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perksofbeinganorchid's reviews
124 reviews
The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System: Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong (Novel) Vol. 2 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System: Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong (Novel) Vol. 1 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.0
Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 13 by Mizuho Kusanagi
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
Daydream by Hannah Grace
I have been waiting on Henry's book as soon as I found out Maple Hills was going to be a series. I read Icebreaker back in 2022, and I fell in love with the characters (especially Henry) and the friendship dynamics immediately. It was the first romance book I enjoyed in a long time. I'm pretty sure half - if not the majority - of my annotations in Icebreaker are about Henry. A frequent point I see made about Icebreaker is that there was not enough of Nate and Stassie and that probably would have bothered me more if I did not equally enjoy reading about all the other characters. Hannah did a phenomenal job of setting up the entire series in Icebreaker, giving us enough insight into each of the characters and then continuing to build on it throughout the rest of the series. Hannah Grace is on a very short list of authors that, when criticised, I take it personally. I have the deepest appreciation for the attention she pays to the 'everything in between', and to the way I never have questions about the characters because she answers them before I'd think to ask.
I am not a huge romance fan, but Hannah is one author who writes about romance, love, and friendship in a way that makes sense to me. I'm even less of a fan when it comes to friends to lovers, but because Henry and Halle's relationship with each other was unique from the jump, I didn't mind it. I've always resonated with Henry's simplistic way of approaching the relationship in his life and getting to see his character development from book one with his general aversion to unnecessary company to his unquestionable preference for Halle's company felt so natural. Although there was his grand romantic gesture, all the little things he did in between without a second thought is why he's my favourite boy in the series.
While the romance is a significant part of the story, it's not central in a way that overshadows every other aspect of the character's lives. I'm a firm believer in the fact that romantic partners should add to your life, not be the reason you have less of it. While it may seem like the bare minimum, it was wonderful seeing Henry give Halle the space she needed to put energy into her friendships, book club, studies, and writing journey, and recognise how important it is for her to find fulfillment in those areas of her life outside of her relationship with him. Halle herself is a character who is easily willing to put herself second, and there's something healing about watching her get to put herself first, even in a relationship. I am not an eldest daughter but Halle was a character that I could relate to, so this story will always be one of my absolute favourites!
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
"I disagree," he says. "I think the right person makes you the person you were supposed to be in the first place. I don't agree that you become a different person. That suggests people can't change through all the other factors that make people evolve that aren't romantic."
I have been waiting on Henry's book as soon as I found out Maple Hills was going to be a series. I read Icebreaker back in 2022, and I fell in love with the characters (especially Henry) and the friendship dynamics immediately. It was the first romance book I enjoyed in a long time. I'm pretty sure half - if not the majority - of my annotations in Icebreaker are about Henry. A frequent point I see made about Icebreaker is that there was not enough of Nate and Stassie and that probably would have bothered me more if I did not equally enjoy reading about all the other characters. Hannah did a phenomenal job of setting up the entire series in Icebreaker, giving us enough insight into each of the characters and then continuing to build on it throughout the rest of the series. Hannah Grace is on a very short list of authors that, when criticised, I take it personally. I have the deepest appreciation for the attention she pays to the 'everything in between', and to the way I never have questions about the characters because she answers them before I'd think to ask.
I am not a huge romance fan, but Hannah is one author who writes about romance, love, and friendship in a way that makes sense to me. I'm even less of a fan when it comes to friends to lovers, but because Henry and Halle's relationship with each other was unique from the jump, I didn't mind it. I've always resonated with Henry's simplistic way of approaching the relationship in his life and getting to see his character development from book one with his general aversion to unnecessary company to his unquestionable preference for Halle's company felt so natural. Although there was his grand romantic gesture, all the little things he did in between without a second thought is why he's my favourite boy in the series.
While the romance is a significant part of the story, it's not central in a way that overshadows every other aspect of the character's lives. I'm a firm believer in the fact that romantic partners should add to your life, not be the reason you have less of it. While it may seem like the bare minimum, it was wonderful seeing Henry give Halle the space she needed to put energy into her friendships, book club, studies, and writing journey, and recognise how important it is for her to find fulfillment in those areas of her life outside of her relationship with him. Halle herself is a character who is easily willing to put herself second, and there's something healing about watching her get to put herself first, even in a relationship. I am not an eldest daughter but Halle was a character that I could relate to, so this story will always be one of my absolute favourites!
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
An aspect of Japanese literature I have the deepest appreciation for is the simplification of the complexities of being human.
I bought this book back in 2021/2022 after seeing reviews on it. Knowing what the basic premise of the book was, I figured I would only read the first book of the series and call it a day. Naturally, I was curious about what somebody would say to a loved one they would go back in time to see. I was expecting it to be emotional, what I wasn't expecting was the tension and panic I would feel once realising the stakes.
I've only seen reviews discuss the time travel plot, but what I found to be the most heartwarming about the book was the little community the characters had created for themselves. If it weren't for that I don't think I would have enjoyed the book as much as I did, and I certainly would not have changed my mind about reading the rest of the series. The relationship between Kohtake and Fusagi was especially bittersweet and holds a special place in my heart. I don't think I'd ever be able to move on from her brief, yet endless joy, she'd get from teasing Fusagi when he would not want to sit with her in public. While I personally would never be okay with that - much less be understanding of it -, it's a curious thing to see that particular dynamic play out and see that no love is lost between the couple.
The story of The Sisters and The Mother and Child is where the book really got me. I can't say if it's because of the raised stakes or because of the heartbreak of seeing characters perseverance once accepting they have no choice but to let go of their dreams, and somehow find it in them to create a new dream from what's left. Simply re-reading the line 'I am glad for the life you gave me' is enough to bring me to tears again.
I bought this book back in 2021/2022 after seeing reviews on it. Knowing what the basic premise of the book was, I figured I would only read the first book of the series and call it a day. Naturally, I was curious about what somebody would say to a loved one they would go back in time to see. I was expecting it to be emotional, what I wasn't expecting was the tension and panic I would feel once realising the stakes.
I've only seen reviews discuss the time travel plot, but what I found to be the most heartwarming about the book was the little community the characters had created for themselves. If it weren't for that I don't think I would have enjoyed the book as much as I did, and I certainly would not have changed my mind about reading the rest of the series. The relationship between Kohtake and Fusagi was especially bittersweet and holds a special place in my heart. I don't think I'd ever be able to move on from her brief, yet endless joy, she'd get from teasing Fusagi when he would not want to sit with her in public. While I personally would never be okay with that - much less be understanding of it -, it's a curious thing to see that particular dynamic play out and see that no love is lost between the couple.
The story of The Sisters and The Mother and Child is where the book really got me. I can't say if it's because of the raised stakes or because of the heartbreak of seeing characters perseverance once accepting they have no choice but to let go of their dreams, and somehow find it in them to create a new dream from what's left. Simply re-reading the line 'I am glad for the life you gave me' is enough to bring me to tears again.
天官赐福 [Heaven Official's Blessing] by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I've seen many people say that Normal People managed to do what Sally wanted to do with Conversations With Friends, and as somebody who read Normal People first, I agree. Even though the books had different plots and are not comparable in that way, I think my agreement stems from the fact that I was able to like the characters in Normal People. I do think it was intentional on Sally Rooney's part to make her characters unlikeable, and that is definitely something I enjoy in books.
The relationship dynamics explored in CWF kept me on my toes and had me practically yelling at the characters as I was listening to the book. My favourite thing by far about Rooney's characters is that they are deeply flawed people, and instead of setting them on a solitude journey of self-discovery and healing, Rooney allows her characters to explore who they are by being around other people and experiencing life and a version of love they are capable of to the fullest.
There is something both fascinating and deeply frustrating about the characters having strong opinions with no tolerance for perspectives that do not align with their own. The monologues the characters would go on were interesting and gave you a lot to think about as a reader, but the flipside of it reflects a reality of the lack of empathy when leading with logic, out of a desperate attempt to prove themselves worthy of being in the spaces they find themselves in.
At this point, I feel the need to emphasise that I LOVE Sally Rooney. Her writing feels like a masterclass in character studies, and I know that by listening to the audiobook, I only got a fraction of what I could have taken away from the book had I read it. Though the ending was not satisfying, I enjoy the discomfort of reading a book that challenges my personal belief of how things should go and showing me this different perspective in a way that I can understand even though I still would not agree with it.
The relationship dynamics explored in CWF kept me on my toes and had me practically yelling at the characters as I was listening to the book. My favourite thing by far about Rooney's characters is that they are deeply flawed people, and instead of setting them on a solitude journey of self-discovery and healing, Rooney allows her characters to explore who they are by being around other people and experiencing life and a version of love they are capable of to the fullest.
There is something both fascinating and deeply frustrating about the characters having strong opinions with no tolerance for perspectives that do not align with their own. The monologues the characters would go on were interesting and gave you a lot to think about as a reader, but the flipside of it reflects a reality of the lack of empathy when leading with logic, out of a desperate attempt to prove themselves worthy of being in the spaces they find themselves in.
At this point, I feel the need to emphasise that I LOVE Sally Rooney. Her writing feels like a masterclass in character studies, and I know that by listening to the audiobook, I only got a fraction of what I could have taken away from the book had I read it. Though the ending was not satisfying, I enjoy the discomfort of reading a book that challenges my personal belief of how things should go and showing me this different perspective in a way that I can understand even though I still would not agree with it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, Toxic friendship
Tell Me How to Be by Neel Patel
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 12 by Mizuho Kusanagi
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0