simranpradhan's reviews
122 reviews

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.

I can't continue because I am anxious about an upcoming trip and this is not a book to read when you get anxious but

I AM COMING BACK FOR YOU BABY

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Song of the Forever Rains by E.J. Mellow
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.

DNF at 25% 

look I tried, okay? The writing is just not at all for me, and considering this is 400 PAGES LONG I can't do it. The plot doesn't progress, the banter between the sisters is just annoying as fck and Darius is just not an intriguing enough love interest. Larkyra (how is that even pronounced?) just feels so.. childish. There is nothing that makes me root for her, the author doesn't make a compelling case for well- anything. I couldn't care for the step dad who is a druggie or pity/praise Larkyra (it takes me so long to get it right jesus) for her powers, I don't care for any of it. 

The plot is so good, the worldbuilding too but it is not told well. At all. The author definitely has a lot of imagination but cannot execute it well. The dialogues are just so annoying like please shut the fck up, there is more talking than the actual plot. We get it, you are witty and funny but for real you are not.

Just not it for me at all.

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black

adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Crown of Cinders by Emily R. King

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

the ending was so underwhelming I hope Zeus rots in tartarus 

Wings of Fury by Emily R. King

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

3 stars ⭐ This is one of your typical YA Fantasy books, so don't go in with a lot of expectations. It has the usual tropes- orphan, enemies(kinda) to lovers, a determination to fight misogyny, yada yada. Assuming the demographic it's targeted for is like 13-16, it's good enough.

Pros: the plot is diverse, there is one or the other thing to have you intrigued. It's fast paced and plot driven, which is exactly what I needed to get ahead of my reading goal this year. It's definitely enjoyable enough.

Cons: It's a Greek mythology... Retelling? Or based on Greek mythology? It's just not as concrete as you would like. The dots don't connect at times with the original mythology, but you can dismiss that for creative/author liberty. I could see the plot twist, it's pretty obvious but still well executed I guess. There are geographical + timeline errors if compared with the original mythology. The feminism is.. pretentious? Just overly done. Then again, you could argue that for a character whose entire existence & worth is reduced to their gender to such drastic levels is bound to act that way. It's definitely not inspiring or doesn't give any earthshaking insights, but it's fine if not annoying at times. Their is also a general lack of representation, and the writing while not terrible is in the style is like Barney telling his tale of the sexless innkeeper 

Honestly, it's good book if you just wanna have an easy and enjoyable read. I actually appreciate the quick pace of the plot, the author knows that's the only thing that will work in its favor and executes that well, and it was exactly what I needed at this time. But strictly professional, this probably is like a two stars ⭐

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

4.0

Set in the era of the Great Depression of the early 1930s, To Kill A Mockingbird is a tale told by six-year-old Jean, whose father is set to defend a wrongfully accused black man of rape. The book is tailored to give an insight into the workings of small-town societies in this time period, and the prevailing racism and prejudice that dominated this era.
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Aside from Harper Lee's consistent flow of plot and style, the subtle humour and innocence bestrewed in the narration served as one of the biggest appeals for me. It's definitely baffling how someone so young can describe the events around her in such a precise and authentic manner, but who knows how the minds of the young worked in that era? Another problematic aspect that has been pointed out in recent times is the white saviour complex that has brewed with the publication of this classic. However, the book is still an excellent read with nothing left to long for, only the satisfaction of having read an uncondensed package of good writing.