lilradridinghood's reviews
482 reviews

XOXO by Axie Oh

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

It was cute, but not enough to make my heart flutter. I think the problems that were brought up with the main characters' relationship were kinda just ignored in the end with no real solution. I wish Jaewoo did more to be considerate of Jenny. I also had mixed feelings about Jenny's roommate because she was really rude for a while.

Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous by Suzanne Park
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.

Cannot handle the secondhand embarrassment

The Unstoppable Wasp: Built on Hope by Sam Maggs

informative 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

3.5

I really loved this at first and was planning to give it five stars, but I don't like the pacing. The last 20% is entirely plot-focused, and I preferred the character-focused parts of the novel. The actual plot related to the AI assistant is predictable and not very interesting. However, I was interested in everything else going on in Nadia's life--and there is a lot.

I loved getting a deeper look into Nadia's thoughts because she has so much going on in her mind. The prose has a very lively tone, but it's not annoying the way some YA novels with more immature protagonists can be. I really love Nadia, and even though she doesn't always make the best decisions, she is trying her best to take care of herself. This books talks a lot about her bipolar disorder and how she needs to be mindful of it.

The book explains everything you need to know, so you don't have to read the comics first. It does spoil some things from the comics though, and it might feel like a lot of infodumping if this is your first introduction to the characters. As someone who did read the comics, I found the character explanations to simply be a nice recap, and I loved seeing Nadia spend more time with her chosen family.

The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song
Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.

Very repetitive and in-your-face when it comes to the main character's ambition and supposed greed. I wanted to root for her at first, and the side characters like Sparrow seemed fun. But I just stopped caring. I feel like I would like it if it just said less and let the readers observe the protagonist's character themselves.

The Blood Orchid by Kylie Lee Baker

adventurous hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

I did like the first book more, but I still have to give this five stars because the last hundred pages or so were SO. GOOD.

It was good before then too, but I just prefer the palace intrigue of the first book over this quest that takes Zilan to different places. I also went into this book with my opinion of Zilan's cousins already soured, so it took a while for me to actually like them again.

But I do love Zilan all throughout this book. Her background of poverty remains an important part of her character, and it makes every moment of triumph feel earned. There's also another character who adds some unexpected personality to their party. This was a really great book and a FANTASTIC conclusion to this duology.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood

Ghost Roast by Shawnelle Gibbs, Shawneé Gibbs
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.

I feel like I'm too old to be reading about someone who cares that much about high school popularity.

MeSseD Vol 1: Follow the Flush, Volume 1 by Jay B. Kalagayan

• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I think the art is really cool, but there's not much of a plot. I see a potential plot happening with the allicroc treaty, but not enough happens in this first volume to grab my interest. We just get to see Lilliput's encounters with monsters and people in the sewer. The dialogue is lacking since main character doesn't really speak in full sentences.

Sandali by Mikey Jimenez, Mikey Marchan

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

The first two and the very last story didn't really do anything for me, but I liked everything else. My favorites were Cosplaya' Hata' and Present. One is about a cosplayer who runs into his former bully, and the other is about two coworkers talking and reminiscing while outside a Christmas party.  It's really great to see these moments in the characters' lives, and to see what the creators were able to accomplish within so few pages.

Twinkle, Twinkle by Tori Tadiar

fast-paced

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

4.0

The art is GORGEOUS and the story is interesting! The end was pretty satisfying too. I just wish the characters were developed more so I could care about what happens to them. Even though it's obvious the twins care about their ate, I don't really feel that connection on an emotional level.

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.

The main character is basically Scrooge.