latashman's reviews
218 reviews

Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen

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funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This is a great quick and light read that covers the counterfeit luxury item industry along with the expectations that are put on mothers and Asian Americans. Loved the twist in the second half of the book, didn't see it coming and immediately thought back on everything I'd heard so far and think about it in a new light. 
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

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adventurous emotional slow-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

3.5

I found this book to be boring and tediously long. The ending sequence was execiting, but the wait to get there was excruciating.
Shady Hollow by Juneau Black

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

This book reminds me of Zootopia with more adult topics. The characters being woodland creatures made the murder mystery more palatable and cozy for a quick read. I found the writing humorous in the descriptions of the animals, their jobs, and filled with puns.
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The Fury by Alex Michaelides

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
I had jury duty at this time and couldn't handle another dark book at the moment. 
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

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dark emotional sad fast-paced

4.5

Loved the audiobook! I've always loved Britney and her music. This was a great behind the scenes view of some of the iconic performances and moments she had in her life. 
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Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

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emotional inspiring sad 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? Yes

4.5

Loved this book and the story of finding your family when you think there is no one else. Standing with each other despite the history of your family. I listened on audiobook and enjoyed the narrator's and the lyricism of the book. 
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The Only One Left by Riley Sager

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book did a great job of building up the tense atmosphere as we learn more about the story. I think the characters are complicated. I loved some of them, and despised a lot. I enjoyed the epilogue/follow-up info at the end I was shocked. 
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Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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dark emotional fast-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

4.0

I really enjoyed this book! I think it is a good retelling of several famous stories from the 70s music scene. Daisy Jones is not a likable character, and I don't think she is supposed to be. They were celebrities and celebrities are most often a let down when you meet them in person, because they are just people. 

I thought the audiobook was great! It did take a little getting used to since it was basically an interview/documentary style. When I first listened to this with my partner, he thought the book was nonfiction. 
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None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Listened to the audiobook and loved the cast and audio for the podcast sections. This book is really dark and has a lot of potentially triggering content, please check warnings. 

I liked that the ending is left a little open. We have a general idea of what happened, but the truth is probably somewhere in the middle due to all the unreliable narrators in the book. 
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A Thief Among the Trees: An Ember in the Ashes Graphic Novel by Sabaa Tahir

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This was a nice short novella as a prequel to the Ember in the Ashes series. It left me wanting more stories about Helene and Elias growing up and how Elias ended up with the notions he did as an adult. If I had not read An Ember in the Ashes before, I might not like this graphic novel. I think the authors rely on the reader knowing the basic dynamics of the group and this world. There is almost no world building and it mostly focuses on relationships and ethical decisions the trio make.
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