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perscoot's reviews
21 reviews
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
adventurous
challenging
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I've had friends recommend this book to me so often that I was determined not to read it sheerly because I was sick of hearing about it. Then I read the first one and it was even better than any of them had said it was. Incredible writing, AMAZING characterization, I couldn't put the book down until it was done. I'm delighted there are seven in the series because I need more RIGHT NOW.
The Recovery Agent by Janet Evanovich
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This was a really frustrating read. Gabriela is introduced as this Lara Croft type character, badass, brave, adventurous, fiercely independent, and delightfully greedy. She has a charming love of pirates and dedication to her family. But as soon as her ex-husband/love interest enters the picture, she becomes bland and Bella Swan-esque. Also, her ex is...creepy. I don't care that they grew up together and he 'knows her', he crosses all of her boundaries and Gabriela never actually puts her foot down, which turns her from badass adventurer to basic doormat. The actual plot was a little messy and unrefined, but it was the most fun part of the book. That's not entirely a compliment.
I feel like the author has a lot of love for these characters, but unfortunately, she wasn't able to show us, the audience, what the hell there is to love about them. Gabriela is flat and boring, Rafer is creepy and drags the story. I went into this wanting romance, but as I read further in, I kept thinking that it would be so much better if the love interest wasn't in the story at all. His presence seemed to neuter Gabriela's competency in every scene, and I was not convinced that they actually cared about each other by the end.
The premise of this story gave me a lot of hope and I was really excited going in, but the writing was flat and boring. Finishing this book felt like a chore.
I feel like the author has a lot of love for these characters, but unfortunately, she wasn't able to show us, the audience, what the hell there is to love about them. Gabriela is flat and boring, Rafer is creepy and drags the story. I went into this wanting romance, but as I read further in, I kept thinking that it would be so much better if the love interest wasn't in the story at all. His presence seemed to neuter Gabriela's competency in every scene, and I was not convinced that they actually cared about each other by the end.
The premise of this story gave me a lot of hope and I was really excited going in, but the writing was flat and boring. Finishing this book felt like a chore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia and Racism
Minor: Drug use
Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Homophobia
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really enjoyed the main character, flaws and all. The story is also compelling, though a bit gruesome at times. It's not really my type of literature unfortunately, but it's very well written and managed to keep me entertained and engrossed the entire time. I'm not sure if I will continue this series, the tone is quite a lot darker than I usually like, but the story is fabulous.
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Maybe this would be polarizing for some people, but this book was kind of acting like fat women being desirable was this grand revelation. Which yes, for some people that would truly be mind blowing, but the sort of people who are going to pick up a book about a fat woman being the main love interest are not the sort of people who need to have that particular lesson taught to them. I also did not enjoy how the male love interest having a learning disability was treated like a dirty little secret. Even the female lead acted like this was something pitiable! It really turned me off. I would potentially give this book another shot in the future, but I found myself thinking the male lead deserved better pretty quickly.
Sunshine by Robin McKinley
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
To be brief, the book was extremely boring. The author seems allergic to writing dialogue between characters and instead is constantly having the narrator summarize what was said. The main character is very Special Quirky Girl in the most truly boring way possible. There is so much telling and almost no showing. I'm not inherently against authors doing self-insertion but you know when it's really obvious because of how hot and special and desirable the main character is? Yeah. I don't have anything more to say, I hated this book.
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
emotional
funny
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
3.0
I enjoyed the book, particularly in the first half, but once past the mid-point it started to fall apart a bit. I didn't find the ending satisfying. It felt like things were happening more because the author had specific ideas for scenes rather than because they made sense with regards to the characters and what they've gone through. The best books to me are the ones where I can set aside my analytical writer's hat. I was completely absorbed in the beginning. It was at the end where I was starting to see the author's movements behind the words, and I wasn't particularly happy about it. There was a lot I wanted to love about this book, and it WAS good. I would recommend it to others happily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Alcohol
Minor: Toxic relationship
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
5.0
I could hardly put this book down the entire time I was reading. Even the slower, introspective moments were entrancing. The pacing was perfect. I do wish there was a bit more fleshed out about some of the minor characters, but I cannot say that leaving those pieces out was to the detriment of the book. Rather, I think it speaks more to how good the author is at creating lovable characters. I ended up buying a hard copy, the e-book, and the audio book just so I could re-read to my heart's content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Addiction, Biphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer and Drug abuse