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micaelamariem's reviews
690 reviews
Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Unfortunately, this sequel did not live up to the greatness that was Ready Player One. While I enjoyed learning new things and the plot is a great idea for a D&D campaign, I didn’t think the book was well written. I thought it focused too much on referencing outside pop culture sources, even more so than the first book, which left me occasionally feeling a little lost. There was also a heavy focus on worldbuilding still without much look at character development. The ending frustrated me because it felt like the characters still didn’t learn anything. And in general, I just found the story to be boring. I wanted to see more characterization!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Violence, Abandonment, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Addiction, Blood, Alcohol, Murder, Classism, Grief, Vomit, Confinement, Death of parent, and Sexism
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Two years after reading Throne of Glass, I finally read the sequel, Crown of Midnight.
If you somehow haven't heard of the author, Sarah J Maas, she also wrote the A Court of Thorns and Roses series and the Crescent City series.
Crown of Midnight, the second book in the Throne of Glass series, was published by Bloomsbury YA. Throne of Glass is a YA fantasy series targeted to older teenagers (though adults can still enjoy them!)
Crown of Midnight continues with Celaena's story after she becomes the King's Champion as to be his personal assassin. Meanwhile, she is trying to figure out what all the secret passageways and riddles she finds in the castle means, and would they have any answers to stopping the king's thirst for power as he continues to dominate other countries.
I really enjoyed this book--even more than the first one. I'd give it 4 stars out of 5 on the rating scale system because I did enjoy reading it, but there were a few hiccups with the book.
Part of me loved seeing the intricacies of Chaol's, Dorian's, and Celaena's friendship. I loved the character development that happens--particularly with Dorian, though Celaena grew the most as the main character. I didn't like the jealousy trope being played with both Chaol and Dorian. It just seemed a bit childish and annoying.
I also enjoyed the plot and there were many twists and turns, even if I did ultimately guess the big twist at the end. There were a lot of other reveals I didn't see coming. The plot also included a lot of fight scenes, so I was never left too wanting for action. That being said, the first half of the book did move a lot more slowly. I wish the romance in the book didn't come and go so quickly, too.
If you somehow haven't heard of the author, Sarah J Maas, she also wrote the A Court of Thorns and Roses series and the Crescent City series.
Crown of Midnight, the second book in the Throne of Glass series, was published by Bloomsbury YA. Throne of Glass is a YA fantasy series targeted to older teenagers (though adults can still enjoy them!)
Crown of Midnight continues with Celaena's story after she becomes the King's Champion as to be his personal assassin. Meanwhile, she is trying to figure out what all the secret passageways and riddles she finds in the castle means, and would they have any answers to stopping the king's thirst for power as he continues to dominate other countries.
I really enjoyed this book--even more than the first one. I'd give it 4 stars out of 5 on the rating scale system because I did enjoy reading it, but there were a few hiccups with the book.
Part of me loved seeing the intricacies of Chaol's, Dorian's, and Celaena's friendship. I loved the character development that happens--particularly with Dorian, though Celaena grew the most as the main character. I didn't like the jealousy trope being played with both Chaol and Dorian. It just seemed a bit childish and annoying.
I also enjoyed the plot and there were many twists and turns, even if I did ultimately guess the big twist at the end. There were a lot of other reveals I didn't see coming. The plot also included a lot of fight scenes, so I was never left too wanting for action. That being said, the first half of the book did move a lot more slowly. I wish the romance in the book didn't come and go so quickly, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Colonisation, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Stalking, and Vomit
Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women was a beautiful historical fiction novel inspired by a real woman during 15th century China who learned medicine and treated other women despite society’s ill regard of women doing so. I loved watching Yunxian learn all the rules of society and then disregard them when she could, struggling with what she believed was right and what was expected of her. This novel isn’t just about that, though. At its core, it is a novel about friendship, and how, no matter how many things try to pull two friends apart, they wouldn’t let their friendship crack. The novel made me cry and angry at parts (like how women were treated in the 1400s) but that shows how much of an emotional tie I had to these characters. There was also so political intrigue in the book and that definitely kept me on my toes. Just a note though: not a book to read if you’re squeamish, as there is an emphasis on childbirth, smallpox, and foot binding that is a bit graphic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Blood, Grief, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Body shaming, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Violence, Alcohol, Death of parent, Infertility, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexism, Vomit, Abandonment, Bullying, Chronic illness, Ableism, Medical content, Medical trauma, Cancer, Death, Child death, and Classism
Sorry For Your Loss by Jessie Ann Foley
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.0
I didn’t hate this book but I didn’t love this book. I had a really hard time getting into it. I appreciate that this was a family’s journey of healing from great loss and how the main character, Pup, found his own healing through photography. However, the last bit was more glazed over as it focused on his brother’s addiction. I would have to loved to see Pup explore his grief through the camera lens more than we did, and I think that would’ve added more. Also his relationship with his best friend seemed to just completely be forgotten about by the time we were halfway through the book, and I’d like to have seen more of that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Classism, Addiction, Death, Alcohol, Cancer, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Grief, and Abandonment
So This Is Love by Elizabeth Lim
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
In general, I have trouble getting into the writing of the Disney twisted tales series, but this one was one of the better ones. I like how it wasn’t just a love story but also involved political intrigue and scheming. The ending was definitely a whirlwind. I still think things happened to fast but they do in the original Cinderella, too, so there’s only so much to work with. I loved Cinderella’s friendship with Louisa as well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Confinement, Death of parent, Grief, and Bullying
Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I’m not much of a thriller reader but this YA thriller with magical elements kept me on my toes. In it, Grey returns to a small Louisiana town known for its psychic powers. But this is the first summer since her best friend’s disappearance and she’s determined to know what happened. I loved the beautiful descriptions in this book. If you ever wanted Southern Gothic with a touch of magical realism, this is it. I especially loved how the place of this town was a character in itself, showing how there was rot under even what was pretty, just like the festering secrets people kept. The twists were also satisfying. I was only partially correct in my original guess of who the killer was. I also liked the portrayal of grief and how trauma can affect mental health and the way a character interacts with others. I do agree that the characters acted stupid and selfish often—though they are teenagers so that could be realistic. I also agree that the pace was a bit slower than it needed to be. Still, I really enjoyed this book and if you like gothic fiction and thrillers, this is the perfect mix. But beware of trigger warnings: murder, domestic violence, death of children, alcohol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Suicide, Alcohol, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Child death, Cursing, Violence, Vomit, Death, Death of parent, and Physical abuse
Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I really wanted to like this book…
A lot of people are comparing it to Bridget Jones Diary and I also hated that book so I guess that makes sense.
I appreciated the theme of women not needing a man to be happy and to be content with who you are. I liked the creativity of using mixed media (like Google searches etc) in the chapters.
However, I found the main character extremely u likable, constantly making nonsensical decisions and judging everyone else. I thought the dialogue was cringey and unbelievable. And honestly, I was just grimacing the whole time 😭
A lot of people are comparing it to Bridget Jones Diary and I also hated that book so I guess that makes sense.
I appreciated the theme of women not needing a man to be happy and to be content with who you are. I liked the creativity of using mixed media (like Google searches etc) in the chapters.
However, I found the main character extremely u likable, constantly making nonsensical decisions and judging everyone else. I thought the dialogue was cringey and unbelievable. And honestly, I was just grimacing the whole time 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, Alcohol, Cursing, and Sexism
Fable by Adrienne Young
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While I enjoyed this book, it really wasn’t what I was expecting.
Fable is a story about a girl abandoned by her essentially pirate father and made to figure out how to join a ship crew on her own.
I definitely thought there would be more pirates and swashbuckling. Or at least less descriptions of how to rig a ship and climb a mast and whatnot. Those scenes really bored me and it got to the point where I didn’t care about the major plot points because I don’t care about ships and trading.
What I did like about the book was the complex characters, the slow burn complicated romance, the found family trope, and the themes of grief woven intricately throughout.
So overall, I liked the book and probably will continue the series, but I didn’t love it and am not in a rush to read Namesake.
Fable is a story about a girl abandoned by her essentially pirate father and made to figure out how to join a ship crew on her own.
I definitely thought there would be more pirates and swashbuckling. Or at least less descriptions of how to rig a ship and climb a mast and whatnot. Those scenes really bored me and it got to the point where I didn’t care about the major plot points because I don’t care about ships and trading.
What I did like about the book was the complex characters, the slow burn complicated romance, the found family trope, and the themes of grief woven intricately throughout.
So overall, I liked the book and probably will continue the series, but I didn’t love it and am not in a rush to read Namesake.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Alcohol, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Abandonment, Classism, Grief, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Child death and Sexual content
Neon Gods by Katee Robert
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wow 😏 I’m not usually into super spicy books but I thought this one had a good level, where it focused more heavily on the plot but still added quite a bit of 🔥 in the last 2/3’s. I wasn’t too keen on the fact that it was a very modernized retelling but I loved the concept as a whole. I loved Hermes as a side character!! And otherwise, yeah there were flaws and cliches, but I don’t think that’s what most of us were paying attention to…
Anyway yeah I’ll read anything Hades and Persephone even if I know it’ll be a bit out of my comfort zone. And in this case, going out of my comfort zone was rewarded!
Anyway yeah I’ll read anything Hades and Persephone even if I know it’ll be a bit out of my comfort zone. And in this case, going out of my comfort zone was rewarded!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Stalking, Cursing, Bullying, Classism, Grief, Blood, Gun violence, Violence, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War and Murder
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.0
I really really enjoyed this Southern Gothic horror. I’ll try to write a full review on my blog tomorrow but for now..wow!
The descriptions were vivid and beautiful in a haunting kind of way. The characters were uniquely flawed to the point where you couldn’t help but empathize with their pain. The sins in the book were atrocious, and the themes of identity, belonging, and mercy crawled across the pages, igniting the words into some higher morals. And of course, who doesn’t love a sentient house?
I also thought it was super unique to include footnotes and a fictional bibliography! What a way to add voice.
The only reason it’s not five stars is because there are parts of the ending I wasn’t thoroughly satisfied with.
The descriptions were vivid and beautiful in a haunting kind of way. The characters were uniquely flawed to the point where you couldn’t help but empathize with their pain. The sins in the book were atrocious, and the themes of identity, belonging, and mercy crawled across the pages, igniting the words into some higher morals. And of course, who doesn’t love a sentient house?
I also thought it was super unique to include footnotes and a fictional bibliography! What a way to add voice.
The only reason it’s not five stars is because there are parts of the ending I wasn’t thoroughly satisfied with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Racism, Slavery, Grief, Sexual content, Car accident, Child death, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, Cursing, Death of parent, Addiction, Death, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit