jamiebear's reviews
78 reviews

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

adventurous dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Unexpected at most turns, dark plot lines, and stubborn main characters. I lived the plot, but sometimes struggled with pacing issues, especially in part 2. The payout was definitely worth it 

The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I support women’s rights and wrongs! Felt very on theme of feminine revenge tales. Fast paced and creepy. Bigger theme of generational trauma and its lasting impacts. Along with the fetishization of another culture. I like that

there was an explanation for her behavior through the brain tumor but that wasn’t the “reason” and revenge was still enacted.

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

The perfect cozy fantasy with a little more stakes than normal! Love the grumpy sunshine trope gendered swapped. And her breadcrumbs of little plot devices

like the button spell being useful later

that are predictable but still have substance to the larger plot was well executed. I also appreciated the accurate portrayal of fae and changelings, made the storybook tale great. I like the journal entry format because

it made for an interesting spin when she entered the fae world and kept having her memory wiped.

 

Normal People by Sally Rooney

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I love the intention put onto both characters throughout the novel. It was a great way to demonstrate how people grow and learn. I actually liked

the ending and how ambiguous it felt. Marianne needs space to continue to heal and I don’t think relying on Connell, even though a good guy, can help her journey.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

dark hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Feels weird to give this anything but 5 stars when Jennette was so vulnerable with her lived experiences. The pacing was great and she really was able to put the reader in her headspace. I highly suggest listening to the audiobook, as she narrates it. It felt so personal 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse

Faebound by Saara El-Arifi

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.5

Very trope heavy but I’m glad that this book exists with its representation in a space that primarily white and heterosexual. I liked the world setup, even if it was a bit predictable in its plot. I thought the

sexual chemistry between yeeran and furi was great, but I wanted more flirting. It felt incredibly rushed.

will be reading the sequel! 

A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers

dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Surprisingly fun and reflective for the subject matter at hand. Reminiscent of American Psycho and Chuck Palahniuk. 

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

Fun, sexy, a little too quick on the plot. Would have liked to slow down and explore more characters and places. Thought the

fight at the end was unnecessary and a little cruel and out of character for Lowe.

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

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

2.5

I think the hype around this book put such pressure on the outcome. I think at times, the story dragged a little and then towards the end, it felt rushed to conclude. It felt a lot of ACOWAR in tropes, pacing, and stakes. I really hope that she does something fresh with her next series. 
However, I did really love her

call outs to throne of glass in this book. Lidia’s arc was my favorite and I was so happy when she confirmed Terrasen heritage! I thought it was really well tied in. Honestly, I know people didn’t like how little we saw of ACOTAR characters, but I thought it was the perfect amount. I was a little afraid going in that it would feel too cheesy. But I liked that Bryce came, did what needed to be done, and got the hell out. And the tie in at the end was perfect. Her moms bonding with Nesta really got me.

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The perfect, emotional conclusion to the series. Parts were so hard and devastating to read so give yourself time to take a break if need be.

The thirteen sacrificing themselves only for flowers to start growing made me weep. I love that Manon and Dorian had a future promise but also acknowledged that they were too broken currently. 

I also love what she did with “Namless is my price.” It took my 8 books to realize we never heard the kings name. 

Aelin and Fenrys relationship was so beautiful and their blinking code that was contained through the book broke me. So touching.