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not_your_muse's reviews
28 reviews
All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-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 admit, it took me a while to get thru this one but I am more than glad that I pushed through. The magic/miracle system in All The Crooked Saints is new for me, and the pacing and imagery even more so. I used to steer away from flowery novels that goes round and around before hitting the point— which, in hindsight, may be the reason I dropped this around a quarter of reading it— but the characters are the saving grace of this story.
There are numerous characters introduced but because of Stiefvater’s adeptness in making their characters pop out in 3D, they are easily distinguishable. They felt like real people most of the time.
Overall it is a good read for me. I may need to check on the author’s book catalog more now too.
There are numerous characters introduced but because of Stiefvater’s adeptness in making their characters pop out in 3D, they are easily distinguishable. They felt like real people most of the time.
Overall it is a good read for me. I may need to check on the author’s book catalog more now too.
The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.75
This one felt like a cup of warm cocoa during a stormy afternoon. All the characters felt real and the place even more so. I’m glad to discover this gem since these type of stories are up in my alley.
Bunny by Mona Awad
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The premise sounds good, it’s just that her writing technique of repeating words in succession and cutting off mid-sentence icks me. Thank goodness for the audiobook though, it’s its saving grace for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Blood, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcohol
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It was as good as any in-depth analysis of a story’s villain could be but—I don’t know if its the movie hype at the moment or it’s just me waiting for something cathartic to happen to both of them until the end— it just felt hasty on the third act. But as always, Suzanne’s writing prowess in building these three acts that are seamlessly getting you to continue reading ever since the first trilogy is what kept me hooked on this book.
I can’t wait for the film later this year!
I can’t wait for the film later this year!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Xenophobia, Police brutality, and War
Moderate: Drug abuse and Cannibalism
The Toll by Neal Shusterman
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
I read the first two books in a breeze considering how long I have stayed away from dystopian series, let alone books that are 300+ pages long, but this last one— it torn me, but not in a way I expected.
The multiple pov is done well and provided a more clearer view with the story, the characters’ depth is also described well, and the pacing is good for the build-up towards climax. Only, it felt hasty in the end. Yeah the problem was tied in a pretty ribbon but I kind of expected a better end for all of them.
Still, I did enjoy it all. Neal’s writing made me get hooked with reading again and it’s been a while since I last physically reacted to a twist/cliffhanger that I just read. Maybe I’ll look more into his works in the future too.
The multiple pov is done well and provided a more clearer view with the story, the characters’ depth is also described well, and the pacing is good for the build-up towards climax. Only, it felt hasty in the end. Yeah the problem was tied in a pretty ribbon but I kind of expected a better end for all of them.
Still, I did enjoy it all. Neal’s writing made me get hooked with reading again and it’s been a while since I last physically reacted to a twist/cliffhanger that I just read. Maybe I’ll look more into his works in the future too.
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
It’s been so long since I have read a series that kept my toes curled down to the last chapter. It made me look forward to turning each page, and the whole premise and world-building is well-thought of that I just want to continue reading it for hours. I can’t wait to find out what will happen to this story!