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lanidon's reviews
1793 reviews
The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years by Shubnum Khan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Didn't vibe with the writing style
Those Who Wait by Haley Cass
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
DNF @ 41%
I was enjoying this up until the sex scene. It seems to shift the story in a very unenjoyable way, like it all flattens out. I also really disliked the sex scene itself
It also really was a choice to overwrite the single real world presidency of a black man with a white woman in this alternate history. To genuinely take those same years and transfer them over was a privileged oversight at best. Maybe I missed it and there was a different first black president years before, idk
I was enjoying this up until the sex scene. It seems to shift the story in a very unenjoyable way, like it all flattens out. I also really disliked the sex scene itself
It also really was a choice to overwrite the single real world presidency of a black man with a white woman in this alternate history. To genuinely take those same years and transfer them over was a privileged oversight at best. Maybe I missed it and there was a different first black president years before, idk
A Traitorous Heart by Erin Cotter
4.0
I'm glad they at least admit the relationship drama could've been solved in a five minute conversation
The Afterdark by E. Latimer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 77%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 77%.
DNF @ 77%
This book has so many elements and only some of them work for me. Others were clunky or frustrating and I simply didn't care to finish. The opening through the exposition about the school was SO GOOD and intriguing that it kept me going longer than I typically would
I also felt like the two MCs did not have unique enough voices for me to feel the shift between their perspectives. I kept having to check who the chapter was about because they feel the same stylistically. Additionally, I really hated their romance, it was so fast and so graphic and didn't fit for me
This book has so many elements and only some of them work for me. Others were clunky or frustrating and I simply didn't care to finish. The opening through the exposition about the school was SO GOOD and intriguing that it kept me going longer than I typically would
I also felt like the two MCs did not have unique enough voices for me to feel the shift between their perspectives. I kept having to check who the chapter was about because they feel the same stylistically. Additionally, I really hated their romance, it was so fast and so graphic and didn't fit for me
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
Did not finish book. Stopped at 88%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 88%.
DNF @ 88%
That's right, I quit with just 12%, barely an hour, left. I couldn't do it. This book pissed me off so bad because it IS good. The characters, the setup, the dynamic, it's all good. BUT THEN. The author decided to make the tension in this book the dumbest miscommunication DESPITE the strength of the couple being their open honesty and willingness to discuss every difficult topic.
You really want me to believe these two wouldn't have worked out this simple misunderstanding the same day it happened?? They're too healthy and considerate of each other for this nonsense.
Then it was solved in thirty seconds like it always is with this trope and that's what really riled me up. C'mon dude, you can do better than this annoying, cheap trick.
You could've actually explored how she doesn't feel like she can move past what happened in her marriage into a new relationship, despite him being a good guy. You could've gone deeper into the strange predicament of the kidney donation and how that feels inherently transactional and maybe they shouldn't date until that's settled. There are many ways to build tension while still communicating properly.
That's right, I quit with just 12%, barely an hour, left. I couldn't do it. This book pissed me off so bad because it IS good. The characters, the setup, the dynamic, it's all good. BUT THEN. The author decided to make the tension in this book the dumbest miscommunication DESPITE the strength of the couple being their open honesty and willingness to discuss every difficult topic.
You really want me to believe these two wouldn't have worked out this simple misunderstanding the same day it happened?? They're too healthy and considerate of each other for this nonsense.
Then it was solved in thirty seconds like it always is with this trope and that's what really riled me up. C'mon dude, you can do better than this annoying, cheap trick.
You could've actually explored how she doesn't feel like she can move past what happened in her marriage into a new relationship, despite him being a good guy. You could've gone deeper into the strange predicament of the kidney donation and how that feels inherently transactional and maybe they shouldn't date until that's settled. There are many ways to build tension while still communicating properly.
Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
DNF @ 7%
I genuinely couldn't finish the scene. Why is this man PISSED that he got the wrong name for her and not at all bothered by the fact he was just heavy flirting with someone who reports to him.... It's so cringey I couldn't keep reading. Why is Izzy admitting to a new employer that she stole someone else's coffee instead of just laughing it off and saying "haha you know Starbucks always gets names wrong, I tried to correct the employee but she already wrote Amy so I just went with it"
I genuinely couldn't finish the scene. Why is this man PISSED that he got the wrong name for her and not at all bothered by the fact he was just heavy flirting with someone who reports to him.... It's so cringey I couldn't keep reading. Why is Izzy admitting to a new employer that she stole someone else's coffee instead of just laughing it off and saying "haha you know Starbucks always gets names wrong, I tried to correct the employee but she already wrote Amy so I just went with it"
Asunder by Kerstin Hall
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
DNF @ 35%
I was enjoying this fine enough, not super invested but still, and then the entire story halts for the mc to go home and deal with family drama we didn't even know about before this. It just completely lost me. There didn't feel like there was buildup to this side story, we're just bouncing along the main plot and a letter comes out of nowhere. I couldn't get myself to pick it back up.
Things I did like about the book: the portal realm mechanics, the concept of having someone live in your shadow, the bird scholar lady, the general way fantastical elements were discussed scientifically rather than mystically
I was enjoying this fine enough, not super invested but still, and then the entire story halts for the mc to go home and deal with family drama we didn't even know about before this. It just completely lost me. There didn't feel like there was buildup to this side story, we're just bouncing along the main plot and a letter comes out of nowhere. I couldn't get myself to pick it back up.
Things I did like about the book: the portal realm mechanics, the concept of having someone live in your shadow, the bird scholar lady, the general way fantastical elements were discussed scientifically rather than mystically
A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
So I had to pause because I need to recalibrate with it, but I really am enjoying it. The mc is an old, rambling storyteller so you really have to get down with his voice. I need to read it while chilling on a hammock or something, maybe at a bonfire, by the sea, idk. I was trying to read in between tasks at work and that is NOT the vibe, my brain was *too* active and seeking out plot
This guy is exactly like the leader of my hiking group who will talk to any stranger for an hour and can find four leaf clovers while walking through grass (his record is eight clovers picked on an hour hike) and smoking a pipe
This guy is exactly like the leader of my hiking group who will talk to any stranger for an hour and can find four leaf clovers while walking through grass (his record is eight clovers picked on an hour hike) and smoking a pipe
The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood
4.0
This would genuinely be a perfect book without the weird sex stuff. A character who has never even been interested in the concept of romance or sex suddenly hops into bed and then is insatiable?? To the point of having to pull over during a drive the next day for a quickie?!?! The author should've either not made virginity a huge thing in the book OR should've allowed the character to be ace like she feels at the start and not brought sex in at all
Regardless, this is a thoroughly charming book. I really enjoy how the focus is on the mc learning to love *life* and *everyone* around her, rather than just some man. The entire cast is enjoyable and how they interact is an element I'm always looking for in books. The world is beautiful and strange and you have to get out of your head and your house to truly appreciate it
Regardless, this is a thoroughly charming book. I really enjoy how the focus is on the mc learning to love *life* and *everyone* around her, rather than just some man. The entire cast is enjoyable and how they interact is an element I'm always looking for in books. The world is beautiful and strange and you have to get out of your head and your house to truly appreciate it
A Sky of Emerald Stars by A.K. Mulford
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Dnf @ 24%
I couldn't get into this one, I think I split POV made it feel far too choppy. The author should've stepped back and let Sadie's story shine. Instead it still feels like Calla's book when their story felt pleasantly resolved in the first one. I could've easily finished it, but I have other holds from the library that interest me more
I couldn't get into this one, I think I split POV made it feel far too choppy. The author should've stepped back and let Sadie's story shine. Instead it still feels like Calla's book when their story felt pleasantly resolved in the first one. I could've easily finished it, but I have other holds from the library that interest me more