lilradridinghood's reviews
483 reviews

Mala & the Mask of Gold by Jaime Martin Ko Atilano

adventurous hopeful informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

I'm not really a fan of the siblings' narrative voices and the unnatural dialogue, but they do suit the story in a way. I find the plot really compelling and love the incorporation of Filipino mythology. It's definitely a very special book.

Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

It's ok. I wish Juliette and Warner's narrative voices were more distinct from each other. This book is definitely the start of a whole new story arc, but it's too early for me to say whether it's worth continuing after the third book.

The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.

Excessive description and worldbuilding. I can't imagine getting through the book without skimming most of it. Characters are boring. The guy goes from wanting to kill her to lowkey pining for her without any realistic development. I cannot go on.

The Death I Gave Him by Em X. Liu
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.

eloquent prose but boring characters

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm

Penguindrum (Light Novel) Vol. 1 by Kei Takahashi, Kunihiko Ikuhara

medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

I found it pretty meh even as a fan of the show. It keeps changing POV which can be kinda jarring. But it's still interesting to get the characters' internal thoughts (except when we get more of Kanba's disgusting feelings for Himari 😬).

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Incest

Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening by Marjorie Liu

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

VERY dark but Kippa is my precious little fox child and I love her

Jade Fire Gold by June CL Tan

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

4.0

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.

I do not like the writing style. I often don't mind a lot of telling over showing, but it has to at least be CONVINCING. Everything is just too surface level. The romance does not appeal to me at all. I was promised an "intense academic rivalry" but this is just two girlies with a crush. So what if they mildly annoy each other? The book focuses just as much, if not more, on their attraction to each other from their first meeting.

Babel by R.F. Kuang

challenging informative reflective medium-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

5.0

Azula in the Spirit Temple by Faith Erin Hicks

4.0