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kyarabereading's reviews
62 reviews
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really enjoy how much you can tell Riordan pulls from Greek mythology in this book series, and it was especially obvious to me in The Sea of Monsters. From the sort of story tropes you see to the characters to the plot points - everything really brings Greek mythology to life for a new generation of readers.
I like that this book helped us get to learn more about this magical world that Percy is now a part of and that it slowly brought us closer to learning about the prophecy that will change Percy's life (and the world) forever. The plot is progressing very nicely, and I'm really excited to see what happens next.
This was a great read, but I will admit, it felt a little filler-y at times. It felt like the plot was moving a bit slow in the middle then had to be wrapped up very quickly at the end. I think this book could have used 100 more pages, so that Riordan could have the time to flesh out some of the storylines in the book and give more 'page time' to plot points that were the most interesting and important to the book series as a whole. In this case, I'm talking about Luke and his goal of bringing Kronos back to life (I know he's not really dead, but I don't know how else to say it lol).
Nonetheless, I am loving this book series so far!
I like that this book helped us get to learn more about this magical world that Percy is now a part of and that it slowly brought us closer to learning about the prophecy that will change Percy's life (and the world) forever. The plot is progressing very nicely, and I'm really excited to see what happens next.
This was a great read, but I will admit, it felt a little filler-y at times. It felt like the plot was moving a bit slow in the middle then had to be wrapped up very quickly at the end. I think this book could have used 100 more pages, so that Riordan could have the time to flesh out some of the storylines in the book and give more 'page time' to plot points that were the most interesting and important to the book series as a whole.
Nonetheless, I am loving this book series so far!
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is a great short story. Super eerie and dark. Says a lot about the struggles women have faced. It's definitely a story to reflect on. I'll admit that where the story was headed felt very obvious and predictable from the start, but it worked for what the story is trying to achieve. Without saying too much, it didn't take away from how purposefully saddening that ending was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
At 22 years old, this is my first time ever reading the Percy Jackson series, and I am loving it so far. I wanted to read it ahead of the upcoming Disney+ series, and I am really looking forward to seeing this book series come to life on screen (again lol).
This is a very fun, adventurous book with loveable characters, interesting lore, and a plot that keeps you hooked. But even though it's a children's book series, at its core, it goes so much deeper than just fun adventures and cool powers. This is a book about neglectful parents, and how it feels to be the children of said parents. This is a book about community, and how finding the right one for you can be life-changing. This is a book about realizing that you are capable of so much more than the negative voices around you say you are. I hope that with the Disney+ series coming out, more kids can be inspired and moved by this series & its characters. And I hope more kids are willing to check out the books as well.
Can't wait to read the next one!
This is a very fun, adventurous book with loveable characters, interesting lore, and a plot that keeps you hooked. But even though it's a children's book series, at its core, it goes so much deeper than just fun adventures and cool powers. This is a book about neglectful parents, and how it feels to be the children of said parents. This is a book about community, and how finding the right one for you can be life-changing. This is a book about realizing that you are capable of so much more than the negative voices around you say you are. I hope that with the Disney+ series coming out, more kids can be inspired and moved by this series & its characters. And I hope more kids are willing to check out the books as well.
Can't wait to read the next one!
Monkey Bridge by Lan Cao
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
This is a beautifully written novel, and many times, I found myself in awe of Cao's writing. It is a beautiful thing to find an author that makes you wish you could write with their same level of creativity and cleverness, but of course, we can't all be Lan Cao. I will admit that sometimes chapters seemed to drag on a bit, and there were times when I would re-read the same passages and not quite understand what Cao was getting at. But nonetheless, I enjoyed the writing, and I think another re-read would help me further understand this novel.
I was glad to get to read a novel about the Vietnam War from the point of view of a Vietnamese refugee. Living in America, the novels and history books I learned from always focused on how the war affected America. I hope more teachers across America are willing to teach more books like Monkey Bridge, because this point of view is so important when discussing the atrocities of that war. This book was very informative and interesting. I genuinely feel like I learned a lot.
Outside of how informative this novel is, it is also very emotional and moving. At its core, it is not just about the history of Vietnam, but it is also a story about a teenage girl and her mother - the struggles within that relationship and the differences that pushed them apart. It is a story about what it feels like to be caught between two worlds because you're both disconnected from your culture but also treated as "other" in America. I'm not Vietnamese, so obviously I do not completely understand or identify with everything that happened in this book, but as a single mother's daughter and as someone who moved from Puerto Rico to the U.S., I saw myself in some parts of this book. I think other women/people of color could feel the same way.
I was glad to get to read a novel about the Vietnam War from the point of view of a Vietnamese refugee. Living in America, the novels and history books I learned from always focused on how the war affected America. I hope more teachers across America are willing to teach more books like Monkey Bridge, because this point of view is so important when discussing the atrocities of that war. This book was very informative and interesting. I genuinely feel like I learned a lot.
Outside of how informative this novel is, it is also very emotional and moving. At its core, it is not just about the history of Vietnam, but it is also a story about a teenage girl and her mother - the struggles within that relationship and the differences that pushed them apart. It is a story about what it feels like to be caught between two worlds because you're both disconnected from your culture but also treated as "other" in America. I'm not Vietnamese, so obviously I do not completely understand or identify with everything that happened in this book, but as a single mother's daughter and as someone who moved from Puerto Rico to the U.S., I saw myself in some parts of this book. I think other women/people of color could feel the same way.
The Heidi Chronicles by Wendy Wasserstein
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I don't often read plays, so it was fun getting to do so. I found the writing very funny and the commentary very interesting.
A Manual for Nothing by Jessica Anne
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.5
I'll admit it: I would finish reading chapters of this book and be left incredibly confused more often than I would like to admit. Mind you, I found some chapters interesting - there were even some I identified with as a woman - and I can definitely see what Anne wanted to achieve with this "manual." But I think it will take a couple of reads for me to fully grasp this story.
It was a really cool experience getting to read a book in a very nontraditional writing style, and I think that if that's something you are looking for, you should definitely check this one out.
It was a really cool experience getting to read a book in a very nontraditional writing style, and I think that if that's something you are looking for, you should definitely check this one out.
Bestiary: Poems by Donika Kelly
emotional
sad
fast-paced
4.0
I don't often read poetry collections, so I was really excited to check this one out. It is beautifully written, it is tragically painful, it is overwhelmingly reflective - I loved those things about Beastiary. I'll admit that I don't know enough about the animals referenced in this poetry collection, and I think if I knew more, it would help me understand Kelly's poetry more profoundly. I gave it a pretty quick read, so I'm hoping to re-read it, spend a little bit more time with it, and do some research as I read so I can understand it further. I look forward to the day I pick this book up again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.25
I have re-read this book a handful of times, and I love it more every time. I appreciate Grande's honesty about the struggles that have impacted her life, the reality of both living in Mexico and being an immigrant in America, and the difficult relationship she had with her family. This book is incredibly informative about parts of Mexico's history, as well as legislation in America that impacted the lives of Mexican immigrants. If you are interested in learning some Mexican history told from the point of view of someone who experienced it, I think this is the book for you. I also think this is a book that a lot of Latinos could identify with and be moved by. I, for one, certainly felt moved by it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read Frankenstein in high school, but I decided to read it again, and it's crazy how much more you can like a book when you don't have to be graded on your understanding of it lol. It's not that I hated it the first time or anything. I just think that essays and tests and whatnot can really take the fun out of reading a book for the first time.
There's not much I can say that hasn't already been said, but I really enjoyed this book. Not only is Shelley's writing incredible, Frankenstein is also a much quicker + easier read than I anticipated. All I'm saying is, there is a reason it is one of the most well-known books of all time.
There's not much I can say that hasn't already been said, but I really enjoyed this book. Not only is Shelley's writing incredible, Frankenstein is also a much quicker + easier read than I anticipated. All I'm saying is, there is a reason it is one of the most well-known books of all time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Murder
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I think this book series is genuinely one of the best YA book series of the 2000s, and I will always stand by that. It is so honest about the atrocities of war, about capitalism, about fame, about the government, about PTSD, about all these things that affect our lives. This is a true reflection of today's world, and I think it's interesting to read it with our real world and history in mind.
But aside from the clear commentary within this book series, what also makes this series incredible is that there is so much heart in it. You truly fall in love with the characters, you enjoy their interactions, you feel for their struggles. This is truly one of the few instances where I read a book, and I felt so connected to the characters that I started tearing up when I realized I was nearing the end of the story. Mockingjay was a bittersweet ending to this book series. It wasn't this perfect happy ending, but it wrapped everything up well, and more importantly, it was realistic. I wouldn't have had it any other way.
But aside from the clear commentary within this book series, what also makes this series incredible is that there is so much heart in it. You truly fall in love with the characters, you enjoy their interactions, you feel for their struggles. This is truly one of the few instances where I read a book, and I felt so connected to the characters that I started tearing up when I realized I was nearing the end of the story. Mockingjay was a bittersweet ending to this book series. It wasn't this perfect happy ending, but it wrapped everything up well, and more importantly, it was realistic. I wouldn't have had it any other way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Violence, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Torture