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jessicapietro's reviews
61 reviews
The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine
5.0
I have finished all four books in the Ravenspire series so far and I really enjoyed them! These are the first fairytale retellings I have read so I do not have much to compare them to but I will say, she changed a lot of stuff from the original tales to make them her own but kept them close enough that it was easy to see where her inspiration came from. Some of them had multiple tales within them which added a unique aspect to the stories as well. Definitely worth the read and I personally plan on buying them so I can reread them again in the future!
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
Seriously the best series I have ever read. The 2nd book is my FAVORITE but all three are very well written. Lots of detail and beautiful imagery but not too much that you get bored. Amazing characters. I laughed out loud many times while reading. If you read the first one and you aren't sure that you want to continue, I suggest reading the 2nd one anyway. It's the best and you won't regret it. I've already read through the series twice and I will definitely read them again. Very excited for the next book to come out next year!!
Shatter Me 1-3 Collection: Shatter Me, Destroy Me, Unravel Me, Fracture Me, Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
5.0
(reviewing the whole series)
I LOVED THIS SERIES! I have many underlines throughout each of the books and definitely plan to read them again in the future. I have already read them twice.
This series kept me on my toes the whole time. There were so many twists and unexpected turns! The romance was amazing, especially after book 1. The vivid imagery of the emotions in the main character were so intense. I was truly feeling all of her emotions as I read. Especially the internal struggle which was expressed by the lines that were crossed out. There was a wide cast of characters but only a few were majorly focused on which I liked. Sometimes books go into too much detail with too many people and it can be tiring to keep up with. Throughout the series you get to experience multiple points of view which is something I really love to see also! It's nice to experience different perspectives and get a break from the more exhausting emotional characters while inside the head of a snarky and humorous one.
I have heard some people say the series should have ended sooner than it did but I disagree. Not only would the story itself have been incomplete, but the characters would not have been able to develop and evolve to the extent they did if it had ended as a trilogy. I am happy to have traveled with these characters for longer, getting to know the core group of side characters just as deeply as the actual lead female character, and especially, watching one particular character transform and grow. (No spoilers!!)
I highly recommend this series! 5 stars!!
I LOVED THIS SERIES! I have many underlines throughout each of the books and definitely plan to read them again in the future. I have already read them twice.
This series kept me on my toes the whole time. There were so many twists and unexpected turns! The romance was amazing, especially after book 1. The vivid imagery of the emotions in the main character were so intense. I was truly feeling all of her emotions as I read. Especially the internal struggle which was expressed by the lines that were crossed out. There was a wide cast of characters but only a few were majorly focused on which I liked. Sometimes books go into too much detail with too many people and it can be tiring to keep up with. Throughout the series you get to experience multiple points of view which is something I really love to see also! It's nice to experience different perspectives and get a break from the more exhausting emotional characters while inside the head of a snarky and humorous one.
I have heard some people say the series should have ended sooner than it did but I disagree. Not only would the story itself have been incomplete, but the characters would not have been able to develop and evolve to the extent they did if it had ended as a trilogy. I am happy to have traveled with these characters for longer, getting to know the core group of side characters just as deeply as the actual lead female character, and especially, watching one particular character transform and grow. (No spoilers!!)
I highly recommend this series! 5 stars!!
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
2.0
So let me just start by saying that I had very high expectations for this book because it's author, Tahereh Mafi, wrote the totally epic Shatter Me series and I absolutely loved it! (HIGHLY recommend.)
That being said, I was actually very disappointed in this one.
I liked:
-the idea of the story and what it taught me about extreme racism
-the fact that it is based on the author's personal experiences
-the male character, Ocean...and seriously hoping he was based on a real person whom the author knew because he was pretty awesome
-the descriptiveness of the feelings she was having during the romance and emotional sections
I did not like:
-the writing style for most of it (with the exception of some very poetic feelings...). It felt like it was written like someone sitting on my front porch telling me about something that happened to them. Which is nice if you are in person but you expect a little more out of a book. More descriptions around the dialogue and things like that.
-the attitude of the main character. I understand that she was full of anger because of what was happening to her but it was very hard to read that negativitiy and just straight up rudeness. It kind of made me feel like I wouldn't like to meet her or speak to her and I enjoy books more when I like or relate to the head I'm inside while reading.
-there was a little too much back and forth that seemed to get very old. I won't say more about that for fear of spoilers.
-the fact that she used the words, "wow" and "weird" WAY TOO MANY TIMES. I didn't count but the book is only 300 pages and I swear it had to be close to 50.
-the breakdancing aspect. Not that I dislike breakdancing, I actually love it! But something about the way it was written felt weird to me. It felt like it didn't belong with the rest of the story.
All in all, I am glad I read this book. I am not sure that I would recomend it because the parts I didn't enjoy outweighed the parts I did. I ended up skimming big chunks of it out of annoyance for the writing style or content. BUT the parts that I did like (that I listed above), were very impactful. If someone were wanting to see the true ugliness of racism for American muslims after 9/11, this may be an interesting read. It was shocking to me. I knew racism in this country was rough for them after that awful event but I didn't understand the gravity of it, especially towards an innocent teenage girl. It made my heart hurt reading certain parts. I know it will be in my heart in the future and help me be more understanding and aware of racial prejudices.
That being said, I was actually very disappointed in this one.
I liked:
-the idea of the story and what it taught me about extreme racism
-the fact that it is based on the author's personal experiences
-the male character, Ocean...and seriously hoping he was based on a real person whom the author knew because he was pretty awesome
-the descriptiveness of the feelings she was having during the romance and emotional sections
I did not like:
-the writing style for most of it (with the exception of some very poetic feelings...). It felt like it was written like someone sitting on my front porch telling me about something that happened to them. Which is nice if you are in person but you expect a little more out of a book. More descriptions around the dialogue and things like that.
-the attitude of the main character. I understand that she was full of anger because of what was happening to her but it was very hard to read that negativitiy and just straight up rudeness. It kind of made me feel like I wouldn't like to meet her or speak to her and I enjoy books more when I like or relate to the head I'm inside while reading.
-there was a little too much back and forth that seemed to get very old. I won't say more about that for fear of spoilers.
-the fact that she used the words, "wow" and "weird" WAY TOO MANY TIMES. I didn't count but the book is only 300 pages and I swear it had to be close to 50.
-the breakdancing aspect. Not that I dislike breakdancing, I actually love it! But something about the way it was written felt weird to me. It felt like it didn't belong with the rest of the story.
All in all, I am glad I read this book. I am not sure that I would recomend it because the parts I didn't enjoy outweighed the parts I did. I ended up skimming big chunks of it out of annoyance for the writing style or content. BUT the parts that I did like (that I listed above), were very impactful. If someone were wanting to see the true ugliness of racism for American muslims after 9/11, this may be an interesting read. It was shocking to me. I knew racism in this country was rough for them after that awful event but I didn't understand the gravity of it, especially towards an innocent teenage girl. It made my heart hurt reading certain parts. I know it will be in my heart in the future and help me be more understanding and aware of racial prejudices.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
4.0
(reviewing the first two books in this series)
I loved these books and I am extremely excited for book 3!
I liked that it was told from multiple perspectives and that the first book told one love story and the second told another. I am a super fan of the character Grey. I am not usually into the stoic type characters but oh. my. goodness... he is amazing.
Even though the first book is known for being a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I appreciate how the author is developing the story. There were twists that I didn't expect which kept me reeling for more and it even had me laughing out loud a few times. It was simple, without too many complicated plots and characters, but it was thrilling! I had a really hard time putting it down and even though I don't usually buy brand new books (I almost always buy used), after I finished book one I immediately ordered book 2 on Amazon because I had to find out what happened next! I am stoked to see where she takes the rest of the story and will definitely be buying book 3 when it comes out in January 2021!
I am only giving it 4 stars because of the simplicity of it. It doesn't seem fair to rate it as high as other books that I've read with a more detailed plot and set of characters. If I were rating it just for pure, personal enjoyment...it would be 5 stars for sure! I wish I could make it 4.5 =)
I loved these books and I am extremely excited for book 3!
I liked that it was told from multiple perspectives and that the first book told one love story and the second told another. I am a super fan of the character Grey. I am not usually into the stoic type characters but oh. my. goodness... he is amazing.
Even though the first book is known for being a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I appreciate how the author is developing the story. There were twists that I didn't expect which kept me reeling for more and it even had me laughing out loud a few times. It was simple, without too many complicated plots and characters, but it was thrilling! I had a really hard time putting it down and even though I don't usually buy brand new books (I almost always buy used), after I finished book one I immediately ordered book 2 on Amazon because I had to find out what happened next! I am stoked to see where she takes the rest of the story and will definitely be buying book 3 when it comes out in January 2021!
I am only giving it 4 stars because of the simplicity of it. It doesn't seem fair to rate it as high as other books that I've read with a more detailed plot and set of characters. If I were rating it just for pure, personal enjoyment...it would be 5 stars for sure! I wish I could make it 4.5 =)
A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer
4.0
Everything I hoped it would be to wrap up this awesome trilogy!
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
4.0
Even better than the movie! I'm excited to read the next two in the trilogy.
Troy by Adèle Geras
4.0
A very well written retelling of this iconic tale. Wide cast of characters that included warriors, royals, gods, etc... The author did a great job switching between the various scenes taking place.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
4.0
Beautiful, heartbreaking, full of hope.
I had a hard time getting through this book because it was so powerful and brought up traumas from my own past that were hard to deal with. Still, I pushed through, and I was so pleased with how the author wrapped it up. Though not my usual style of writing or genre, I'm very happy to have read it.
I had a hard time getting through this book because it was so powerful and brought up traumas from my own past that were hard to deal with. Still, I pushed through, and I was so pleased with how the author wrapped it up. Though not my usual style of writing or genre, I'm very happy to have read it.