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lucybbookstuff's Reviews (375)
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
challenging
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one is tough because I do think it's an objectively good book. It goes really deep, clearly took a lot of research and imagination, and is far from being a straightforward narrative.
But I just wasn't in the mood for it at all, which made such a heavy and experimental book like this incredibly difficult to get through (and I needed to for book club). And there are several things about it that I don't think I'd like much even if I were in the mood.
- It is extremely heavy-handed. And there is definitely a place for that, but it's just not what I personally need or am looking for.
- It is extremely violent. Which isn't a dealbreaker for me, but is hard for me to connect with if I'm not LOVING the book.
- It just felt very meandering and thus, too long, without actually building out the characters enough for me to connect with or like that much (except for Singer - I really liked him and all his chapters). I really think I would have liked this a lot more if it had been either a novella OR, perhaps even better, a series of short stories. Vignettes of all these characters we met, coming together to create the same picture of this horrifying dystopia. I think that would have been a lot more effective for me and I would have been much more receptive.
All that said, I can recognize that it's a great book, and I certainly see why it's so popular and highly-rated. I do think it' important and should be widely read and discussed, I'm just going to be careful not to recommend it too broadly.
Definitely looking forward to a great book club discussion.
But I just wasn't in the mood for it at all, which made such a heavy and experimental book like this incredibly difficult to get through (and I needed to for book club). And there are several things about it that I don't think I'd like much even if I were in the mood.
- It is extremely heavy-handed. And there is definitely a place for that, but it's just not what I personally need or am looking for.
- It is extremely violent. Which isn't a dealbreaker for me, but is hard for me to connect with if I'm not LOVING the book.
- It just felt very meandering and thus, too long, without actually building out the characters enough for me to connect with or like that much (except for Singer - I really liked him and all his chapters). I really think I would have liked this a lot more if it had been either a novella OR, perhaps even better, a series of short stories. Vignettes of all these characters we met, coming together to create the same picture of this horrifying dystopia. I think that would have been a lot more effective for me and I would have been much more receptive.
All that said, I can recognize that it's a great book, and I certainly see why it's so popular and highly-rated. I do think it' important and should be widely read and discussed, I'm just going to be careful not to recommend it too broadly.
Definitely looking forward to a great book club discussion.
informative
reflective
fast-paced
This absolutely SLAPPED. Perfect follow-up to Angela Chen's Ace (which I read about 2 years ago... funnily enough on another road trip to the exact same place). Gets more specific and more into vibes of justice and activism. Which I am obviously here for.
There were so many great lines in this that I couldn't mark because I was driving, that I actually want to go buy a physical copy to annotate. Which I have never in my life felt like doing before. So that says quite a lot.
Highly highly recommend to literally everyone.
There were so many great lines in this that I couldn't mark because I was driving, that I actually want to go buy a physical copy to annotate. Which I have never in my life felt like doing before. So that says quite a lot.
Highly highly recommend to literally everyone.
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Hard to read, both figuratively and literally. I understand the choices, though. The book is strange, specific, and bordering on poetic, yet it paints a very visceral picture of general life as a Palestinian.
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Seems beyond a normal rating system, but I do want to rate it for my reading metrics, so it gets a 5.
Very educational. Really my first real look into the details of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Better late than never. But still pretty late. I'm glad I know now.
What an incredible person. It astounds me that such a young person is so brave and so eloquent. It's such a shame that she's been forced into this life, but she clearly was born for it anyway.
Very educational. Really my first real look into the details of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Better late than never. But still pretty late. I'm glad I know now.
What an incredible person. It astounds me that such a young person is so brave and so eloquent. It's such a shame that she's been forced into this life, but she clearly was born for it anyway.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
I was so worried that I wouldn't like this as much as I wanted to... I've become internet friends with the author and the concept sounded so good and unique. I had also gotten my expectations quite high from following her and getting tidbits on Instagram. I was worried because of that, and because of its "romantasy" designation (by the author herself) that I'd be extremely critical and might feel disappointed.
But thankfully, I LOVED IT. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ The romance was touching and believable; not too much at all. The story is so devastating but so moving. The characters are well-developed and made me feel things. 🥲 The villains weren't complete caricatures. It was also made clear that there are layers of villains and we have barely struck the surface, which I am into. And not to mention, this book tugged the shit out of my heartstrings. 😠The last bit definitely pulled my emotions every which way. And I'm here for it (but ouch 💔).
The one thing I could have used more of was some macro-worldbuilding and exposition. BUT I also understood why there was a lack of it. It was clear that the characters themselves don't actually know much about the world they're living in. And since we're in the mind of one person who is razor-focused on survival and can't spare a thought to muse about world history, it makes some sense that we didn't get much. I also have a feeling we'll learn more later.
However, the micro-worldbuilding was really good. I really got a feel for the Vault and the wilderness.
Other than that, there were some typical indie-published editing issues. But I am way less harsh on those for indie since the editing process is all DIY. I've now read two self-pub books (that I know of) and I have to say, there is something about them. It's hard to describe, but I think publishers must tend to push a pretty standard narrative structure. And both indie books I've read have just felt different, and it's so refreshing!
Well. I'm so glad that I can give my author friend a good report! Absolutely stoked for the sequel(s).
EDIT a month later: I'm slightly downgrading this to 4.25. I think the emotional turmoil of the last part of the book had me riled up and inspired the 4.5 lol. I did really love this; obviously 4.25 is still a great rating. I just can't ignore some of the repetitive writing and such.
But thankfully, I LOVED IT. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ The romance was touching and believable; not too much at all. The story is so devastating but so moving. The characters are well-developed and made me feel things. 🥲 The villains weren't complete caricatures. It was also made clear that there are layers of villains and we have barely struck the surface, which I am into. And not to mention, this book tugged the shit out of my heartstrings. 😠The last bit definitely pulled my emotions every which way. And I'm here for it (but ouch 💔).
The one thing I could have used more of was some macro-worldbuilding and exposition. BUT I also understood why there was a lack of it. It was clear that the characters themselves don't actually know much about the world they're living in. And since we're in the mind of one person who is razor-focused on survival and can't spare a thought to muse about world history, it makes some sense that we didn't get much. I also have a feeling we'll learn more later.
However, the micro-worldbuilding was really good. I really got a feel for the Vault and the wilderness.
Other than that, there were some typical indie-published editing issues. But I am way less harsh on those for indie since the editing process is all DIY. I've now read two self-pub books (that I know of) and I have to say, there is something about them. It's hard to describe, but I think publishers must tend to push a pretty standard narrative structure. And both indie books I've read have just felt different, and it's so refreshing!
Well. I'm so glad that I can give my author friend a good report! Absolutely stoked for the sequel(s).
EDIT a month later: I'm slightly downgrading this to 4.25. I think the emotional turmoil of the last part of the book had me riled up and inspired the 4.5 lol. I did really love this; obviously 4.25 is still a great rating. I just can't ignore some of the repetitive writing and such.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
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
Another outstanding installment in the Legendborn Cycle!!!
I'm not sure why, maybe because it's been over a year since I read Legendborn, but I was worried I'd be disappointed somehow. Have too hard of a time diving back in, or something. But no.
Despite not rereading book 1 beforehand and having forgotten quite a few details, jumping into Bloodmarked wasn't bad at all! I remembered enough of the grand scheme to have a foundation, and the exposition in this one was both very helpful and given in digestible, believable doses.
My only complaint is that it got a bit repetitive. This was quite the epic adventure, which I ultimately enjoyed, but the frequent new circumstances and having to reiterate everything in each one got a little tiresome. But it wasn't an experience-ruiner.
I also got pretty exasperated with Bree now and then. Had to remind myself that she is a teenager, and they frequently make incomprehensibly idiotic, impulsive decisions. 😆 It makes more sense to me now, why so many authors choose to write these stories as YA instead of adult. Among other reasons, only teenagers could make such terrible decisions that have such disastrous plot consequences...
But really, I loved this. Again, the epic adventure element was so fun. The blending of magic systems is beyond cool, unique, and SMART. She didn't just throw this together. Tracy did her damn research. And learning of her personal ties to the story in the author's note really ties it all together. She incorporated all the racial issues so well, in a way that felt very real, and not too heavy-handed. This story truly couldn't exist without it.
I must say, I also adored the romance here. I was never super into Bree/Nick. Probably because they were kinda insta-lovey and he's too much of a golden boy. But THIS!!! Incredible enemies-to-lovers slow burn between Bree and Sel, the brooding emo sadboi, was so much more compelling. The love triangle itself was also so compelling. And it's so interesting how it was left at the end of this book.
This book rocked. I can totally see how she's decided to make it a quartet instead of a trilogy, because she massively expanded on the world, magic, characters, conflicts, everything since book 1. I am absolutely STOKED for book 3, even though it's a ways away.
I'm not sure why, maybe because it's been over a year since I read Legendborn, but I was worried I'd be disappointed somehow. Have too hard of a time diving back in, or something. But no.
Despite not rereading book 1 beforehand and having forgotten quite a few details, jumping into Bloodmarked wasn't bad at all! I remembered enough of the grand scheme to have a foundation, and the exposition in this one was both very helpful and given in digestible, believable doses.
My only complaint is that it got a bit repetitive. This was quite the epic adventure, which I ultimately enjoyed, but the frequent new circumstances and having to reiterate everything in each one got a little tiresome. But it wasn't an experience-ruiner.
I also got pretty exasperated with Bree now and then. Had to remind myself that she is a teenager, and they frequently make incomprehensibly idiotic, impulsive decisions. 😆 It makes more sense to me now, why so many authors choose to write these stories as YA instead of adult. Among other reasons, only teenagers could make such terrible decisions that have such disastrous plot consequences...
But really, I loved this. Again, the epic adventure element was so fun. The blending of magic systems is beyond cool, unique, and SMART. She didn't just throw this together. Tracy did her damn research. And learning of her personal ties to the story in the author's note really ties it all together. She incorporated all the racial issues so well, in a way that felt very real, and not too heavy-handed. This story truly couldn't exist without it.
I must say, I also adored the romance here. I was never super into Bree/Nick. Probably because they were kinda insta-lovey and he's too much of a golden boy. But THIS!!! Incredible enemies-to-lovers slow burn between Bree and Sel, the brooding emo sadboi, was so much more compelling. The love triangle itself was also so compelling. And it's so interesting how it was left at the end of this book.
This book rocked. I can totally see how she's decided to make it a quartet instead of a trilogy, because she massively expanded on the world, magic, characters, conflicts, everything since book 1. I am absolutely STOKED for book 3, even though it's a ways away.
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Pretty run-of-the-mill domestic-ish thriller. It didn't really make me feel much of anything or make my heart rate speed up at all. But I did read it in a single day and had a good time and didn't feel bored. The writing got a little repetitive, but it was also nicely paced.
This was also my first ebook ever, which is exciting in its own right, and probably part of the reason I'm throwing it a full 4. 😂
This was also my first ebook ever, which is exciting in its own right, and probably part of the reason I'm throwing it a full 4. 😂
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Chose this for a little personal full-day readathon for International Asexuality Day! Even though Tori doesn't come out as ace until Heartstopper vol. 5. I still thought it might be interesting to get her backstory and see some of her journey to that point.
I read in the interview in the back that Oseman wrote this when she was quite young and didn't even know what asexuality was, much less that she (and Tori) identified as such, and looking back, she found so many ace-coded things in the book. I can 1000% relate to that, as I had basically the same experience myself and I often look back at my life and remember TONS of "ace-coded" moments. So I definitely still count this as an appropriate book for celebrating asexuality. 💜
The 3.75 rating for this isn't a snub at all. It's pretty good for me with most YA these days. It did have some of those trappings of unrealistic YA scenarios. No teenager is organized or motivated enough to organize the Solitaire campaign lol. But it was a good, relatable depiction of mental health struggles that a lot of teens face.
Overall, I enjoyed it! And it was easy to blast through in a single day.
I read in the interview in the back that Oseman wrote this when she was quite young and didn't even know what asexuality was, much less that she (and Tori) identified as such, and looking back, she found so many ace-coded things in the book. I can 1000% relate to that, as I had basically the same experience myself and I often look back at my life and remember TONS of "ace-coded" moments. So I definitely still count this as an appropriate book for celebrating asexuality. 💜
The 3.75 rating for this isn't a snub at all. It's pretty good for me with most YA these days. It did have some of those trappings of unrealistic YA scenarios. No teenager is organized or motivated enough to organize the Solitaire campaign lol. But it was a good, relatable depiction of mental health struggles that a lot of teens face.
Overall, I enjoyed it! And it was easy to blast through in a single day.