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joyfulfoodie's reviews
317 reviews
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I have really enjoyed the two tv shows based on this group, so I decided to check out the books.
Usually I am hands down “the book was better” but I feel like they are both delightful in their own way. I thought it was fascinating that Charlotte isn’t in the book at all - with the new prequel series she has almost become my favorite character so it’s interesting that (so far) she is a Shonda Rhimes creation.
The same event that was so uncomfortable in season one is featured here, so if you really struggled with that in the show it got its origins here and you won’t dodge it the second time. I won’t say it is easier here, but the mental state of all parties is better explored. Doesn’t make it permissible just gives better insight. The timeline of events after that is different, but worked well in each medium.
This was probably a 4.75 for me, but rounding up for goodreads. Read a good chunk of it at the beach and I’m almost never able to pay attention to my book consistently enough to make progress while at the beach. 😂😊😎
Usually I am hands down “the book was better” but I feel like they are both delightful in their own way. I thought it was fascinating that Charlotte isn’t in the book at all - with the new prequel series she has almost become my favorite character so it’s interesting that (so far) she is a Shonda Rhimes creation.
The same event that was so uncomfortable in season one is featured here, so if you really struggled with that in the show it got its origins here and you won’t dodge it the second time. I won’t say it is easier here, but the mental state of all parties is better explored. Doesn’t make it permissible just gives better insight. The timeline of events after that is different, but worked well in each medium.
This was probably a 4.75 for me, but rounding up for goodreads. Read a good chunk of it at the beach and I’m almost never able to pay attention to my book consistently enough to make progress while at the beach. 😂😊😎
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy, Bullying, Violence, Miscarriage, Sexism, Infertility, Abandonment, and Ableism
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This book was highly enjoyable and a quick read. I liked the formatting with images of handwritten notes, text conversations, etc included. I was delighted when a couple of my ideas were correct but that the big reveals were not ruined by my attempts to solve the murder as it went. Very nicely balanced.
Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
I didn’t realize until I finished this book that I know other titles by the author. I think that helped me read it without expectations. It certainly surprised me.
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
This was a reread (probably third or fourth reading actually?) to prepare for the next installment’s release. First time listening to the audiobook, which I thought was very well done. The narrator does a fantastic job conveying the emotions.
This book continues to feel fresh and rewarding with rereads, and remains a favorite. It has some layering of details from later books that on a reread make early scenes here richer.
This book continues to feel fresh and rewarding with rereads, and remains a favorite. It has some layering of details from later books that on a reread make early scenes here richer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Racism, Death, Gore, Violence, Slavery, and War
Moderate: Cannibalism and Rape
Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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
4.5
This was a satisfying conclusion to the series. I’m not feeling any loose ends I wish were tied off (as of yet) and was pleasantly surprised that a couple twists caught me unaware. I see the signs looking back but I didn’t see them ahead, so that was fun.
Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
This one … besides not being able to remember where it started and the previous one ended… managed to send some surprises that I feel the others didn’t. I’ve read a spoiler for the last book that tinted my reading of this one a little but it was still a good quick read. Interested to see how it all wraps up.
Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The twist that I feared hasn’t happened (…yet?? 🙃). A twist I saw coming has, but that wasn’t terrible, it worked. There were some good surprises along the way in this one. I’m eager to finish the series and see if it wraps up the way I expect it will. 😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I liked this one better than book two… all the way up until the end. I did not like the end. Taking off a quarter star for the end.
Was it probably the right narrative move? Ok maybe. But I don’t like it.
Was it probably the right narrative move? Ok maybe. But I don’t like it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Frostbite by Richelle Mead
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I think this series is growing on me - I enjoyed book two more than book one. Maybe it was partly being more familiar with the three types of vampires, maybe it was that some of the world building was out of the way and the plot could just go.
Now to be clear I’m giving this five stars but it’s not like a new favorite book of all time that I’m planning to fan girl and reread … but it was solidly enjoyable.
Now to be clear I’m giving this five stars but it’s not like a new favorite book of all time that I’m planning to fan girl and reread … but it was solidly enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Grief, and Sexual content
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.5
This was an enjoyable low thinking book. Learning the three main groups (basically live vampires, dead vampires, and the half vampire class that supports and protects the live ones) was a bit of a struggle for me. I’ve definitely got down the dead ones now since they are villainized frequently (and not unfairly so far). There are definitely a few reveals that I saw coming. But I’m pretty sure this is YA fiction so that’s understandable and fine. I’ll continue the series and that doesn’t feel like a burden. 😉
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Mental illness, Self harm, Kidnapping, Classism, Grief, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, and Death of parent