jamie_reads_stuff's reviews
215 reviews

Paper Names by Susie Luo

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I enjoyed the multi narrative structure and the intergenerational conflict, but I didn't feel super invested in the characters
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

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adventurous dark 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? Yes

4.25

I quite enjoyed this! It was a very fun sequel and I enjoyed how all the characters were developed. I only wish the story came together a bit more but beyond that it was a good time!
Beartown by Fredrik Backman

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Incredibly beautiful writing but it’s a lot of characters to keep track of. I definitely enjoyed all of the themes the book explored, but it was definitely very non linear
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Almond by Won-pyung Sohn

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

So good! Emotional and heart wrenching. What a great book to get out o a slump
The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
In a small reading slump and honestly couldnt get into this book
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

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emotional funny hopeful 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

4.5

So wholesome and cute!! I liked this wayyy more than I thought I would honestly
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious 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

4.75

An absolute behemoth of a book but I am SO glad that I finished it. This is definitely one of the more difficult fantasy books that I’ve read, partially for the length and pace but my god this was such an adventure. Every time I picked up the book it was very very hard to put down. The world building is incredible and the writing is so immersive. I LOVE this and I’m excited to read the next book!
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Idol, Burning by 宇佐見りん, Rin Usami

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

It was a very interesting commentary on fandom culture and parasocial relationships. I think the plot kind of bouncing around was a bit confusing, but if you’re interested in fandoms and fandom culture I’d recommend this book
How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow

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funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.25

VERY cute and very sweet. Super wholesome lesbian romance that I really really enjoyed! It definitely got really emotional at times and you can tell that these characters lean a little younger but it’s lovely fluff overall!
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The Cloisters by Katy Hays

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

2.0

I feel like this plot felt really scattered and the characters felt a bit dry. Despite the amount of twists that occurred I was still able to predict most of them?? Also I cannot believe the Walla Walla slander they’ve got some nice apple orchards. The tarot card portion also felt more like a motif but didn’t really add anything super significant. You could take out the whole tarot card plot and nothing would’ve changed