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ivywall's reviews
43 reviews
The Dead Girl in 2a by Carter Wilson
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Man what a page turner! I didn’t think I enjoyed thrillers until I read this book. Here are a few personal notes. (warning I am very picky so take this with a grain of salt).
pros:
-fun and engaging plot
- dynamic characters
- execution of complex themes regarding mental health, suicide, and memory loss.
- as a psychology major this made me smile.
cons:
- inconsistent POVs and tense changes.
- subpar writing style
- wayyyy too many curse words with little to no effect on the prose.
- smoothed over plot holes and confusing villain motives.
All in all, it’s a great book to read on an airplane while you’re flying to Boston. 🛩️
pros:
-fun and engaging plot
- dynamic characters
- execution of complex themes regarding mental health, suicide, and memory loss.
- as a psychology major this made me smile.
cons:
- inconsistent POVs and tense changes.
- subpar writing style
- wayyyy too many curse words with little to no effect on the prose.
- smoothed over plot holes and confusing villain motives.
All in all, it’s a great book to read on an airplane while you’re flying to Boston. 🛩️
Keys to Great Writing: Mastering the Elements of Composition and Revision by Stephen Wilbers, Faith Sullivan
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
A well written, witty and practical book on the keys of writing. I’ve learned so much just in the span of 250 pages. One of my favorite elements were the editing exercises throughout the book, when the author would challenge me to revise the sentence. A lovely read for any writers out there who would like to improve their craft.
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
this is a lovely book filled with sharp and to the point prose. I found the scenery dreamlike and the atmosphere so engrossing. My only complaint is the slow pacing. I wish more would have happened plot wise, but then again this just isn’t that type of story. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to be put in a very detailed world and get to know some damn nice people.
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.25
I absolutely loved this book, it made me fall in love with reading in highschool. However on this re-read I noticed a few things structurally that irked me. There was quite a few quick fixes to the plot and repetitive internal dialogue. Also, the author would put certain words in italics for emphasis. Which to me just came off as immaturity.
Now for the good news! It’s still the same wonderful story with all the tension and nail biting drama. I would recommend this to any fantasy fan or even political drama fan. Long live the Queen!
Now for the good news! It’s still the same wonderful story with all the tension and nail biting drama. I would recommend this to any fantasy fan or even political drama fan. Long live the Queen!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Vomit, and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, and Classism
Divergent by Veronica Roth
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Hello There! I was pleasantly surprised with Divergent but I think it could have gone further with this introduction to the series.
What I did like: I enjoyed the characters and themes of the book. I think that Veronica Roth did a amazing job at including Christianity in a dystopian world. Tris’s character was profound and authentic, I felt as if she were a friend of mine. THE DETAILS THE DETAILS! They are truly what made this book. I felt emerged in the world and loved being there. You can also tell that this is a very well researched book and the author was very thorough in building this environment.
and now for the star deductions…
{WARNING: I’M A NITPICKER}
What I didn’t like: Four felt flat as a character and was a bit inconsistent. And (sighs deeply) the dialogue tags, those darn dialogue tags. They took me out of the story and just felt weak. I had to stop reading for a while because the overuse of the word“retorted” makes my skin crawl. And when someone asks something just put “asks” whenever there was a question the tag was almost always “says” not very professional.
80% of the book was an elimination game with splashes of world building and romance peppered in. I don’t know, the plot didn’t really do it for me, nothing momentous happened until the very end.
What I did like: I enjoyed the characters and themes of the book. I think that Veronica Roth did a amazing job at including Christianity in a dystopian world. Tris’s character was profound and authentic, I felt as if she were a friend of mine. THE DETAILS THE DETAILS! They are truly what made this book. I felt emerged in the world and loved being there. You can also tell that this is a very well researched book and the author was very thorough in building this environment.
and now for the star deductions…
{WARNING: I’M A NITPICKER}
What I didn’t like: Four felt flat as a character and was a bit inconsistent. And (sighs deeply) the dialogue tags, those darn dialogue tags. They took me out of the story and just felt weak. I had to stop reading for a while because the overuse of the word“retorted” makes my skin crawl. And when someone asks something just put “asks” whenever there was a question the tag was almost always “says” not very professional.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Hullo! This was a wild ride! I loved the movie so I decided to read the book. The introduction and story surrounding the writing process was intriguing and candid. There were some very memorable quotes and an air of spunk and curiosity throughout the novel. It shows what bravery is all about; being terrified and doing the right thing anyhow. It reminds me of how I thought as a child which was quite refreshing. I give it a 4.5 only because I wish it were longer and although it was mainly soft magic used in the plot, I would like a few more explanations as to what exactly the Beldam is and where Coraline is trapped. Is it a giant rat monster?? Who’s to say?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I’m confused but happy about it. The ending of the book felt like waking up from a dream. Well written and classic “monster in the house” horror without being gut wrenchingly scary. My favorite part was when he had to stay in the fairy ring and fight his demons. Lovely descriptions and use of POV. Reminded me a bit of A Series of Unfortunate Events. I would also like to sit by the duck pond {ocean} and drink a cup of tea. 🐈⬛🌊
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Infidelity, Excrement, and Injury/Injury detail
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
What a Gaiman-esque twisty turns adventure! It has the style of Crimson Peak with the magic system of Don’t Starve. It was a very fun read and easy to follow. The only things that bugged me were the meaningless repetition that poisoned the book and a few other stylistic irks that took me away from the story (dialogue tags etc) but that’s just cause i’m a writer. Otherwise great book, just be weary of the repetitive phrases