reading_seas0n's reviews
32 reviews

Radiant Sin by Katee Robert

challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Thank you to Dreamscape, Sourcebooks Casablanca & NetGalley for allowing me to continue the Dark Olympus world. My opinion is my own, and here we go, BOOK 4!

Our narrators were great fits for the characters. Big shoutout to the voice for Cassandra because she also did a great job with 'voicing' Apollo in her chapters. Talent <3

We are getting into just how in danger Olympus is from this external threat, especially as a game of cat and mouse begins with Midas and Olympus guests. It adds to the urgency PLUS adds to some sweet desire between Apollo and Cassandra, and it was GOOD!

Holy shit, the twist was unexpected! I love this series; it is darkly delicious, and Katee Roberts sprinkles so many crumbs and twists in the stories for future book set-ups and leaves you WANTING! 

Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola

emotional funny inspiring 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

5.0

 It is the first 5 stars of the year for me, and it deserves it.

This book was full of character chemistry, banter, female empowerment, friendships, and relationship recovery/growth.
BROWN SUGAR is a genuine show about music and relationship advice, and I love that it boosted the female community at this university. I was so pumped to see the advice help others but also the questions and criticism that the community raised helped make it better, as well as helping Kiki become better and more involved in the community.

Kiki & Malakai had a spark from the beginning, and I loved seeing them grow and fall for each other. I usually hate third-act breakups, but it was so realistic and authentic proof of a realistic overreaction/mistake.

The ex needs to see help; he is too into himself. He also clearly has internalized hate for being mixed if he was okay with working with a white racist group. ALSO, HE IS A SCUMBAG for crossing so many lines, taking pictures without consent, releasing it and then being a bitch and never taking no for an answer and harassing women.

 

Queen Among the Dead by Lesley Livingston

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

2.0

Thank you, Zando Young Readers & NetGalley, for letting this Irish girl read and critique this Celtic novel. All my opinions are my own.

Listen, I am the target audience for this book. I was born in Ireland and grew up on Irish and Celtic tales and myths. This should have been everything I wanted, and it wasn't.
For a story called QUEEN amount the Dead, the first 1/4 of the book had like 3 chapters from her while we mostly got the male counterpart, which threw me. Also, this story took its time to get interesting; we saw moments of monsters, magic and political elements, but they were spread so thin that I was left bored.

I honestly don't have much to say other than I like that it was Irish and had good potential, but I'm sad it didn't reach any of it. 

TJ Powar Has Something to Prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deo

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative 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

4.25

This was very empowering and thought-provoking, and it had such a great character call-out and character arcs for the MC and side characters.
Seeing how ingrained a standard is in culture, as well as in western culture, gives a new perspective, and honestly, it made me realize where stereotypes and harmful comments came from and how people are such dicks.

Also, her ex-boyfriend is such a piece of garbage, a fake ass. Like really thinking you're getting punished because your girlfriend doesn't want to shave. 

On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi

challenging emotional tense medium-paced

4.5

Captivated from the beginning, the narrative was so exciting and engaging.
THIS WAS SUCH A GREAT BOOK! It played out so well in my head; it felt like I was watching a movie; a kickass med student that has really been put through the wringer with family and her lack of stable love life, pushing herself and her work first and still finding a way to fall in love with a sweet person.
I was in the beginning anti-Rick just because of how things started with them, but damn, he wore me down as he did with Angela.

This story proved the importance of boundaries with family, (while I come from an immigrant family and some experiences were similar, some experiences are wholly Angela's), remembering friendships are give and take and a two-way street and being able to work through obstacles, as well as realizing you can recapture your independence yet still find your person and your passion.


It only lost 1/2 a star because both characters drove me crazy with the back in forth and put me through pain when I wanted them together, but I know it was for them to work in the end entirely. 

I Think Our Son Is Gay 04 by Okura

hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This actually had some really interesting perspectives and situations from the mother's view in this volume. 

The Hunters Guild: Red Hood, Vol. 2 by Yuki Kawaguchi

adventurous dark funny hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

4.0

 Thank you, Viz Media & NetGalley, for allowing me to read the next volume in this fun manga adventure series. All opinions are my own!

The next stage to becoming Hunters for the guild begins with a master test... Cops & Robbers??!

This is the sort of humour and edge I like in manga stories; it gives a fresh take to the storyline's seriousness. At heart, this story holds secrets and dark truths in a world we are just entering, but by working the story this way, we see more/newer sides to characters in ways we aren't used to. I love the original take!

I continue to love this series and cannot wait for more! 

Monsters Born and Made by Tanvi Berwah

adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

3.75 round-up to 4 stars

Thank you, Sourcebooks Fire & NetGalley, for the chance to read and review this book. All my words are my own!

"There are so many things I want to do to you. And one day, I might." OH MY GOD, THAT WAS A GOOD LINE.
Exes to Enemies/rivals to begrudging lovers, I like it! It was done so well, honestly; if it were any more hateful and chemistry filled, it would be my perfect idea of enemies to lovers!

I truly loved the complicated and complex characters. Our main character tries only to do good things for their family; they do not think things through enough, but it's because of the seriousness of their family situation and the fact that they are indentured servants (slaves). I wanted to scream a few times to her father and brother, LIKE THE SITUATION MAKES IT ALL SHITTY, and IT AINT HER FAULT!

The mysterious creature makes me want to read more South Asian mythology because I found the creatures fascinating. I did think there would be a lot more influence and mythology/culture in it, but I enjoyed it all the same! 

My Body by Emily Ratajkowski

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

 TW: SA, exploitation of women/young girls, trauma, illness, and body talks & more. 

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

dark emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 3.5 stars, but rounding up

This held a sadness, loneliness and pain from multiple things lost and how the echoes of someone else loss echoed onto our main character too.
I thought this was just about grieving, but it was about a betrayal, a friendship struggling to survive and a love connection lost to grief.