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mariakureads's reviews
1023 reviews
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I love watching this movie over and over so I figured it was about time to read the source and the two are different enough that I'm at a bit of a crossroads here but I found this to be a solid read.
For one, I like that the Sally's girls are teens in the book vs kids in the film since it lead a different aspect to the story and showcased Sally in a bit of a vulnerable light aside from being a widow, but a single mom on the verge of losing her girls if she's not careful.
Another is that very little magic happens. Lots of hints of magical things but it's just the influence of it and not the actual doing which I miss. It's such a visual in the film that I kept waiting for something that never came.
The additional small snippets of the aunts was a welcoming new fact for me since the film didn't give too much insight but here, there were little morsels throughout about their younger selves, the family, and Maria Owens that I'm sure get talked about in the other books.
All in all, the book and it's characters are so different from their movie counterparts, especially the relationships all the women have towards each other, Sally's daughters included, that I find I can enjoy them as separate pieces.
For one, I like that the Sally's girls are teens in the book vs kids in the film since it lead a different aspect to the story and showcased Sally in a bit of a vulnerable light aside from being a widow, but a single mom on the verge of losing her girls if she's not careful.
Another is that very little magic happens. Lots of hints of magical things but it's just the influence of it and not the actual doing which I miss. It's such a visual in the film that I kept waiting for something that never came.
The additional small snippets of the aunts was a welcoming new fact for me since the film didn't give too much insight but here, there were little morsels throughout about their younger selves, the family, and Maria Owens that I'm sure get talked about in the other books.
All in all, the book and it's characters are so different from their movie counterparts, especially the relationships all the women have towards each other, Sally's daughters included, that I find I can enjoy them as separate pieces.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
Sakamoto Days, Vol. 6 by Yuto Suzuki
adventurous
funny
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
4.5
This volume was full of some great surprises and continuing the arc from the last volume.
I love that Apart got a lot more screen time since out of all the assassins he seemed the most intriguing, even though his backstory was intense, it explains a lot about him.
Granny Miya though might be my favorite new character. I'm curious about her and the relationship she has with Sakamoto so hopefully I get to see her again.
This volume was packed with action, comedy, and a lot of moving pieces, and showcased some very interesting skillsets for a lot of characters so I really can't wait to read the next volume 😁
I love that Apart got a lot more screen time since out of all the assassins he seemed the most intriguing, even though his backstory was intense, it explains a lot about him.
Granny Miya though might be my favorite new character. I'm curious about her and the relationship she has with Sakamoto so hopefully I get to see her again.
This volume was packed with action, comedy, and a lot of moving pieces, and showcased some very interesting skillsets for a lot of characters so I really can't wait to read the next volume 😁
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Murder
A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland
mysterious
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? No
5.0
I finished this one days ago and I can't help but still be with this book.
I'm wishing I hadn't finished it as quickly as I did but I did because of how I was quickly invested in Jean, this town, Muirin, and the shroud of mystery surrounding her.
I absolutely loved every tense atmospheric minute of reading this as Jean's friendship with Muirin leads to questions, leads to wondering, leads to hope, and to love while putting everything at risk for the women.
A fantastic retelling of The Silkie's Wife with a great amount of slow build, tension, yearning, and historical nods.
I'm wishing I hadn't finished it as quickly as I did but I did because of how I was quickly invested in Jean, this town, Muirin, and the shroud of mystery surrounding her.
I absolutely loved every tense atmospheric minute of reading this as Jean's friendship with Muirin leads to questions, leads to wondering, leads to hope, and to love while putting everything at risk for the women.
A fantastic retelling of The Silkie's Wife with a great amount of slow build, tension, yearning, and historical nods.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual assault
Harry Potter y la cámara secreta by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
3.0
Decided to relisten to this series but in Spanish this time, mostly because of the choice of narrator. Carlos Ponce has great tone and the acting skills to portray all of the characters and his voice pitch for Hermione always makes me giggle while his tone for Snape, always makes me pause to listen.
I'm going to eventually hear the rest of the series in Spanish as I do like that the translation is in tune with the language and not just a word for word copy as there is some minor use of slang and an informal tone that is working very nicely here so far.
Still a solid read all these years later, even if I do not like or agree with the author's comments and
persona as of her writing this book.
I'm going to eventually hear the rest of the series in Spanish as I do like that the translation is in tune with the language and not just a word for word copy as there is some minor use of slang and an informal tone that is working very nicely here so far.
Still a solid read all these years later, even if I do not like or agree with the author's comments and
persona as of her writing this book.
Spartan by Jessica Joy
tense
medium-paced
2.75
I've read maybe just 1 other MC book so I'm not very versed in this genre, so while there were somethings that I had issues with, I enjoyed the book overall.
I enjoyed the first half very much and it was looking like a solid slow burn, which let me tell you, Sawyer, the MMC, sounded like a dude who could give slow burn vibes for pages because he's so adorkable, but then it caught fire and went into instalust and quickly to instalove right before a huge bombshell happened that while I expected it, also for me, was were I started to not to like where it was heading.
The last quarter just felt weird in the fact that a lot of things happened that didn't sync up or felt right within the moment, and a lot of repetitive inner monologue from both Sawyer and Tessa, the FMC that went on too long with neither one bringing it up to the other to actually discuss it, the overuse of 'babydoll', for me was too much and actually gave me an ick feeling after a while.not to mention there's also Tessa breaking what falls as MC hierarchy and breaking rank, Tessa puts all the men in trouble thanks to her actions and the gang allows it, while Tessa's baby is kidnapped, she not just gives Sawyer a BJ, but there's a fast sex scene before they go save him which felt so weird that I skipped it because I couldn't understand that. Her baby has been stolen and she's having sex? Like I would be in a frenzied and angry panic.
I enjoyed the first half very much and it was looking like a solid slow burn, which let me tell you, Sawyer, the MMC, sounded like a dude who could give slow burn vibes for pages because he's so adorkable, but then it caught fire and went into instalust and quickly to instalove right before a huge bombshell happened that while I expected it, also for me, was were I started to not to like where it was heading.
The last quarter just felt weird in the fact that a lot of things happened that didn't sync up or felt right within the moment, and a lot of repetitive inner monologue from both Sawyer and Tessa, the FMC that went on too long with neither one bringing it up to the other to actually discuss it, the overuse of 'babydoll', for me was too much and actually gave me an ick feeling after a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Violence
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent
Sakamoto Days, Vol. 5 by Yuto Suzuki
adventurous
funny
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? No
3.5
I am still enjoying this series and this volume was a bit more slower than the last 4 but it ends the arc with Sakamoto and Co. as they go head to head with Wutang and the Triad and we are setting up for the larger story arc as well.
Shisiba and Osaragi are back in this one too, hot on the trail of the mysterious group of high is good because we have a new group of characters introduced which gaves me the creeps as they're after Sakamoto and Co.
Can't wait for the next volume from the library!!!
Shisiba and Osaragi are back in this one too, hot on the trail of the mysterious group of high is good because we have a new group of characters introduced which gaves me the creeps as they're after Sakamoto and Co.
Can't wait for the next volume from the library!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Spy x Family, Vol. 5 by Tatsuya Endo
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was waiting for some filler after all the action from the last 4 volumes and this entire volume felt like filler to me. Funny and in some moments wholesome but definitely filler as not much moved story wise.
I'm still in love with Anya and her attempts to befriend that kid, because her expressions are priceless. Yuri is still being weirdly creepy and I hope they talk about that at some point in the series because it's a bit worrisome as I'm cheering on Twilight. Which talking about, the new character of Fiona, is throwing an odd wrench into the current setup but let's see where that goes before I make up my mind.
I'm still in love with Anya and her attempts to befriend that kid, because her expressions are priceless. Yuri is still being weirdly creepy and I hope they talk about that at some point in the series because it's a bit worrisome as I'm cheering on Twilight. Which talking about, the new character of Fiona, is throwing an odd wrench into the current setup but let's see where that goes before I make up my mind.
Steel of the Celestial Shadows, Vol. 3 by Daruma Matsuura
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The bulk of this volume was Konosuke and Ichiko having to deal with different characters trying to get them but mostly dealing with a new character Madara, who can control bugs.
Personally I hate bugs so cheers to Ichigo for doing what she does even as I sympathize with Madera thanks to her backstory. All in all Madara's backstory introduces more of the overall arc and I think someone we'll see again later as the story moves forward.
I'm intrigued by Konosuke and can't wait to see what happens in the next installment.
Personally I hate bugs so cheers to Ichigo for doing what she does even as I sympathize with Madera thanks to her backstory. All in all Madara's backstory introduces more of the overall arc and I think someone we'll see again later as the story moves forward.
I'm intrigued by Konosuke and can't wait to see what happens in the next installment.
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
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
2.0
I don't know how to start this review.
I picked up the book because 1) it was all over the place and 2) once I looked at it, the premise sounded interesting-a piece of paper with someone's name and a time frame shows up in your life, a sure thing that for that time frame you're in a relationship with someone. Maybe it's a bad thing to know that every relationship, regardless of who with, has a finite end or it could be adventurous and you make the best of it.
In Daphne's case, the FMC, her choice to believe and follow the dates of these papers, is her whole premise. She came across as flat, a bit one dimensional as the book in her POV talks about her outfits, her apartment, these pieces of paper, and high scale restaurants and bars in L.A., which I didn't care for as the book went further in because it became more of those descriptors then a premise for me. Maybe because she knows the relationship has an end date, she doesn't delve too much in her relationship?
As to the other characters, I liked Irina and Daphne's parents for the few moments we had as I didn't care much for the other characters, either present or past tense. None of the love interests, aside from Hugo or Jake, were written in too much detail. Just enough for the moment presented and to drive the moment along to the next so I couldn't connect. Hugo, I found, to be a man child with wanting something he no longer has, and Jake to be an all around nice guy for Daphne but also convenient timing. Even with the author's use of jumping from past and present, Jake's timing was convenient as was that entire relationship.
I still want to know where the notes themselves came from, what was that about, why Daphne?, but the book never answered these questions or anything in relation to them although there was an attempt to explain things using a chronic illness which felt like such a crutch especially at the stage of the book it was presented at, that it felt needed by the story but rather came across to me as a lame reason for Daphne to do what she does and a hastily made ending.
I picked up the book because 1) it was all over the place and 2) once I looked at it, the premise sounded interesting-a piece of paper with someone's name and a time frame shows up in your life, a sure thing that for that time frame you're in a relationship with someone. Maybe it's a bad thing to know that every relationship, regardless of who with, has a finite end or it could be adventurous and you make the best of it.
In Daphne's case, the FMC, her choice to believe and follow the dates of these papers, is her whole premise. She came across as flat, a bit one dimensional as the book in her POV talks about her outfits, her apartment, these pieces of paper, and high scale restaurants and bars in L.A., which I didn't care for as the book went further in because it became more of those descriptors then a premise for me. Maybe because she knows the relationship has an end date, she doesn't delve too much in her relationship?
As to the other characters, I liked Irina and Daphne's parents for the few moments we had as I didn't care much for the other characters, either present or past tense. None of the love interests, aside from Hugo or Jake, were written in too much detail. Just enough for the moment presented and to drive the moment along to the next so I couldn't connect. Hugo, I found, to be a man child with wanting something he no longer has, and Jake to be an all around nice guy for Daphne but also convenient timing. Even with the author's use of jumping from past and present, Jake's timing was convenient as was that entire relationship.
I still want to know where the notes themselves came from, what was that about, why Daphne?, but the book never answered these questions or anything in relation to them although there was an attempt to explain things using a chronic illness which felt like such a crutch especially at the stage of the book it was presented at, that it felt needed by the story but rather came across to me as a lame reason for Daphne to do what she does and a hastily made ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness and Medical content
Sakamoto Days, Vol. 4 by Yuto Suzuki
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.0
I continue loving this manga.
This volumes reunites Sakamoto and Shin with My at the lab plus brings us some interesting characters and a possible new story arc that I can't wait to see what happens.
Personally I love the setup for the next arc and the introduction to yet another character from Lu's past which ended on a great opening cliffhanger into that next volume.
This volumes reunites Sakamoto and Shin with My at the lab plus brings us some interesting characters and a possible new story arc that I can't wait to see what happens.
Personally I love the setup for the next arc and the introduction to yet another character from Lu's past which ended on a great opening cliffhanger into that next volume.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Blood