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marik0n's reviews
511 reviews
Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
challenging
dark
sad
3.0
Girlhood is such a complex matter to approach and I was perplexed as to how to rate this book.
I generally enjoyed reading it but I wasn't touched to the degree everyone else seems to be. I saw a review that said that if you liked <We Were Liars> you would like this one and indeed the writing styles are similar, which is something I enjoyed.
My problem with this book is that so many things are mentioned, but most of them are not discussed enough, even though they are presented as major points in the FMC's life, such as her relationship with Mikey, Ellis and her mother, her father's death, her time with in the Seed House.
Other than that, it is surely captivating, even though I would strongly suggest checking the trigger warnings before picking this bad girl up because it can indeed be very triggering.
I generally enjoyed reading it but I wasn't touched to the degree everyone else seems to be. I saw a review that said that if you liked <We Were Liars> you would like this one and indeed the writing styles are similar, which is something I enjoyed.
My problem with this book is that so many things are mentioned, but most of them are not discussed enough, even though they are presented as major points in the FMC's life, such as her relationship with Mikey, Ellis and her mother, her father's death, her time with in the Seed House.
Other than that, it is surely captivating, even though I would strongly suggest checking the trigger warnings before picking this bad girl up because it can indeed be very triggering.
The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber
I will die on every hill there is to defend my fictional, misunderstood men (much emphasis on fictional). The Prince of Hearts couldn’t of course be excused of this list.
I liked this book more than the first one, in the sense that it was much more captivating and action packed, which shocked me since the chapters were noticeably longer. However, I enjoyed it deeply. There were even times where I laughed out loud while reading and I overall had this warm and cozy feeling that everyone needs in March.
I won’t even get started on the ending, it was a major cliffhanger and unfortunately for me I couldn’t immediately start reading the third one, so if you’re planning on reading these books, keep in mind to have the third one handy when you’re about to finish this one.
adventurous
4.5
I will die on every hill there is to defend my fictional, misunderstood men (much emphasis on fictional). The Prince of Hearts couldn’t of course be excused of this list.
I liked this book more than the first one, in the sense that it was much more captivating and action packed, which shocked me since the chapters were noticeably longer. However, I enjoyed it deeply. There were even times where I laughed out loud while reading and I overall had this warm and cozy feeling that everyone needs in March.
I won’t even get started on the ending, it was a major cliffhanger and unfortunately for me I couldn’t immediately start reading the third one, so if you’re planning on reading these books, keep in mind to have the third one handy when you’re about to finish this one.
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
4.0
I had missed the world of Caraval so incredibly much, but here we are once again, this time in the Enchanted North!
I have to start by saying that I was patiently waiting for the whole trilogy to be published before I picked it up because I do terribly with unfinished series and Caraval really reminded me of that.
As soon as I picked up this book a strong sense of thrill rushed through me and I was so extremely excited to dive back into this lovely and unique universe of magic and tales.
I loved that the chapters were short and my attention was immediately captivated. I originally had mixed feelings about Evangeline as I don’t like very characters too ethical, but I ended up liking her.
The end was not really the cliffhanger I was waiting for, but it surely made me pick up the second book of the trilogy ASAP. I am looking forward to reading more of this beautiful story.
I have to start by saying that I was patiently waiting for the whole trilogy to be published before I picked it up because I do terribly with unfinished series and Caraval really reminded me of that.
As soon as I picked up this book a strong sense of thrill rushed through me and I was so extremely excited to dive back into this lovely and unique universe of magic and tales.
I loved that the chapters were short and my attention was immediately captivated. I originally had mixed feelings about Evangeline as I don’t like very characters too ethical, but I ended up liking her.
The end was not really the cliffhanger I was waiting for, but it surely made me pick up the second book of the trilogy ASAP. I am looking forward to reading more of this beautiful story.
Hunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
0.0
I wouldn't really recommend this book to anyone. And I would certainly never call it a romance. Under no circumstances. There was not a single drop of romance in this book, it pretty much consists of torture porn. I am normally against cencorship in literature but I could probably make an exception for this particular one. I don't appreciate the shock value Carlton tried to create (with the first half of) the book.
I have had countless issues with this book but I am pretty sure they are all depicted in other reviews so I will leave you with that: this book can be extremely triggering and you should absolutely check the trigger warnings.
Please remember that despite the new Booktok notion that if you don't read or enjoy smut/dark romance etc. you're lame, you actually aren't.
I have had countless issues with this book but I am pretty sure they are all depicted in other reviews so I will leave you with that: this book can be extremely triggering and you should absolutely check the trigger warnings.
Please remember that despite the new Booktok notion that if you don't read or enjoy smut/dark romance etc. you're lame, you actually aren't.
How Not to Age: The Scientific Approach to Getting Healthier as You Get Older by Michael Greger
slow-paced
1.5
Before starting this review, I want to underline the fact that just because you have spent a great amount of time working on something, it does not necessarily make it good.
I dived into this book hoping that it would have the same vibes as When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress which I thoroughly enjoyed as it felt like talking with an informed friend with no judgement.
Even though I enjoyed the first part of the book very much, as I kept reading I realised that it is incredibly repetitive and vague at times. I am not sure who this book is addressed to, as at some points it seems to greatly over-explain some things and in others it treats the reader like a peer.
One thing I greatly disliked was how pushy and judgmental reading this book felt at times. Fearmongering is not my go-to approach when it comes in this kind of matters because to be honest, who has the time to not only educate themselves but also apply the things they learned constantly in their every day life? I mean, I made an attempt to look for a way to get black cumin but I could not find it anywhere near me, so if I wanted it I needed to get it online and pay shipment as well. Well, I do not know about other people, but personally I don't have the economic means to support this decision.
Moreover, it felt like he was biased in some points and not considering that some of the things he mentioned have only been tested on men and do not necessarily apply to women the same way or even at all. In addition, his focused too heavily in the USA context which I think is kind of pointless if not mentioned in the synopsis of the book, since many things mentioned do not apply outside of the USA (ex. food regulations), so whole sections were not really this helpful.
The part where the book pretty much lost me was when he started referencing BMI, which is notoriously a non credible parameter to consider and can be very harmful in some cases. I just don't understand how he did such a rookie mistake when writing a book which is in other aspects so well researched.
I dived into this book hoping that it would have the same vibes as When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress which I thoroughly enjoyed as it felt like talking with an informed friend with no judgement.
Even though I enjoyed the first part of the book very much, as I kept reading I realised that it is incredibly repetitive and vague at times. I am not sure who this book is addressed to, as at some points it seems to greatly over-explain some things and in others it treats the reader like a peer.
One thing I greatly disliked was how pushy and judgmental reading this book felt at times. Fearmongering is not my go-to approach when it comes in this kind of matters because to be honest, who has the time to not only educate themselves but also apply the things they learned constantly in their every day life? I mean, I made an attempt to look for a way to get black cumin but I could not find it anywhere near me, so if I wanted it I needed to get it online and pay shipment as well. Well, I do not know about other people, but personally I don't have the economic means to support this decision.
Moreover, it felt like he was biased in some points and not considering that some of the things he mentioned have only been tested on men and do not necessarily apply to women the same way or even at all. In addition, his focused too heavily in the USA context which I think is kind of pointless if not mentioned in the synopsis of the book, since many things mentioned do not apply outside of the USA (ex. food regulations), so whole sections were not really this helpful.
The part where the book pretty much lost me was when he started referencing BMI, which is notoriously a non credible parameter to consider and can be very harmful in some cases. I just don't understand how he did such a rookie mistake when writing a book which is in other aspects so well researched.
Bound by Duty by Cora Reilly
dark
3.25
3.25⭐️: Nothing too special. I would recommend it depending on the mood.
After reading the first book of the series I wasn't exactly hopeful for the second one, but I actually enjoyed this book more.
Starting off with the FMC: Valentina is actually an adult (23 years old) and has a better understanding of the world, herself, and what she wants. We are actually able to see her strong and genuine friendship with Bibiana and Valentina actually chooses to practically help her improve her life when she has the chance. In contrast to Aria, Valentina isn't just scared of this world and she actively tries to make change here and there, in accordance to what is within her power instead of nagging.
As for Dante, I didn't really get to know him, so I don't have any strong opinions about him. He was cold and distant and without his POV I couldn't attribute him any characteristic other than grieving his wife and having a pocker face.
After reading the first book of the series I wasn't exactly hopeful for the second one, but I actually enjoyed this book more.
Starting off with the FMC: Valentina is actually an adult (23 years old) and has a better understanding of the world, herself, and what she wants. We are actually able to see her strong and genuine friendship with Bibiana and Valentina actually chooses to practically help her improve her life when she has the chance. In contrast to Aria, Valentina isn't just scared of this world and she actively tries to make change here and there, in accordance to what is within her power instead of nagging.
As for Dante, I didn't really get to know him, so I don't have any strong opinions about him. He was cold and distant and without his POV I couldn't attribute him any characteristic other than grieving his wife and having a pocker face.
Bound by Honor by Cora Reilly
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
⭐️⭐️: I somehow finished this, it wasn't the worst, but i regret almost everything.
I read this book due to my bookclub and let me tell you that at first I decided to dnf it due to the cheating trope (I don't think it is even a spoiler at this point). However, I decided to continue reading it because it was very short and I was almost midway through.
I absolutely hated Aria as the FMC. She is constantly nagging, like this isn't the world she was born in and she doesn't know how it works. Like, girl. Do you best with your circumstances and the means available to you. I also hated the fact that she is so young and naive, therefore she generally acts and thinks like a child. I mean I get why she is clinging to her virginity and all, but come on now, this is borderline disgusting. Moreover, she is overreacting terribly and is terrified mostly without a valid reason. Yes, Luca is a mafia man, of course he kills people but that's his job. He is treating you nicely girl, read the room.
Around 75% it starts getting progressively better, so I decided to read the second book of the series hoping that there will be some improvements.
I read this book due to my bookclub and let me tell you that at first I decided to dnf it due to the cheating trope (I don't think it is even a spoiler at this point). However, I decided to continue reading it because it was very short and I was almost midway through.
I absolutely hated Aria as the FMC. She is constantly nagging, like this isn't the world she was born in and she doesn't know how it works. Like, girl. Do you best with your circumstances and the means available to you. I also hated the fact that she is so young and naive, therefore she generally acts and thinks like a child. I mean I get why she is clinging to her virginity and all, but come on now, this is borderline disgusting. Moreover, she is overreacting terribly and is terrified mostly without a valid reason. Yes, Luca is a mafia man, of course he kills people but that's his job. He is treating you nicely girl, read the room.
Around 75% it starts getting progressively better, so I decided to read the second book of the series hoping that there will be some improvements.
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
⭐️⭐️⭐️: Nothing too special. I would recommend it depending on the mood.
Let me make one thing very clear. I hate Adam with a burning passion. Adam is the type of man I am referring to when I explain how men are really, really not a necessity in a society. He is plainly disgusting and the more I read, the more I despised him. Moreover, there has never been a relationship where the: "When a relationship falls apart both have responsibility; he and his mother". I mean, I didn't know who was worse, she or her offspring. This book took me a lot of time to read because every time I picked it up these two were up to some kind of stupidity.
Adam and Sarah is the typical case of a capable, hard-working, successful woman convincing herself that a less than mediocre man, who offers absolutely nothing positive to her life and only takes, is the love of her life. I came pretty soon to the realization that the only reason she ended up with him was because she didn't have a strong support system to advice her otherwise.
It is a page-turner and I kept reading as I had a pile of unanswered questions. Sadly, some of them were never answered and the end felt a little bit rushed and incomplete.
Let me make one thing very clear. I hate Adam with a burning passion. Adam is the type of man I am referring to when I explain how men are really, really not a necessity in a society. He is plainly disgusting and the more I read, the more I despised him. Moreover, there has never been a relationship where the: "When a relationship falls apart both have responsibility; he and his mother". I mean, I didn't know who was worse, she or her offspring. This book took me a lot of time to read because every time I picked it up these two were up to some kind of stupidity.
Adam and Sarah is the typical case of a capable, hard-working, successful woman convincing herself that a less than mediocre man, who offers absolutely nothing positive to her life and only takes, is the love of her life. I came pretty soon to the realization that the only reason she ended up with him was because she didn't have a strong support system to advice her otherwise.
It is a page-turner and I kept reading as I had a pile of unanswered questions. Sadly, some of them were never answered and the end felt a little bit rushed and incomplete.
Big Nick Energy by Morgan Elizabeth
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I am so satisfied, I really liked this one. I love it and I would most probably recommend.
Tropes:
Single mom x single dad
He falls first and he falls harder
Thanksgiving & Christmas themed
I picked up this book right after reading "Tis the Season for Revenge" and although it is a completely different vibe, I really liked it!
This book’s main character is Shae, a single mother, who is trying to put her life together and raise her two daughters after divorcing an abusive husband. She eventually meets Nick, the dad of her friend Conor and there are instant sparkles in the air. Shae could ignore that with some effort, but Nick accidently informs her daughters of the Elf in the shelf tradition in a Thanksgiving dinner, causing the girls to get excited. The thing is that Shae doesn’t really have the time nor the energy to set up the Elf each day, so he receives responsibility and try to do it for her.
Shae is a strongly relatable single mom and Nick… well he is top tier fictional man. He definitely sets a high standard. I mean he was so willing to jump for at cookie and man did he do it with pleasure.
The relationship the two engage in is so surreal but at the same time, as a child of a single mother and an adult woman, I wish was the standard. I loved how there was no third act break up because they are adults and communicate efficiently with each other (the shock). I personally hate the miscommunication trope, especially when we are talking about grown adults, let alone when kids are involved.
This book is so sweet it could easily be made by cotton candy covered dreams. So, I warn you, if you are not in the mood for that, you may find it too cheesy or cringe. That wasn’t the case for me because I absolutely needed a feel-good book. It is a warm hug in this own rights. The fact that it is also set around Christmas time is simply a bonus.
Tropes:
Single mom x single dad
He falls first and he falls harder
Thanksgiving & Christmas themed
I picked up this book right after reading "Tis the Season for Revenge" and although it is a completely different vibe, I really liked it!
This book’s main character is Shae, a single mother, who is trying to put her life together and raise her two daughters after divorcing an abusive husband. She eventually meets Nick, the dad of her friend Conor and there are instant sparkles in the air. Shae could ignore that with some effort, but Nick accidently informs her daughters of the Elf in the shelf tradition in a Thanksgiving dinner, causing the girls to get excited. The thing is that Shae doesn’t really have the time nor the energy to set up the Elf each day, so he receives responsibility and try to do it for her.
Shae is a strongly relatable single mom and Nick… well he is top tier fictional man. He definitely sets a high standard. I mean he was so willing to jump for at cookie and man did he do it with pleasure.
The relationship the two engage in is so surreal but at the same time, as a child of a single mother and an adult woman, I wish was the standard. I loved how there was no third act break up because they are adults and communicate efficiently with each other (the shock). I personally hate the miscommunication trope, especially when we are talking about grown adults, let alone when kids are involved.
This book is so sweet it could easily be made by cotton candy covered dreams. So, I warn you, if you are not in the mood for that, you may find it too cheesy or cringe. That wasn’t the case for me because I absolutely needed a feel-good book. It is a warm hug in this own rights. The fact that it is also set around Christmas time is simply a bonus.
The Family Game by Catherine Steadman
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
⭐⭐⭐⭐: I am so satisfied, I really liked this one. It probably didn't change my life, but I love it and I would most probably recommend
Harriet is an orphan and a writer on her way to marry Edward, a sweet guy from an insanely rich family. Of course, extremely rich families come with a variety of secrets, mysteries and complicated relationships.
I really liked the concept of this book and I absolutely love rich family thrillers. It should be noted that it was very intriguing from the start and it definitely pulled me in.
In the end, everything got wrapped up so quickly and I don't know how I feel about this. Maybe I wanted more details on what the other family members knew about *this* person of interest. There was so much more potential in this book that wasn't explored, but I'm kind of okay with that. It's not that it ruined it for me.
Ps. I found extremely weird the way she was obsessing over her father in law. Like, girl, get yourself together.
I would definitely recommend this book to those who want a nice domestic, holidays with a dark twist type of thriller.
Harriet is an orphan and a writer on her way to marry Edward, a sweet guy from an insanely rich family. Of course, extremely rich families come with a variety of secrets, mysteries and complicated relationships.
I really liked the concept of this book and I absolutely love rich family thrillers. It should be noted that it was very intriguing from the start and it definitely pulled me in.
In the end, everything got wrapped up so quickly and I don't know how I feel about this. Maybe I wanted more details on what the other family members knew about *this* person of interest. There was so much more potential in this book that wasn't explored, but I'm kind of okay with that. It's not that it ruined it for me.
Ps. I found extremely weird the way she was obsessing over her father in law. Like, girl, get yourself together.
I would definitely recommend this book to those who want a nice domestic, holidays with a dark twist type of thriller.