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martuchi's reviews
170 reviews
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
“[…]—but the girls were hardly recognizable. Night had fallen, and with it came short slinky dresses and dark mascara and satin lipstick, transforming them from mere girls to a coven of bewitching nocturnal creatures.”
Disgusting.
[spoilers ahead]
I wanted to start my review with this quote because from this point on, I began completely hating this novel (and author). The portrayal of women in this book—more than anyone, Meredith’s—is absolutely rubbish. As a reader you can identify whether is the character narrating or the author’s thoughts regarding how they see or describe different people. In this case, it’s the latter.
The internalized misogyny of M.L Rio is bigger than I have imagined; I thought we were in some point in history where these things didn’t happen anymore. I was proved wrong more than once while reading this novel. Meredith sexualices herself but not in a healthy and empowering way, and so does everyone else, of course. She’s called a whore multiple times, even Oliver does but she loves him anyway (????????
Plus, the “not like other girls” trope is repeated over and over again—I bet that’s how the author describes herself as well—. For example, Filippa (needless to say she was my second favorite character), Oliver’s sister, and even Meredith. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such badly written female characters (and I’ve read worse books than this one).
Moreover, the queer representation is so bad. Of course, the only gay character has sex with everybody, can’t maintain a romantic relationship (at the beginning), and is a drug addict. I was so mad because Alexander had so much potential to become a GREAT queer representative because of his background and how he raised above everything—but you can’t ask anything to an author who calls her most beautiful character a whore every two pages.
Not only that, but James and Oliver’s relationship could have been better developed. I was sure that they wouldn’t end up together, it’s understandable and makes sense too, but omg they had more potential and chemistry than Meredith and Oliver ever had (even Filippa and Oliver had more chemistry than them!!). It looked like she was more desperate to be loved by him, than actually love for him. That’s why I hated that they stayed together in the end.
James was my favorite character by far. Even though his suicide make a lot of sense for his character, I am still mad that he didn’t wait for Oliver in the end. They would have been happy together though destructive in their own love for one another. It is so unfair.
I even think I hate Shakespeare now. The quoted dialogues between the characters felt so unrealistic. I don’t think anyone speaks like that. I started skipping through the pages whenever they talked with quotes.
I’m sure the author wanted to show off who much she knew about Shakespeare. But it was incredibly dull.
Also, Oliver’s sister eating disorder was so random and unnecessary (???? Why it was added to the story is a mystery to me.
The ending of the novel was good, though predictable: I knew from the beginning who the killer was. But that’s the only thing I can say about it. James deserved so much better than this—so did Oliver, in a way.
Oh, and I never even liked Richard so I didn’t care about his death.
Disgusting.
[spoilers ahead]
I wanted to start my review with this quote because from this point on, I began completely hating this novel (and author). The portrayal of women in this book—more than anyone, Meredith’s—is absolutely rubbish. As a reader you can identify whether is the character narrating or the author’s thoughts regarding how they see or describe different people. In this case, it’s the latter.
The internalized misogyny of M.L Rio is bigger than I have imagined; I thought we were in some point in history where these things didn’t happen anymore. I was proved wrong more than once while reading this novel. Meredith sexualices herself but not in a healthy and empowering way, and so does everyone else, of course. She’s called a whore multiple times, even Oliver does but she loves him anyway (????????
Plus, the “not like other girls” trope is repeated over and over again—I bet that’s how the author describes herself as well—. For example, Filippa (needless to say she was my second favorite character), Oliver’s sister, and even Meredith. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such badly written female characters (and I’ve read worse books than this one).
Moreover, the queer representation is so bad. Of course, the only gay character has sex with everybody, can’t maintain a romantic relationship (at the beginning), and is a drug addict. I was so mad because Alexander had so much potential to become a GREAT queer representative because of his background and how he raised above everything—but you can’t ask anything to an author who calls her most beautiful character a whore every two pages.
Not only that, but James and Oliver’s relationship could have been better developed. I was sure that they wouldn’t end up together, it’s understandable and makes sense too, but omg they had more potential and chemistry than Meredith and Oliver ever had (even Filippa and Oliver had more chemistry than them!!). It looked like she was more desperate to be loved by him, than actually love for him. That’s why I hated that they stayed together in the end.
James was my favorite character by far. Even though his suicide make a lot of sense for his character, I am still mad that he didn’t wait for Oliver in the end. They would have been happy together though destructive in their own love for one another. It is so unfair.
I even think I hate Shakespeare now. The quoted dialogues between the characters felt so unrealistic. I don’t think anyone speaks like that. I started skipping through the pages whenever they talked with quotes.
I’m sure the author wanted to show off who much she knew about Shakespeare. But it was incredibly dull.
Also, Oliver’s sister eating disorder was so random and unnecessary (???? Why it was added to the story is a mystery to me.
The ending of the novel was good, though predictable: I knew from the beginning who the killer was. But that’s the only thing I can say about it. James deserved so much better than this—so did Oliver, in a way.
Oh, and I never even liked Richard so I didn’t care about his death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Eating disorder
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Though the ending was quite dissatisfying, Caraval managed to impress me. The story was fun, and the romance, lovely.
I didn’t like Scarlett as a main character, and even less, Donatella. I hated her with all my heart and (spoilers for OUABH) I can’t believe someone like Jacks would fall for someone like her—even if he is a manwhore and all!!
Julian’s real story and the entire backstory was weird and badly put through. I’m sure there is more to the story than all of that, however, I did not like how “it was all a plan all along” since the beginning was explained.
The book was saved by Julian and Scarlett’s romance. If it weren’t for that, I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much.
I didn’t like Scarlett as a main character, and even less, Donatella. I hated her with all my heart and (spoilers for OUABH) I can’t believe someone like Jacks would fall for someone like her—even if he is a manwhore and all!!
Julian’s real story and the entire backstory was weird and badly put through. I’m sure there is more to the story than all of that, however, I did not like how “it was all a plan all along” since the beginning was explained.
The book was saved by Julian and Scarlett’s romance. If it weren’t for that, I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much.
Skandar y el ladrón del unicornio by A.F. Steadman
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This novel is SO BAD I want to cry. Even if I’m almost in my 20s, I love reading these types of books. However, Skandar and the Unicorn Thief is the exception.
I imagined this would be a mix between Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, and I wasn’t completely wrong in some parts. Although it takes some elements from both series, it sucks at doing so.
We have a (half) orphan who is a complete idiot and does not act his age at all. I know I’m 6 years older than him, but please, he’s so dumb. Skandar is 13 but acts like Harry when his was a first year at Hogwarts.
(Also, let’s ignore the part where Steadman takes most of Harry Potter’s system of houses, teachers, and even the outfit of the villain wth)
The narrator wasn’t telling you the story at all, they were saying things as the story went along. For example: oh yes, Bobby is having a panic attack… and? Steadman just told you that instead of explaining it. There was some storytelling missing there.
Moreover, Bobby’s panic attacks seemed too forced and I didn’t believe them for a second. As someone who had them frequently when younger, I hated that this was taken so lightly. It was stupid to read, really.
Even more, Mitchell’s relationship with his father was also forced out of nowhere. I don’t want you to say to me how the relationship is bad and all, I want you to tell me how they feel about it. Explain it through feelings and situations instead of saying it through random conversations.
Readers are not idiots, we can read between the lines. We don’t need the protagonists to have a conversation between them to know the entire backstory between two characters.
The real villain was predictable. And that’s the only thing I really liked in the story. Plus, the Unicorn lore was interesting, but far too complicated to understand if you only explained its entirety, once, at the beginning of the story.
And coming back to Skandar. He LOVES acting like a victim. Steadman gave him one of the most annoying character traits for a protagonist: main character syndrome. He believes everything is about him and plays the victim regardless.
Flo is the only likable character here. Bobby is a wannabe Ron Weasley. Mitchell is what the author wanted Draco Malfoy to be.
P.S:
I will read the second book, though. I want to have a laugh while reading this nonsense instead of suffering like with this dull novel.
I imagined this would be a mix between Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, and I wasn’t completely wrong in some parts. Although it takes some elements from both series, it sucks at doing so.
We have a (half) orphan who is a complete idiot and does not act his age at all. I know I’m 6 years older than him, but please, he’s so dumb. Skandar is 13 but acts like Harry when his was a first year at Hogwarts.
(Also, let’s ignore the part where Steadman takes most of Harry Potter’s system of houses, teachers, and even the outfit of the villain wth)
The narrator wasn’t telling you the story at all, they were saying things as the story went along. For example: oh yes, Bobby is having a panic attack… and? Steadman just told you that instead of explaining it. There was some storytelling missing there.
Moreover, Bobby’s panic attacks seemed too forced and I didn’t believe them for a second. As someone who had them frequently when younger, I hated that this was taken so lightly. It was stupid to read, really.
Even more, Mitchell’s relationship with his father was also forced out of nowhere. I don’t want you to say to me how the relationship is bad and all, I want you to tell me how they feel about it. Explain it through feelings and situations instead of saying it through random conversations.
Readers are not idiots, we can read between the lines. We don’t need the protagonists to have a conversation between them to know the entire backstory between two characters.
The real villain was predictable. And that’s the only thing I really liked in the story. Plus, the Unicorn lore was interesting, but far too complicated to understand if you only explained its entirety, once, at the beginning of the story.
And coming back to Skandar. He LOVES acting like a victim. Steadman gave him one of the most annoying character traits for a protagonist: main character syndrome. He believes everything is about him and plays the victim regardless.
Flo is the only likable character here. Bobby is a wannabe Ron Weasley. Mitchell is what the author wanted Draco Malfoy to be.
P.S:
I will read the second book, though. I want to have a laugh while reading this nonsense instead of suffering like with this dull novel.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Definitely my favorite Harry Potter book. It has everything: mysteries, love, Harry making stupid decisions…!
Overall the book is fantastic, though pretty long. Sometimes it felt as it was getting dragged a bit, but I enjoyed every page I read. I can’t explain how much I loved it!
Overall the book is fantastic, though pretty long. Sometimes it felt as it was getting dragged a bit, but I enjoyed every page I read. I can’t explain how much I loved it!
The Giver by Lois Lowry
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.0
It’s a good read, to say the least. “The Giver” is usually your well-known dystopia, but nonetheless, it’s greater than others.
It has a strong message about individuality, and it was so sad most of the times. I did not cry, however, (probably because I read traveling on public transport) even if the melancholy inside my heart right now is HUGE.
The ending, though, as many other novels I’ve read before, has left me quite disappointed. It gives you a sense of hope about Jonas’ future life, yet it didn’t fulfill my need of… something else (?)
Anyway, beautiful book. Really recommended.
It has a strong message about individuality, and it was so sad most of the times. I did not cry, however, (probably because I read traveling on public transport) even if the melancholy inside my heart right now is HUGE.
The ending, though, as many other novels I’ve read before, has left me quite disappointed. It gives you a sense of hope about Jonas’ future life, yet it didn’t fulfill my need of… something else (?)
Anyway, beautiful book. Really recommended.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.5
Oh, Jacks, you little bastard. It’s been a while since I’ve had a crush on a book character, but here I am. He’s so evil and damaged! I love him. The romance between Evangeline and him is so goooood! Even if nothing really happened there.
What an amazing novel, too. Evangeline you are one of the strongest female characters I’ve read in a long time, and I love Stephanie for writing you in this way.
My only complaints with this novel are pretty simple:
1. Vampires: I hate vampires. There’s no reason for my hatred towards them.
2. Cringe dialogue: every time Jacks said “Little Fox”, I wanted to kms (/jk) and then Jacks for his cringeworthy words. Plus, some other things I can’t really recall right now but I would definitely say if pointed out.
I can’t wait to read the second book!! (And try Caraval, too, even despite its mixed reviews)
What an amazing novel, too. Evangeline you are one of the strongest female characters I’ve read in a long time, and I love Stephanie for writing you in this way.
My only complaints with this novel are pretty simple:
1. Vampires: I hate vampires. There’s no reason for my hatred towards them.
2. Cringe dialogue: every time Jacks said “Little Fox”, I wanted to kms (/jk) and then Jacks for his cringeworthy words. Plus, some other things I can’t really recall right now but I would definitely say if pointed out.
I can’t wait to read the second book!! (And try Caraval, too, even despite its mixed reviews)
El vals de la bruja by Belén Martínez Sánchez
adventurous
dark
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Si bien tarde mucho en leer esta novela, me gustó demasiado.
El principio fue muy aburrido y odié a Eliza hasta la mitad del libro; siento que ella tiene “síndrome de personaje principal”, donde piensa que el Sol gira alrededor de ella y no de la tierra jajaja. Sin embargo, aprendí a quererla y se me cayeron las lágrimas una vez llegado el final.
Andrei es encantador. Trece, mi personaje favorito. A Kate la odie desde el minuto uno. Y Aleister, me pareció muy fácil de empatizar —salvando distancias, obviamente.
Igualmente, hay una parte en mi que no sabe descifrar si me gusto la novela por su originalidad o porque tiene DEMASIADAS similitudes con Harry Potter. Para analizar.
El principio fue muy aburrido y odié a Eliza hasta la mitad del libro; siento que ella tiene “síndrome de personaje principal”, donde piensa que el Sol gira alrededor de ella y no de la tierra jajaja. Sin embargo, aprendí a quererla y se me cayeron las lágrimas una vez llegado el final.
Andrei es encantador. Trece, mi personaje favorito. A Kate la odie desde el minuto uno. Y Aleister, me pareció muy fácil de empatizar —salvando distancias, obviamente.
Igualmente, hay una parte en mi que no sabe descifrar si me gusto la novela por su originalidad o porque tiene DEMASIADAS similitudes con Harry Potter. Para analizar.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Though I have to admit that the ending left me a bit disappointed, it’s a great novel.
I am Korede and Korede is me. We both have an Ayoola that makes our life miserable but that we love and can’t seem to cut them out of our lives.
I LOVE short chapters so this was the novel for me in that sense. Really recommended!
I am Korede and Korede is me. We both have an Ayoola that makes our life miserable but that we love and can’t seem to cut them out of our lives.
I LOVE short chapters so this was the novel for me in that sense. Really recommended!
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
You might realize it took me a while to read this book. Because let’s be honest here, it’s not very good.
We all know that the first novel of famous authors is not great, and Jane Austen here, isn’t the exception. However at times very funny and clever, the novel (most of it) was plain boring chatter between the characters (which are MANY of them. Pretty much the first 100 pages are to introduce the characters), or to explain how they are feeling at unnecessary times. When we do need for them to express their feelings, they just don’t. I know that’s mostly the whole point, but it got very repetitive at times.
I bet that Austen wanted to portray how stupid and shallow the upper class was at that time, but it got dull at the mention of it for the sixth time.
As I said, the book had great moments regardless. The love story was more of a comedy, which I enjoyed, but howEdward and Elinor got together at the end was sort of weird, to say the least.
Plus, Marianne’s romance with the Colonel could have been much better handled IMO.
They had great potential from the start and it was wasted when she started becoming ill for days and days nonstop. That plot line was also pretty annoying to read; I just grew tired of reading how bad she was all the time. Then again, I realized later she was just 16/17, so it was understandable, at best.
The middle part of the novel was the best. All the drama with Lucy, Edward, and Elinor was awesome to read. Those were the only times I couldn’t put the book down.
Pretty mid book. Though it pains me to say this about the GREAT Jane Austen. I’ll continue with Persuasion with no hope of liking it, I don’t want to be disappointed again.
We all know that the first novel of famous authors is not great, and Jane Austen here, isn’t the exception. However at times very funny and clever, the novel (most of it) was plain boring chatter between the characters (which are MANY of them. Pretty much the first 100 pages are to introduce the characters), or to explain how they are feeling at unnecessary times. When we do need for them to express their feelings, they just don’t. I know that’s mostly the whole point, but it got very repetitive at times.
I bet that Austen wanted to portray how stupid and shallow the upper class was at that time, but it got dull at the mention of it for the sixth time.
As I said, the book had great moments regardless. The love story was more of a comedy, which I enjoyed, but how
Plus, Marianne’s romance with the Colonel could have been much better handled IMO.
They had great potential from the start and it was wasted when she started becoming ill for days and days nonstop. That plot line was also pretty annoying to read; I just grew tired of reading how bad she was all the time. Then again, I realized later she was just 16/17, so it was understandable, at best.
The middle part of the novel was the best. All the drama with Lucy, Edward, and Elinor was awesome to read. Those were the only times I couldn’t put the book down.
Pretty mid book. Though it pains me to say this about the GREAT Jane Austen. I’ll continue with Persuasion with no hope of liking it, I don’t want to be disappointed again.
Fruits Basket Collector's Edition, Vol. 3 by Natsuki Takaya
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-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