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itslorei's reviews
1022 reviews
Wet Moon 20th Anniversary Omnibus Vol. 1 by Sophie Campbell
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I was pretty intimidated while reading this at first because of the artwork that really depicted a rather edgy, dark, and gloomy mood throughout the story. Probably to emphasise the intensity of the topics here covered here.
The story covered sensitive topics such as body-positive, identity, slurs, drugs, queerness, depression and self-harm, as well as bullying in Cleo's part. It was quite highlighted so many times. However, it feels like there's no route to going to the positive things.
The story also depicted friendship here and not really on the positive light if I'm being honest. It's quite a little bit toxic, in my opinion, or is it just me.
I also wish the fonts or the dialogues are clearer for a smooth reading because this one is really my main problem while reading this.
I'd definitely check onto the next volume of this edition. I'm pretty interested in the story and how it goes after the end.
Thank you, Oni Press, for the e-arc opportunity. 4βοΈ
The story covered sensitive topics such as body-positive, identity, slurs, drugs, queerness, depression and self-harm, as well as bullying in Cleo's part. It was quite highlighted so many times. However, it feels like there's no route to going to the positive things.
The story also depicted friendship here and not really on the positive light if I'm being honest. It's quite a little bit toxic, in my opinion, or is it just me.
I also wish the fonts or the dialogues are clearer for a smooth reading because this one is really my main problem while reading this.
I'd definitely check onto the next volume of this edition. I'm pretty interested in the story and how it goes after the end.
Thank you, Oni Press, for the e-arc opportunity. 4βοΈ
Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
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Haunting, compelling, and engaging story. The striking gothic atmosphere really was prominent here and alleviated the dynamic of Laura and Carmilla's relationship.
Carmilla's presence was mysterious, and the fact that she's been many times honoured and revelled with her ethereality, as well as her sensuality towards her regards on Laura's person even made her more compelling and addicting. (Let's all blame this on Laura's perspective because the majority of the story, she was so awestruck by her otherworldly and otherness disposition).
Laura and Carmilla's relationship was in every word, in my opinion, complex, suggestive, perhaps in Carmilla's part as what had been revealed towards the end, and more often than not, Laura had vaguely or perhaps in sensored narrative comments about the feelings Carmilla evoked on her as something of horror which is nod to the culture and time this was set to be something frowned upon and also a nod to gender and sexuality topics.
The vampirism was also very, I daresay beautifully presented? Especially the accounts related to it that the story presented.
The part towards the end, how I wish it was more drawn out on dealing with the fiend creature. However, it was not. In my opinion, it was anticlimactic to me? Their was no panic nor horrors of the aftermath that I believed would have been perfect for the narrative built upon the storyline.
There's also a kind of plot twist at the end that I had mixed feelings about. I thought that it was added to sensor the queer suggestions here, but that's just me, I think π
With all of that, this was still a really good read. I wish vampire novels do vampirism just like this more. 4.5βοΈ
Haunting, compelling, and engaging story. The striking gothic atmosphere really was prominent here and alleviated the dynamic of Laura and Carmilla's relationship.
Carmilla's presence was mysterious, and the fact that she's been many times honoured and revelled with her ethereality, as well as her sensuality towards her regards on Laura's person even made her more compelling and addicting. (Let's all blame this on Laura's perspective because the majority of the story, she was so awestruck by her otherworldly and otherness disposition).
Laura and Carmilla's relationship was in every word, in my opinion, complex, suggestive, perhaps in Carmilla's part as what had been revealed towards the end, and more often than not, Laura had vaguely or perhaps in sensored narrative comments about the feelings Carmilla evoked on her as something of horror which is nod to the culture and time this was set to be something frowned upon and also a nod to gender and sexuality topics.
The vampirism was also very, I daresay beautifully presented? Especially the accounts related to it that the story presented.
The part towards the end, how I wish it was more drawn out on dealing with the fiend creature. However, it was not. In my opinion, it was anticlimactic to me? Their was no panic nor horrors of the aftermath that I believed would have been perfect for the narrative built upon the storyline.
There's also a kind of plot twist at the end that I had mixed feelings about. I thought that it was added to sensor the queer suggestions here, but that's just me, I think π
With all of that, this was still a really good read. I wish vampire novels do vampirism just like this more. 4.5βοΈ
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
First things first, I just finished this. LIKE AN HOUR AGO. Also, this is not a review but a review? Just treat this post as my initial reaction to this book. And my January really started with a bang with this book.
Honestly, there's so many things I want to talk about this book, from the family context, the war in Vietman and the tragedies the war brought upon, their migration to the US, their integration to the new land, Little Dog's journey on their identity. So many angles.
I couldn't put to words on how and what I really feel about this book. There's so much to be unpacked and have been unpacked. I was silenced. I was stricken. My heart was clenched so painfully hard that I felt numb as I was finishing the story. It's the thing that's been on my head as I started reading Carmillla.
Give another 10 of this, please.
I'll probably post again for the proper review, probably after I finish my analysis on this for our presentation in class and probably after that, or perhaps later.
This is an 11/10. 5βοΈ
I also attached a few highlights I made. I literally have a lot, LIKE LOTS OF THEM π
P.S. If you love this, read The Best Girls by Min Jin Lee as well β₯οΈ
P.S. There's a lot of trigger warnings for this book, I recommend checking all of them first before starting this.
P.S. If you've read this, let's talk about it on the DMS π
Honestly, there's so many things I want to talk about this book, from the family context, the war in Vietman and the tragedies the war brought upon, their migration to the US, their integration to the new land, Little Dog's journey on their identity. So many angles.
I couldn't put to words on how and what I really feel about this book. There's so much to be unpacked and have been unpacked. I was silenced. I was stricken. My heart was clenched so painfully hard that I felt numb as I was finishing the story. It's the thing that's been on my head as I started reading Carmillla.
Give another 10 of this, please.
I'll probably post again for the proper review, probably after I finish my analysis on this for our presentation in class and probably after that, or perhaps later.
This is an 11/10. 5βοΈ
I also attached a few highlights I made. I literally have a lot, LIKE LOTS OF THEM π
P.S. If you love this, read The Best Girls by Min Jin Lee as well β₯οΈ
P.S. There's a lot of trigger warnings for this book, I recommend checking all of them first before starting this.
P.S. If you've read this, let's talk about it on the DMS π
A Curse so Wicked by River Ash
2.0
First things first, cover is pretty. It will really make you think that this is some cutesy story.
However, I think the only thing that is cutesy or good in this story is the cover, and the rest was just lβ disappointing.
There were some technical errors I found, and honestly, that took my focus out and made me not enjoy it.
Although I find it intriguing, the povs of the characters and the story flow just throw me from the limbo, I had trouble following the storyline.
Thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity.
However, I think the only thing that is cutesy or good in this story is the cover, and the rest was just lβ disappointing.
There were some technical errors I found, and honestly, that took my focus out and made me not enjoy it.
Although I find it intriguing, the povs of the characters and the story flow just throw me from the limbo, I had trouble following the storyline.
Thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity.
You Are Mine by Jenika Snow
2.0
The family irked me so much tbh. Another thing, the pairing could use more chemistry and developments tbh. Could have been better.
Fated Hearts by Lucia Skye
2.0
Interesting concept and plot. I was definitely rooting for this one since everything that has vampires/ shifters is aplus points.
Unfortunately for this one, this was just straight-up smut. I mean, I don't mind a smut, but my problem is it kind of overshadowed the plot and other things in the story for me? Those parts just made me not enjoy this one.
I'll probably check the next book, and let's see if the things here will be expounded on that other book.
Thank you, author, for the e-arc copy.
Unfortunately for this one, this was just straight-up smut. I mean, I don't mind a smut, but my problem is it kind of overshadowed the plot and other things in the story for me? Those parts just made me not enjoy this one.
I'll probably check the next book, and let's see if the things here will be expounded on that other book.
Thank you, author, for the e-arc copy.
Wished by Sarah Ready
2.0
I had high hopes about this oneβ or more like a second chance given for this series after the last book, which I didn't enjoy.
Unfortunately, I didnβt enjoy this one.
I really didn't like the ML at all. There's a bunch of things that could have been better, but it didn't happen. I feel like this could have been edited better to make it or the story delivered.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the e-arc copy.
Unfortunately, I didnβt enjoy this one.
I really didn't like the ML at all. There's a bunch of things that could have been better, but it didn't happen. I feel like this could have been edited better to make it or the story delivered.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the e-arc copy.
Semantic Error, Vol. 1 by Angy, Soori Jeo
4.0
Watched the kdrama adaptation on this, and that one was also hilarious and sweet at the same time.
Anyway, I've been meaning to start the comic about it and was lucky enough to be able to get a review copy.
Obviously, I really enjoyed it. Both main leads are really hilarious and goofy. To be honest, I really enjoyed their dynamics. The developments are slowly filling in, and I can't wait to see how the story goes.
Thank you, Yen Press, for the review copy via Edelweiss
Anyway, I've been meaning to start the comic about it and was lucky enough to be able to get a review copy.
Obviously, I really enjoyed it. Both main leads are really hilarious and goofy. To be honest, I really enjoyed their dynamics. The developments are slowly filling in, and I can't wait to see how the story goes.
Thank you, Yen Press, for the review copy via Edelweiss
Entangled in the Woods by Evi James
2.0
Intriguing and promising premise.
Unfortunately, the story failed to sell the tropes or the whole thing to me. I think probably because of the writing, which at first was really intriguing for me, but as the story goes, it felt dragging. The twist didn't made me feel a thing because of it.
I also didn't feel the romance between the leads nor their presence struck me that much, which led me to not really cars towards them.
Overall, this was a missed idea for me. If it was more engaging and characters were more striking, I would have definitely enjoyed this more.
Thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity.
Unfortunately, the story failed to sell the tropes or the whole thing to me. I think probably because of the writing, which at first was really intriguing for me, but as the story goes, it felt dragging. The twist didn't made me feel a thing because of it.
I also didn't feel the romance between the leads nor their presence struck me that much, which led me to not really cars towards them.
Overall, this was a missed idea for me. If it was more engaging and characters were more striking, I would have definitely enjoyed this more.
Thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity.
Chasing The Wild by Elliott Rose
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This is one of the booksta recs or booksta famous books that HIT ππ«
I've read a few cowboys romance in the past, and Chasing Wild is the only one that really did it for me. The tension, the slow burn, and the characters are just well done π€π½
Another thing I love, which I really look and important for me, is the writing, whether it's written in an exciting or compelling way, which, by the way, the author did well. I'm not also going to forget that pacing, which also did a good performance.
I also enjoyed Colton and Layla's dynamics, which were both hilarious at the beginning, given how they started and the power dynamics as well. I think that's why I did enjoy this because of the age gap as well, which the author did a good job in executing.
Not also gonna forget the smutπΆπΆπΆπΆ, which was just π€π½π€π½π€π½ I would say IT WAS REALLY GOOD, especially the dirty talk, in my opinion, and probably because of the age gap again π
I'm also glad that we did get to see a little bit redemption on Kayce's side, I would definitely love to read his story if ever he did one.
My only issue is probably the break-up conflict the almost end part. I just think that part could have been better if given a good amount of building, but given how it was put on the almost end parts made it anticlimactic and off for me considering this was a 400 and more pages.
I believe if it was on the 60-ish percent, it would have been well presented, in my opinion.
Overall, it was really a good read. Definitely highly recommended for me β₯οΈ
I've read a few cowboys romance in the past, and Chasing Wild is the only one that really did it for me. The tension, the slow burn, and the characters are just well done π€π½
Another thing I love, which I really look and important for me, is the writing, whether it's written in an exciting or compelling way, which, by the way, the author did well. I'm not also going to forget that pacing, which also did a good performance.
I also enjoyed Colton and Layla's dynamics, which were both hilarious at the beginning, given how they started and the power dynamics as well. I think that's why I did enjoy this because of the age gap as well, which the author did a good job in executing.
Not also gonna forget the smutπΆπΆπΆπΆ, which was just π€π½π€π½π€π½ I would say IT WAS REALLY GOOD, especially the dirty talk, in my opinion, and probably because of the age gap again π
I'm also glad that we did get to see a little bit redemption on Kayce's side, I would definitely love to read his story if ever he did one.
My only issue is probably the break-up conflict the almost end part. I just think that part could have been better if given a good amount of building, but given how it was put on the almost end parts made it anticlimactic and off for me considering this was a 400 and more pages.
I believe if it was on the 60-ish percent, it would have been well presented, in my opinion.
Overall, it was really a good read. Definitely highly recommended for me β₯οΈ