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sarmenta_99's reviews
17 reviews
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
5.0
Set on Jeju Island, The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See is a captivating story that immerses readers into the lives of haenyeo—fearless female divers who risk their lives to provide for their families. From the very first chapter, we are introduced to Young-Sook and Mi-ja, two women whose friendship and fate are intertwined by love, sacrifice, and the tumultuous history of their island.
What sets this book apart is how it highlights the role reversals in Jeju’s matriarchal society. Women are the breadwinners, diving into the sea, while men stay behind—a stark contrast to traditional gender roles. I loved how See brought this dynamic to life, flipping everything we think we know about societal norms. Yet, as beautiful as the friendship and cultural exploration are, war and political unrest soon cast a dark shadow over the island.
Lisa See has once again brought to life a part of history that I knew nothing about, weaving in so many important lessons about culture, family, duty, and the strength of women. This is not just a story about two women—it’s a story about survival, sacrifice, and the power of the sea that connects them all.
Quotes:
• “Here I was, going to work, helping to feed and care for my family, and becoming a part of the long tradition of haenyeo. Suddenly, I felt like a woman.” (Page 12)
• “Every woman who enters the sea carries a coffin on her back.”
• “The sea is better than your mother. The sea is forever.”
What sets this book apart is how it highlights the role reversals in Jeju’s matriarchal society. Women are the breadwinners, diving into the sea, while men stay behind—a stark contrast to traditional gender roles. I loved how See brought this dynamic to life, flipping everything we think we know about societal norms. Yet, as beautiful as the friendship and cultural exploration are, war and political unrest soon cast a dark shadow over the island.
Lisa See has once again brought to life a part of history that I knew nothing about, weaving in so many important lessons about culture, family, duty, and the strength of women. This is not just a story about two women—it’s a story about survival, sacrifice, and the power of the sea that connects them all.
Quotes:
• “Here I was, going to work, helping to feed and care for my family, and becoming a part of the long tradition of haenyeo. Suddenly, I felt like a woman.” (Page 12)
• “Every woman who enters the sea carries a coffin on her back.”
• “The sea is better than your mother. The sea is forever.”
Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor
4.0
What a beautifully intricate story filled with magic, pain, and hope. While it started a bit slow, the plot picked up around the 80-page mark and kept me hooked as two storylines converged in unexpected ways. Laini Taylor’s writing is stunning, with descriptions so vivid that I could see everything in my mind, which made the reading experience all the more immersive.
The complexity of the characters, especially Minya and her internal battle, brought so much emotional depth to the story. I loved seeing the interplay between Sarai and Lazlo, and the exploration of Korako’s role as a goddess was fascinating. This book had it all—action, emotion, and layers of tension that built up to a satisfying conclusion. Though some chapters were a bit slow, the way Taylor tied up every loose end made it worth the journey. I will definitely miss the characters and this incredible world Laini Taylor created.
The complexity of the characters, especially Minya and her internal battle, brought so much emotional depth to the story. I loved seeing the interplay between Sarai and Lazlo, and the exploration of Korako’s role as a goddess was fascinating. This book had it all—action, emotion, and layers of tension that built up to a satisfying conclusion. Though some chapters were a bit slow, the way Taylor tied up every loose end made it worth the journey. I will definitely miss the characters and this incredible world Laini Taylor created.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
5.0
Beartown is an emotional, thought-provoking novel that tackles heavy themes with incredible depth and sensitivity. From the beginning, Backman builds a vivid picture of a small town obsessed with hockey, using the sport as a vehicle to explore deeper issues like loyalty, betrayal, and community. The pace starts slow, with a focus on the town’s culture and its people, but it gives you the chance to truly understand each character and the roles they play in this complex story.
As the story progresses, the tension builds, leading to a powerful climax that changes everything for the characters involved. The way Backman switches perspectives and dives into each character’s inner thoughts is brilliant—it’s like you’re getting to know the entire town intimately.
The book deals with difficult subjects and it doesn’t shy away from the emotional weight of these issues. Backman masterfully captures the lasting impact of trauma, not just on the individual, but on the entire community. I felt every emotion—anger, sadness, frustration, and eventually a sense of bittersweet justice. This is not an easy book to read, but it’s an important one, with a message that resonates long after the final page.
As the story progresses, the tension builds, leading to a powerful climax that changes everything for the characters involved. The way Backman switches perspectives and dives into each character’s inner thoughts is brilliant—it’s like you’re getting to know the entire town intimately.
The book deals with difficult subjects and it doesn’t shy away from the emotional weight of these issues. Backman masterfully captures the lasting impact of trauma, not just on the individual, but on the entire community. I felt every emotion—anger, sadness, frustration, and eventually a sense of bittersweet justice. This is not an easy book to read, but it’s an important one, with a message that resonates long after the final page.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
2.0
Red, White & Royal Blue surprised me in more ways than one. What started off feeling a bit shallow quickly gained depth as I got further into the story. The book is built on the enemies-to-lovers trope, with plenty of sexual tension between Alex and Henry, and it dives into themes like coming out, navigating one’s sexuality, and the struggle between duty and personal desire.
However, after the big reveal of their relationship, the book started to lose momentum. The last 150 pages felt overly long and lacked the spark that kept me engaged earlier on. I ended up DNFing the book around 75% because it just couldn’t hold my interest anymore. The side characters occasionally outshined the main duo, and I found myself skimming towards the end. While the book had its moments, it didn’t fully win me over, and the character development fell a bit flat for my taste.
However, after the big reveal of their relationship, the book started to lose momentum. The last 150 pages felt overly long and lacked the spark that kept me engaged earlier on. I ended up DNFing the book around 75% because it just couldn’t hold my interest anymore. The side characters occasionally outshined the main duo, and I found myself skimming towards the end. While the book had its moments, it didn’t fully win me over, and the character development fell a bit flat for my taste.
Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho
4.0
Oh, what a book! Veronika Decides to Die is quintessential Paulo Coelho—brimming with wisdom, wrapped up in a captivating story that leaves you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page. This book is one of those rare gems that you feel compelled to read over and over, each time discovering new layers of meaning and insights that you might have missed before.
Coelho has a way of embedding deep, profound truths in seemingly simple moments, and this book is no exception. It’s a powerful exploration of life, choices, and the courage it takes to truly live. I found myself in awe of how much wisdom is packed into this story, feeling as though I need to read it again and again just to absorb it all—and then even more times to figure out how to apply those insights to my own life.
Veronika Decides to Die isn’t just a story; it’s an experience. It’s the kind of book that stays with you, challenging your perceptions and urging you to rethink what it means to truly live. An absolutely amazing read that I know I’ll be revisiting many times in the future.
Coelho has a way of embedding deep, profound truths in seemingly simple moments, and this book is no exception. It’s a powerful exploration of life, choices, and the courage it takes to truly live. I found myself in awe of how much wisdom is packed into this story, feeling as though I need to read it again and again just to absorb it all—and then even more times to figure out how to apply those insights to my own life.
Veronika Decides to Die isn’t just a story; it’s an experience. It’s the kind of book that stays with you, challenging your perceptions and urging you to rethink what it means to truly live. An absolutely amazing read that I know I’ll be revisiting many times in the future.
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
5.0
Caraval is pure magic from start to finish! This book swept me into a dazzling, mysterious world that I never wanted to leave. The blend of fantasy and intrigue kept me hooked, and I absolutely loved following Scarlett and Julian on their thrilling adventure. The atmosphere is so vividly crafted that I could see, hear, and feel every moment as if I were there. The world of Caraval is rich with wonder and danger, and the way the story unfolded left me breathless with anticipation.
The relationship between Scarlett and her sister, along with the unfolding mystery, made the book impossible to put down. The whole experience reminded me of The Night Circus, one of my all-time favorite books, but Caraval stands out with its own unique twist on a fantastical world. This book is everything I love about fantasy—immersive, enchanting, and filled with characters that leap off the page. I can’t wait to dive into the next book in the series and continue this magical journey!
The relationship between Scarlett and her sister, along with the unfolding mystery, made the book impossible to put down. The whole experience reminded me of The Night Circus, one of my all-time favorite books, but Caraval stands out with its own unique twist on a fantastical world. This book is everything I love about fantasy—immersive, enchanting, and filled with characters that leap off the page. I can’t wait to dive into the next book in the series and continue this magical journey!
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
The Keeper of Happy Endings by Barbara Davis
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0