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megan_bbender's reviews
89 reviews
When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
I felt like this story was very slow in the beginning. When I got to around 200 pages, I logged it on my StoryGraph and said "holy sh*t, I'm not even halfway through?", but it really started to pick up towards the end, the last 150 pages or so were thrilling and it felt like the plot was finally moving, however the ending was so abrupt that genuinely can't believe that was it; it finally felt like something was coming out of this book and then *poof* it was gone.
With that being said I can actually appreciate the abruptness throughout the book, for example the very fast-ending sentences and scenarios really help to gain an understanding about how the characters are actually feeling and how fast everything in their community is actually changing.
To be honest, I was having more fun learning about the history of the community and kind of forgot about the plot. I did really like the characters though, Sydney is someone that I would love to be friends with, and the way the neighbours always had each others backs was heartwarming, and I definitely got super invested in the slow burn romance.
I liked the concept of this book and it was really intriguing but I feel like if it was shorter, I would've rated it a bit higher.
With that being said I can actually appreciate the abruptness throughout the book, for example the very fast-ending sentences and scenarios really help to gain an understanding about how the characters are actually feeling and how fast everything in their community is actually changing.
To be honest, I was having more fun learning about the history of the community and kind of forgot about the plot. I did really like the characters though, Sydney is someone that I would love to be friends with, and the way the neighbours always had each others backs was heartwarming, and I definitely got super invested in the slow burn romance.
I liked the concept of this book and it was really intriguing but I feel like if it was shorter, I would've rated it a bit higher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse and Alcohol
Campfire by Shawn Sarles
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
I was really enjoying this book, especially in the beginning. However I started to lose interest around the last 50 pages.
I still think this is worth the read though. I thought it was a very interesting concept and it definitely gave me goosebumps at certain points.
The plot twist was not plot twisting.
I still think this is worth the read though. I thought it was a very interesting concept and it definitely gave me goosebumps at certain points.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
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? No
4.0
This book was so beautiful, I really enjoyed reading it. It made me feel so much.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Grief
The Heartstopper Yearbook by Alice Oseman
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I'm so glad I decided to pick this up while grabbing Heartstopper Volume 5.
I love these characters so much, so it was super fun learning more about them. I listened to a playlist of all the songs included on the character sheets while reading this and I had the time of my life.
I greatly appreciate all the work that Alice Oseman has put into this series. I have become so obsessed and I can't wait to read more of Oseman's work in the future.
I love these characters so much, so it was super fun learning more about them. I listened to a playlist of all the songs included on the character sheets while reading this and I had the time of my life.
I greatly appreciate all the work that Alice Oseman has put into this series. I have become so obsessed and I can't wait to read more of Oseman's work in the future.
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
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
4.0
I'm so glad I got the box set for Christmas because I was able to read all 4 books in one sitting!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Self harm
Minor: Homophobia
Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Outing
Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment
Kappa by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book isn't terrible but it isn't anything spectacular! It's the perfect short story to read in one sitting to add to your reading goal.
I thought it was a super interesting concept though and I enjoyed reading about the Japanese folklore.
I thought it was a super interesting concept though and I enjoyed reading about the Japanese folklore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Mental illness, Cannibalism, and War
Minor: Dementia