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shimelyasmin's reviews
25 reviews
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Truly did not expect that by the end of the book, I'd be crying like a baby.
It is much different from the first two books because it is more focused on the war, so I understand that people may not like it because they're going in expecting a completely different vibe. But I feel like this book was a great end to the trilogy.Everything about it just felt like it hammered in the fact that Katniss is just a child who has been forced into a role and it is traumatizing, whether she's acting for the Capitol or the revolution's cameras. All she wanted was to protect her sister, but she unwillingly becomes a political pawn who is constantly forced to bargain to protect the lives of those she cares about.
It is much different from the first two books because it is more focused on the war, so I understand that people may not like it because they're going in expecting a completely different vibe. But I feel like this book was a great end to the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Fire/Fire injury, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Child death, and Death
Minor: Sexual assault
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I saw someone call Six of Crows Kaz’s book and Crooked Kingdom Inej’s book and after finishing CK, I really do feel like that’s an accurate description. I loved this book so much. I appreciate how the ending feels satisfying enough on its own but leaves some open ends that would allow Leigh Bardugo an excuse to write another book about the Crows if she wanted to. But I think I’m very happy with the ending as it is. :)
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
I believe that this book may have an interesting introspective on the life of a robot who's gaining more awareness of life around her because of how carefully she observes humans and I appreciate it for that. That concept is very compelling. Because of that, I may revisit this book one day out of curiousity. But it is so slow a read that I just could not continue trudging through the book any longer! From what I read, I don't think that's a bad aspect of the book. It's just that this book is for a specific audience and I am not part of that audience. (Though, I do have to say, that depends on whether it has a well written conclusion. If I ever continue it, my opinion may change!)
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
3.25
I am not a Cassandra Clare fan since growing up and realizing how The Mortal Instruments and related spin-offs are slathered with incest fetish material, but I am honestly still a little fond of Tessa and her brother husbands. If you were to read any Shadowhunters series, I would recommend this one just for them.
Disclaimer: I haven't read this book in years, so I can't vouch for whether or not Cassandra Clare has slipped in incest fetish material somewhere somehow, as she often does. I can say that I remember her and the artist she worked with (Cassandra Jean) being avid fans of Will/Jem, which I have since learned are a part of the incest-inception that she built into this universe (that being the concept of Parabatai). Maybe there are scenes with weird sexual tension between them, Idk. Read at your own risk.
Disclaimer: I haven't read this book in years, so I can't vouch for whether or not Cassandra Clare has slipped in incest fetish material somewhere somehow, as she often does. I can say that I remember her and the artist she worked with (Cassandra Jean) being avid fans of Will/Jem, which I have since learned are a part of the incest-inception that she built into this universe (that being the concept of Parabatai). Maybe there are scenes with weird sexual tension between them, Idk. Read at your own risk.
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book was a very sweet love story between two people dealing with their own struggles that all tie back to age in some way. I read this using my grandmother's very well-loved copy and I can say now that I understand why she's re-read this book so many times.
I especially appreciated how Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali's struggles of being in an interracial and interreligious relationship is portrayed. I was a little skeptical considering the fact that Helen Simonson is a white woman who - as far as I know - is not Muslim, but it was absolutely not an issue in the end. I found Simonson's writing of Mrs. Ali and her family very accurate to the lived experience of myself and those around me. I also really enjoyed Major Pettigrew's character development over the book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia
The content I've added warnings for are not written about in a positive light, they're written critically.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
The storyline is incredible and the characters are so loveable - that is if, like me, you enjoy weirdos whose morals may be a little blurry.
However, I have my reasons as to why it’s not quite hitting 4 stars (spoilers ahead),
My main gripe with this book is that the world feels very apolitical (best way I can put it). I was initially very weirded out by Matthias because of that fact. He was previously part of the Druskelle, who have waged a war on Grisha. That war is, arguably, genocidal. It's treated seriously to an..extent? Like, it's obvious that's bad. But there is something I cannot put my finger on that feels off about how it's written. It just feels as if it is a political conflict that skims over the politics for the sake of keeping it uncomplicated. With that in mind, I would not have thought about it so hard if I was, say, 12 years old and reading this book. So perhaps as someone a decade older I am not the audience that is directed to! But I do not think that such big topics have to be dumbed down for such an audience either - it’s a disservice to them, if anything.
However, I have my reasons as to why it’s not quite hitting 4 stars (spoilers ahead),
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Trafficking and Slavery
Minor: Sexual assault
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
A Touch of Jen by Beth Morgan
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love how the fact that this book is a horror book was introduced. It did not feel very sudden to me, there is hints of weird shit going on from the beginning and it just feels like the freaky shit increases pace at some point. Initially, I was a little unsatisfied with the ending but I think it was because I expected something totally different rather than it actually being bad. Overall, very cool rollercoaster of a horror novel!