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nenaelizaa's reviews
35 reviews
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
5.0
Quite literally my favorite book on the planet. My only regret is reading it before the sequel released. Emotional attachments to each character and their narratives. I appreciate that I read so much about each of their histories AND that there is still more to be uncovered about their lives. Never had I ever been SO unsure about whose side I was on and so invested in EVERY character's journey.
I want to see this world come to life because of how much thought and intention is put behind the writing but it will be ruined if it isn't exactly as particular and elaborate as it is in my head. So, I'm alright with just keeping it there. UwU
I want to see this world come to life because of how much thought and intention is put behind the writing but it will be ruined if it isn't exactly as particular and elaborate as it is in my head. So, I'm alright with just keeping it there. UwU
The Most Precious Substance on Earth by Shashi Bhat
3.0
Took me a while to understand the layout of the book. Think "Love, Rosie" where each scene jumps to a different event in her life. Pacing slows down and speeds up randomly, although I was never bored. I picked up this book to explore another WOC's life experience and enjoyed it because Nina and I share super different perspectives of ... well, everything. Reminds me to practice compassion and to accept opportunities because there's so much to learn from others and about the world.
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
4.0
Picked up this book from Barnes & Noble‘s blind date with a book section. I ironically do not match the description written on the cover (“for fans of 80s/90s slasher films“), but it was spooky season, and I was in the mood for a spooky book. It’s definitely more thrilling than a horrifying. The scariest part for me was when the narrator went into detail about her murder story. I did really like the pace of this book; it kept my heart racing and it would be fun to watch on screen. I was happy to see that it’s being adapted into a series! I appreciate how much detail we get about each character, even though only one character narrates the whole book. I wish it was a little longer to get more of a backstory before the actual plot unfolds, but the author times and places it well. I have never been into any kind of horror in tv, film, or novels, and this was the perfect little slice for me. Thanks to the worker who placed it in the section! : ) I wouldn’t have picked it up otherwise.
Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
4.0
I did get major Harry Potter vibes from this book at first- it may be a curse for all modern witch stories to follow the HP franchise. Although HMRC is another prophecy story that takes place in England, the elements of witchcraft and the characteristics of the prophecy are completely different. Once the complexities of the conflicts in the plot were revealed, I became more invested in the story.
I appreciate that the content of this book is contemporary and more mature than YA, yet not overdone or difficult to read. I always enjoy a book with multiple character perspectives. Each chapter (there are over 60!) switches between four (five?) main witches. The characters are diverse and live in the real world with human jobs. Who doesn't love a secret double life? Since they each have different powers and abilities, it was most interesting to see how they communicate with the world around them and of course to understand what they believe about the conflict at hand.
Part of me did not enjoy the ending of this book, but maybe because it was so unexpected! I look forward to the second book of this trilogy because the conflict introduced here was resolved, for the most part. Some series tend to prolong the conflict, in my opinion. I'm sure that the sequel will include more content on new relationships formed in the first book, but I'm most excited to read about the intricacy of the relationships formed in the past.
I appreciate that the content of this book is contemporary and more mature than YA, yet not overdone or difficult to read. I always enjoy a book with multiple character perspectives. Each chapter (there are over 60!) switches between four (five?) main witches. The characters are diverse and live in the real world with human jobs. Who doesn't love a secret double life? Since they each have different powers and abilities, it was most interesting to see how they communicate with the world around them and of course to understand what they believe about the conflict at hand.
Part of me did not enjoy the ending of this book, but maybe because it was so unexpected! I look forward to the second book of this trilogy because the conflict introduced here was resolved, for the most part. Some series tend to prolong the conflict, in my opinion. I'm sure that the sequel will include more content on new relationships formed in the first book, but I'm most excited to read about the intricacy of the relationships formed in the past.
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn, David Levithan
3.0
I'll admit... I read this book because of the Netflix adaptation, which I love & had become a holiday staple for me. So in this review, I'll try to focus on the book itself, but of course, I read the book with expectations in mind, and I have so many comparisons to share.
I love love love the concept of the notebook, but the writing started out a slow for me. I wasn't invested in the narrative or the characters until almost halfway through- pretty much once conflict began to stir. I can definitely pin this on the YA writing, but again, I really wanted to read the book because of the Netflix series. ;)
There were moments between characters that made me feel all the feels. I'm a verbal expressor when I read, so the margins of my copy are filled with "AWW"s and "ugh"s and "OMG"s and "lol"s. As much as I love the series, there are many parts that I WISH were included. Most of all: the reciprocal conversation between Dash and Mrs. Basil E. and the more meaningful exchanges between Lily and Langston.
The main takeaway I got from reading this book was how much goes into creating film adaptations. I admire (most of) the additions, removals, and changes made by the screenwriters. These made the plot smooth and more captivating. I do, however, really like the ending in the book better! *spoiler* I get that Lily moving away had to be highlighted in the conflict of the series, but I would have loved to see the OED detail come to life on-screen and the female lead make the last big romantic gesture.
I love love love the concept of the notebook, but the writing started out a slow for me. I wasn't invested in the narrative or the characters until almost halfway through- pretty much once conflict began to stir. I can definitely pin this on the YA writing, but again, I really wanted to read the book because of the Netflix series. ;)
There were moments between characters that made me feel all the feels. I'm a verbal expressor when I read, so the margins of my copy are filled with "AWW"s and "ugh"s and "OMG"s and "lol"s. As much as I love the series, there are many parts that I WISH were included. Most of all: the reciprocal conversation between Dash and Mrs. Basil E. and the more meaningful exchanges between Lily and Langston.
The main takeaway I got from reading this book was how much goes into creating film adaptations. I admire (most of) the additions, removals, and changes made by the screenwriters. These made the plot smooth and more captivating. I do, however, really like the ending in the book better! *spoiler* I get that Lily moving away had to be highlighted in the conflict of the series, but I would have loved to see the OED detail come to life on-screen and the female lead make the last big romantic gesture.