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miyaosamu's reviews
312 reviews
This Time It's Real by Ann Liang
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
“But certain joys, I'm discovering, are worth the potential pain.”
A satisfyingly angsty well written ya fake dating romance with Liang encapsulating the essence of these loveable and deeply relatable eighteen year olds. When i say i've practically been in a slump for the entire year and of course Ann Liang does it again, capturing my entire heart with her writing. I just adored how incredibly flawed Eliza and Caz were that my heart ached in relating to some of their feelings. With Eliza struggling with loneliness and her identity as she was uprooted from country to country for most of her life and not being fluent in Mandarin. And Caz with his intense self consciousness of his image and how he's perceived along with proving his successful acting career to his family in the long term sense. I can't explain all of it but their bond and connection was so perfect to me with fake dating bringing about getting to know so much more about one another, how they opened up and their hidden feelings for each other growing. I think about how they were even more connected with growing up with very busy parents and mostly having to look out for themselves through their formative years and Eliza caring for her younger sister.
I really wish we got more of the side characters of Mingri and Kaige who were some of Caz's costar friends, Mingri was so funny but their small storyline had so much potential. Really appreciated how Liang focused on platonic relationships as well and how much their hurt with Eliza and her best friend Zoe as their friendship became long distance. Eliza and Caz were such greatly developed characters with such depth to them particularly with both of them learning and finding their sade space in each other to open up. Caz a perfect book boyfriend with every scene how much he paid attention to the details, cared so profoundly for Eliza and her wishes (even if it got him hurt), just so gentle with her (and with her sister as well). Again with repeating how they opened up, both of them reciprocated communication depending on each other's current situations. Very mood reader biased perhaps, but my god I truly loved this book so much just seeing the pining and small slow burn realization and the back and forth between them had me on the edge of my seat and heart racing smiling so bad.
Realistically a 4.5 star read but I can't help but round it up to 5 at the moment. I cannot wait to see Ann Liang's future works and characters that will warm my whole heart.
“Sha erzi, what do you know? When you care about someone, you want to be inconvenienced—you wouldn’t mind being inconvenienced by them every day for the rest of your life. That’s what love is. That’s all love really is.”
A satisfyingly angsty well written ya fake dating romance with Liang encapsulating the essence of these loveable and deeply relatable eighteen year olds. When i say i've practically been in a slump for the entire year and of course Ann Liang does it again, capturing my entire heart with her writing. I just adored how incredibly flawed Eliza and Caz were that my heart ached in relating to some of their feelings. With Eliza struggling with loneliness and her identity as she was uprooted from country to country for most of her life and not being fluent in Mandarin. And Caz with his intense self consciousness of his image and how he's perceived along with proving his successful acting career to his family in the long term sense. I can't explain all of it but their bond and connection was so perfect to me with fake dating bringing about getting to know so much more about one another, how they opened up and their hidden feelings for each other growing. I think about how they were even more connected with growing up with very busy parents and mostly having to look out for themselves through their formative years and Eliza caring for her younger sister.
I really wish we got more of the side characters of Mingri and Kaige who were some of Caz's costar friends, Mingri was so funny but their small storyline had so much potential. Really appreciated how Liang focused on platonic relationships as well and how much their hurt with Eliza and her best friend Zoe as their friendship became long distance. Eliza and Caz were such greatly developed characters with such depth to them particularly with both of them learning and finding their sade space in each other to open up. Caz a perfect book boyfriend with every scene how much he paid attention to the details, cared so profoundly for Eliza and her wishes (even if it got him hurt), just so gentle with her (and with her sister as well). Again with repeating how they opened up, both of them reciprocated communication depending on each other's current situations. Very mood reader biased perhaps, but my god I truly loved this book so much just seeing the pining and small slow burn realization and the back and forth between them had me on the edge of my seat and heart racing smiling so bad.
Realistically a 4.5 star read but I can't help but round it up to 5 at the moment. I cannot wait to see Ann Liang's future works and characters that will warm my whole heart.
“Sha erzi, what do you know? When you care about someone, you want to be inconvenienced—you wouldn’t mind being inconvenienced by them every day for the rest of your life. That’s what love is. That’s all love really is.”
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
“There is no home for us between earth and sky.”
Black Sun was such a strong start & riveting read with its distinctive character perspectives and captivating lore intertwined into backstories and worldbuilding that hasn't been seen often in the fantasy genre. This is one that I wish I could have consumed faster if I had more time! What I thoroughly enjoyed the most is that I am a sucker for multi-pov written stories especially in fantasy. Getting to see all aspects of the world, different people and their own views on a variety of ideals and to each of their own's history.
Following Serapio who is the character we definitely see the most overall character backstory to present day of his journey and life's purpose. So many revelations of his character hit the most emotionally. Xiala a lively and so witty character marching her way through life and the obstacles thrown at her especially as a Teek pirate, yet she retains the most mystery around her. Naranpa's perspective provided intriguing insight into the priesthood and the distrustful people around her there and what their leadership poses in not exactly helping the city. Okoa, a much later introduced character is one I look forward to seeing more of as all of these characters' storylines intertwine with Serapio's importance. I cannot wait to see how Serapio's destiny and goal will impact the story as a whole and the fate of characters into the next books!
“I am the only storm that matters now, and there is no shelter from what I bring.”
Black Sun was such a strong start & riveting read with its distinctive character perspectives and captivating lore intertwined into backstories and worldbuilding that hasn't been seen often in the fantasy genre. This is one that I wish I could have consumed faster if I had more time! What I thoroughly enjoyed the most is that I am a sucker for multi-pov written stories especially in fantasy. Getting to see all aspects of the world, different people and their own views on a variety of ideals and to each of their own's history.
Following Serapio who is the character we definitely see the most overall character backstory to present day of his journey and life's purpose. So many revelations of his character hit the most emotionally. Xiala a lively and so witty character marching her way through life and the obstacles thrown at her especially as a Teek pirate, yet she retains the most mystery around her. Naranpa's perspective provided intriguing insight into the priesthood and the distrustful people around her there and what their leadership poses in not exactly helping the city. Okoa, a much later introduced character is one I look forward to seeing more of as all of these characters' storylines intertwine with Serapio's importance. I cannot wait to see how Serapio's destiny and goal will impact the story as a whole and the fate of characters into the next books!
“I am the only storm that matters now, and there is no shelter from what I bring.”
Last Violent Call by Chloe Gong
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
03/01/23: if you told 2021 me that we would get these core 4 back and happily married, i would have laughed in your face in disbelief...but tears in my eyes, i’ve missed them tremendously and i cannot wait to hope to see their point-of-views again in fhh, i just don’t want to let go of this secret shanghai series universe so soon later this year💔
-
07/27/22: after the events of flf, i have quite a few theories on who these novellas could be about. but providing more content the audience didn’t know we needed... chloe gong i love you.
-
07/27/22: after the events of flf, i have quite a few theories on who these novellas could be about. but providing more content the audience didn’t know we needed... chloe gong i love you.
Central Places by Delia Cai
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Thank you to Random House - Ballantine for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
with its intriguing premise, central places had aspects i did not expect at all that i found myself let down in the reading experience. following audrey zhou, we see her return to her small town, hickory grove in illinois for the holidays for her parents to meet her fiancée after building herself a pretty successful life in new york city and a relationship she's content with. but returning home upturns all her feelings and past growing up in that small town that she had left all behind, including a complex relationship with her mother that she's avoided at all costs to deal with.
things i did appreciate was the well done character development and self realization of flaws and a lot of healing resentment, though it was only in the last few chapters. the use of flashbacks all through the story made it much more layered and added to present-day moments of interactions with her parents and seeing old high school classmates. audrey's relationship with her mother, that dynamic being the most detailed realistic to me down to the details of remarks and some things just having to go out the other ear.
though i enjoyed audrey's character development by the end, most of my criticisms are from what took up majority of this story. audrey being an unlikeable main character was natural for a story like this, but i personally just could not stand and empathize with her at so many different moments that made it tedious to get through the story despite it being less than 300 pages. dealing with her mother, i was quite understanding with audrey but she really was selfish and quick to blame others which i realize now was traits she may had picked up from her mother as well. dealing with resolving her past in her hometown, she makes several complicated decisions and actions that made her so incredibly frustrating and an example is how she blames "old audrey's" feelings for decisions she makes in the present. her fiancée, ben seemed decent at first but turned out to be another self absorbed man living off his rich parents. but don't get me wrong both were at fault in relationship with audrey clearly not being ready and never being able to properly communicate her feelings and with ben trying to set plans in stone assuming audrey would go along fine with it. overall, i could nitpick about some other portions of the story, spoilery but most lead back to audrey's actions. i do wish her character development was expanded on a bit more and not so rushed into the last chapters and that itself would made much more of an impact i think.
with its intriguing premise, central places had aspects i did not expect at all that i found myself let down in the reading experience. following audrey zhou, we see her return to her small town, hickory grove in illinois for the holidays for her parents to meet her fiancée after building herself a pretty successful life in new york city and a relationship she's content with. but returning home upturns all her feelings and past growing up in that small town that she had left all behind, including a complex relationship with her mother that she's avoided at all costs to deal with.
things i did appreciate was the well done character development and self realization of flaws and a lot of healing resentment, though it was only in the last few chapters. the use of flashbacks all through the story made it much more layered and added to present-day moments of interactions with her parents and seeing old high school classmates. audrey's relationship with her mother, that dynamic being the most detailed realistic to me down to the details of remarks and some things just having to go out the other ear.
though i enjoyed audrey's character development by the end, most of my criticisms are from what took up majority of this story. audrey being an unlikeable main character was natural for a story like this, but i personally just could not stand and empathize with her at so many different moments that made it tedious to get through the story despite it being less than 300 pages. dealing with her mother, i was quite understanding with audrey but she really was selfish and quick to blame others which i realize now was traits she may had picked up from her mother as well. dealing with resolving her past in her hometown, she makes several complicated decisions and actions that made her so incredibly frustrating and an example is how she blames "old audrey's" feelings for decisions she makes in the present. her fiancée, ben seemed decent at first but turned out to be another self absorbed man living off his rich parents. but don't get me wrong both were at fault in relationship with audrey clearly not being ready and never being able to properly communicate her feelings and with ben trying to set plans in stone assuming audrey would go along fine with it. overall, i could nitpick about some other portions of the story, spoilery but most lead back to audrey's actions. i do wish her character development was expanded on a bit more and not so rushed into the last chapters and that itself would made much more of an impact i think.
If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.5
“To live well, you must learn to see yourself first.”
alicehenry my best people, i adore them with my entire heart. just truly the delight i had reading this in one sitting, a charming young adult debut that had so many aspects and few flaws that can be overlooked with how enjoyable it was. i loved how this novel encompassed so much, which did make the pacing a bit chaotic but nevertheless from the elite boarding school setting, a magical realism/supernatural element amidst alice's invisibility and a bit of thrill to it as she used her power to take on side gigs that monetized scandalous tasks requested by her rich desperate classmates and of course the small side academic rivals romance.
primarily the focus on alice sun, i enjoyed seeing her full character development so well done in my opinion. i empathized with her a lot her internal conflicts, academic validation stemming not being able to literally afford grade drops at the cost of her scholarship, boxing everything in feeling like she can't ask for help on the financial aspect and self conscious of how others perceive her which is very understandable in the elite wealthy environment she's in. especially seeing how much stress and strive for perfection she puts upon herself despite the contrasting values her parents want her to have, particularly in not putting self worth in academics and wealth. one thing was i wish we got to see more of alice and chanel's friendship explored, just some lost potential there. but best for last, henry li truly beloved like what do you mean he created an entire app for alice within three days?? that's when i knew he was down bad for her. his charisma just flew right off the pages, his banter with alice and each other's quick remarks to each other being so entertaining . they were so cute had me giggling at so many moments and gave me great joy seeing their interactions as academic rivals and business partners amid alice slowly realizing she didn't ‘hate’ him as much as she made herself believe. this book is definitely a new comfort read that i can't believe i put off reading for so long and i'm beyond excited for liang's next works!
update, just read the 55 bonus pages of the if you could see the sun - romance version from the preorder incentive and my god alicehenry genuinely cementing a place in my heart even more.
alicehenry my best people, i adore them with my entire heart. just truly the delight i had reading this in one sitting, a charming young adult debut that had so many aspects and few flaws that can be overlooked with how enjoyable it was. i loved how this novel encompassed so much, which did make the pacing a bit chaotic but nevertheless from the elite boarding school setting, a magical realism/supernatural element amidst alice's invisibility and a bit of thrill to it as she used her power to take on side gigs that monetized scandalous tasks requested by her rich desperate classmates and of course the small side academic rivals romance.
primarily the focus on alice sun, i enjoyed seeing her full character development so well done in my opinion. i empathized with her a lot her internal conflicts, academic validation stemming not being able to literally afford grade drops at the cost of her scholarship, boxing everything in feeling like she can't ask for help on the financial aspect and self conscious of how others perceive her which is very understandable in the elite wealthy environment she's in. especially seeing how much stress and strive for perfection she puts upon herself despite the contrasting values her parents want her to have, particularly in not putting self worth in academics and wealth. one thing was i wish we got to see more of alice and chanel's friendship explored, just some lost potential there. but best for last, henry li truly beloved like what do you mean he created an entire app for alice within three days?? that's when i knew he was down bad for her. his charisma just flew right off the pages, his banter with alice and each other's quick remarks to each other being so entertaining . they were so cute had me giggling at so many moments and gave me great joy seeing their interactions as academic rivals and business partners amid alice slowly realizing she didn't ‘hate’ him as much as she made herself believe. this book is definitely a new comfort read that i can't believe i put off reading for so long and i'm beyond excited for liang's next works!
update, just read the 55 bonus pages of the if you could see the sun - romance version from the preorder incentive and my god alicehenry genuinely cementing a place in my heart even more.
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
“All worlds are open to us. If we are bold enough to enter.”
my thoughts are an overwhelmed mess right now but can say this was brilliant and my reading experience with hell bent put me through much more of an emotional rollercoaster than ninth house. just getting to see further of this fascinating world of alex's at yale and lethe. along with expanding on the history of lethe, the lore, and endless amounts of knowledge of dark magic and rituals that exist in their world connecting them to the other side. i particularly loved the amount of character depth and backstories in this one and truly seeing how alex, darlington, dawes, turner, mercy, and tripp being such vastly different people but tied together in understanding each other's experiences and trauma. loved reading alex's journey continue and her development since the first book. despite her failures, she has such a relentless determination to keep going and figuring things out even with major costs. also how real the characters' grief and conflicting internal morals are portrayed all throughout this book as they make difficult decisions.
a coherent review coming later perhaps, but this was an excellent sequel in my opinion with very few flaws that can be overlooked when it comes to the story as a whole. the twists, the higher stakes bringing higher stress levels, more difficult situations alex is put through and despite the dangers it's balanced out with characters' chemistry. not just darlingstern, though they made me deranged at a lot of points, but the group dynamic too providing so many laugh out loud moments. i desperately need the third book in my hands and hope lb does not keep us waiting years again.
my thoughts are an overwhelmed mess right now but can say this was brilliant and my reading experience with hell bent put me through much more of an emotional rollercoaster than ninth house. just getting to see further of this fascinating world of alex's at yale and lethe. along with expanding on the history of lethe, the lore, and endless amounts of knowledge of dark magic and rituals that exist in their world connecting them to the other side. i particularly loved the amount of character depth and backstories in this one and truly seeing how alex, darlington, dawes, turner, mercy, and tripp being such vastly different people but tied together in understanding each other's experiences and trauma. loved reading alex's journey continue and her development since the first book. despite her failures, she has such a relentless determination to keep going and figuring things out even with major costs. also how real the characters' grief and conflicting internal morals are portrayed all throughout this book as they make difficult decisions.
a coherent review coming later perhaps, but this was an excellent sequel in my opinion with very few flaws that can be overlooked when it comes to the story as a whole. the twists, the higher stakes bringing higher stress levels, more difficult situations alex is put through and despite the dangers it's balanced out with characters' chemistry. not just darlingstern, though they made me deranged at a lot of points, but the group dynamic too providing so many laugh out loud moments. i desperately need the third book in my hands and hope lb does not keep us waiting years again.
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“Home is what you take with you, not what you leave behind.”
Not enough coherent thoughts at the moment to properly say what an ingenious piece of sci-fi/fantasy work that The Fifth Season truly is. From the intricate lore with centuries of history, a brilliant ability system of oregeny where they draw their power from within the earth itself, and themes of prejudice and the survival instincts as a result of it. Overall worldbuilding was so interesting as a reader with Jemisin's writing being one that slowly unravels every important detail or coming back to it later. Syenite was a character with much complexities and layers that made her frustrating though understanding of her choices yet also respected as we see her develop the most in her mission out of the Fulcrum. It was painfully straightforward to see what the Fulcrum represented as it can be seen as a training center for oregenes on the surface level. But when it was really a place of brainwashing and complete control where Guardians rounded them all up as oregenes are seen as animals that need to be civilized and tamed to be weapons as their disposal. Seeing what Damaya had went through at the Fulcrum, and her treatment under her Guardian was the most harrowing. Only criticism was pacing at times more personal thing though i enjoy reading differing perspectives.
What I found the most intriguing was the contrast of Syenite and Alabaster's perspectives when we first meet them. Syen being an oregene brought in at a young age having every single aspect Fulcrum-training and curriculum ingrained in her while Alabaster a ten-ringer (highest level of Fulcrum oregene success) was Fulcrum-bred and raised yet seeing through the lies of Guardians and the teachings. Definitely for Alabaster, it can be factored in his resentment of his environment and that at his level of power, he was a given some freedom that had him on missions exploring the outside world and that broadened his perspective and beliefs against Fulcrum propaganda. I just deeply loved Alabaster and Syen's dynamic a sort of platonic bond and the ways they understood and helped each other grow a lot.
Can't say much more without diving into major spoilers, just know that Jemisin's knows exactly how to do twists and major revelations slowly that has you questioning and seeing it all come together masterfully. Cannot wait to continue this trilogy and what more could Jemisin throw my way in shocking my emotions to the core.
Not enough coherent thoughts at the moment to properly say what an ingenious piece of sci-fi/fantasy work that The Fifth Season truly is. From the intricate lore with centuries of history, a brilliant ability system of oregeny where they draw their power from within the earth itself, and themes of prejudice and the survival instincts as a result of it. Overall worldbuilding was so interesting as a reader with Jemisin's writing being one that slowly unravels every important detail or coming back to it later. Syenite was a character with much complexities and layers that made her frustrating though understanding of her choices yet also respected as we see her develop the most in her mission out of the Fulcrum. It was painfully straightforward to see what the Fulcrum represented as it can be seen as a training center for oregenes on the surface level. But when it was really a place of brainwashing and complete control where Guardians rounded them all up as oregenes are seen as animals that need to be civilized and tamed to be weapons as their disposal. Seeing what Damaya had went through at the Fulcrum, and her treatment under her Guardian was the most harrowing. Only criticism was pacing at times more personal thing though i enjoy reading differing perspectives.
What I found the most intriguing was the contrast of Syenite and Alabaster's perspectives when we first meet them. Syen being an oregene brought in at a young age having every single aspect Fulcrum-training and curriculum ingrained in her while Alabaster a ten-ringer (highest level of Fulcrum oregene success) was Fulcrum-bred and raised yet seeing through the lies of Guardians and the teachings. Definitely for Alabaster, it can be factored in his resentment of his environment and that at his level of power, he was a given some freedom that had him on missions exploring the outside world and that broadened his perspective and beliefs against Fulcrum propaganda. I just deeply loved Alabaster and Syen's dynamic a sort of platonic bond and the ways they understood and helped each other grow a lot.
Can't say much more without diving into major spoilers, just know that Jemisin's knows exactly how to do twists and major revelations slowly that has you questioning and seeing it all come together masterfully. Cannot wait to continue this trilogy and what more could Jemisin throw my way in shocking my emotions to the core.