mxdegroot's reviews
90 reviews

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective slow-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? Yes

5.0

I have too many things I want to write down and none of them I can explain properly, so here's a list of bullet points.

This was the perfect introduction to a series. It didn't yet hold the stakes that the series likely will in the future, but it perfectly introduced the world, the characters, the systems, it's flaws, everything. And the stakes that were were perfect. I'm so excited to read the next book soon.
I love how this book perfectly yet subtly states how the world is neither perfect nor horrible. It has its flaws, but those flaws are handled. But is it really the way things are supposed to be? That is left up to the reader. The best way I can describe is is the same that I did in my review for The Outrage: perfection doesn't exist.
Rowan and Citra's character developtment was simply amazing. Not many thought processes were completely written out, but the changes that happened made sense, even while they weren't explicitly explained.
The ending. 10/10.
I am simply very excited to read the next book in this series.

"I'm sure the founding scythes must be rolling in their graves - but the point is, they are in their graves..."

"The kindes thing you can do is win that ring when Winter Conclave comes, and glean the boy quickly, before that acid burns any deeper than it already has."

"I love it when it rains here," he told her. "It reminds me that some forces of nature can never be entirely subdued. They are eternal, which is a far better thing than to be immortal."

Content Warnings

The Outrage by William Hussey

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

4.5

I don't have much else to say then that, if you care anything about human rights and their current state in our world, you need to read this book. It left me emotionally equally exhausted and fulfilled, and it showed a terrifyingly realistic image of how the world could be if we don't keep fighting.

I have so many thoughts that I can't write down, but one thing that I just need to highlight is the ending, specifically the epilogue. It was perfect that it was just a single image, no text, no 'this and that happened after'. This perfectly shows that our fight is still indefinite, that it might never end, but that it can and will get better if we just keep going, even while there are people in this world trying to tear others down simply for existing. This book perfectly shows how a perfect world simply doesn't exist, because the very definition of perfection is a social construct.

"You see, Gabe, when they take away the places that help people think, sometimes people stop thinking altogether."

The world changed for us then and now it's changing again. I hope you'll still be standing when the change is through, and that those days of hurting yourself won't ever come back.

...for just about the first time in my life, I don't feel watched. Or if I do, then the ghosts here are friendly and only wish us well.

Content Warnings

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

I simultaneously loved and hated this book.

There's not much to say about Sáenz's writing style except that it has to suit you. The quick dialogue and fairly short sentences made for a fast paced read, but also a lack of character development. As much as I found myself relating to Ari, it was hard to really get into his head, and there was barely anything in the story itself that really hinted at his feelings for Dante.

Nonetheless, this was a beautiful book. Everyone had their flaws and learned from them, both Ari's and Dante's parents were flawed but loveable, and it was a very good portrayal of the type of teenage experience that is barely betrayed in any medium of media.

minor tw: transphobia
The one thing that did really bother me was the transvestite comment at the end. After the way homosexuality was handled all throughout the book, you'd think this would have been handled better.

Content Warnings

Twelve Bones by Rosie Talbot

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

I think my brain imploded.

The reasons that I'm not giving this book a starred review is because I simply can't.

I absolutely adored this series' first book, Sixteen Souls, and Rosie Talbot perfectly continued the storyline and character development. Stakes were raised, characters changed, and once everything slowly started clicking, it went faster and faster and the plot twists didn't stop.

Now onto the reason I'm can't star this book yet: the lack of a sequel. Until I know what happens next, I simply can't figure out how I feel. If the end of this book turns out to be the end of the series, then I'm left unfulfilled and confused. That comes with its on message and more than enough food for thought, but still, this didn't feel like an end. Not by the severity of the end, nor by the way it was written.

Regardless of anything, this book was incredible, and I keep my fingers crossed for a sequel announcement soon, because these characters are far from done. And then five full stars will be added to this review.

Content Warnings

Five Survive by Holly Jackson

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challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I love it when the plot twists don't stop coming once they've started.

I've seen a lot of people talk about how they're bothered by the lack of multiple perspectives, since this is a thriller, but it did not bother me at all. I think it would have revealed too much about

Arthur's family's

plan, and let's be real, I don't think any of us want to get a closer look inside Oliver's brain than we already did.

Red is a wonderfully written character. Grief about a family member's death and the struggle to find closure about it because you don't know what happened, and the things you do don't make sense, really messes with your brain, and that's evident in Red.

You'd think that a book of which the majority takes place within the same square hundred feet would get bored, but it didn't. The tension that comes with being confined with six people in such a small space (with an active shooter watching at all times) built up bit by bit and had a perfect climax.

To make a long story short, Jackson wrote great characters and a great story, with a gripping climax and a satisfying, albeit open, ending.

And, yes, I'm going to say it: even though bullying is not a justification for murder,

Oliver's

death was very satisfying.

January 6th, 2024 - January 7th, 2024.

“What if I said you were the right people, in the right place at exactly the right time.”

"This is turning into Lord of the Fucking Flies."

" 'Can we please remember who the real enemy is?’ he pleaded, voice breaking. ‘The guy outside with the fucking rifle. Not any of us.' "

Content Warnings

Vengeful by V.E. Schwab

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challenging dark reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I. NEED. THE. NEXT. BOOK.

Schwab never fails to pull me into a book and not let me go before I've finished it. Her pacing is gripping and well-balanced and her writing adds to the tension. You'd expect that a long book consisting of short chapters, perspective changes and time jumps would be very confusing, but to me, it was very easy to follow. The fact that the reader gets left on a character cliffhanger for roughly fifty pages every once in a while and then gets thrown back into their story after another character cliffhanger adds amazingly to the tension. By the end of longer chapters, I sometimes forgot where in the timeline I was, but they're always stated in the chapter title, so all you have to do is just flip back and your memory is refreshed.

I was so happy that we finally got full insight into Eli's backstory. The mystery worked well in the first book, but knowing his history gave the character a whole new dimension and made him ten times more scary/unhinged than he already was.

I have to be honest and admit that June's character arc disappointed me a little. She's not a flat character; we get hinted at her backstory a lot. However, we never really know what happened to her and her exact motivations for doing what she did.

It's been a few years since this book came out, but I hope Storygraph's information is true and there is a new book coming, because this story feels anything but complete to me; there's a difference between an open ending and an incomplete one, and this was the latter. I want to know more about Victor's history and motivations, what happens to him after the book, where Sydney and Mitch are going, June's backstory, and so many more things.

January 2nd, 2024 - January 5th, 2024.

“Gods [were] crucified before they were worshipped.”

“While seeking revenge, dig two graves—one for yourself.”

“Run, thought Victor, and he could see the response in Eli's coiled frame.
Chase me.”

Content Warnings

The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

On the one side, it was a little weird reading The Chalice of the Gods because it's been so long since I read Percy Jackson for the first time. The experience is completely different, as I noticed as well when I read The Sun and the Star. Was this my favorite book? No, but that is entirely because of the way I and my taste in books have changed since I dipped my toe into the Riordanverse for the first time.

Generally, I don't enjoy books with low stakes, but it's perfect for this trilogy and makes for some great comedic content. Rick also did a fantastic job at making this book wonderfully nostalgic for long time fans, while still making it readable for readers who might only just be starting to get into the Riordanverse. Moreover, the gives a beautiful insight into the lives of 'older' demigods, particularly their facing adulthood while having spent most of their childhood having to fight to simply live the next day.

While the plot felt slow and insignificant to me at times, the messages that were sent towards the end were beautiful. I mentioned the facing adulthood, but also the demigods reflecting on their younger years at Hebe Jeebies and the importance and beauty of possibly growing old were perfectly written. It's especially nice to see Percy, Annabeth and Grover living some normal lives (or as normal as it gets for a teenage demigod). At the centre of The Chalice of the Gods was never the quests or the action, but the characters and their coming-of-age.

What I particularly liked and what was important to me, especially as an older reader, was the clear critique on the gods. I can talk about this for hours, but will take as an example Ganymedes, as he is the centre of the story. Yes, he is a funny character, but it's also made clear how tragic his story truly is, and gives an example of how much of a creep Zeus regularly is in the ancient times. The way Rick was able to send so many important messages by weaving the development of the characters and multiple histories together is a testament to his abilities as an author.

December 31st, 2023 - January 1st, 2024.