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justabookishreader's reviews
158 reviews
The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was so fast paced and my theories were in the right area just not fully and this was a Holly Black book. That's all. Five stars. Oh and I cried. and laughed. I needed this cuz finals week is already kicking my ass.
Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
Just passed the first five books of 2023 with this one, god I can't believe I waited this long to read it. This was excellent, and the way it dove into the discussion of mental health. There was so much in this book that I would have wanted in, for example, Harry Potter. Like sorry, but there's no way Hermione having been flat out tortured and Harry having like the whole world depending on him would not result in PTSD.
So this was excellent and just what I was in the mood for. I also enjoyed the idea of having solved the problem, then ten years later finding out via an alternate dimension that they actually hadn't. I've said to a couple people to think of this book as after Harry Potter and the golden trio dealing with the mental health of the aftermath, living super close to one another and still in one another's lives and then being pulled into an alternate dimension where Voldemort was still alive but had disguised himself, and had to defeat him in an even more brutal way than the last time they thought they had and then going back to a mash up of the two worlds and finally splitting up after.
I know most of this review has been comparing it to a better written aftermath for Harry Potter but truly, that's the first thing that came to mind. Otherwise, this is so unique, the idea of starting off <i> after </i> the big final battle - much less the unveiling of a monument ten years later, was so captivating and I want more of this so much. I know there was originally going to be a second book but I believe this is now just a standalone, but I could be wrong. Very bittersweet, very well executed discussions of having to make hard decisions, how guilt and suffering physical pain aren't necessarily all that different - and I super connected with Sloane.
I'm always super impressed with Veronica Roth's inclusion of pretty witty humor, and I found myself doing more than just "heh"-ing, but fully laughing out loud or giggling. I can't wait to see this on the big screen if/when that ever does actually happen - as the only information I can see is about the audiobook and the news from way back in April of 2020. Either way, excellent book, and I'm so glad I'm revisiting this author, she definitely is still one of my favorites, and has been since the first Divergent book when I was about eleven years old.
So this was excellent and just what I was in the mood for. I also enjoyed the idea of having solved the problem, then ten years later finding out via an alternate dimension that they actually hadn't. I've said to a couple people to think of this book as after Harry Potter and the golden trio dealing with the mental health of the aftermath, living super close to one another and still in one another's lives and then being pulled into an alternate dimension where Voldemort was still alive but had disguised himself, and had to defeat him in an even more brutal way than the last time they thought they had and then going back to a mash up of the two worlds and finally splitting up after.
I know most of this review has been comparing it to a better written aftermath for Harry Potter but truly, that's the first thing that came to mind. Otherwise, this is so unique, the idea of starting off <i> after </i> the big final battle - much less the unveiling of a monument ten years later, was so captivating and I want more of this so much. I know there was originally going to be a second book but I believe this is now just a standalone, but I could be wrong. Very bittersweet, very well executed discussions of having to make hard decisions, how guilt and suffering physical pain aren't necessarily all that different - and I super connected with Sloane.
I'm always super impressed with Veronica Roth's inclusion of pretty witty humor, and I found myself doing more than just "heh"-ing, but fully laughing out loud or giggling. I can't wait to see this on the big screen if/when that ever does actually happen - as the only information I can see is about the audiobook and the news from way back in April of 2020. Either way, excellent book, and I'm so glad I'm revisiting this author, she definitely is still one of my favorites, and has been since the first Divergent book when I was about eleven years old.
A Ceiling Made of Eggshells by Gail Carson Levine
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
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? No
4.0
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
This book was genuinely a fun read. It lost me for a moment, but I really loved the ending to my surprise, and I'm glad (as far as I know) that this was a standalone. So because I don't have a ton of gripes with this book, I'll start with the things I didn't absolutely love.
So at around 60% it felt just barely slow enough that I focused on a completely other side book I had been reading at the same time, and almost forgot about it because the past few books have been physical copies for me. I was glad to return to it because it picked right back up. It's totally possible the other book I had been reading just held my attention better, but either way I think that's something that could have been approved. The only other negative I can remember being annoyed by was lack of follow through with any deaths of anyone even remotely close to Soraya. While yes, I would have cried, I - how on earth would Soraya's mother have survived a slit throat, in time for Parvaneh to return with a feather, and why wouldn't Azad have "cut deeper" when he's proved he would kill anyone to get what he wants?
The ending was very satisfying and surprising, with Soraya accepting all of herself, displaying her thorns, and going of with the other Pariks. Overall, there's little things this could have done better, but it didn't hinder me from finishing an entire 40% in about an hour.
So at around 60% it felt just barely slow enough that I focused on a completely other side book I had been reading at the same time, and almost forgot about it because the past few books have been physical copies for me. I was glad to return to it because it picked right back up. It's totally possible the other book I had been reading just held my attention better, but either way I think that's something that could have been approved. The only other negative I can remember being annoyed by was lack of follow through with any deaths of anyone even remotely close to Soraya. While yes, I would have cried, I - how on earth would Soraya's mother have survived a slit throat, in time for Parvaneh to return with a feather, and why wouldn't Azad have "cut deeper" when he's proved he would kill anyone to get what he wants?
The ending was very satisfying and surprising, with Soraya accepting all of herself, displaying her thorns, and going of with the other Pariks. Overall, there's little things this could have done better, but it didn't hinder me from finishing an entire 40% in about an hour.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"Perfect for fans of Moulin Rouge and The Phantom of the Opera, Angeles's debut is spectacular, spectacular!" - Buzzfeed
Yes I know not to trust Buzzfeed... but if I see something compared to Moulin Rouge, I'm buying it without hesitation. For brief context, my youngest sibling asked me a few weeks ago what my favorite movie was. I could only narrow it down to my top five and in no particular order. Ever After, Coraline, Stardust, Moulin Rouge, and Divergent. Now what I haven't seen is The Phantom of the Opera. Which now I really really want to, because when I was a kid my mom said if I was *that* scared of Coraline (yes I used to be scared of it and now its one of my favorite books and movies of all time) then I couldn't handle the Phantom of the Opera... oooh now I really want to watch it. But onto this piece of gorgeousness.
This book was so much goddamn fun that I just ordered the second in hardcover and am willing to spend however much is necessary for those owlcrate special editions on ebay because they are stunning. This was sitting on my tbr for over a year! Then I organized my tbr physically and finally started going through it and I'm so glad I did. I was worried at one point when I peeked at the non-spoiler reviews for this book because it seemed so 50/50... I had nothing to be worried about, there's a reason I didn't even hesitate when I saw Moulin Rouge mentioned. I absolutely LOVED it. Like to the point its on my list of top 10 of all time. (which if you're curious, currently those are Fairest by Gail Carson Levine, Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, Coraline (Graphic Novel) by Neil Gaiman, and Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson)
Honestly, if for some reason, anyone is hesitant but Moulin Rouge is one of their favorite movies, I HIGHLY recommend they try it. Even just the writing itself is GORGEOUS. And that ENDING. I need more books like this, and it may have pushed me out of my writer's block in small ways! If I say much more this will be yet another giant spoiler review but I won't because I want people to read my review and decide to read the book. I cannot wait for the second to be safely in my hands!
Yes I know not to trust Buzzfeed... but if I see something compared to Moulin Rouge, I'm buying it without hesitation. For brief context, my youngest sibling asked me a few weeks ago what my favorite movie was. I could only narrow it down to my top five and in no particular order. Ever After, Coraline, Stardust, Moulin Rouge, and Divergent. Now what I haven't seen is The Phantom of the Opera. Which now I really really want to, because when I was a kid my mom said if I was *that* scared of Coraline (yes I used to be scared of it and now its one of my favorite books and movies of all time) then I couldn't handle the Phantom of the Opera... oooh now I really want to watch it. But onto this piece of gorgeousness.
This book was so much goddamn fun that I just ordered the second in hardcover and am willing to spend however much is necessary for those owlcrate special editions on ebay because they are stunning. This was sitting on my tbr for over a year! Then I organized my tbr physically and finally started going through it and I'm so glad I did. I was worried at one point when I peeked at the non-spoiler reviews for this book because it seemed so 50/50... I had nothing to be worried about, there's a reason I didn't even hesitate when I saw Moulin Rouge mentioned. I absolutely LOVED it. Like to the point its on my list of top 10 of all time. (which if you're curious, currently those are Fairest by Gail Carson Levine, Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, Coraline (Graphic Novel) by Neil Gaiman, and Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson)
Honestly, if for some reason, anyone is hesitant but Moulin Rouge is one of their favorite movies, I HIGHLY recommend they try it. Even just the writing itself is GORGEOUS. And that ENDING. I need more books like this, and it may have pushed me out of my writer's block in small ways! If I say much more this will be yet another giant spoiler review but I won't because I want people to read my review and decide to read the book. I cannot wait for the second to be safely in my hands!
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book. THIS BOOK. I'm still not completely certain how to put the feelings resulting from this 230-something page book into coherent words. So I'm just gonna start with the technical parts of the writing of this story. The pacing was phenomenal.
I'm really used to novella length stories being really rushed or even oddly drawn out in some areas, either way never quite perfectly paced. I admit that any length novel is difficult to pace. But god, Susanna Clarke figured it the fuck out. I wonder if the format it was written in might have helped that aspect, epistolary writing - specifically, in this case, through journal entries.
I even feel like what words Piranesi chose to capitalize as though a proper noun, to be fascinating, and I honestly can't wait to reread it and see if I notice anything on my second reading after knowing the twist and the end, that I didn't notice on my first run through. Also might I just add, this is a very very pretty book, and one of very few that are still doing fancy naked hardcover foiling in general edition releases.
Onto the story itself, though in certain aspects, I may be still talking more technically about the writing. The plot was spectacular, it was so unbelievably original and shocking - the twist was one that absolutely made sense, but also was one I could not have imagined or come up with on my own at all. And I absolutely love when an author is able to pull that off.
We stayed in the world just long enough for me to want more, but also be satisfied with the answers, and the ending just left me feeling feelings that I don't know how to describe. I felt like crying but not exactly sad crying, it was an odd experience but a beautiful and amazing one.
I have a feeling that this is going to be one of those where I will wish I could read it for the first time over again. And there's really only one or maybe two other books like that in my life right now. I'll definitely be looking at potentially reading some of Susanna Clarke's other works, and while I feel like this review is incredibly vague (which means, hey, at least no spoilers) and potentially nonsense, I feel like I've gotten what I can put into words, in this review.
If you know what it was I was feeling or know how to describe it, please feel free to comment below and I'll probably add it to my review with credit.
I'm really used to novella length stories being really rushed or even oddly drawn out in some areas, either way never quite perfectly paced. I admit that any length novel is difficult to pace. But god, Susanna Clarke figured it the fuck out. I wonder if the format it was written in might have helped that aspect, epistolary writing - specifically, in this case, through journal entries.
I even feel like what words Piranesi chose to capitalize as though a proper noun, to be fascinating, and I honestly can't wait to reread it and see if I notice anything on my second reading after knowing the twist and the end, that I didn't notice on my first run through. Also might I just add, this is a very very pretty book, and one of very few that are still doing fancy naked hardcover foiling in general edition releases.
Onto the story itself, though in certain aspects, I may be still talking more technically about the writing. The plot was spectacular, it was so unbelievably original and shocking - the twist was one that absolutely made sense, but also was one I could not have imagined or come up with on my own at all. And I absolutely love when an author is able to pull that off.
We stayed in the world just long enough for me to want more, but also be satisfied with the answers, and the ending just left me feeling feelings that I don't know how to describe. I felt like crying but not exactly sad crying, it was an odd experience but a beautiful and amazing one.
I have a feeling that this is going to be one of those where I will wish I could read it for the first time over again. And there's really only one or maybe two other books like that in my life right now. I'll definitely be looking at potentially reading some of Susanna Clarke's other works, and while I feel like this review is incredibly vague (which means, hey, at least no spoilers) and potentially nonsense, I feel like I've gotten what I can put into words, in this review.
If you know what it was I was feeling or know how to describe it, please feel free to comment below and I'll probably add it to my review with credit.
The Lives of Saints by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
so pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable this was, and the little "Sankt of the Book" which if the art accompanying it is accurate, I believe is meant to represent Leigh Bardugo herself, and I thought that was such a beautiful ending, come on!
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
My original thoughts from when I was around 20% in were absolutely correct. This was so good. The representation. The way it was so carefully discussed. The historical events of the time. A book about witches, women's rights - voting, abortion, and being able to choose motherhood, the civil rights movement, sexuality, the impact of child abuse and parentification on those adults. Family dynamics. I hadn't even realized I had connected to Juniper the way I did until the epilogue. Yea, I cried for a couple seconds. It was good. I want more.
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
"She would tuck Sam into her heart, a bright light for her to take out whenever things were darkest."
"My name is Celaena Sardothien," she whispered, "and I will not be afraid."
Wow. I thought I'd read this, and I probably did a long time ago, but I didn't remember almost any of it. I was really gonna go for three stars on this one but then I read the last story, and SJM really fucking pulled it together. I may not be her biggest fan anymore, and I may not enjoy any of her new books after Wings and Ruin - but Throne of Glass will always be one of my favorite series of all time, and I have a feeling I'll only continue to love these books as I reread this year. I didn't realize all the novellas were going to tie together, and I didn't expect that I was going to feel things the way I did. I will say though, I still feel like Sam was really who Aelin/Celaena was supposed to be with - I felt a certain way about them being together that I don't recall feeling with Rowan.
Either way I'm really glad I'm doing this reread to see how I feel as a 21 year old compared to a 14-17 year old.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
"My name is Celaena Sardothien," she whispered, "and I will not be afraid."
Wow. I thought I'd read this, and I probably did a long time ago, but I didn't remember almost any of it. I was really gonna go for three stars on this one but then I read the last story, and SJM really fucking pulled it together. I may not be her biggest fan anymore, and I may not enjoy any of her new books after Wings and Ruin - but Throne of Glass will always be one of my favorite series of all time, and I have a feeling I'll only continue to love these books as I reread this year. I didn't realize all the novellas were going to tie together, and I didn't expect that I was going to feel things the way I did. I will say though, I still feel like Sam was really who Aelin/Celaena was supposed to be with - I felt a certain way about them being together that I don't recall feeling with Rowan.
Either way I'm really glad I'm doing this reread to see how I feel as a 21 year old compared to a 14-17 year old.