maxstaxofbooks's reviews
85 reviews

Next of Kin by Kia Abdullah

challenging emotional informative tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

this book had a very high rating up until the last two chapters… what kind of ending was that????

Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

3.0

Cackle by Rachel Harrison

funny lighthearted mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron

funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

i guessed every plot twist. every single one. kinda predictable.

the ending was bleh. but i enjoyed reading it.

ppl say it’s Slasher, but when you add certain elements to it, it’s no longer slasher for me. 

i wished there were more scenes of ppl dying in real time & not things being left up to your imagination. 

cringy? yes. but a lot of teenage based horror movies are nowadays are (or horror in general). 

there’s this one part that is unexplained/contradicting so there’s that. 

i listened to it on audio and followed along on my kindle.

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

i have no words to explain how i feel.

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful 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

4.0

4 stars bc i didn’t understand a lot about Manon’s POV

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Pepper Lights: A Houston Country Club Novella by Joanna Kimber

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

this book was very touching for me personally. with me going through similar insecurities recently, this novella is special to me. it helped me realize things that i hadn’t before. 

though the ending wasn’t exactly what i wanted haha, it’s definitely what it needed to be in order for Cleo to stay true to herself & i love that. 

i’m so proud of you Joanna, & i can’t wait to read more from you! 

- @maxstaxofbooks

Lore Olympus: Volume Three by Rachel Smythe

emotional funny hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0