nervousbell's reviews
109 reviews

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I initially thought I wouldn't enjoy this book because it was described as consisting solely of journal entries. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this wasn't the case at all. The story is charming, with meticulously crafted world-building and rich, yet balanced descriptions. The main character we follow loves the world he inhabits, which adds to the charm of the narrative set against a beautifully unusual backdrop.

This is Amiko, Do You Copy? by Natsuko Imamura

3.0

This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious 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

4.0

I found this book to be thoroughly enjoyable. It kept me engaged throughout, which is rare for me these days. While the plot twist was somewhat predictable, overall, I thought it was excellent!

The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it was a delightful and nostalgic journey reminiscent of the original Percy Jackson series. I'm eagerly looking forward to witnessing Percy, Annabeth, and Grover's ongoing adventures together

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

2.0

The book presented challenges for me as a reader due to the overwhelming amount of information provided at once. I struggled to connect with the characters outside of Adam and Blue, and my engagement peaked primarily when Blue was the central focus of the chapter. As a result, I found it difficult to fully enjoy the story and often felt bored. Typically, I need an emotional connection to most characters in order to fully invest in a narrative. Despite the excellent quality of the writing, I unfortunately didn't find myself able to fully appreciate it.

The Sun and the Star by Mark Oshiro, Rick Riordan

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

3.0

The plot revolves around Nico di Angelo and Will Solace, demigods who embark on a quest to save their friend Bob, secretly the Titan Iapetus, from Tartarus. 

My only complaint the non-linear arrangement of certain chapters, where events are revealed prematurely, detracts from the overall flow and enjoyment of the narrative. 

Other than that I enjoyed it quite a bit. 

The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

3.5

The book was intriguingly strange, and I enjoyed it. However, it didn't fully captivate me, hence the rating of 3.5 stars. I added an extra 0.5 stars for the intriguing character of the androgynous plague doctor, which I found to be a delightful choice.

Heaven by Mieko Kawakami

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

2.0

In the backdrop of early 1990s Japan, "Heaven" unfolds as a poignant narrative, ostensibly a tale of two misfits finding solace in each other. However, beneath its surface lies a quest for meaning amidst the throes of suffering. Despite its anticipation on my to-be-read list since January, my experience with this novel diverged from my previous encounter with Mieko Kawakami's work, particularly "All the Lovers in the Night." While both evoked profound emotional responses, "Heaven" failed to resonate with me in the same profound manner. As I delved deeper into the narrative, a sense of disconnect emerged, leaving me perplexed and somewhat unfulfilled, especially as I approached the 75% mark. The bully's monologue, though a raw portrayal of human nature, left me frustrated and disenchanted, albeit acknowledging its unsettling authenticity. Undoubtedly, Kawakami's strength lies in her portrayal of characters, their complexities vividly etched throughout the narrative. Yet, despite this commendable characterization, I found myself grappling with a sense of ennui, longing for a deeper engagement that never quite materialized. 

The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.0

There Are 3 Women & 4 Men by Jaden Payne

challenging dark funny mysterious reflective tense slow-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

3.0

Got quite bored due to the pacing, reading it felt like dragging my feet sometimes because of it. Other than that not bad for someone’s first ever book.