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kyarabereading's reviews
63 reviews
The Kill Order by James Dashner
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Like all the other books in the Maze Runner series, The Kill Order is a real page-turner. Chapter after chapter gets you sucked into all the action and madness that you can’t quite put the book down. Every gory detail, every action-packed scene, every mystery unlocked, every heart-wrenching moment - they all bring the reader into the tragic world Dashner created. This book was a great addition to the series, helping the reader better understand the events that led the Maze being created in the first place, all the pain the world went through during that time. It almost makes me wish this book came with its own series, so we can learn more about the characters, what the world was like before the flare, etc.
The book is a prequel to the events of the Maze Runner, and it follows the lives of Mark and his friends - people who were all alive when the sun flares first started. For fans of the Maze Runner, it may be odd to read a book with a whole new set of characters. But for me, it was actually sort of refreshing to get to meet a whole new group of people, and Dashner did an incredible job helping us get to know them. I loved seeing their dynamics within the group - the way they care about each other and the way they work together. Most of the book focuses on two characters (Mark and Alec) so if I had any criticism, it would be that I wish we could see more of the other characters that are important to the protagonist (Mark).
The events of this book hit you rather quickly, with the reader being sucked into this world Dashner created almost immediately. That can sometimes be a book’s downfall, but Dashner’s world- building and imagery are so incredible, they help introduce the reader to this world without confusing them. The book is very action-packed and Dashner does a good job of describing all that action. I will say that I do wish the book had more moments where it slowed down a bit so that the reader can have more time to get to know the characters in a less stressful situation/environment. While reading, I often got tired of the fight sequences and wished we could see the characters simply exist without another problem arising.
Finally, I’d like to say that this book is also incredibly emotional. Rarely, do I have a book that makes my heart feel as heavy as this one did. It reminds me why I love these types of dystopian books. They show communities coming together not just to survive, but to live. They show how important love and compassion are. And they show us how when people truly care, they are willing to do just about anything, sacrifice just about anything for one another.
The book is a prequel to the events of the Maze Runner, and it follows the lives of Mark and his friends - people who were all alive when the sun flares first started. For fans of the Maze Runner, it may be odd to read a book with a whole new set of characters. But for me, it was actually sort of refreshing to get to meet a whole new group of people, and Dashner did an incredible job helping us get to know them. I loved seeing their dynamics within the group - the way they care about each other and the way they work together. Most of the book focuses on two characters (Mark and Alec) so if I had any criticism, it would be that I wish we could see more of the other characters that are important to the protagonist (Mark).
The events of this book hit you rather quickly, with the reader being sucked into this world Dashner created almost immediately. That can sometimes be a book’s downfall, but Dashner’s world- building and imagery are so incredible, they help introduce the reader to this world without confusing them. The book is very action-packed and Dashner does a good job of describing all that action. I will say that I do wish the book had more moments where it slowed down a bit so that the reader can have more time to get to know the characters in a less stressful situation/environment. While reading, I often got tired of the fight sequences and wished we could see the characters simply exist without another problem arising.
Finally, I’d like to say that this book is also incredibly emotional. Rarely, do I have a book that makes my heart feel as heavy as this one did. It reminds me why I love these types of dystopian books. They show communities coming together not just to survive, but to live. They show how important love and compassion are. And they show us how when people truly care, they are willing to do just about anything, sacrifice just about anything for one another.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Vomit, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
After We Fell by Anna Todd
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-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
1.0
I read this book series twice in my life: Once as a One-Direction-obsessed preteen and then again when the After movie came out and I wanted to remember what the original book series was like. I read them on Wattpad, so I'm talking ORIGINAL original (mainly because I would not spend my money on this trash). I have a million and one reasons why I don't like this book series, but I don't want to go through them all right now or this would be a very long review.
I reread this series purely for the nostalgia, and I did not enjoy most of it. Yes, at times the characters were loveable and the storylines were interesting. But the series is riddled with bad writing, odd pacing, plot holes, repetitive storylines, etc. It's really not worth reading.
I reread this series purely for the nostalgia, and I did not enjoy most of it. Yes, at times the characters were loveable and the storylines were interesting. But the series is riddled with bad writing, odd pacing, plot holes, repetitive storylines, etc. It's really not worth reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit and Car accident
Minor: Pregnancy
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
This is a book that I heard was really sad before I read it, and though I wasn’t as emotionally invested in it as I thought I would be, I still found it to be an enjoyable read that helped me see life in a different perspective. Before the Coffee Gets Cold is a book made up of 4 different (and very long) chapters with characters going through various different issues in the same little café. Their stories teach us to hold those we love close. They teach us that there is so much power in love and in family (whether it be the one you choose or the one you are born into). I loved the way all the stories wrapped up/connected in the end, emphasizing the connections all the characters (and their stories) had.
Some other things I enjoyed while reading were the character work and the use of magical realism. As for the character work, the characters are loveable, and it was great getting to know them and the bond they all share. As for the magical realism, I found the premise of the book (and the rules that came along with it) very interesting. The rules of time travel were tricky to understand at times, but I didn’t think about it too hard, since I think the true point of the book is the lesson you learn from it.
I did enjoy this read, but unfortunately, I did not enjoy it as much as I hoped. Though the premise of the book was great, the execution could have been better. For one, I found the writing to be pretty uninteresting/unimaginative and, oftentimes, repetitive. There were many times when the author wrote that “x character behaved x way because of x reason” rather than letting their personalities and mannerisms tell us what we need to know. Also, there were times when the author would repeat the same information over and over again, like the rules of time travel or what the café looked like, and I found that repetition unnecessary. These kinds of issues I had with the writing made it hard to connect with the characters on a deeper level, which was disappointing.
Overall, I did find this to be a touching book, mainly because I could relate those situations and issues back to my life, helping me better understand the lessons being taught here. I would recommend it for fans of magical realism who enjoy a quick and easy read.
Some other things I enjoyed while reading were the character work and the use of magical realism. As for the character work, the characters are loveable, and it was great getting to know them and the bond they all share. As for the magical realism, I found the premise of the book (and the rules that came along with it) very interesting. The rules of time travel were tricky to understand at times, but I didn’t think about it too hard, since I think the true point of the book is the lesson you learn from it.
I did enjoy this read, but unfortunately, I did not enjoy it as much as I hoped. Though the premise of the book was great, the execution could have been better. For one, I found the writing to be pretty uninteresting/unimaginative and, oftentimes, repetitive. There were many times when the author wrote that “x character behaved x way because of x reason” rather than letting their personalities and mannerisms tell us what we need to know. Also, there were times when the author would repeat the same information over and over again, like the rules of time travel or what the café looked like, and I found that repetition unnecessary. These kinds of issues I had with the writing made it hard to connect with the characters on a deeper level, which was disappointing.
Overall, I did find this to be a touching book, mainly because I could relate those situations and issues back to my life, helping me better understand the lessons being taught here. I would recommend it for fans of magical realism who enjoy a quick and easy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, and Dementia
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion and Alcohol
Don Quixote of La Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
I’ll be honest and say that this isn’t the type of book I would typically choose to read. I actually got it from the library in my college town when they had one of those “Blind Date With A Book” things. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, especially since I have never read Don Quixote, but I decided to read it anyway and I’m genuinely glad I did. It got me out of my comfort zone as a reader, and I’m very happy about that.
It was a very enjoyable read that was at times oddly deep, at times hilarious, and always full of surprises. I, for one, did not expect a book set in the 16th century to throw in random little references to things that exist in the present! And as random as that may sound, it felt, to me, like it had a purpose. I love how kooky and weird and silly the book is, and how the art style seems to match that kooky-ness so well. It was also, at times, very educational, and it was cool learning a little history through it.
This book genuinely makes me want to read Don Quixote, so I can compare and contrast it with this interpretation of it. As much as I enjoyed it, I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I knew more about the original book. We’ll see if that ends up in my TBR list lol! Also, I would like to say that I don’t particularly think I will ever read this book again, since it’s not the type of book I’m into, but it doesn’t mean I’m not glad I read it. It was still a fun read!
It was a very enjoyable read that was at times oddly deep, at times hilarious, and always full of surprises. I, for one, did not expect a book set in the 16th century to throw in random little references to things that exist in the present! And as random as that may sound, it felt, to me, like it had a purpose. I love how kooky and weird and silly the book is, and how the art style seems to match that kooky-ness so well. It was also, at times, very educational, and it was cool learning a little history through it.
This book genuinely makes me want to read Don Quixote, so I can compare and contrast it with this interpretation of it. As much as I enjoyed it, I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I knew more about the original book. We’ll see if that ends up in my TBR list lol! Also, I would like to say that I don’t particularly think I will ever read this book again, since it’s not the type of book I’m into, but it doesn’t mean I’m not glad I read it. It was still a fun read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Racism and Religious bigotry
Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man: Ultimate Collection, Book 1 by Justin Ponsor, Chris Samnee, David Marquez, VC's Cory Petit, Sara Pichelli, Brian Michael Bendis
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
I am a big DCEU and MCU fan, so I have been wanting to read comic books for a while, but I never really knew where to start. I decided to start with one of my favorite superheroes to come out of the MCU, Miles Morales, and I came across this specific comic book. And I am so so glad that I ended up choosing this one!
For fans of the MCU, a lot of the characters, scenes, plot points, and even some lines will seem very familiar. Without getting into anything specific, it was interesting reading a comic book that references things that I have seen in other Marvel series, movies, and even video games. And I think that's a really good thing - I felt like Bendis did a good job staying true to the characters that are so beloved and storylines that are so well-known. But it isn't totally 100% like the other Spider-Man media I've mentioned. It also has its own unique elements and it lets me know things about these characters' lives that I didn't know before. Also I thought it was cool to engage with Marvel media that wasn't afraid to be a bit gory and dark at times. These types of stories involve a lot of death, pain, fear, etc. and I think it did a good job addressing that part of being a superhero without being overwhelmingly dark.
Because this was my first time reading a graphic novel, I was worried that it would be pretty inaccessible to me. I thought I would have a hard time knowing where I'm supposed to read next or following the plot in general. I would say that this comic book is very easy to follow, and I did not struggle as much as I thought I would. I will say, however, that it felt like it was going in a very fast pace, and I think I'm just not used to that in books. I felt like I was meeting a lot of new characters at once, and it was a bit overwhelming. I imagine that that would be very difficult to handle as somebody who is very new to Marvel and doesn't know all those characters from other media. But maybe it is very common in comic books, and I just wouldn't know!
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read, and I'm very excited to read more comic books in the future! I would definitely love reading more of Bendis' work as well.
For fans of the MCU, a lot of the characters, scenes, plot points, and even some lines will seem very familiar. Without getting into anything specific, it was interesting reading a comic book that references things that I have seen in other Marvel series, movies, and even video games. And I think that's a really good thing - I felt like Bendis did a good job staying true to the characters that are so beloved and storylines that are so well-known. But it isn't totally 100% like the other Spider-Man media I've mentioned. It also has its own unique elements and it lets me know things about these characters' lives that I didn't know before. Also I thought it was cool to engage with Marvel media that wasn't afraid to be a bit gory and dark at times. These types of stories involve a lot of death, pain, fear, etc. and I think it did a good job addressing that part of being a superhero without being overwhelmingly dark.
Because this was my first time reading a graphic novel, I was worried that it would be pretty inaccessible to me. I thought I would have a hard time knowing where I'm supposed to read next or following the plot in general. I would say that this comic book is very easy to follow, and I did not struggle as much as I thought I would. I will say, however, that it felt like it was going in a very fast pace, and I think I'm just not used to that in books. I felt like I was meeting a lot of new characters at once, and it was a bit overwhelming. I imagine that that would be very difficult to handle as somebody who is very new to Marvel and doesn't know all those characters from other media. But maybe it is very common in comic books, and I just wouldn't know!
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read, and I'm very excited to read more comic books in the future! I would definitely love reading more of Bendis' work as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
This is a book that I have been looking forward to reading for quite some time, so it's disappointing to say that I did not enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I simply do not understand the hype that this book gets. For me, it felt like in all areas, the book does not go far enough. The world-building is interesting, but the author could have gone a little bit deeper. The relationships among the characters (particularly the main two) are great, but not strong enough to seem believable. Simply, there is not enough chemistry between any of them. I appreciate that the author attempted to write dialogue that seems a little bit more like how Black and Latine teenagers would speak, but it came off as a little awkward and unrealistic at times.
The other points of view that were added into the story were interesting, but they did not really add much to the overall story, so I felt like the book could have gone without them. I liked that those different POVs showed how all these different characters were connected one way or another, and they also showed how other people were affected by the rules of this world Silvera created. But it just didn't really do much for the overall plot. If anything, if Silvera didn't add them to the story, he could have spent that time focusing on building the relationship between the main characters a bit more, rather than introducing a bunch of characters that we won't get to know all that well.
It was a good book, but it didn't really make me feel anything for any of the characters or the situation they were going through. A lot of people swear that this is one of the saddest books they've ever read, and it just simply did not evoke any emotion in me. It's a shame, because the overall idea behind the book is very interesting, but just not enough for me to ever want to read this book again.
The other points of view that were added into the story were interesting, but they did not really add much to the overall story, so I felt like the book could have gone without them. I liked that those different POVs showed how all these different characters were connected one way or another, and they also showed how other people were affected by the rules of this world Silvera created. But it just didn't really do much for the overall plot. If anything, if Silvera didn't add them to the story, he could have spent that time focusing on building the relationship between the main characters a bit more, rather than introducing a bunch of characters that we won't get to know all that well.
It was a good book, but it didn't really make me feel anything for any of the characters or the situation they were going through. A lot of people swear that this is one of the saddest books they've ever read, and it just simply did not evoke any emotion in me. It's a shame, because the overall idea behind the book is very interesting, but just not enough for me to ever want to read this book again.
The Other Side of Summer by Emily Gale
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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
3.75
I didn't know much about this book before I started reading it, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I liked it. I like Gale's writing style. It is simple, but I think her writing style's strength lies in that - it is part of what makes it so beautiful and impactful. When it comes to the plot, I like that this book covers major topics such as grief, depression, family problems, etc. in such a accurate and thoughtful way. I also like that Gale delivers a message through this novel that everybody deals with tough times differently but it is possible to get through them. I also enjoyed "meeting" all the different characters in this novel. Gale does a good job of making her characters feel like real people with their own motives, struggles, personalities, etc. Sometimes I wish we could have gotten to know them better, but I also understand that this story's main focus was Summer, Gabe, and Floyd, so it would have been tough to include other characters more. The one major critique I will give is that the magical elements of this book seemed to have come out of nowhere for me as a reader. It was strange that I had almost reached the halfway point in the book when those magical elements started showing up. At that point, I had expected this to be a regular YA novel, so it threw me off big time. But I'm also not sure how else would have been a good way to include them, so all things considered, it wasn't that bad. After a while, I got used to it and realized that the magic made this story stronger because it gave it an unique touch. It also gave it a sense of mystery, which made me curious about what Summer would uncover next and kept me hooked on the book.
I don't think I was the target demographic age-wise, but I think this is a book any YA lover could enjoy, especially if you are a fan of books that move at a slower pace.
I don't think I was the target demographic age-wise, but I think this is a book any YA lover could enjoy, especially if you are a fan of books that move at a slower pace.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Grief
Minor: Death, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
About the writing style:
When I started reading this book, I was immediately thrown off by the writing style. The writing style is more poetic than other novels I have read, so it almost made me want to put the book down. But I stuck through it and ended up liking Lockhart's style of writing more than I expected.
About the plot:
I felt like the plot is very interesting, but I was frustrated with the fact that it starts off moving so slow, then in the last twenty pages or so, plot twist after plot twist after plot twist is revealed. I almost wish that Lockhart would have included more hints, more flashbacks throughout the story, so they wouldn't just be in the last bit of the book. But, all in all, the ending felt pretty satisfying all things considered. I wouldn't want it any other way.
About the characters:
I wanted to like the characters so bad, and a part of me did, but mostly I just had a hard time connecting to/caring about any of them. Maybe it has some thing to do with the fact that they are mega-rich and super privileged, and I'm not. They also just didn't feel like real people sometimes. But even with all that, the characters had moments that made me genuinely like them/feel bad for them/etc. I wish there would have been more character development for characters other than Cadence, then maybe I would have liked them more.
Overall:
This was a good read. I would probably reread this story, especially to better understand how Lockhart set up every chapter in preparation for the plot twist.
When I started reading this book, I was immediately thrown off by the writing style. The writing style is more poetic than other novels I have read, so it almost made me want to put the book down. But I stuck through it and ended up liking Lockhart's style of writing more than I expected.
About the plot:
I felt like the plot is very interesting, but I was frustrated with the fact that it starts off moving so slow, then in the last twenty pages or so, plot twist after plot twist after plot twist is revealed. I almost wish that Lockhart would have included more hints, more flashbacks throughout the story, so they wouldn't just be in the last bit of the book. But, all in all, the ending felt pretty satisfying all things considered. I wouldn't want it any other way.
About the characters:
I wanted to like the characters so bad, and a part of me did, but mostly I just had a hard time connecting to/caring about any of them. Maybe it has some thing to do with the fact that they are mega-rich and super privileged, and I'm not. They also just didn't feel like real people sometimes. But even with all that, the characters had moments that made me genuinely like them/feel bad for them/etc. I wish there would have been more character development for characters other than Cadence, then maybe I would have liked them more.
Overall:
This was a good read. I would probably reread this story, especially to better understand how Lockhart set up every chapter in preparation for the plot twist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death
Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I think Adjei-Brenyah does a good job of mixing in commentary of very real social issues with very absurd elements of fantasy. It's those crazy twists that each story has that really drew me in as a reader and helped me want to find the meaning behind each story. The book covers really dark topics that make you want to put the book down because they can be hard to stomach, but Adjei-Brenyah's writing style is so beautiful and haunting and interesting that I couldn't bring myself to do so. Also, some stories shine more than others, but I think that's expected of any short story collection. Overall, this was a very enjoyable read, and I will definitely be reading it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Racism, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, and Abortion
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
I had to read this book for my AP Literature class back in 2018-ish, but I was a lazy high school student so I never read it. Plus, I didn't really care much for the story of Chris McCandless, so I thought "why bother?" I finally decided to give it a read this summer, and I have to say, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It's not usually the type of book I read, so it was a huge surprise to me.
Since it's a nonfiction story, one may be inclined to think it would be really boring (and I will admit, some parts are a bit boring) but the author does a great job of bringing these "characters" to life. Krakauer really takes the reader on this journey with him, helping the reader better understand the journey Chris McCandless went through that led him to his untimely death in Alaska. I like that we not only learn more about McCandless's life: We also see Krakauer reflect on his personal experiences, provide historical information and connect it to McCandless's story, try to uncover the cause of McCandless's death, etc. I will say that I was even moved by McCandless's philosophy through this book. Before I even read the book, I had made preconceived notions about McCandless so I disliked him for all the reasons other people who learned about him after his death disliked him: He seemed pretentious, he did something reckless, etc. But I grew to appreciate him more through this book (though I still don't really like him very much). I think there's a lesson to be learned in that.
Final thoughts: Krakauer's writing is what compelled me to finish this book the most. Sometimes I forgot that I was reading a nonfiction book because he did such a good job storytelling in a way that makes the reader feel like they are there with him/with Chris. I would probably read this one again!
Since it's a nonfiction story, one may be inclined to think it would be really boring (and I will admit, some parts are a bit boring) but the author does a great job of bringing these "characters" to life. Krakauer really takes the reader on this journey with him, helping the reader better understand the journey Chris McCandless went through that led him to his untimely death in Alaska. I like that we not only learn more about McCandless's life: We also see Krakauer reflect on his personal experiences, provide historical information and connect it to McCandless's story, try to uncover the cause of McCandless's death, etc. I will say that I was even moved by McCandless's philosophy through this book. Before I even read the book, I had made preconceived notions about McCandless so I disliked him for all the reasons other people who learned about him after his death disliked him: He seemed pretentious, he did something reckless, etc. But I grew to appreciate him more through this book (though I still don't really like him very much). I think there's a lesson to be learned in that.
Final thoughts: Krakauer's writing is what compelled me to finish this book the most. Sometimes I forgot that I was reading a nonfiction book because he did such a good job storytelling in a way that makes the reader feel like they are there with him/with Chris. I would probably read this one again!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death