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marik0n's reviews
511 reviews
For the Love of Cupidity by Raven Kennedy
4.0
I liked this book very mich! The first thing that I want to underline with this one is that mothers are so often the victims of the Madonna/ Whore dichotomy, so I am glad that this trope went out the window with this book. It is finally time to stop striping mothers of their person and their other identities in order to enclose them to just this one label.
On another note, I am a little bumped that we don't really see Emelle working that much and learn more about the Veil and it's creatures. Also I kind of disliked the whole 'daughter in law/ mother in law' tension. We could seriously do without it.
Nevertheless, it provides a nice closure on Emelle's story, as it just shows how life goes on after the third book, giving the characters an adorable and funny ending.
On another note, I am a little bumped that we don't really see Emelle working that much and learn more about the Veil and it's creatures. Also I kind of disliked the whole 'daughter in law/ mother in law' tension. We could seriously do without it.
Nevertheless, it provides a nice closure on Emelle's story, as it just shows how life goes on after the third book, giving the characters an adorable and funny ending.
Crimes of Cupidity by Raven Kennedy
3.5
I enjoy this book fairly enough, I just liked the two firsts more.
For one thing, it did not really live up to its political intrigue. Secondly, I found the ending kind of anticlimactic, even though the whole series kind of build it up. Thirdly, I wish there was more Otok in this book (I don't know why nobody seems to like him, I think he is very sweet).
Overall, it was an enjoyable book and I am kind of bumped that the series is coming to an end.
For one thing, it did not really live up to its political intrigue. Secondly, I found the ending kind of anticlimactic, even though the whole series kind of build it up. Thirdly, I wish there was more Otok in this book (I don't know why nobody seems to like him, I think he is very sweet).
Overall, it was an enjoyable book and I am kind of bumped that the series is coming to an end.
Bonds of Cupidity by Raven Kennedy
4.0
It's been a while since I was that excited to read a series, and it is so refreshing!
The second book of the series was very enjoyable and I could not stop reading it. I like Emelle a little bit less in this one, just because she is doubting herself a little too much for my taste. However, she still remains funny and kind of relatable, so it does not bother me too much.
The ending is an absolute cliffhanger, so make sure to have the third book around before finishing this one!
The second book of the series was very enjoyable and I could not stop reading it. I like Emelle a little bit less in this one, just because she is doubting herself a little too much for my taste. However, she still remains funny and kind of relatable, so it does not bother me too much.
The ending is an absolute cliffhanger, so make sure to have the third book around before finishing this one!
Signs of Cupidity by Raven Kennedy
3.5
3.5 stars
I actually enjoy this book very much! It is very cosy and often funny and I have to say, that despite thinking that it was a silly, little romantasy (nothing wrong with that, I picked it out for this exact reason) when I picked it up, it turned out to be much better than I expected.
I also enjoyed that fact that there wasn't any sex in this book. Of course, there will surely be in the next one, but I liked that the story was engaging and we actually got to know the characters a little bit.
The writing felt kind of flat at times, but this is something I am willing to look over as long as the book makes me giggle and this one sure did. I can't wait to learn more about the characters and see where this story is going.
I actually enjoy this book very much! It is very cosy and often funny and I have to say, that despite thinking that it was a silly, little romantasy (nothing wrong with that, I picked it out for this exact reason) when I picked it up, it turned out to be much better than I expected.
I also enjoyed that fact that there wasn't any sex in this book. Of course, there will surely be in the next one, but I liked that the story was engaging and we actually got to know the characters a little bit.
The writing felt kind of flat at times, but this is something I am willing to look over as long as the book makes me giggle and this one sure did. I can't wait to learn more about the characters and see where this story is going.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
5.0
I am usually not a fan of self-help books. However, every now and then I pick one up and this specific book did not disappoint.
With short chapters, straight-forward writing and actually example of the suggested ideas, this book creates a very nice place for someone to start bringing more awareness into their habits and how they form their life.
I would absolutely recommend it, I found it very useful and not a bit tiring.
With short chapters, straight-forward writing and actually example of the suggested ideas, this book creates a very nice place for someone to start bringing more awareness into their habits and how they form their life.
I would absolutely recommend it, I found it very useful and not a bit tiring.
Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan
2.0
Even with this third book, I unfortunately failed to care about Nick and Rachel. However, there were a few bits I liked, like the whole Kitty drama. I wish there were more details about the family, as we only get snippets now and then, but overall it was very enjoyable (all things considered, since this a story about an extrordinary rich family, and it can be kind of triggering if you think too much about your own financial situation that leads to these few families hoarding this much money). I would certainly recommend it if you are into taking a look in rich people's drama and day to day life.
A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber
3.0
I avoided reading this book, because I simply do not like endings. However, I eventually convinced myself to read it, and I can’t hide that it left me feeling baffled.
First of all, there were so many side things going on and they were not properly explored. A set of characters simply ceased to matter (where is Marisol?) and I am left with a variety of unanswered questions (How was Jacks made a fate?). In addition, we got too little of Jacks' pov in this book, and considering the fact that these two were apart for most of it, it felt kind like I was teased as to when will Jack and Evangeline actually be together, but the book does not really explore this enough.
Moreover, the ending felt rushed. It kind of felt like a quick wrap up of the whole situation in two chapters. I would certainly enjoy a couple more chapters on Jack and Evangeline, however, the narrator of the Epilogue left me feeling the springly magic of this world as I closed the book. I believe that there could be at least two more books set in the Magnificent North, in order for reader to have the chance to properly learn about this extremely magical and interesting place.
I think the second book had set my expectations too high and this caused me to not be excited enough with how the third one turned out.
All in all, I loved this trilogy, despite having mixed feeling about the third book. I would certainly recommend it, as they are engrossing books.
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
2.5
I gave this book 2.5 stars because it is not something special and I would recommend it depending on the mood.
I love me a nice chick lit book every now and then, especially when it is completely surreal (e.g. for millionaires in Singapore). This one was mostly okay, but there surely were some things in there that annoyed me.
Pros:
Reading this felt almost like a book version of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and I was absolutely here for it. Although in real life I absolutely despise millionaires and I believe that they are deeply unethical and leeches to society, books are not real life so I could just submerge myself into this.
The chapters are fairly short and keep you engaged. Also, every chapter in from a different point of view, which worked well for me, since I didn’t really like most of the characters, especially the main two. In addition, I loved the descriptions, even though generally I am not a fan, because this book is what it promised; a lockpick look into the lives of the crazy rich Asians that captivates you.
Cons:
First of all, I deeply disliked the main characters, Nick and Rachel. Nick is 33 and has lived many years in the UK and USA as a ‘normal’ person instead of a millionaire but somehow acts like he is some idealistic fifteen-year-old when it comes to Rachel meeting his family. He never mentions that his family is filthy rich or that they are extremely snobbish with people of ‘unknown families’ and completely fails to prepare Rachel for all of this. He pretends that that family politics and etiquette don’t exist and throw her right under the bus. Since we are talking about a man that grew up in this family and repeatedly mentions how different his upbringing was even compared to other Singaporean kids of rich families, he thinks that Rachel will somehow win his parents over with no strategy up until the very end. Of course, he only realizes how ignorant he was regarding his mother and grandmother at the end of the book, which just seems crazy. For me, Nick is a very good example of ‘boy man’.
Moving on to Rachel, this whole ‘I am not like other (Chinese) girls’ attitude throughout the whole book is tiring. Moreover, not even bothering to try and persuade Nick to show her the appropriate manners in order to at least avoid provoking his family (by almost being extremely underdressed for example, thank God for Peik Lin) makes her appear kind of ignorant up until the very end. I almost gave up near the ending of the book due to the way she treats her mother. What’s up with all these spoiled brats that disrespect the woman who not only gave birth to them, but raised them in the name of an unknown ‘father’? I will never get it.
Moreover, another thing I disliked were some word combination choices. I got two examples here that are spoiler free: 1. ‘and anointed her (Astrid) the chief object of their masturbatory fantasies’ How disgusting and absolutely meaningless is this line? And 2. ‘Never, ever wear green chiffon unless you want to look like bok choy that got gang raped’. Like, excuse me? Why write something like this?
Lastly, I hated how to endnotes appeared at the end for the chapter, because reading it in Ebook format meant that I would either have to go back and forth every few pages or that I would read all the endnotes at the ending of the chapter, so I was kind of lost while reading.
Overall, although this book surely had disadvantages I will go on and read the second one as well and hope for the best. I would absolutely recommend it if you are in the mood for a beach read and can overlook some stuff like the ones I mentioned above.
I love me a nice chick lit book every now and then, especially when it is completely surreal (e.g. for millionaires in Singapore). This one was mostly okay, but there surely were some things in there that annoyed me.
Pros:
Reading this felt almost like a book version of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and I was absolutely here for it. Although in real life I absolutely despise millionaires and I believe that they are deeply unethical and leeches to society, books are not real life so I could just submerge myself into this.
The chapters are fairly short and keep you engaged. Also, every chapter in from a different point of view, which worked well for me, since I didn’t really like most of the characters, especially the main two. In addition, I loved the descriptions, even though generally I am not a fan, because this book is what it promised; a lockpick look into the lives of the crazy rich Asians that captivates you.
Cons:
First of all, I deeply disliked the main characters, Nick and Rachel. Nick is 33 and has lived many years in the UK and USA as a ‘normal’ person instead of a millionaire but somehow acts like he is some idealistic fifteen-year-old when it comes to Rachel meeting his family. He never mentions that his family is filthy rich or that they are extremely snobbish with people of ‘unknown families’ and completely fails to prepare Rachel for all of this. He pretends that that family politics and etiquette don’t exist and throw her right under the bus. Since we are talking about a man that grew up in this family and repeatedly mentions how different his upbringing was even compared to other Singaporean kids of rich families, he thinks that Rachel will somehow win his parents over with no strategy up until the very end. Of course, he only realizes how ignorant he was regarding his mother and grandmother at the end of the book, which just seems crazy. For me, Nick is a very good example of ‘boy man’.
Moving on to Rachel, this whole ‘I am not like other (Chinese) girls’ attitude throughout the whole book is tiring. Moreover, not even bothering to try and persuade Nick to show her the appropriate manners in order to at least avoid provoking his family (by almost being extremely underdressed for example, thank God for Peik Lin) makes her appear kind of ignorant up until the very end. I almost gave up near the ending of the book due to the way she treats her mother. What’s up with all these spoiled brats that disrespect the woman who not only gave birth to them, but raised them in the name of an unknown ‘father’? I will never get it.
Moreover, another thing I disliked were some word combination choices. I got two examples here that are spoiler free: 1. ‘and anointed her (Astrid) the chief object of their masturbatory fantasies’ How disgusting and absolutely meaningless is this line? And 2. ‘Never, ever wear green chiffon unless you want to look like bok choy that got gang raped’. Like, excuse me? Why write something like this?
Lastly, I hated how to endnotes appeared at the end for the chapter, because reading it in Ebook format meant that I would either have to go back and forth every few pages or that I would read all the endnotes at the ending of the chapter, so I was kind of lost while reading.
Overall, although this book surely had disadvantages I will go on and read the second one as well and hope for the best. I would absolutely recommend it if you are in the mood for a beach read and can overlook some stuff like the ones I mentioned above.
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
slow-paced
0.0
*Spoiler free review*
The only book I enjoyed by Michaelides was -and is bound to remain as it seems- The Silent Patient
I didn’t like The Maidens but I was willing to give him another chance with this book.
However, I was kind of worried before I even picked up the book because it takes place in Greece. As a Greek person, I hate when books written by non-Greeks take place here since they often tend to portrait modern Greek people as ‘noble savages’. I don’t know. The overall vibe makes it seem like we are naïve, borderline uncivilized and live behind the moon. I absolutely hate it, but of course, despite my high hopes, this book was no exception to the rule. Also, I hated how Lana was refered to as Greek goddess all the time. Like, have you seen statues of Aphrodite? She would be brutally body shamed nowadays, stop trying to convince as that a skinny American could ever be compared to her.
Other than that, I found myself endelessly annoyed by the narrator. Right from the start, it is obvious that he is extremely self-absorbed and continuously messes up the narration. Then he proceeds to writing a whole paragraph to pinpoint that he messed up the narration. I mean, come on. At some point (early on) we learn that our narrator is Elliot, a leech. I hated him just for the way he was narrating this story. He didn't have to do anything else for me to absolutely despise him, but of course he did. All this back and forth without actually progressing anything was extremely tiring.
I don’t know how or why this book is characterized a thriller. It is just ‘deep complexes meet money and we also threw in some theater-related crappy wanna be philosophy’. There is not really a point in the whole book. It keeps trying to lure you in with the murder, but the actual murder doesn’t take place until almost the last chapter and frankly the plot just doesn’t hold. The ending and the supposedly plot twists didn’t do anything for me. Lastly, I did not really get to know the characters, connect with them or even come to care what happens.
Overall it was a great disappointment for me. If you really want to read something by Michaelides I would suggest sticking to the Silent Patient, even though this book isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and has its fair share of negative reviews. Personally, I would advice investing your time to other books that happen to be simply… better.
The only book I enjoyed by Michaelides was -and is bound to remain as it seems- The Silent Patient
I didn’t like The Maidens but I was willing to give him another chance with this book.
However, I was kind of worried before I even picked up the book because it takes place in Greece. As a Greek person, I hate when books written by non-Greeks take place here since they often tend to portrait modern Greek people as ‘noble savages’. I don’t know. The overall vibe makes it seem like we are naïve, borderline uncivilized and live behind the moon. I absolutely hate it, but of course, despite my high hopes, this book was no exception to the rule. Also, I hated how Lana was refered to as Greek goddess all the time. Like, have you seen statues of Aphrodite? She would be brutally body shamed nowadays, stop trying to convince as that a skinny American could ever be compared to her.
Other than that, I found myself endelessly annoyed by the narrator. Right from the start, it is obvious that he is extremely self-absorbed and continuously messes up the narration. Then he proceeds to writing a whole paragraph to pinpoint that he messed up the narration. I mean, come on. At some point (early on) we learn that our narrator is Elliot, a leech. I hated him just for the way he was narrating this story. He didn't have to do anything else for me to absolutely despise him, but of course he did. All this back and forth without actually progressing anything was extremely tiring.
I don’t know how or why this book is characterized a thriller. It is just ‘deep complexes meet money and we also threw in some theater-related crappy wanna be philosophy’. There is not really a point in the whole book. It keeps trying to lure you in with the murder, but the actual murder doesn’t take place until almost the last chapter and frankly the plot just doesn’t hold. The ending and the supposedly plot twists didn’t do anything for me. Lastly, I did not really get to know the characters, connect with them or even come to care what happens.
Overall it was a great disappointment for me. If you really want to read something by Michaelides I would suggest sticking to the Silent Patient, even though this book isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and has its fair share of negative reviews. Personally, I would advice investing your time to other books that happen to be simply… better.
Full Tilt by Emma Scott
4.0
If you have read <Me Before You> you know what to expect from this book. Early on I tried to convinced myself (and my boyfriend) that I would be crying unconsolably in your bed at 2 am. but everyone included knew deep down that I was lying.
I loved the instant chemistry the characters had and the genuine way the tried to approach it in a logical way. I loved the double pov as it added a lot to the emotional charge the story comes with and also it made them more realistic and multileveled. I read through it pretty fast as it the plot moves much faster that both readers and characters would like, but what can you do?
I would surely suggest checking the trigger warnings before reading it and perhaps you should pick it up when your partner is around so they can make you some popcorn and hold you as you cry and panic. Enjoy!
I loved the instant chemistry the characters had and the genuine way the tried to approach it in a logical way. I loved the double pov as it added a lot to the emotional charge the story comes with and also it made them more realistic and multileveled. I read through it pretty fast as it the plot moves much faster that both readers and characters would like, but what can you do?
I would surely suggest checking the trigger warnings before reading it and perhaps you should pick it up when your partner is around so they can make you some popcorn and hold you as you cry and panic. Enjoy!