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jess_esa's reviews
512 reviews
Self-Portrait with Boy by Rachel Lyon
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Like watching a slow car crash. The inevitably of what’s going to happen is palpable from the first page but you can’t look away. The characters who live in the apartment building are colourful and you really feel their absence when the inevitable does happen. You have to wonder at the life Lu would have had if she’d made a different choice.
I need compensation for the rat scene which had me harrowed and somewhere between throwing up and crying.
The ghost and haunting scenes were a real surprise and I found them genuinely spooky at times.
This book is definitely going to stay with me and I’m glad I finally got round to it!
I need compensation for the rat scene which had me harrowed and somewhere between throwing up and crying.
The ghost and haunting scenes were a real surprise and I found them genuinely spooky at times.
This book is definitely going to stay with me and I’m glad I finally got round to it!
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
It’s taken me years to get around to reading this and it seems I picked it up at the perfect time. This is the fastest I’ve read a book in a long time, it’s very compelling and fast paced.
The structure of the book really worked for me and I found the characters complex and very well-developed. I feel like most people would get along with novel. Particularly if you enjoy Hollywood glamour and Sapphic romance.
Just an all round great book.
The structure of the book really worked for me and I found the characters complex and very well-developed. I feel like most people would get along with novel. Particularly if you enjoy Hollywood glamour and Sapphic romance.
Just an all round great book.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
Very cozy found family book, almost beat for beat the same as TJ Klune’s House on the Cerulean Sea. So if you enjoyed that and want something very similar then this is the one.
The kids in particular are very sweet and loveable and I liked how magic was expressed in this book. Ian and Ken as a couple were just so lovely.
The romance between the protagonist and Jamie felt off and very forced to me from their first meeting. It’s the typical sunny girl and grumpy guy trope which I’m not against but it was just handled badly.
All in all very charming and readable but not particularly unique and the romance can be unbearably cringey at times.
The kids in particular are very sweet and loveable and I liked how magic was expressed in this book. Ian and Ken as a couple were just so lovely.
The romance between the protagonist and Jamie felt off and very forced to me from their first meeting. It’s the typical sunny girl and grumpy guy trope which I’m not against but it was just handled badly.
All in all very charming and readable but not particularly unique and the romance can be unbearably cringey at times.
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
Couldn’t put it down (which is a rare feeling these days.
Action packed, sexy, and with lots of twists and turns as you’d expect from a Bardugo book.
It sets up an intriguing plot for book three but thankfully tied everything up enough in this novel that I’m not going to go out of my mind waiting for it.
I actually preferred this one to Ninth House but the vibe is very different. Less dark academia and more demonic.
Action packed, sexy, and with lots of twists and turns as you’d expect from a Bardugo book.
It sets up an intriguing plot for book three but thankfully tied everything up enough in this novel that I’m not going to go out of my mind waiting for it.
I actually preferred this one to Ninth House but the vibe is very different. Less dark academia and more demonic.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I haven’t enjoyed a book in a while and could not put this down. Pacy and intriguing until the end. I thought the climax was a little quick and contrived but I still had a great time and it was a satisfying end.
I’m glad I already have the next one to jump on!
I’m glad I already have the next one to jump on!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Rape, Violence
Idol, Burning by Rin Usami
3.0
If you’re a part of stan culture or learning more about stan culture/idol culture then this is the book for you. It’s incredibly accurate to the thoughts and feelings of someone with a bias