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livsinbooks's reviews
166 reviews
The Fall of the House of Usher: A Graphic Novel by Edgar Allan Poe, Raul Garcia
5.0
Beautiful. I listened to the audiobook yesterday and retained zero information. Then I stumbled upon this beauty and I get it now. Upon another listen after reading this, I am totally in love with this story. I hope everyone gets to have this visual experience to go along with this timeless story of madness.
Basketful of Heads #1 by Joe Hill
5.0
BRO. Heads WILL fucking roll. What the fuck? What did I read? What is this? Why am I in love with it? I need another psych eval. Bloody. Not what I was expecting at all but exactly what I was expecting at the same time. When I get comic money again I’ll be continuing this.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
5.0
9.0 1010105810
This made me realize way too much about myself. There are things that were normal to me until I read this book. Thank god I was in therapy when I read this or I think I would’ve had a full mental breakdown. It’s so well written, like we’re old friends and she’s telling me about her life. It has mental staying power but I don’t know if I could bring myself to reread in the next five years purely due to our trauma being so similar. It’s a wonderful book and I think everyone between college and 35 should be required to read this. It’s the subtle abuses that sometimes hurt more than physical. The quote about the guilt spiral absolutely did me in and it defines my recovery. I’m so thankful she wrote this book.
This made me realize way too much about myself. There are things that were normal to me until I read this book. Thank god I was in therapy when I read this or I think I would’ve had a full mental breakdown. It’s so well written, like we’re old friends and she’s telling me about her life. It has mental staying power but I don’t know if I could bring myself to reread in the next five years purely due to our trauma being so similar. It’s a wonderful book and I think everyone between college and 35 should be required to read this. It’s the subtle abuses that sometimes hurt more than physical. The quote about the guilt spiral absolutely did me in and it defines my recovery. I’m so thankful she wrote this book.
The Wicked King by Holly Black
5.0
9.4 1089910109
This has the second book fatigue for sure. A lot of it is setting up book three. A lot of it is much more political than the first by leagues so if you truly couldn’t stand it in the first one I don’t think you’ll like it considering… its keeping the power of the kingdom is top priority for the protagonist.
That aside, this book has a lot of little moments I really love. It has a ton of flirty which yeah we all knew it was going to get there. It’s still heavy on the I’m stabbing you in the near future just you wait but now there’s a little smile to it.
It makes you hate everyone you despise even more and makes you have warm fuzzies for all the ones you loved to hate. It’s more of the castle which is love. Any of the scenes set in the castle are just absolutely brilliant pieces of art.
I really loved this and only had the first two. (My very proper Christian grandmother purchased the first two for reasons only god knows) So… my first trip to the library in a decade and a half to get the third and..: They didn’t have it. So… I read a couple other books first.
This has the second book fatigue for sure. A lot of it is setting up book three. A lot of it is much more political than the first by leagues so if you truly couldn’t stand it in the first one I don’t think you’ll like it considering… its keeping the power of the kingdom is top priority for the protagonist.
That aside, this book has a lot of little moments I really love. It has a ton of flirty which yeah we all knew it was going to get there. It’s still heavy on the I’m stabbing you in the near future just you wait but now there’s a little smile to it.
It makes you hate everyone you despise even more and makes you have warm fuzzies for all the ones you loved to hate. It’s more of the castle which is love. Any of the scenes set in the castle are just absolutely brilliant pieces of art.
I really loved this and only had the first two. (My very proper Christian grandmother purchased the first two for reasons only god knows) So… my first trip to the library in a decade and a half to get the third and..: They didn’t have it. So… I read a couple other books first.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
5.0
9.6 101081010910
My first Holly Black book was Tithe and I’ve been a Holly stan ever since. There is something about the way she writes faerie. It feels true. It feels like a place you can get stolen away to. This book is beautiful in its own right. It would’ve gotten a true 5 star but I do feel like having read Tithe before this one really did help me understand why faerie was the way it was. That is not a dealbreaker at all and I only knocked one point for logic and two for writing over it which felt appropriate to me. She has done it before so she could’ve done it a little better in the first of the trilogy.
That aside, this book made me feel warmth in my black heart again. This is NOT a lovely book, don’t get it twisted. This is hate. This is a book of hating everyone around Jude and wanting them all to fuck off. She also feels the exact same way so when the fucking off begins to happen, it is glorious. The political side of it never even occurred to me until reviews. It is very obvious but I’m vibes. The political side of it was just part of her journey to get what she wanted. And ohhhhh my god. Just writing this review I want to read it right now. Okay so Jude is a total badass and you root for her the entire time because everyone is terrible and you just want all of her plans to come true.
The way this book sets up the second one is the first time I have ever screamed out loud and tossed a book away from me. It led to more in the second and third but I have never been so utterly filled with WHAT THE FUCK that I’ve had to yeet anything away from me. If you don’t like war/political intrigue books I think you would still like this. It’s more of a family drama than anything else in my opinion. Or at least that’s how I read it. Kids hate their parents and parents hate their kids and everyone around them gets caught in the crosshairs. How do you deal with being raised by someone you didn’t ask for in a place you shouldn’t be with people who are tricksters by nature and regularly torture people like you? How do you deal with not having support when you should? How do you deal with bullies and obsession and trying your hardest to achieve the only dream you’ve ever had?
Those are much more prevalent than which kingdom should control what which does get talked about a bit to be fair. I just feel like it’s worth it. If you want to see two people who absolutely will stab each other, Jude and Cardan baby. They’ll do it for you. And just wait until you see his extra bit. Fairytale indeed.
My first Holly Black book was Tithe and I’ve been a Holly stan ever since. There is something about the way she writes faerie. It feels true. It feels like a place you can get stolen away to. This book is beautiful in its own right. It would’ve gotten a true 5 star but I do feel like having read Tithe before this one really did help me understand why faerie was the way it was. That is not a dealbreaker at all and I only knocked one point for logic and two for writing over it which felt appropriate to me. She has done it before so she could’ve done it a little better in the first of the trilogy.
That aside, this book made me feel warmth in my black heart again. This is NOT a lovely book, don’t get it twisted. This is hate. This is a book of hating everyone around Jude and wanting them all to fuck off. She also feels the exact same way so when the fucking off begins to happen, it is glorious. The political side of it never even occurred to me until reviews. It is very obvious but I’m vibes. The political side of it was just part of her journey to get what she wanted. And ohhhhh my god. Just writing this review I want to read it right now. Okay so Jude is a total badass and you root for her the entire time because everyone is terrible and you just want all of her plans to come true.
The way this book sets up the second one is the first time I have ever screamed out loud and tossed a book away from me. It led to more in the second and third but I have never been so utterly filled with WHAT THE FUCK that I’ve had to yeet anything away from me. If you don’t like war/political intrigue books I think you would still like this. It’s more of a family drama than anything else in my opinion. Or at least that’s how I read it. Kids hate their parents and parents hate their kids and everyone around them gets caught in the crosshairs. How do you deal with being raised by someone you didn’t ask for in a place you shouldn’t be with people who are tricksters by nature and regularly torture people like you? How do you deal with not having support when you should? How do you deal with bullies and obsession and trying your hardest to achieve the only dream you’ve ever had?
Those are much more prevalent than which kingdom should control what which does get talked about a bit to be fair. I just feel like it’s worth it. If you want to see two people who absolutely will stab each other, Jude and Cardan baby. They’ll do it for you. And just wait until you see his extra bit. Fairytale indeed.
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black
5.0
My first audiobook in years. I listened to it while I painted my room a dark emerald green and it was a beautiful time. I really really enjoyed this short story. It felt entirely in character. Lessons learned. The whole nine. If I ever have kids, this will be a book to read to them growing up.
C 10
There aren’t many people in here obviously but the few that were were wonderful
A 10
You think I don’t want a pretty boy with a tail tied up and maybe gonna die? I sure do thank you!
W 8
While I enjoyed this so much, it did seem much more juvenile suddenly despite being heaps more gruesome than the main three. It’s still YA so it’s not terrible but it almost felt middle grade coded more than the series it’s a part of
P 7
Boy in unfamiliar lands gets trapped by a familiar face and lessons are learned. It’s been done. The story told inside the story has been told. Even so. Still a solid time
I 4
Maybe if I did a full reread.
L 9
Yeah. I believe it for the most part. The map guy was the most believable part
E 10
Maybe it was just the day but it was fun. And everyone knows that’s my low bar
C 10
There aren’t many people in here obviously but the few that were were wonderful
A 10
You think I don’t want a pretty boy with a tail tied up and maybe gonna die? I sure do thank you!
W 8
While I enjoyed this so much, it did seem much more juvenile suddenly despite being heaps more gruesome than the main three. It’s still YA so it’s not terrible but it almost felt middle grade coded more than the series it’s a part of
P 7
Boy in unfamiliar lands gets trapped by a familiar face and lessons are learned. It’s been done. The story told inside the story has been told. Even so. Still a solid time
I 4
Maybe if I did a full reread.
L 9
Yeah. I believe it for the most part. The map guy was the most believable part
E 10
Maybe it was just the day but it was fun. And everyone knows that’s my low bar
The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake
4.0
Did I hate Libby in TA6? Yes. Do I still hate her in this one? Yes. Still a raging good time. High stakes. Lots of intrigue. The weaving in and out of flashbacks is perfect and the chefs kiss on top is my main man Gideon. Please let me have him irl.
C10
A7
W9
P7
Libby’s shit dragged so much and I didn’t care as much as I should since it’s like… the point of the book.
I 10
Nico + Gideon = OTP
L 8
E 9
C10
A7
W9
P7
Libby’s shit dragged so much and I didn’t care as much as I should since it’s like… the point of the book.
I 10
Nico + Gideon = OTP
L 8
E 9
The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake
5.0
This whole book I just screamed NO! Every few pages. It was just one after another after another. Paradox dragged so Complex could sprint in platform thigh highs and baby she won that marathon! Did I write an essay after this like it was a dissertation? Yeah. I did. So what? This series deserves it.
The end. I think about that little flash in those sunglasses on a regular basis. The last hundred pages ripped my heart out. I sobbed. I actually actually cried. There was a lot of everyone fucks everyone but there was one that got me that I didn’t think would.
I love the texts in this one. It is probably my most highlighted sections. You can learn so much about someone through flirty texts. There are decisions I despise in this book and I wish I lived in a reality where it ended differently. I am still so thoroughly satisfied. I will not dock any points for it not going where I want. That seems dumb to me. It went where she designed it to go.
C 10
A 10
W 9
P 9
I 9
L 10
E 10
The end. I think about that little flash in those sunglasses on a regular basis. The last hundred pages ripped my heart out. I sobbed. I actually actually cried. There was a lot of everyone fucks everyone but there was one that got me that I didn’t think would.
I love the texts in this one. It is probably my most highlighted sections. You can learn so much about someone through flirty texts. There are decisions I despise in this book and I wish I lived in a reality where it ended differently. I am still so thoroughly satisfied. I will not dock any points for it not going where I want. That seems dumb to me. It went where she designed it to go.
C 10
A 10
W 9
P 9
I 9
L 10
E 10
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
5.0
This is one of the best books I’ve read this year I think. I read this one physically and started the second audio but dnf’d about 30%. I think I need to read it physically too. This book was so so so good. The magic system has been talked about to death so I won’t but the characters are what did it for me. Their chemistry was so real. Trepidation, perceived alliances, betrayal, loss and loss of yourself all of it was written so well from a human perspective. I’ve always been a root for the bad guy kind of girl and this book definitely gave me a couple good ones. The mystery was compelling and I was ready to make that journey with them. I was never bored or wanted to put it down. I remember actively not wanting to go to appointments to finish reading instead. It was easier for me to picture this book than most as I have a very hard time picturing things in my head or retaining any significant information. I read this five months ago and while I don’t think of it often, when I do, I’m overwhelmed with good feelings of a book well read.
C 10
I have visceral reactions to one asshole character and it’s on purpose. Well done. The opposite of that, there is a character that I want to protect with my entire real life and I would if I could.
A 10
That world… I want to see it. I want to walk in it and smell it and be absolutely surrounded by it. I want to feel the cards. I want to see the colors and the absence.
W 9
Some dialogue was a little cringe for me but sometimes it’s needed
P 10
Bro this story is WILD. The cover sets the atmosphere but it does nothing to say how much action there is in this. Political intrigue, romance, war, corruption, rebellion, nature and their natural habitat as an actual weapon, don’t forget there is MAGIC. It’s so much fun. Please read this book.
I 10
Fully would rather be reading this than almost anything else.
L 9
I reserve the right to change after a reread but I believe for the most part everything made sense. I feel like a couple things were just explained away for lack of time or pacing or something but I don’t remember anything specific
E 10
Love!!!!!! Such a good book! If you read I really hope you enjoy as much as I did! I wish I had saved it for fall/winter even though it’s not specific to that time just for the added irl atmosphere.
C 10
I have visceral reactions to one asshole character and it’s on purpose. Well done. The opposite of that, there is a character that I want to protect with my entire real life and I would if I could.
A 10
That world… I want to see it. I want to walk in it and smell it and be absolutely surrounded by it. I want to feel the cards. I want to see the colors and the absence.
W 9
Some dialogue was a little cringe for me but sometimes it’s needed
P 10
Bro this story is WILD. The cover sets the atmosphere but it does nothing to say how much action there is in this. Political intrigue, romance, war, corruption, rebellion, nature and their natural habitat as an actual weapon, don’t forget there is MAGIC. It’s so much fun. Please read this book.
I 10
Fully would rather be reading this than almost anything else.
L 9
I reserve the right to change after a reread but I believe for the most part everything made sense. I feel like a couple things were just explained away for lack of time or pacing or something but I don’t remember anything specific
E 10
Love!!!!!! Such a good book! If you read I really hope you enjoy as much as I did! I wish I had saved it for fall/winter even though it’s not specific to that time just for the added irl atmosphere.