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rosyhumbug's reviews
72 reviews
Credence by Penelope Douglas
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 2 by Gege Akutami
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
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? No
4.0
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
5/5 Rating
"Wholeness, she had learned, was not the absence of pain but the ability to hold it."
I don't think I've ever been so surprised by a book. I went in expecting somewhat stereotypical fantasy—a simple war story, with fun battles, and sad moments, and interesting characters. Yes, The Sword of Kaigen has all that. But even more than that, this book is about family, and grief, and growing up. It's about motherhood, all the pains and joys of it—about both the pride and humility one can find within it. Its been awhile since a book surprised me in the way this one has, and I think because of that, I'll remember it and cherish it for a long time. M.L. Wang provided an experience that easily earns 5 stars.
"Wholeness, she had learned, was not the absence of pain but the ability to hold it."
I don't think I've ever been so surprised by a book. I went in expecting somewhat stereotypical fantasy—a simple war story, with fun battles, and sad moments, and interesting characters. Yes, The Sword of Kaigen has all that. But even more than that, this book is about family, and grief, and growing up. It's about motherhood, all the pains and joys of it—about both the pride and humility one can find within it. Its been awhile since a book surprised me in the way this one has, and I think because of that, I'll remember it and cherish it for a long time. M.L. Wang provided an experience that easily earns 5 stars.
Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 1 by Gege Akutami
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
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
3.75
Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
adventurous
funny
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Rhythm, Chord & Malykhin by Mariana Zapata
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
2.0
2/5 Rating
(no quotes worth pulling that stood out)
I am starting to question whether Mariana Zapata knows how to write main characters that are anything other than tomboys with a “not like other girls” complex. Once again, the readers are given a main character who is short (ever so cute!), barely wears makeup (ever so unique!), and makes dick jokes just like the boys (ever so funny!). Depth and overall charm are lacking. The details she chooses to add (such as the main character having breast implants) feel out of place and strangely over-focused on.
The 2 stars I give this book are for Zapata introducing a cast full of characters (other than the MC) that I have some interest in. The lack of any stars further than that are due to Zapata doing next to nothing with said cast. It’s almost infuriating. She brings in a new character, gives some innate detail about them, and then refuses to expand upon it. Laila, the handicapped best friend, barely shows up. The male lead’s mother shows up once to make an ominous threat and never return—Sacha himself has little depth or development other than being a nice guy singer who runs half marathons.
The one opportunity we have to learn more about Sacha, while in his hometown, is completely squandered because the MC has a tantrum over him having an ex, and does not sit down at the table to speak with his friends. Let me repeat that—the author had an opportunity to further develop the male lead, by introducing characters from his hometown—and then we get absolutely nothing from it.
Besides all this, the book and the main relationship held within fall flat. Its conclusion is anticlimactic. There is truly no big obstacle or tension found within this story. The MC struggles to deal with her crush on her new close friend. And then they get over it fairly quickly. To have to wait until 80 or so percent in the novel only to feel…disappointed and unimpressed with the resolution? Was incredibly frustrating.
I don’t know. I’ve liked Zapata’s work, before. But this just isn’t her best product. And I think we need to be so Absolutely Real about that.
(no quotes worth pulling that stood out)
I am starting to question whether Mariana Zapata knows how to write main characters that are anything other than tomboys with a “not like other girls” complex. Once again, the readers are given a main character who is short (ever so cute!), barely wears makeup (ever so unique!), and makes dick jokes just like the boys (ever so funny!). Depth and overall charm are lacking. The details she chooses to add (such as the main character having breast implants) feel out of place and strangely over-focused on.
The 2 stars I give this book are for Zapata introducing a cast full of characters (other than the MC) that I have some interest in. The lack of any stars further than that are due to Zapata doing next to nothing with said cast. It’s almost infuriating. She brings in a new character, gives some innate detail about them, and then refuses to expand upon it. Laila, the handicapped best friend, barely shows up. The male lead’s mother shows up once to make an ominous threat and never return—Sacha himself has little depth or development other than being a nice guy singer who runs half marathons.
The one opportunity we have to learn more about Sacha, while in his hometown, is completely squandered because the MC has a tantrum over him having an ex, and does not sit down at the table to speak with his friends. Let me repeat that—the author had an opportunity to further develop the male lead, by introducing characters from his hometown—and then we get absolutely nothing from it.
Besides all this, the book and the main relationship held within fall flat. Its conclusion is anticlimactic. There is truly no big obstacle or tension found within this story. The MC struggles to deal with her crush on her new close friend. And then they get over it fairly quickly. To have to wait until 80 or so percent in the novel only to feel…disappointed and unimpressed with the resolution? Was incredibly frustrating.
I don’t know. I’ve liked Zapata’s work, before. But this just isn’t her best product. And I think we need to be so Absolutely Real about that.
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
4.75/5 Rating
"Somebody has to start. Somebody has to step forward and do what is right, because it is right. If nobody starts, then others cannot follow."
Once again, Brandon Sanderson knocks my fucking socks off. And this is only the first book in a series. This is the introduction to start things off. His world building? Pure magic. His characters? Pure magic. His plot twists? Pure magic. His cliffhangers? Pure magic. Even in this first book, where the stakes are being set but not yet enforced, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and near crying by the end of it. Something about Sanderson just works for me. (Romantasy could never.) I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. Serve it up, Brando Sando.
"Somebody has to start. Somebody has to step forward and do what is right, because it is right. If nobody starts, then others cannot follow."
Once again, Brandon Sanderson knocks my fucking socks off. And this is only the first book in a series. This is the introduction to start things off. His world building? Pure magic. His characters? Pure magic. His plot twists? Pure magic. His cliffhangers? Pure magic. Even in this first book, where the stakes are being set but not yet enforced, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and near crying by the end of it. Something about Sanderson just works for me. (Romantasy could never.) I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. Serve it up, Brando Sando.
Scenes with My Son: Love and Grief in the Wake of Suicide by Robert Hubbard
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I found it difficult to approach this book knowing the contents, and yet I also felt drawn to it. I finished it over the course of two nights, finding it next to impossible to set down. What a piece. Auggie's presence on the pages, and the presence of his entire family, is so real, and robust, and magical. The tragedy of this book is hard to consume; yet, I think by doing so, I've learned about the beauty and humor and gut-wrenching pain of life as Auggie experienced it. That has made no small impact on my heart.
Scenes with my Son is a piece of truthful art I don't believe I could read again—but it's something I'll never forget, and something I believe most people would do well to experience. Thank you to Robert Hubbard and family for revealing to readers something so naked and vulnerable. The love is so overwhelmingly there.
Scenes with my Son is a piece of truthful art I don't believe I could read again—but it's something I'll never forget, and something I believe most people would do well to experience. Thank you to Robert Hubbard and family for revealing to readers something so naked and vulnerable. The love is so overwhelmingly there.