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kolee_c's Reviews (354)
adventurous
dark
inspiring
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
I’m so glad I finally got to read Haymitch’s story. I first read the Hunger Games trilogy when I was 14 and going back to that world was so nostalgic. I would definitely recommend reading these books in publication order so that you can get the full experience.
This book adds dimension to the HG world by showing us Haymitch’s perspective. We get to learn more about people that Katniss wouldn’t have interacted with and we get to see more of how the games have evolved over time.
Unlike Hunger Games, where we don’t get a lot of the other tributes backgrounds, here we see as Haymitch learns more about who will be in the arena with him.
This book adds dimension to the HG world by showing us Haymitch’s perspective. We get to learn more about people that Katniss wouldn’t have interacted with and we get to see more of how the games have evolved over time.
Unlike Hunger Games, where we don’t get a lot of the other tributes backgrounds, here we see as Haymitch learns more about who will be in the arena with him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Murder
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My first time reading a book by Elsie Silver and I enjoyed it. I like that with interconnected standalones you can just pick up any book in the series.
This is a cute one. There’s a significant age gap; she’s 22 and he’s 35. She’s the town pariah due to her family and he’s considered the town hero. They pretend they’re engaged under the pretense of a bet but of course, feelings start to arise.
It’s a fun small town romance with some cute banter between the couple.
This is a cute one. There’s a significant age gap; she’s 22 and he’s 35. She’s the town pariah due to her family and he’s considered the town hero. They pretend they’re engaged under the pretense of a bet but of course, feelings start to arise.
It’s a fun small town romance with some cute banter between the couple.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I expected this to be a funny, witty novel based on the premise but it is also an insightful commentary on human behaviour and society.
This novel has a similar vibe to the show ‘The Good Place’. Filled with quirky moments as Death tries to get used to all that living on Earth entails, this story is perfect if you’re looking for something to make you smile. The mystery element had me hooked; I needed to know what was going to happen.
I also enjoyed the more softer philosophical moments as Life and Death shared their experiences.
Thank you, Random House for sending this arc. I’m forever grateful.
This novel has a similar vibe to the show ‘The Good Place’. Filled with quirky moments as Death tries to get used to all that living on Earth entails, this story is perfect if you’re looking for something to make you smile. The mystery element had me hooked; I needed to know what was going to happen.
I also enjoyed the more softer philosophical moments as Life and Death shared their experiences.
Thank you, Random House for sending this arc. I’m forever grateful.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
I had so much fun reading this book. The descriptions of food and places made me want to visit China so bad.
This is my first time reading a book by Ann Liang and now I’m definitely going to read the rest of her books. I can’t believe this one was her debut novel; it’s so well written. It perfectly portrays Alice’s difficulties, the setting of the elite boarding school was realistic enough that I could compare it to English language schools I’ve been in, and the romance was just enough that it was sweet without being in your face.
As Alice is a scholarship student, it gives us an insight into how class and privilege can play a part in attending Airington. The status that comes with being a student there is obvious from the beginning. Alice balances precariously on the line; she is regarded with similar status and privilege as her peers but her home life and private thoughts are overshadowed with what it takes to get to that place.
The sacrifices that parents make, particularly immigrant families, is shown in how Alice interacts with her parents. In moments where she is looking for a moral guide, she reverts back to the teachings of her parents and the life they have had to live in order for her to do what she wants.
Alice lived in America when she was younger but moved back to Beijing. This has resulted in her feeling like an outsider in both places. I liked how this was described because it can feel like this sometimes when you look different to what people would expect of your nationality.
“I’ve had to recount my entire life story to strangers enough times to know that sometimes it’s easier to just let them assume what they want.”
This book is about more than a girl suddenly gaining the ability to turn invisible. It’s about feeling lost and alone, the worries about your future, guilt over the things your parents do for you, trying to find a home in a strange land, learning to open to others, and staying true to your beliefs.
This is my first time reading a book by Ann Liang and now I’m definitely going to read the rest of her books. I can’t believe this one was her debut novel; it’s so well written. It perfectly portrays Alice’s difficulties, the setting of the elite boarding school was realistic enough that I could compare it to English language schools I’ve been in, and the romance was just enough that it was sweet without being in your face.
As Alice is a scholarship student, it gives us an insight into how class and privilege can play a part in attending Airington. The status that comes with being a student there is obvious from the beginning. Alice balances precariously on the line; she is regarded with similar status and privilege as her peers but her home life and private thoughts are overshadowed with what it takes to get to that place.
The sacrifices that parents make, particularly immigrant families, is shown in how Alice interacts with her parents. In moments where she is looking for a moral guide, she reverts back to the teachings of her parents and the life they have had to live in order for her to do what she wants.
Alice lived in America when she was younger but moved back to Beijing. This has resulted in her feeling like an outsider in both places. I liked how this was described because it can feel like this sometimes when you look different to what people would expect of your nationality.
“I’ve had to recount my entire life story to strangers enough times to know that sometimes it’s easier to just let them assume what they want.”
This book is about more than a girl suddenly gaining the ability to turn invisible. It’s about feeling lost and alone, the worries about your future, guilt over the things your parents do for you, trying to find a home in a strange land, learning to open to others, and staying true to your beliefs.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rating this 1⭐️ because Ben is a walking red flag and for some reason Fallon loves to ignore all the signs.
Ben is awful. At the beginning of the book when they first meet, he mentions to Fallow how he knows she has low self esteem and so he has a chance with her. Okay, gross. Then he goes on to talk about how much is interested in seeing her scars. Throughout the book he ignores Fallon when she doesn’t consent to his sexual advances, which just made me want to stop reading.
To be clear, I read this for a book club and that’s the only reason I did not dnf this.
I think this story would have done better as a thriller rather than a romance. If it was just from Fallon’s pov and we got to see her pick up her life after the fire, it would be interesting.
Usually, I will give an author another chance if I didn’t love one of their books but because I didn’t gel with this one at all, I feel like her books are just not for me.
Ben is awful. At the beginning of the book when they first meet, he mentions to Fallow how he knows she has low self esteem and so he has a chance with her. Okay, gross. Then he goes on to talk about how much is interested in seeing her scars. Throughout the book he ignores Fallon when she doesn’t consent to his sexual advances, which just made me want to stop reading.
To be clear, I read this for a book club and that’s the only reason I did not dnf this.
I think this story would have done better as a thriller rather than a romance. If it was just from Fallon’s pov and we got to see her pick up her life after the fire, it would be interesting.
Usually, I will give an author another chance if I didn’t love one of their books but because I didn’t gel with this one at all, I feel like her books are just not for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
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
An interesting take on the classic story of a siren/mermaid falling for a human prince.
This time, our female lead, Celeste is a siren. The third princess, not much is expected of her, so when she saves a human prince, it isn’t entirely surprising. Threats of treason result in Celeste having to leave her kingdom for land. She must seek out the prince, Raiden to kill him.
This all results in Celeste joint Raiden and his crew aboard their ship as they journey to search for a mysterious treasure.
Perfect for fans of enemies to lovers, stories of the sea, and a fluffy dog.
This time, our female lead, Celeste is a siren. The third princess, not much is expected of her, so when she saves a human prince, it isn’t entirely surprising. Threats of treason result in Celeste having to leave her kingdom for land. She must seek out the prince, Raiden to kill him.
This all results in Celeste joint Raiden and his crew aboard their ship as they journey to search for a mysterious treasure.
Perfect for fans of enemies to lovers, stories of the sea, and a fluffy dog.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
Well, my feelings have been hurt.
I knew I would enjoy this book based off the premise but I didn’t realise how much it would hurt me.
I loved the way it was written. We have chapters that alternate between the present, Wales 2022, and the past. Reading the alternating timelines of how Evelyn and Arden have lived and loved brings the story together in a way that made me feel like I lived those lives too.
This is one of those books where you want to tell everyone about it so that they can read it too but you also want to tell no one and keep it all to yourself.
I knew I would enjoy this book based off the premise but I didn’t realise how much it would hurt me.
I loved the way it was written. We have chapters that alternate between the present, Wales 2022, and the past. Reading the alternating timelines of how Evelyn and Arden have lived and loved brings the story together in a way that made me feel like I lived those lives too.
This is one of those books where you want to tell everyone about it so that they can read it too but you also want to tell no one and keep it all to yourself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Grief, War
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Do you ever read a book that makes you fall back in love with reading? This book did that for me.
I wanted to consume this as quickly as possible but I also wanted to savour every word because I knew that I could only this for the first time once.
I started this knowing that it’s a Dramione fic and I haven’t actually read a fic to book before so I didn’t know if it would be obvious or not. From the first chapter it was clear that a lot of work went into making these characters their own and the setting was so unique, that I completely forgot after awhile about its origins.
Since Aurienne is a Haelan (a healer) and Oscric is a Fyren (assassin for hire), there is a lot of interesting terminology used throughout. I found myself highlighting loads of words that either I hadn’t heard before or wasn’t sure of the definition. After about three chapters, it’s quite easier to get over this aspect and you can see how it adds to the charm of the story.
At times, the banter between characters and the descriptions of their own thoughts reminded me of the humour in The Princess Bride. It’s that outrageously silly way that characters say what they mean and how they see the world for what it is. I enjoyed this because I find that I don’t come across that kind of writing often enough.
I would recommend this for anyone that is looking for a really good enemies to lovers where the characters are actually enemies. This is for you if you’re looking for great world building, descriptive writing, witty banter, and intriguing characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and LittleBrownBooks for sending me an advanced reader copy.
I wanted to consume this as quickly as possible but I also wanted to savour every word because I knew that I could only this for the first time once.
I started this knowing that it’s a Dramione fic and I haven’t actually read a fic to book before so I didn’t know if it would be obvious or not. From the first chapter it was clear that a lot of work went into making these characters their own and the setting was so unique, that I completely forgot after awhile about its origins.
Since Aurienne is a Haelan (a healer) and Oscric is a Fyren (assassin for hire), there is a lot of interesting terminology used throughout. I found myself highlighting loads of words that either I hadn’t heard before or wasn’t sure of the definition. After about three chapters, it’s quite easier to get over this aspect and you can see how it adds to the charm of the story.
At times, the banter between characters and the descriptions of their own thoughts reminded me of the humour in The Princess Bride. It’s that outrageously silly way that characters say what they mean and how they see the world for what it is. I enjoyed this because I find that I don’t come across that kind of writing often enough.
I would recommend this for anyone that is looking for a really good enemies to lovers where the characters are actually enemies. This is for you if you’re looking for great world building, descriptive writing, witty banter, and intriguing characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and LittleBrownBooks for sending me an advanced reader copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Minor: Body horror
