miny03rd's reviews
225 reviews

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

adventurous hopeful reflective tense 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

4.75

The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

I received this as an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Hooooly shit! I have been looking for a book to fill the void that The Locked Tomb series has left me and this definitely did the job. It was medieval and sinister and Gross, I loved every single second of it!

The only things I would say this book was a bit weaker in was pacing and some of the world-building. While I don’t dislike when things are intentionally left up for interpretation, I think there are certain aspects of the world that could have used a bit more of an explanation. But, obviously by looking at my rating, neither of these were deal-breakers for me.

This book has lesbians, religious iconography, cannibalism…what else could you ask for in a novel?

Madonna in a Fur Coat by Sabahattin Ali

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.5

so completely beautiful 

Where the Axe Is Buried by Ray Nayler

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

I received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchanged for a fair and honest review.

As an American, what a simultaneously great and awful book to read today (Jan 20, 2025). Nayler once again crafted a (near-future) dystopian story to address the very real problems threatening the world. This book is (mostly) set in future Russia, however, The United States is well on its way to a future like this as well which is just…scary…..

I really enjoyed the many different points-of-view and the way Nayler used them to tell this story from so many different sides. If you loved “The Tusks of Extinction,” then you will enjoy this book as well. 

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

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

5.0

absolutely amazing, just a masterclass in a fantasy journey. i loved every minute of this book, even the slower parts. i can’t believe my parents were right, lord of the rings is a banger 😭

Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.5

I’m not sure what about the description of this book led me to requesting a copy but I am sure glad I did. At the moment I’m finding it hard to find the correct words to describe how this book made me feel, and I might have to come back after thinking a bit more, but I’ll try my best.

Bitter Sweet is extremely emotional, both within the story and as a reader. Williams does an excellent job of placing you inside of Charlie’s head and making you truly understand her through the events of this book. There were so many times where I just had to stop and take a breather because I felt for Charlie so much. 

Pretty early on I started thinking about how this would make a great movie, is that ironic?

This book was truly beautiful and I think a great look into the kinds of relationships older men in power pursue with younger women.

Uncultured by Daniella Mestyanek Young
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.

it’s just…a lot…