khylababyla's reviews
10 reviews

A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
I don’t know exactly what it was. This book was good. I like the story I like the message. But that’s it. The message. It’s so good and the world that was built is good. But it’s so so on the nose. Times in the story the protagonist has thoughts about the situation that I feel left little for me to conclude or realize. I felt like everything was too explained to me. 

I will try to read it again in the future I think. 
A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin

Go to review page

adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This series is so good idk what to say. Also Sansa I’d do anything for you
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Chamber of Secrets is to be honest my least favorite of the series. I dunno if that’s because it scared me as a small child when I first read it or if I genuinely don’t care for it.

That being said it is a great sequel to the first book, the characters are back for another year at Hogwarts and this time Ginny (and others) join the school as first years! A whole new slew of adventures and a whole new (goofy af) DA teacher. 

(And the unfortunate mention of good god JK Rowlings prejudice really can be painfully felt at times.)
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-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

4.5

This book is a childhood favorite. This year I decided to reread the whole series again and I definitely don’t regret it. The Sorcerer’s (or Philosophers ;) ) Stone is such a great kick off to a fantastic series. Following the young wizards as the learn about and navigate this new world they’ve found themselves in with new dangers they’ve never had to fight against. 

Of course this book comes with its share of criticism. I haven’t reread the series since JK Rowling exposed herself. I noticed a lot of small things in her writing style that caused me to raise on eyebrow. Harry Potter is always worth a read, I just believe it should be done with a fair criticism of the author at the same time. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Go to review page

adventurous emotional 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

A world with a rich history, political intrigue, religious war, and of course the sapphic characters that brought me to this story in the first place. Oh and did I mention dragons? 

This is by far one of the best books I’ve read in awhile. If you are trying to break into more adult fantasy rather then YA fantasy this is a great starting point.

Also do not let the size of this book intimidate you. It’s a much quicker read then I anticipated and is broken up into sections that make it easier to manage. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Lives of Saints by Leigh Bardugo

Go to review page

adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

This book is simply a really good addition to the grishaverse and the SOC books. It’s cool having a physical copy of a book that lives within a series. However it’s also a well written and quick series of short stories. 
(v.) by Anastacia Reneé

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

I heard Anastacia recite some of these poems out loud in 2015 I believe. Cut it Out Priscilla was the first poem I’d ever cried to. This is a beautiful book of poems about being black in America.  
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

Go to review page

emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

3.0

Honestly rather mediocre poetry. I really enjoyed it when I first read it in early high school. I just have a stronger opinion on poetry now. 
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Go to review page

adventurous dark 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...