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kays_reading_journal's reviews
345 reviews
Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender
3.0
Oh finally I book I read last month that I actually took notes on š
First of all- I must shout out how much I love this cover and how beautiful the art on the inside is.
Now, I enjoyed this, but it definitely wasnāt my favorite Callender book.
The characters are what made this strong, and were kinda the only reason I kept reading. I loved the cozy slower moments where we got to watch all the relationships bloom. And I loved the mind walking type of thing to be able to share memories and bring them closer.
The plot, however, wasnāt as great. Or maybe it was just the worldbuilding that fell flat? It felt like a lot of things didnāt make sense, or were just higher magic systems than Iām used to reading.
There were a lot of editing mistakes where the wrong name was used once, and there were repeat words/sentences where there werenāt supposed to be.
The map also pissed me off. It is obviously a Map is based off of New England, with the same shape but different names. Thereās a few cities shown that are mentioned in the book, but how theyāre mentioned in the book donāt make sense. Ash says that heās leaving Wynnesgrove and waking to his house in Hedge. But these correlate to Queens and Newark. The book says itās an hour walk. Google maps says itās be 24 hours.
I know that might seem like a dumb thing to get upset about, but I really rely on maps of a fantasy book has it so I was really upset about this.
First of all- I must shout out how much I love this cover and how beautiful the art on the inside is.
Now, I enjoyed this, but it definitely wasnāt my favorite Callender book.
The characters are what made this strong, and were kinda the only reason I kept reading. I loved the cozy slower moments where we got to watch all the relationships bloom. And I loved the mind walking type of thing to be able to share memories and bring them closer.
The plot, however, wasnāt as great. Or maybe it was just the worldbuilding that fell flat? It felt like a lot of things didnāt make sense, or were just higher magic systems than Iām used to reading.
There were a lot of editing mistakes where the wrong name was used once, and there were repeat words/sentences where there werenāt supposed to be.
The map also pissed me off. It is obviously a Map is based off of New England, with the same shape but different names. Thereās a few cities shown that are mentioned in the book, but how theyāre mentioned in the book donāt make sense. Ash says that heās leaving Wynnesgrove and waking to his house in Hedge. But these correlate to Queens and Newark. The book says itās an hour walk. Google maps says itās be 24 hours.
I know that might seem like a dumb thing to get upset about, but I really rely on maps of a fantasy book has it so I was really upset about this.
Pucking Around by Emily Rath
3.75
I saw a hate review of this once so I picked it up a while ago with already negative thoughts and didnāt get very far at all, but I went into it with a much more open mind this time and read all the way through and enjoyed it.
But I HIGHLY recommend reading the prequel story first (i think itās including in the audiobook).
The main reason I didnāt like it the first time was because of how abrupt Jake was when āmeetingā Rachel for the first time, but the prequel gives them backstory and made it a lot nicer. I didnāt really feel the chemistry with Rachel and Mars, but I really loved all the guys pov, ad I really enjoyed watching Caleb and Jakeās relationship grow!
But I HIGHLY recommend reading the prequel story first (i think itās including in the audiobook).
The main reason I didnāt like it the first time was because of how abrupt Jake was when āmeetingā Rachel for the first time, but the prequel gives them backstory and made it a lot nicer. I didnāt really feel the chemistry with Rachel and Mars, but I really loved all the guys pov, ad I really enjoyed watching Caleb and Jakeās relationship grow!
The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer
4.75
I read this all in one day and immediately had to tell someone else about it. I donāt have much to say without giving spoilers, but it just grabbed my attention and held on the entire time!
The ending did just feel a bit rushed/didnāt live up to the rest of the book but it was still an amazing story. And itās being adapted for film!!! And has a sequel!! Very exciting stuff.
The ending did just feel a bit rushed/didnāt live up to the rest of the book but it was still an amazing story. And itās being adapted for film!!! And has a sequel!! Very exciting stuff.
Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Club: Roll Call by Molly Knox Ostertag
5.0
Iāve never played Dungeons and Dragons but I love the illustrator so I picked it up and it was such a beautiful book about friendship and staying true to yourself!
And then I saw that thereās a sequel this year!! Super excited.
And then I saw that thereās a sequel this year!! Super excited.
Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy by Faith Erin Hicks
4.5
This was very cute! Love a sports romance and I loved how Ezra was there for Alix as she was still figuring things out.
Extra Normal by Kate Alice Marshall
5.0
Again- in my middle grade era! I donāt really enjoy horror or mysteries when theyāre adult but I absolutely need to read more that are middle grade. The Worldbuilding in this is just incredible! So is the characterization. I listened to the audiobook and I honestly didnāt want it to end.
Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma
2.75
I didnāt really enjoy this. Iām not sure if it was the writing style of the premise of the plot. I only really finished it because of a readathon.
I donāt remember it that well because of this, but I really donāt think I felt the romantic chemistry between the characters (sexual chemistry- sure).
I guess I can see why some people enjoy this which is why itās not rated any lower but I donāt think Iāll ever pick up the author again in the future
I donāt remember it that well because of this, but I really donāt think I felt the romantic chemistry between the characters (sexual chemistry- sure).
I guess I can see why some people enjoy this which is why itās not rated any lower but I donāt think Iāll ever pick up the author again in the future
Funny Story by Emily Henry
4.5
I really need to read all of Henryās books all at once to get an accurate rating for them, because I have Happy Place rated higher but I think I liked this more.
I just really loved the love interest honestly. Iām still thinking about him. I am so sad that I borrowed this from the library and therefore canāt reread it whenever I want.
I just really loved the love interest honestly. Iām still thinking about him. I am so sad that I borrowed this from the library and therefore canāt reread it whenever I want.
Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy by Grace Ellis, ND Stevenson, Shannon Watters
4.0
Iāve just been really into middle grade stuff lately what can I say š I think I wouldāve loved these as a kid when I was still in Girl Scouts, and theyāre still a lot of fun to read now!
So many different stories happening at once and adding together all the lore is fun
So many different stories happening at once and adding together all the lore is fun
Dinosaur Sanctuary, Vol. 1 by Itaru Kinoshita
5.0
I loved this so much!! Perfectly balances being a cute story about dinosaurs while also having intriguing backstories that you slowly discover about the characters.
Manga is something I feel weird about spending money on because of how short it is, but I absolutely want to physically own these in the future.
Manga is something I feel weird about spending money on because of how short it is, but I absolutely want to physically own these in the future.