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readbypiper's reviews
13 reviews
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
God this book.
Let me start by saying that this book is no where near perfect. In fact, there were multiple components that I disliked. Mainly, it felt derivative of other media, mainly The Secret History and Shakespearean tropes. The dialogue also felt too haughty and intellectual at times.
But oh my god everything else was so good it more than makes up for those flaws. The growing tension between James and Oliver was so perfect and Oliver’s slow realization of his true feelings for James was just incredible. The reveal that James was the murderer was sublime. All of the characters were so deeply flawed and yet I loved them so much. Filipa especially.
And the ending? Lord. I was reeling and I had whiplash.
Let me start by saying that this book is no where near perfect. In fact, there were multiple components that I disliked. Mainly, it felt derivative of other media, mainly The Secret History and Shakespearean tropes. The dialogue also felt too haughty and intellectual at times.
But oh my god everything else was so good it more than makes up for those flaws. The growing tension between James and Oliver was so perfect and Oliver’s slow realization of his true feelings for James was just incredible. The reveal that James was the murderer was sublime. All of the characters were so deeply flawed and yet I loved them so much. Filipa especially.
And the ending? Lord. I was reeling and I had whiplash.
Blue Flag, Vol. 1 by Kaito
5.0
Amazing little piece of fluffy, soapy manga. Not ground breaking or genre-defining but a really nice read that I’d definitely return toZ
We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson
3.0
it was fine. main character was infuriating and the story was pretty bleak. interesting sci-fi aspect though and I liked the exploration of “the red button scenario”. would be interested in other books by this author.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Homesick for Another World by Ottessa Moshfegh
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
We get it you hate fat people please shut up
A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I really loved Last Night at the Telegraph Club, so I had high hopes for this. And while I did enjoy seeing an update on Kath and Lily, the rest of the book fell flat to me.
Aria, as a main character, was okay. She was sweet and had a unique enough personality. But she was also really nosy, which I didn’t like. She was always trying to butt in Steph and Lisa’s relationship. She also didn’t seem like a genuine friend beyond her romantic feelings for Steph. After her and Steph start “going out” she completely forgets that Mel and Lisa exist. The only time she even calls Mel is to try and get Steph back.
I really disliked Steph. She came off as really condescending at some points, and the way she talked about Lisa behind her back was so weird to me. She kept saying how much she loved Lisa, and how their history together was so important, but cheated on her the moment she got the chance. She should have just cut it off with Lisa as soon as she got feelings for Aria.
As for Lisa, I have mixed feelings. The jealousy at the very beginning of the book was strange, but it became justified as Aria and Steph got closer. I also think that the blow-up at the garden center was justified. I mean, how would you feel if your partner of almost four years was kissing some barely-adult girl who you’ve only know for a month?
I thought the side characters were so much more compelling. Mel seemed like a far better love interest, who Aria brushed off to be with Steph (who wasn’t single). But the heart wants what the heart wants blah blah…Tasha and Haley’s storyline was also way more interesting than anything happening in the actual plot. I even thought Roxy was so much more loveable than Aria.
One more nitpick, I found it weird that no one ever really questioned how old Aria was. Sure, she was 18 and could legally do whatever she wanted. But hanging out with a bunch twenty year olds after literally just graduating high school comes off a bit wrong. I found it strange that no one thought to consider if she might have been underage, especially because she didn’t drink and was immature most of the time. I’m not saying that the other girls were by any means predatory, but that they could have taken a little more responsibility.
Aria, as a main character, was okay. She was sweet and had a unique enough personality. But she was also really nosy, which I didn’t like. She was always trying to butt in Steph and Lisa’s relationship. She also didn’t seem like a genuine friend beyond her romantic feelings for Steph. After her and Steph start “going out” she completely forgets that Mel and Lisa exist. The only time she even calls Mel is to try and get Steph back.
I really disliked Steph. She came off as really condescending at some points, and the way she talked about Lisa behind her back was so weird to me. She kept saying how much she loved Lisa, and how their history together was so important, but cheated on her the moment she got the chance. She should have just cut it off with Lisa as soon as she got feelings for Aria.
As for Lisa, I have mixed feelings. The jealousy at the very beginning of the book was strange, but it became justified as Aria and Steph got closer. I also think that the blow-up at the garden center was justified. I mean, how would you feel if your partner of almost four years was kissing some barely-adult girl who you’ve only know for a month?
I thought the side characters were so much more compelling. Mel seemed like a far better love interest, who Aria brushed off to be with Steph (who wasn’t single). But the heart wants what the heart wants blah blah…Tasha and Haley’s storyline was also way more interesting than anything happening in the actual plot. I even thought Roxy was so much more loveable than Aria.
One more nitpick, I found it weird that no one ever really questioned how old Aria was. Sure, she was 18 and could legally do whatever she wanted. But hanging out with a bunch twenty year olds after literally just graduating high school comes off a bit wrong. I found it strange that no one thought to consider if she might have been underage, especially because she didn’t drink and was immature most of the time. I’m not saying that the other girls were by any means predatory, but that they could have taken a little more responsibility.
The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
- 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
lets go lesbians let’s go
Maurice by E.M. Forster
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
I liked this book well enough. I went in with pretty high expections, so I was a bit disappointed. I found the first 100-ish pages riveting, I loved Clive and Maurice. But after Clive’s betrayal the story started to drag. The writing was so thick and wordy that I found myself skimming most of the pages. I liked the happy ending, but I didn’t care much about Alec because I felt he was pretty rushed as a character. I did like the overall message and I quite enjoyed the terminal note by the author. I will probably revisit this book in a few days and give it some more attention, maybe then I will appreciate it more.