emotional and entirely charming story of adolescent mental health, friendships, bullying and healing, The Lonely Castle in the Mirror truly swept me away.  It was, at times, painfully relatable but warmed my heart to its core. Equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, this is a book for all those whose school days weren’t filled with the joys of childhood they deserved.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Sexual assault