krshmnsh's reviews
27 reviews

Kiss Me First by Lottie Moggach

dark 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? No

2.75

The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Overall this was a pretty light read. At times I felt that although it was as fast-paced as the Vampire Academy series, Bloodlines still managed to introduce new concepts in Mead's fantasy world without it being too rushed or overlooked - for example,

Sydney's outlook on witchcraft and the introduction of the Warriors

There were however some plotlines that didn't seem too necessary and could've been rewritten altogether to have a more impactful meaning,

Nina searching for Olive, Declan's birth, Neil as the father and even Jill's kidnapping. With the latter especially, it made more sense -considering the overall plot line- to have Jill's kidnapping as public knowledge with the attacker being someone who wanted to overthrow Lissa. Even if this series was meant to focus on the Alchemist world, it was still disconnected from the Moroi politics despite Sydney mentioning frequently how involved they were in it.

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

3.75

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

From my first impression of this novel, all I can say is that this was a deeply unsettling read for me.

Maybe it was the absence of the outcome I hoped for, the boxed in characters that all seem trapped in time or even the lack of healing within the storylines presented. I can't say for sure. But what I do know is that I'm glad I have this novel a try.

It may not have lived up to it's outstanding reviews (in my eyes), but it's as real as you can expect from something tackling these sorts of societal issues. 

Definitely a read that leaves much for you to reflect on.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Stalking

Unraveling by Karen Lord
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.

The structure was a bit odd for me and I couldn't manage to actually get into the book.

May take another chance at it in the future.

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The Ivies by Alexa Donne

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.25

For a novel that's categorised as a Mystery, it's probably one of the most predictable reads I've ever come across. 

It starts off slow, however from the middle onto the ending, everything seems rushed in a way that gives me the impression that the writer didn't have more time to create more in-depth plot points. 

As a WOC, I was quiet annoyed that one of the motives behind the murder was due to the entitled racist white boy's unhappiness with spots in ivy schools being taken up by BIPOC. It felt like a shallow attempt at dealing with racial implications within academic settings as these characters weren't even acknowledged for their ethic background outside of the one line description given in their introductions. While I am grateful that the topic was touched on, it wasn't enough to actually leave any impact on me as a reader.

 

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

lighthearted fast-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

1.75

This series is great for a fast guilty pleasure read, however it seriously lacks in proper development of it's plot lines and characters. 

It's been years since this was published so I won't knock on it too hard, but I will say that I wished Mead was certain enough in themselves to have conflicts such as society's view of "Blood Whores", tensions between the Moroi and neglected Dhampir be the main plot drivers of the novels. Together with that, when looking into the history of this world, I would have hoped that information given about Alchemists and the original vampires wouldn't have been thrown in like a last minute after thought... 

I'm not even going to get started on how Mead managed to have her lead couple being comprised of a minor and an adult. Seriously.

Soooo much potential yet such a shakey execution.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Alcoholism

The Book of Night Women by Marlon James
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.

Gruesome language. The plot and characters were excellently developed, however it's not a read I'm mentally prepared for right now. 

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0