spiritmadeofstars's reviews
300 reviews

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

adventurous dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

 It is always interesting to learn of the villain's past. Who they were before, what caused them to become heartless and evil. It is especially interesting to read of Snow, as we've known him for so long already. I definitely suggest everyone to read this after the original trilogy. We always knew who he would eventually become, but I do think that most of us hoped he would choose the right path. But we were doomed from the start.

The slow unveiling of everything and how the puzzles all came to fit in the overall story was incredible. Collins truly has a way of writing, carefully picking every word. And the songs especially had my full attention. 

The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

 

Devastating.

 

King's Bride by Beck Michaels

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

 

I enjoyed this book despite the Beauty and the Beast trope being a bit overused nowadays. I found it entertaining.

When it came to the riddle I was like "Oh, come on, are you blind?" But then I was like "A-haaaa".

But please, for the love of gods, dear writers, stop using the phrase "her toes curled". Idk if other people find it okay, but I don't wanna be imagining toes curling in shoes, it takes me out of the scene completely. Haha.

And I also felt weird when Su called him "demented beast". I feel like stupid beast would have been sufficient enough. It just made me feel uncomfortable.

I don't wanna go into spoilers, but the ending did feel a little bit too fairy-tail like. Too happy. Guess I'm just used to being tortured by my reads and being thankful for a piece of sunshine at the end.

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-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

4.25

I really enjoyed this one.

I usually lose myself to fantastical scenarios, but with Ali, I can plunge myself into the real world, care about real people problems, and I still feel so deeply for the characters.

I really enjoyed the characters here, Elsie was a complicated girlie, and still is, and that's just so- human. I like it. And Jack, so caring and aware. Looking and seeing.

I liked that these characters actually managed to talk, to realize what their feelings are and work them out.

This is my second Ali's book, I read The Love Hypothesis back when it was on the fan site (though I don't think I finished it then, because I read too mu h fanfiction at the same time and then forget about some) and I feel like I need to read more of her works.

 

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.

I don't know, I just lost interest in the characters.

What The Room Requires by Alydia Rackham

emotional fast-paced

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The Green Girl by Colubrina

dark emotional medium-paced

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Manacled by SenLinYu

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.

 I was looking forward to this book a lot. I think it has been very hyped around the internet. But I did not seem to keep that hype up for myself.

I will definitely be reading other Schwab's works, but this one just didn't feel right at the moment.

I DNF-ed at 45%, but I am open to revisiting the book in the future. I found myself more interested in the past pov and not so much in the present pov.

I feel like I need to give this book another try, but it is the end of the year and I've started it in March. This also goes to show that the story didn't really pull me in enough to care about what happens next... 

House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.

 DNF - life is too short to force yourself to read a book you're not enjoying

I very much LOVED the first book. I devoured it last year during my quarantine and have been waiting for the sequel patiently.

When I started this book, I was excited to meet the characters again and meet some new ones, too. However, pov chapters can be both a blessing and a curse. Especially when you're enjoying one character's story and then you're thrown somewhere you really don't want to be at the moment.

Other than that I somehow found the characters bland and unlikable. I could not force myself to care. And I honestly can't even remember what they were looking for? Very forgettable.

I DNF-ed at 50%. I decided to give myself time away from the book and see if it lures me back in. If I get curious what the story holds. Nope.

The end of the year is approaching so I am shedding what doesn't serve me anymore.

If you enjoyed this book, I'm happy for you.