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reading_seas0n's reviews
32 reviews
Kings of B'more by R. Eric Thomas
medium-paced
2.0
TW: Racism, homophobia, violence, parental neglect, mental health, & depression.
I did not like the narrator; it really threw off my view of the characters from how they were portrayed.
Two friends who had always been in each other lives and went through neglectful parents, families being complicated and being black & lgbtq+ are about to lose each other as they go to school states apart. The only way to say goodbye with a bang is by taking inspiration from Ferris Bueller’s day off and adding their own spin on it as a way to have the best last few days with each other.
This story sounded adorable, and while it had cute and severe moments, it was way too long and a little tedious when reading. A good chunk of my dislike was due to the narrator's choice. It was just long and took forever to get to moments; it is character-driven, but the characters weren’t engaging or entertaining enough.
I did not like the narrator; it really threw off my view of the characters from how they were portrayed.
Two friends who had always been in each other lives and went through neglectful parents, families being complicated and being black & lgbtq+ are about to lose each other as they go to school states apart. The only way to say goodbye with a bang is by taking inspiration from Ferris Bueller’s day off and adding their own spin on it as a way to have the best last few days with each other.
This story sounded adorable, and while it had cute and severe moments, it was way too long and a little tedious when reading. A good chunk of my dislike was due to the narrator's choice. It was just long and took forever to get to moments; it is character-driven, but the characters weren’t engaging or entertaining enough.
One True Loves by Elise Bryant
inspiring
lighthearted
3.25
Confidence can coexist with doubt, as displayed with Lenore in One True Loves.
This was a straightforward read because you can understand the internal and external conflict of wanting the freedom to choose and work through what career you want an education for WHILE and knowing you have a privilege that your parents didn’t have. I can see what her parents were trying to do to help her, but that pressure made her spiral. And the expectation of a “perfect” first kid shouldn’t be the standard as we saw with her brother.
The love story happening so fast made sense with who Lenore is. She is a romantic at heart, even if I think she doesn’t want to be. It was slow initially, then ramped up until the conflict (miscommunication trope) hit. But I did hate how FAST they said I love you. And I was so frustrated with how long she took to accept Alex; it was so back and forth.
Elise Bryant does a fantastic job writing her complicated and relatable main leads. Imposter syndrome, anxiety, expectations, fear, spiralling emotions and thoughts. ALSO, HER COVERS ARE ALWAYS THE SWEETEST!
This was a straightforward read because you can understand the internal and external conflict of wanting the freedom to choose and work through what career you want an education for WHILE and knowing you have a privilege that your parents didn’t have. I can see what her parents were trying to do to help her, but that pressure made her spiral. And the expectation of a “perfect” first kid shouldn’t be the standard as we saw with her brother.
The love story happening so fast made sense with who Lenore is. She is a romantic at heart, even if I think she doesn’t want to be. It was slow initially, then ramped up until the conflict (miscommunication trope) hit. But I did hate how FAST they said I love you. And I was so frustrated with how long she took to accept Alex; it was so back and forth.
Elise Bryant does a fantastic job writing her complicated and relatable main leads. Imposter syndrome, anxiety, expectations, fear, spiralling emotions and thoughts. ALSO, HER COVERS ARE ALWAYS THE SWEETEST!
Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
It truly displays how overthinking, imposter syndrome and anxiety can hold you back, yet it is hard to overcome without support systems and coping mechanisms.
The story was lovely. Seeing Tessa regain her writing groove and discover an excellent real love story instead of what she thinks it is. I can understand the draw to fit in, but she really let too many things slide that were not who she is and not what she believes.
The perils were too long. And her family & friends were put on the back burner more than I thought they would be and would have preferred - however, Tessa was growing and working through things, so that’s understandable.
I wish Tessa would have run when she noted the red flags with Nico because just because the wrapping is pretty does not mean the insides are sweet. While he had good moments, Nico was immature, out of touch and privileged. PLUS, I was disappointed in Tessa and her friend for being dismissive about the fact Nico had a girlfriend, yet STILL trying to enact a love story between her and him.
SAM & TESSA, UGH! I loved this couple so much! It was the unexpected Love that she deserved and needed; someone who knows her, she feels comfortable with him, he can feel calm with her, and they both are familiar and inspiring to each other! HE HELPED INSPIRE HER AGAIN!
The story was lovely. Seeing Tessa regain her writing groove and discover an excellent real love story instead of what she thinks it is. I can understand the draw to fit in, but she really let too many things slide that were not who she is and not what she believes.
The perils were too long. And her family & friends were put on the back burner more than I thought they would be and would have preferred - however, Tessa was growing and working through things, so that’s understandable.
I wish Tessa would have run when she noted the red flags with Nico because just because the wrapping is pretty does not mean the insides are sweet. While he had good moments, Nico was immature, out of touch and privileged. PLUS, I was disappointed in Tessa and her friend for being dismissive about the fact Nico had a girlfriend, yet STILL trying to enact a love story between her and him.
SAM & TESSA, UGH! I loved this couple so much! It was the unexpected Love that she deserved and needed; someone who knows her, she feels comfortable with him, he can feel calm with her, and they both are familiar and inspiring to each other! HE HELPED INSPIRE HER AGAIN!
A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a surprising book!
Thank you to Macmillan-Tor/Forge (Tor Nightfire) & NetGalley for allowing me to read & experience another of T. Kingfisher's books and give my honest opinion.
I expected it to go in a specific direction, but it went another darker path, and I loved it. From the books I have read by T. Kingfisher, their ability to craft a story with roots, foundation, development & multiple genre elements is genuinely magical, especially since the book was so short- it's incredible!
You follow a main character who is worried about their mother's mental state and who begins to experience some unhinged moments in their family home. It gets to a point where their denial about what is happening adds to the suspense and leaves us, the reader, on edge.
The undercurrent of horror was perfect because I was nervous to know if my theory was correct or if something worse was afoot - it was!
Highly recommend the book!
Thank you to Macmillan-Tor/Forge (Tor Nightfire) & NetGalley for allowing me to read & experience another of T. Kingfisher's books and give my honest opinion.
I expected it to go in a specific direction, but it went another darker path, and I loved it. From the books I have read by T. Kingfisher, their ability to craft a story with roots, foundation, development & multiple genre elements is genuinely magical, especially since the book was so short- it's incredible!
You follow a main character who is worried about their mother's mental state and who begins to experience some unhinged moments in their family home. It gets to a point where their denial about what is happening adds to the suspense and leaves us, the reader, on edge.
The undercurrent of horror was perfect because I was nervous to know if my theory was correct or if something worse was afoot - it was!
Highly recommend the book!
Missing Dead Girls by Sara Walters
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Thank you. NetGalley & Sourcebooks Fire for reading another one of Sara Walters's dark YA books. All opinions are my own.
A bewitching girl, a girl haunted by a tragedy and how they fell from grace.
This book is fast and has a simple idea, revenge. But while the revenge seems sweet, the two girls enacting it are very dark & questionable, and you can't fully enjoy the vengeance after discovering who they are. It leaves you questioning morals. I've enjoyed books like this, and they have left me thinking and wondering, and this book does that. I would recommend it for a darker-tone read.
A bewitching girl, a girl haunted by a tragedy and how they fell from grace.
This book is fast and has a simple idea, revenge. But while the revenge seems sweet, the two girls enacting it are very dark & questionable, and you can't fully enjoy the vengeance after discovering who they are. It leaves you questioning morals. I've enjoyed books like this, and they have left me thinking and wondering, and this book does that. I would recommend it for a darker-tone read.
Heartless by Marissa Meyer
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
THAT ENDING HAS ME IN TEARS!
Besides loving Catherine as a character, the plot was a bit slow, but damn did I love Jest & Cath. I knew what would happen, but I just didn't want it to be true. I wanted some OUAT twist or something.
I ALSO HATE HER MOTHER!
Besides loving Catherine as a character, the plot was a bit slow, but damn did I love Jest & Cath. I knew what would happen, but I just didn't want it to be true. I wanted some OUAT twist or something.
I ALSO HATE HER MOTHER!
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
3.75-4stars
This was just like its name, unfairly cute!
Talia Hibbert always does beautiful work with chemistry and characters; they were great at their YA debut. I also think, although I am not someone who has OCD, that the OCD was done well in this book and respectfully done along with the portrayal of coping.
Kids have dreams and the world's weight on their shoulders when choosing their careers, and I wish it weren't like that. I changed my mind about my career after going to school and finding it wasn't what I thought. Trying, failing or succeeding is a choice that should be allowed for a child to decide.
This was just like its name, unfairly cute!
Talia Hibbert always does beautiful work with chemistry and characters; they were great at their YA debut. I also think, although I am not someone who has OCD, that the OCD was done well in this book and respectfully done along with the portrayal of coping.
Kids have dreams and the world's weight on their shoulders when choosing their careers, and I wish it weren't like that. I changed my mind about my career after going to school and finding it wasn't what I thought. Trying, failing or succeeding is a choice that should be allowed for a child to decide.
Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
3.0
TW: Mental health, homophobia, strained parent-child relationship & past suicide attempt, death & depression.
I did not love this book, but it did grow on me while I read. I am not Persian, so I’m not sure how this does representation-wise. From what I read, it was interesting but I think it was lacking in interest because it was written with too much “tell and not show”.
There was a weird mirror image between Darius & his father in certain situations, where they are the same coin. When we reached the talk between his father and Darius, it was interesting to see the bigger picture and how things had happened because of this lack of communication.
I did not love this book, but it did grow on me while I read. I am not Persian, so I’m not sure how this does representation-wise. From what I read, it was interesting but I think it was lacking in interest because it was written with too much “tell and not show”.
There was a weird mirror image between Darius & his father in certain situations, where they are the same coin. When we reached the talk between his father and Darius, it was interesting to see the bigger picture and how things had happened because of this lack of communication.
Blink by Christopher Sebela
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Thank you, Oni Press & NetGalley, for allowing me to read this title & give my honest review.
An incredible trippy, black mirror similar, sci-fi, horror graphic novel.
I cannot tell you if I fully understood the ending, but it definitely left me staring at the wall.
An incredible trippy, black mirror similar, sci-fi, horror graphic novel.
I cannot tell you if I fully understood the ending, but it definitely left me staring at the wall.
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
slow-paced
2.0
TW: Homophobia
The narrator and the interest in their voice were strong points in this book; I really loved listening to them talk, which was a saving grace to this boring story.
This story was pleasant, but not a whole lot happened; no, I should say nothing exhilarating happened. The friendship and trust between the two women, Jo & Emma, was very nice, but for a queer romance, it was lacking in the romance between the two until the end.
The narrator and the interest in their voice were strong points in this book; I really loved listening to them talk, which was a saving grace to this boring story.
This story was pleasant, but not a whole lot happened; no, I should say nothing exhilarating happened. The friendship and trust between the two women, Jo & Emma, was very nice, but for a queer romance, it was lacking in the romance between the two until the end.