shayenne_jd's Reviews (37)

dark informative tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

It is undeniably a powerful and cleverly constructed book, rich with symbolism that exposes the corruption of power and the betrayal of revolutionary ideals. The way Orwell transforms historical events into animal characters is both striking and memorable. However, I found the actual reading experience less engaging than I had hoped. The prose felt dry at times, and the narrative often repetitive, which made it difficult to stay fully absorbed. While I deeply admire the message and the enduring relevance of the book, I struggled to connect emotionally with the story and characters. For me, this is a work to appreciate more for its ideas and symbolism than for its readability or literary enjoyment.
adventurous emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

It is a lyrical and emotionally rich novel that blends coming-of-age themes with mystery and nature writing. Delia Owens paints the marshland with poetic precision, and Kya’s story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. While parts of the book drag, especially in the middle, and some dialogue feels too refined for its rural setting, the emotional payoff is worth it. The ending is especially strong: poignant, unexpected, and thematically satisfying. It ties the story together in a way that deepens its impact, elevating the whole novel. A beautiful read, though not without its flaws.
reflective slow-paced

Geen aanrader als je je karakter wilt vormen zoals het Woord zou zeggen. Te veel anekdotische informatie en voornamelijk empirisch opgebouwd, in plaats de Bijbel als leidraad te gebruiken. Te veel generalisatie en drogredenen. Wetenschappelijke citaten “uit onderzoek blijkt” hebben geen wetenschappelijke grondslag, doordat beschikbaarheid van bronnen ontbreekt. Veel leemtes in dit boek en véél ruimte voor verbetering. Toch halve ster erbij want er waren wel een paar mooie citaten.  
emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

It’s one of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever read. As a poet myself, I was deeply moved by Nelson’s lyrical, poetic style; it carried me through the pages effortlessly. The structure is exactly how I like it: short chapters that you can breathe through, yet still carry emotional weight. The book blends emotional intimacy with sharp cultural commentary, weaving in references to politics, music, and Black identity in a way that feels natural and powerful. What truly sets it apart is its tender portrayal of vulnerability, especially in men, and how essential that is in today’s world of disconnected relationships. It’s not perfect, some moments feel slightly repetitive or intentionally obscure, but the emotional honesty and artistic voice more than make up for that. A rare and necessary novel.
emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I’m not usually a fan of romance novels, but this one genuinely surprised me. It’s emotionally rich without being overly sentimental, and the writing feels more grounded and sincere than I expected. Despite my usual skepticism toward the genre, I was fully drawn in, and honestly, the book is far superior to the film. A rare exception where the story truly earns its place.
informative reflective slow-paced

Hoewel het een belangrijk onderwerp aanstipt binnen het geloof, voelt het boek eerder als een uitgerekt hoofdstuk dan als een volwaardig, zelfstandig werk. De inhoud is sterk herhalend, met dezelfde principes die meerdere keren terugkomen zonder echt nieuwe verdieping of praktische toepassingen. Ook ontbreekt een kritische reflectie op het risico van een te instrumentele kijk op geven en ontvangen. Voor wie al bekend is met De Wal’s onderwijs, voegt dit boek weinig toe. Meer scherpte, variatie en theologische nuance hadden het sterker gemaakt.
hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

Het is een inspirerend, bijbelgetrouw en bemoedigend boek dat op een toegankelijke manier laat zien hoe geestelijke groei eruit kan zien in het dagelijks leven. De persoonlijke toon en heldere uitleg maken het krachtig en toepasbaar. Alleen het laatste hoofdstuk had voor mij iets concreter en uitgebreider gemogen, maar dat doet niets af aan de waarde van het geheel. Een aanrader voor elke christen die wil groeien in vrucht dragen.
challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

It is raw, intelligent, and disturbingly honest. Sylvia Plath writes with a sharp, unflinching voice about depression, pressure to succeed, and the suffocating roles imposed on women—without ever becoming sentimental. The story can feel slow at times and may be triggering for readers struggling with their mental health, but that only adds to its emotional impact. A deeply personal novel that still resonates today, and easily one of the most powerful books I’ve read this year.
informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

Had een paar interessante inzichten die me aan het denken heeft gezet, maar het tempo lag voor mij te laag. Het had krachtiger en compacter gemogen. Wel toegankelijk, maar het raakte me niet echt diep.
mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

It failed to engage me. The frequent use of disrespectful religious language, particularly involving Jesus/God, made it difficult to continue reading. The story felt slow at times, and the ending was underwhelming, lacking the drama I expected. While the themes of cultural appropriation are relevant, the execution left much to be desired, and I ultimately couldn’t connect with the characters or plot.