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ladybanecourt's reviews
94 reviews
Fifty Shames of Earl Grey by Andrew Shaffer, Fanny Merkin
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
✨3/5✨
The book was so over-the-top with its jokes that it seemed either not to deliver or to be so ridiculous. A lighter read, though, and the references are great.
The book was so over-the-top with its jokes that it seemed either not to deliver or to be so ridiculous. A lighter read, though, and the references are great.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
✨5/5✨
"Snow lands on top."
This was such an interesting book!! It is easy to hate Snow from reading the first Hunger Games books as it gives us the impression that he is just downright evil. But this prequel, set from Snow's life from before, gives us key points about his character, past, and motivations. Definitely a good read.
P. S. Sejanus is my favorite character fr
"Snow lands on top."
This was such an interesting book!! It is easy to hate Snow from reading the first Hunger Games books as it gives us the impression that he is just downright evil. But this prequel, set from Snow's life from before, gives us key points about his character, past, and motivations. Definitely a good read.
P. S. Sejanus is my favorite character fr
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Police brutality
Moderate: Drug abuse, Addiction, and Torture
Minor: Classism, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
✨4.5/5✨
Stunning, brilliant, fantastic—there are so many words to describe the book. It made me cry so many times, it made me tense so many times, and it was heavy in a way that clings to your heart and perhaps your very being after you read it. It highlights so many realistic tragedies of war, and I think it's a book worth reading for that alone.
Stunning, brilliant, fantastic—there are so many words to describe the book. It made me cry so many times, it made me tense so many times, and it was heavy in a way that clings to your heart and perhaps your very being after you read it. It highlights so many realistic tragedies of war, and I think it's a book worth reading for that alone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, War, Death, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, and Torture
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Murder, and Trafficking
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
✨4.5/5✨
More tense than the last book, for sure! The second book in the Hunger Games is a brilliant combination of deadly and tense, woven with intricate character motivations that really gets you. I just can't help but want a little more time with some characters because I got attached too, but still. Wonderful! Series definitely made its way to my heart.
More tense than the last book, for sure! The second book in the Hunger Games is a brilliant combination of deadly and tense, woven with intricate character motivations that really gets you. I just can't help but want a little more time with some characters because I got attached too, but still. Wonderful! Series definitely made its way to my heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Suicide, Addiction, and Panic attacks/disorders
Twinkle, Twinkle, Nighttime Sky by Elizabeth Everett
informative
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
✨5/5✨
Read this book with my toddler cousin and he seemed so very interested to learn things! It's a very nice book, and definitely recommended for kids at a young age, but I bet the adults would have fun reading it too (I sure did)!
Read this book with my toddler cousin and he seemed so very interested to learn things! It's a very nice book, and definitely recommended for kids at a young age, but I bet the adults would have fun reading it too (I sure did)!
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
✨5/5✨
First solid five of the year for me! It's simply a book that I couldn't put down once I started reading, had to force myself away a few times because of things and all. But it's definitely one its way to becoming one of my favorite series—we'll see!
First solid five of the year for me! It's simply a book that I couldn't put down once I started reading, had to force myself away a few times because of things and all. But it's definitely one its way to becoming one of my favorite series—we'll see!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Police brutality, Murder, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, and Medical trauma
Minor: Ableism
The Nameless Trickster by Rebecca F. Kenney
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
✨4/5✨
What else can I say besides I literally devoured this book when I'm supposed to be reading other ones for class? I love, love, love the For the Love of the Villain series and this new one was literally amazing. The evolution of the characters remains a truly fascinating aspect of the series and though I think this was a little darker than the previous ones this was still a solid one in my book.
What else can I say besides I literally devoured this book when I'm supposed to be reading other ones for class? I love, love, love the For the Love of the Villain series and this new one was literally amazing. The evolution of the characters remains a truly fascinating aspect of the series and though I think this was a little darker than the previous ones this was still a solid one in my book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Torture
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Body horror, Slavery, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, and Trafficking
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Murder
Moral Politics in the Philippines: Inequality, Democracy and the Urban Poor by Wataru Kusaka
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
✨4/5✨
A fascinating read and take into the Philippine political system and the antagonisms that surround it. A close look into the inner workings of the machine, it provides the reader something to think about, something that lingers even as the book is finished.
A fascinating read and take into the Philippine political system and the antagonisms that surround it. A close look into the inner workings of the machine, it provides the reader something to think about, something that lingers even as the book is finished.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth by Warsan Shire
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
✨5/5✨
Something that is filled with raw emotions, raw stories, raw everything. I read this as something that could clutch my 2023 reading challenge, but this gave me so much more. The emotions I felt, the power behind the words of the author, they all culminated into a collection that brought me to feel a fire in my chest.
I love this book.
Something that is filled with raw emotions, raw stories, raw everything. I read this as something that could clutch my 2023 reading challenge, but this gave me so much more. The emotions I felt, the power behind the words of the author, they all culminated into a collection that brought me to feel a fire in my chest.
I love this book.
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
✨4.25/5✨
This is the third-ever fairytale retelling that I have read, and let me tell you something: fairytale retellings slap. I can confidently tell you that I found this book to be a wonderful retelling that really just boils down to taking back our control over the narrative. To raise our voice against oppression and not be silent to the plight of our fellow people.
It's filled with interesting characters and a storyline that kept me hooked whenever I read it. Plus, as someone who has a short attention span, the short chapters kept me engaged, so that's definitely a plus in my book.
Cinderella Is Dead is definitely a story that deals with a lot of heavy themes, and though it is fantastical in its setting, it exposes heavy-hitting truths about a society that reflects our own. You'll definitely find out when you read the book, so I encourage you to read it! ✨
P.S. For a lot of reasons, I feel like this book will make for a REALLY good film. I'd definitely watch.
This is the third-ever fairytale retelling that I have read, and let me tell you something: fairytale retellings slap. I can confidently tell you that I found this book to be a wonderful retelling that really just boils down to taking back our control over the narrative. To raise our voice against oppression and not be silent to the plight of our fellow people.
It's filled with interesting characters and a storyline that kept me hooked whenever I read it. Plus, as someone who has a short attention span, the short chapters kept me engaged, so that's definitely a plus in my book.
Cinderella Is Dead is definitely a story that deals with a lot of heavy themes, and though it is fantastical in its setting, it exposes heavy-hitting truths about a society that reflects our own. You'll definitely find out when you read the book, so I encourage you to read it! ✨
P.S. For a lot of reasons, I feel like this book will make for a REALLY good film. I'd definitely watch.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Death, Misogyny, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Trafficking
Minor: Homophobia