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ktbxter's reviews
166 reviews
The Beach Read Book Club by Kathryn Freeman
3.5
A nice easy romance about books. What's not to like?
Lottie is a fun outgoing character that I loved instantly. Matt was uptight and moody but quickly opened up.
I loved the idea of the Beach Read Book Club and loved the members from all walks of life. It's made me want to join a book club myself!
Lottie is a fun outgoing character that I loved instantly. Matt was uptight and moody but quickly opened up.
I loved the idea of the Beach Read Book Club and loved the members from all walks of life. It's made me want to join a book club myself!
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
5.0
Spoiler wrapping the whole review because I know I'll talk about the plot.
The final installment of my Hunger Games re-read.
This book is the perfect example of demonstrating an unreliable narrator. We only see Snow's actions through his own eyes and only know how he feels about them.
He's a cunning and manipulative person who continually gets away with being in the wrong because of his charm and his name.
Lucy-Gray was an excellent character that was fleshed out and had a history expanding the content of the book. She was loveable and Collins really made me want her to survive.
Seeing the early stages of the Hunger Games, especially the first year that Mentors were introduced, allowed the reader to have a better understanding of how the Games in the original trilogy became what they are. Seeing them from a Captiol point of view instead of a contestant point of view also made for an interesting read. It's made me wonder if perhaps the next prequel will be from a District person's POV for the 50th Games?
Seeing Snow's personality change from when he's in the Capitol to the end of the book is eye opening. Especially because hindsight really sort of shows the reader that he didn't change at all. He was always the way that he ended up being. He just hid and masked it depending on his feelings about the person or people he was around. Lucy-Gray was desirable and a prize that he claimed after she won the Games. Which was an excellent consolation given he was exhiled to the Districts. It was always about power and status for Snow. That's why the ending feels so sudden. Because he has the opportunity for power and status given back to him when he passes the Officiers exam. Lucy-Gray isn't the top prize any more so he wants to discard her and make sure no one else can have her and ensure she can't get in his way.
It's a brilliant addition to the original trilogy and I applaud Collins for writing it in such a way that ultimately throughout the book, the reader feels sorry for President Snow.
The final installment of my Hunger Games re-read.
This book is the perfect example of demonstrating an unreliable narrator. We only see Snow's actions through his own eyes and only know how he feels about them.
He's a cunning and manipulative person who continually gets away with being in the wrong because of his charm and his name.
Lucy-Gray was an excellent character that was fleshed out and had a history expanding the content of the book. She was loveable and Collins really made me want her to survive.
Seeing the early stages of the Hunger Games, especially the first year that Mentors were introduced, allowed the reader to have a better understanding of how the Games in the original trilogy became what they are. Seeing them from a Captiol point of view instead of a contestant point of view also made for an interesting read. It's made me wonder if perhaps the next prequel will be from a District person's POV for the 50th Games?
Seeing Snow's personality change from when he's in the Capitol to the end of the book is eye opening. Especially because hindsight really sort of shows the reader that he didn't change at all. He was always the way that he ended up being. He just hid and masked it depending on his feelings about the person or people he was around. Lucy-Gray was desirable and a prize that he claimed after she won the Games. Which was an excellent consolation given he was exhiled to the Districts. It was always about power and status for Snow. That's why the ending feels so sudden. Because he has the opportunity for power and status given back to him when he passes the Officiers exam. Lucy-Gray isn't the top prize any more so he wants to discard her and make sure no one else can have her and ensure she can't get in his way.
It's a brilliant addition to the original trilogy and I applaud Collins for writing it in such a way that ultimately throughout the book, the reader feels sorry for President Snow.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4.5
As mentioned with thw previous 2 books, this reread was eye opening.
Katniss is clearly not okay throughout the duration of this book and yet we see her forced into making decision and being the face of a rebellion she doesn't even really understand, all because the ADULTS in her life decided it was what she was doing when she was just trying to survive in the first 2 books.
The lead up to the actual war was slow, but it built anticipation for what was coming. I hated Coin throughout, but was probably biased from previous reads of the book.
When Peeta came to 13 I felt genuine heartbreak for Katniss and for him. He'd become part of the games; which he'd literally said he didn't want to be during book 1.
I felt emotional that Katniss wS trusted by her group during the war, despite the fact they all knew she had made up her own mission. It spoke volumes for how her team viewed her, even when she was clearly not always in the right frame of mind.
I cried when Prim died and felt it wasn't fair, but ultimately it was going to happen right?
I also cried during the epilogue. So so glad to Katniss and Peeta could live in a world where they felt safe to have a family and be free from the trauma of their teenage years.
Katniss is clearly not okay throughout the duration of this book and yet we see her forced into making decision and being the face of a rebellion she doesn't even really understand, all because the ADULTS in her life decided it was what she was doing when she was just trying to survive in the first 2 books.
The lead up to the actual war was slow, but it built anticipation for what was coming. I hated Coin throughout, but was probably biased from previous reads of the book.
When Peeta came to 13 I felt genuine heartbreak for Katniss and for him. He'd become part of the games; which he'd literally said he didn't want to be during book 1.
I felt emotional that Katniss wS trusted by her group during the war, despite the fact they all knew she had made up her own mission. It spoke volumes for how her team viewed her, even when she was clearly not always in the right frame of mind.
I cried when Prim died and felt it wasn't fair, but ultimately it was going to happen right?
I also cried during the epilogue. So so glad to Katniss and Peeta could live in a world where they felt safe to have a family and be free from the trauma of their teenage years.
Snowflakes and Sparks by Sophie-Leigh Robbins
2.0
Honestly, everything was working out a little too well even from the beginning. The "issues" that kept arriving were so quickly resolved that it didn't feel like much was happening at all!
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
5.0
Echoing what so many reviews have said, but what a charming little book this is!
I loved that it was a fantasy book without being too heavily fantasy. It was just a part of it. If you took the fantasy element out of it, it would still be just as charming and just as effective in telling the story.
Linus was so ordinary he felt so relatable. Working away at his job that he was good at. His adventure to the House in the Sea set him free.
I felt pure joy when the verdict was decided and was thrilled when he walked out the office and got on the train back home.
So many happy tears in this book. 5 stars
I loved that it was a fantasy book without being too heavily fantasy. It was just a part of it. If you took the fantasy element out of it, it would still be just as charming and just as effective in telling the story.
Linus was so ordinary he felt so relatable. Working away at his job that he was good at. His adventure to the House in the Sea set him free.
So many happy tears in this book. 5 stars
Only In America by Dominic Holland
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.0
A fun story that gripped me eventually.
I struggled with the writing and formatting of the book, but enjoyed the plot and characters.
I struggled with the writing and formatting of the book, but enjoyed the plot and characters.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
This book ripped my heart out in many different ways and places. I adored Anna and her courage to begin the lawsuit for the rights to her own body. Even if it wasn't really what she wanted.
I loved Campbell for taking on the case and for growing so much as a person throughout the duration.
I felt so many feelings towards Sara and Brian throughout and truly felt their pain.
The ending split me in two. Even after knowing it ended like that from spoilers on the Internet. I'm heartbroken that Anna couldn't grow up to be Kate's little sister. Because we all know she would have donated that kidney like she wanted to in the first place.
5.0
This book ripped my heart out in many different ways and places. I adored Anna and her courage to begin the lawsuit for the rights to her own body. Even if it wasn't really what she wanted.
I loved Campbell for taking on the case and for growing so much as a person throughout the duration.
I felt so many feelings towards Sara and Brian throughout and truly felt their pain.
The ending split me in two. Even after knowing it ended like that from spoilers on the Internet. I'm heartbroken that Anna couldn't grow up to be Kate's little sister. Because we all know she would have donated that kidney like she wanted to in the first place.
You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another easy read by Emily Henry.
Seeing Poppy and Alex come together again whilst being interlaced with stories if their past adventures was a funny, entertaining and almost thought provoking read. I picked this book up as a fun holiday read and wasn't disappointed.
I was rooting for the pair of them the entire time and was desperate to know what had happened in Croatia that pushed them apart.
A fun read and lovable characters.
Seeing Poppy and Alex come together again whilst being interlaced with stories if their past adventures was a funny, entertaining and almost thought provoking read. I picked this book up as a fun holiday read and wasn't disappointed.
I was rooting for the pair of them the entire time and was desperate to know what had happened in Croatia that pushed them apart.
A fun read and lovable characters.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 74%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 74%.
As a re-listen with my parents as part of a holiday and we haven't been in the car for long enough periods since to finish listening. Still a great book!
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
4.0
As mentioned in my review of The Hunger Games, it's so interesting and eye opening yo re-read the books as an adult and not a teenager.
Snow places a hell of a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of Katniss and Peeta to "convince" him they're in love, when really, neither of them truly know what that means.
The lead up to the second Games had be anxious with anticipation and the Games themselves we're almost heartbreaking.
Snow places a hell of a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of Katniss and Peeta to "convince" him they're in love, when really, neither of them truly know what that means.
The lead up to the second Games had be anxious with anticipation and the Games themselves we're almost heartbreaking.