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marcomoon's reviews
110 reviews
The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When it comes to book series, most of the time either the first book is the best or the second one. However, I was delighted to see I enjoyed this just as much as the first one. This is literally becoming my favorite series this year.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
The none trust in Law enforcement. Of course, if the police were called on from the beginning, there would be no story. This kind of annoyed me in some ways, because it was not because they believed the police wouldn't believe them. They had the evidence. It also it would have resolved a lot. Which kind of annoyed me, I don't like situations where the answer is so clear but the character won't do it. And instead makes the situation 10 times worse. In this book 100 times worse.
One the thing I found pauseable was Lowen had taken 2 weeks to finish the manuscript, but read books from a series and only took 1 to 2 days. Now since the manuscript was autobiography and she didn't want to intrude on Verity life. She technically did have permission to read and look through everything in the office and technically she came there to help Verity publish her work. An autobiography would be something the publishing company would have been excited about. And who are we kidding, that was hell of an Autobiography I would have read in one day.
But of course, again there would be no book if Lowen didn't take her sweet time. But then how would Lowen get to know Jermey if not under this special circumstances. I also found it pauseable for her not to share the informasjon she found.
Now the ending. It was shocking. Making me question everything. Someone we believe to be a awful person might be an innocent victim of what became a deadly misunderstanding. Or did she get to have enough time to create the most perfect excuse of all time. One that would get her scotch free for the alleged crime she committed.
Honestly, I would have believed the letter if it was not for one key character. The son, Crew. The way he behaved and his actions. Kids are after all influenced by their parents. The question is how much, and how bad?
First of when he "played" with a knife in his mother room and accidentally "cut himself" with. Did that really happen or did Verity hurt him? She did after all "allegedly" kill her daughter. But explained in letter she says didn`t kill her daughter, and stayed in the house because of her son. Wanting to run away with him. But another thing she explained in the letter was how her action made Lowen paranoid. But yet never talked about the knife. The knife her son accidentally "cut himself" with. Because Lowen saw the knife, but could not find Verity room afterward. A pretty god reason to be paranoid about, yet not important enough to be mention?
The second thing was when Lowen started asking Crew questions. At one point he started to get nervous, and told Lowen his mother told him not to talk to her about that. When Lowen continued to ask questions, a 5-year-old boy went as far as cutting himself in the mouth to the point of bleeding, with the knife he was licking peanut butter from. And instead of crying or panicking, there was fear in his eyes. A 5-year-old, getting that scared to answer questions. This is what makes it very hard for me to belive Verity letter. And the knife accident being a simple accident.
Up to this point I have colored Verity as villain, like the book did. And I might be very much wrong. There are many good explanations in the letter Verity wrote, and a statement that she loved her children. Not wishing to hurt or kill them. I also relate to Verity creativity prosess. I have also written done book ideas, scenes and characters that even make me question my mind sanity. Yet I can't stop being wary of Verity. As when her own parents heard about their grandsdaughters death and their daughter car crash. There response was evil people gets what they deserve. I have a hard time believing it they saying that simple because they did not approve of her writing thrillers.
As for Lowen and Jermey. I did not like how Lowen handled things. And the action done in the name of love for Jermey was disturbing, by both Verity and Lowen. That man needs to mourn, therapy and a new start. He lost his twins daughters for god's sake, on top of that finding out his wife might have killed one of them. Al though I can understand Lowen and Jermey falling in love with each other. As he needed comfort, and Lowen who has her own struggles meets a man that way too good to be true. I could not agree with them by choice created another child within 2 weeks of getting to know each other. While his wife was right upstairs. It just became so wrong, and found this a relationship I did not ship.
As for the bonus chapter that came out this year. I was shocked and it definitely made me once again question everything. Many say this bonus chapter confirms that the letter was true. But for me it was more the aftermath, the psychological trauma of the events that happened in the book caused, rather than a direct confirmation of the letter being true. What the bonus chapter did confirm however, Jermey was definitely too good to be true
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Amazing book, could barely put it down. As I had to know what was next.
Which is what I love about Colleen Hoover books, they are both easy to read and have compelling stories making want read it in one setting. I also never tried reading thrillers before and found this book a good way to get into the genre.
However as much as I loved this book. I wouldn't give it more the 3.5 stars. As there was a lot of stuff in the book, I found it pauseable. I didn't like how the character acted. And disagreed on how they handled the situation.
Now I have a lot to say about this book and will write some spoilers from now on.
Which is what I love about Colleen Hoover books, they are both easy to read and have compelling stories making want read it in one setting. I also never tried reading thrillers before and found this book a good way to get into the genre.
However as much as I loved this book. I wouldn't give it more the 3.5 stars. As there was a lot of stuff in the book, I found it pauseable. I didn't like how the character acted. And disagreed on how they handled the situation.
Now I have a lot to say about this book and will write some spoilers from now on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Prince ChartusThis was such a enhancing book. Love how it was written as a fairytale. And the inspiration from Russian folklore, loved it. Even tho it took me a while to get through, I couldn't stop thinking about this book. Definitely a book I would recommend to people.
Mistlefoe: A Mead Realm Tale by Kimberly Lemming
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I wish it was longer. The plot was interesting, and I really think this could be an amazing book. It was just too short and things went too fast. Other than that, it was fun to read and my favorite part was in the book was the cursed to weapons. I had a blast whenever Alexis decides to share her thoughts.
That Time I Got Drunk And Yeeted A Love Potion At A Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Brie, who loves to read smutty books about werewolves and other monsters, gets mated by Felix, a werewolf. Which should be a dream come true. But because she accidentally yeeted a love potion at Felix, and she doesn`t believe she is his mate. Felix on the other hand is determined to convince her otherwise.
Now I liked the first book a lot more the this one. But this still was a fun read. And will continue buying her books. The first book is one of my comforts read, and recommend checking Kimberly book.
Now I liked the first book a lot more the this one. But this still was a fun read. And will continue buying her books. The first book is one of my comforts read, and recommend checking Kimberly book.
Gild by Raven Kennedy
medium-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
3.5
I am in a little conflict on how to rate this book. In no means was this bad, but not a five star either. It is really an interesting story, and I am going to continue this series. So as to why i rated it 3 stars, it simply because I found the first book a little boring. And as I finished the book, I felt like book 2 is when the story really starts, and book 1 was the back story of the female lead. I am really excited to continue this series, and to see how her story goes.
Spy x Family, Vol. 1 by Tatsuya Endo
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I started to read this because I saw the anime first. And I freaking love this. Definitely going to buy all the manga`s.
Magus of the Library #1 by Mitsu Izumi
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5 stars just because of how much I relate to this kid.
If you love books as much as me and this kid, read this manga!!!
If you love books as much as me and this kid, read this manga!!!
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book made me remember why I love to read. The need to know what happens next, not wanting put the book down. Knowing the moment you start reading again, the line "just one more chapter" will be used more the twice.
A reviewer from goodreads, Emma Giordano wrote this in her review and I couldn`t agree more.
"Evelyn Hugo is one of the greatest literary characters I have ever had the pleasure to read from. The exploration of her Cuban heritage and bisexuality is fascinating, especially given the era and her celebrity status. She is one of those intoxicating characters you will never be able to purge from your mind with her strong will, her independence, her strength, her cunning, and her compassion. Evelyn Hugo is unforgettable in my mind and hearing her story was one of the greatest pleasures I think I have ever experienced as a reader."
(Back to my review.)
However there is something I kinda miss in this book. In the beginning of the book we would get a inside of how the outside world view of Evelyn Hugo. Yet we did not get their reaction on the end. Which I missed. I really wanted to know how people would react know the truth about Evelyn Hugo life. And Monique deciding whether or not to tell her mother about the truth. Even tho we where hinted about what Monigue deciding might be, I still wanted know if she truly went with it or not.
Other than that. I truly recommend this book. And to read Emma Giordano review on goodread.
A reviewer from goodreads, Emma Giordano wrote this in her review and I couldn`t agree more.
"Evelyn Hugo is one of the greatest literary characters I have ever had the pleasure to read from. The exploration of her Cuban heritage and bisexuality is fascinating, especially given the era and her celebrity status. She is one of those intoxicating characters you will never be able to purge from your mind with her strong will, her independence, her strength, her cunning, and her compassion. Evelyn Hugo is unforgettable in my mind and hearing her story was one of the greatest pleasures I think I have ever experienced as a reader."
(Back to my review.)
However there is something I kinda miss in this book. In the beginning of the book we would get a inside of how the outside world view of Evelyn Hugo. Yet we did not get their reaction on the end. Which I missed. I really wanted to know how people would react know the truth about Evelyn Hugo life. And Monique deciding whether or not to tell her mother about the truth. Even tho we where hinted about what Monigue deciding might be, I still wanted know if she truly went with it or not.
Other than that. I truly recommend this book. And to read Emma Giordano review on goodread.
Daughters of Nri by Reni K. Amayo
adventurous
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
First of. The cover "perfection" Before I even knew what this book was about, I just knew need to have it because of the cover.
I really enjoyed reading this book and the writing is fantastic. To a person how never been to Africa and only seen Africa beauty from pictures and movies. Reni K. Amayo did amazing job on describing the surroundings, making it feels like I actually have been where the characters are. I also didn`t feel at lost, when comes the mythology Reni decide to use. There was both explanations in the beginning and at the end for different symbols, the different gods and list of African words she used in the book.
However as much as i enjoyed the books, I found some part to be disappointing. In many way the story felt both rushed and slow. I also wished she had used more time on the characters stories. Like she idea of the first book could have been expended to two books or more.
<Spoiler>
But what really disappointed me was the ending. And the reason this book got 3 stars is because, through out the book we where giving this expectation that the villain in this story, was impossible to defeat. Yet it barely took 3 pages for him to die. And the girls had so little practice with their power, (one of them had not practice at all) was able to defeat a man who had killed gods. It just did not make sense. And wished he wasn`t defeated in the first book.
<Spoiler>
Because of how the book was written and the ending too, I feel like this would be more enjoyed by the youngest readers of YA 12 - 14 years old. Rather then older readers. This was truly a well written book that I would probably given a 4 - 5 stars if I had read this when I was 12 - 14 years old. Do recommend giving this to children/teenagers to get them into reading or to help them to diverse their bookshelf.
I really enjoyed reading this book and the writing is fantastic. To a person how never been to Africa and only seen Africa beauty from pictures and movies. Reni K. Amayo did amazing job on describing the surroundings, making it feels like I actually have been where the characters are. I also didn`t feel at lost, when comes the mythology Reni decide to use. There was both explanations in the beginning and at the end for different symbols, the different gods and list of African words she used in the book.
However as much as i enjoyed the books, I found some part to be disappointing. In many way the story felt both rushed and slow. I also wished she had used more time on the characters stories. Like she idea of the first book could have been expended to two books or more.
<Spoiler>
But what really disappointed me was the ending. And the reason this book got 3 stars is because, through out the book we where giving this expectation that the villain in this story, was impossible to defeat. Yet it barely took 3 pages for him to die. And the girls had so little practice with their power, (one of them had not practice at all) was able to defeat a man who had killed gods. It just did not make sense. And wished he wasn`t defeated in the first book.
<Spoiler>
Because of how the book was written and the ending too, I feel like this would be more enjoyed by the youngest readers of YA 12 - 14 years old. Rather then older readers. This was truly a well written book that I would probably given a 4 - 5 stars if I had read this when I was 12 - 14 years old. Do recommend giving this to children/teenagers to get them into reading or to help them to diverse their bookshelf.