minilibrary's reviews
87 reviews

The Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet by Tony Abbott

adventurous lighthearted fast-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 loved these books when I was little, reading it now, it doesn't quite hit the same so I'll be giving them to my friend's kids so they can continue to be well loved.

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
Did not finish book. Stopped at 61%.

I had high expectations for this one and none of them were met. Is it dark? Yeah definitely! Was it sexy? Ehhhhhh. Adeline seems to be a fountain of fluids during the sex scenes, and I know everyone is different, but god, when it's dripping down her stomach when she's folded over and constantly dripping down his hands and pooling on a seat?? Genuinely concerned for this girl's health. 
My biggest peeve was (cw: SA)

When Zade broke into her room and bound and gagged her, her FIRST reaction upon having the blanket ripped off her and seeing him was her nipples being cold??? And not about her stalker who literally tied her up???? Hello!?? Like. I get it. You want to write that she's aroused, but in first person the lense is immediately through the character's thoughts and that just pulled me right out of the scene. I'm sorry but who is going to be thinking about their nips when their stalker is looming above them?

Blackwood Farm by Anne Rice
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.

For the life of me I cannot get into this book

The Disasters by M.K. England
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.

Doesn't seem like a bad book it's just not grabbing me

Green Heart by Alice Hoffman

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? Yes

4.5

Green Angel has been one of my favorite books since childhood, it still is. While I never felt it truly needed a sequel, I love Green Witch as well (this star rating is for Green Witch, Green Angel is an absolute 5 for me). I love how these stories read like poetry. It's dreamy, whimsical, and beautiful. Both stories discuss loss and grief and finding your way through it, and also finding a future. These stories will always hold a close place in my heart.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.75

I didn't know what to expect from this book, only that I knew it's like one of those books that you probably should read, you know? It was so sad, melancholic, and quite frankly, depressing. I started off the book absolutely not liking Amir but by the end I was rooting for him. I am glad that the book had its hopeful moments too, but it definitely does not hold back throwing punches. This would probably be a 5/5 for me if the end had just a little bit more although I am glad it went for a more realistic end than "everything is happy and 100% ok now!" After all the tragedy and trauma. Really good book.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.

It's not bad, it just feels very mid to me and I don't have the drive to finish it.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

funny hopeful 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? Yes

3.25

This book wasn't what I expected, and by that, I mean it was very middle of the road for me despite all the glowing reviews I've heard for it. I think the children were well written, I definitely enjoyed them. But the story itself felt a bit flat and at times and heavy handed with the topics dealt with instead of natural. I thought the last chapter was the best, though I also would've liked to see more relationship growth between Arthur and Linus.

Games with the Orc by Kathryn Moon

lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.0

It was spicy, it was cute! But it wasn't quite what I was hoping for. I wanted... well, plot. And it's fine that there really wasn't, it was still a good read, but for the length of the book I would've liked more.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

5.0

I have finished this book at 1:30 in the morning and I am devastated. I knew it was coming, but I still wasn't ready, this book has made me cry, which is a difficult feat that only a few have managed. I got invested in this story, in Achilles and Patroclus and I was not disappointed. I loved it. It's so sweet and warm and also tragic and terrible and I don't think a Greek story would be better any other way. I really don't know what else to say. I loved it.