stardust_heidi's reviews
437 reviews

The Mirror of Beasts by Alexandra Bracken

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

🥰✨🥰✨🥰✨🥰✨🥰✨🥰

The Fortunes of Jaded Women by Carolyn Huynh

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’m not really sure how to rate this. At times, I was desperately wishing to be done with it. Other times I was cackling out loud and really enjoying. I considered rating this a 5 and then it went to a 4, and by the end I just had no idea lmao. 

I think part of the problem was that I listened to this vs read the physical book. There are so many characters, and after a while, I got confused about all the different sisters and aunties and cousins and who belonged to which family and whatnot. I wonder if having the physical names to read in the book might have been easier? I don’t know. The narrator was good, but at times I felt like she was almost too intense.  I don’t know how to describe it, lol. 

I did enjoy the Vietnamese cultural element a lot, especially with the American born descendants and how they were no longer only Vietnamese. I think exploring that (Asian) immigrant perspective was really interesting, especially as someone who does not fit into that demographic. I liked the exploration of womanhood, independence, and individuality in a culture that holds a strong belief in customs and family.

One of my favorite parts of the story is when everyone comes home for the wedding, and it’s an absolute catastrophe. 

This book felt like it took absolutely forever to read, but I started it and then paused it to read a higher priority book (sorry not sorry) and then came back to finish it. The fickle mood played into my rating as well as the fact that I tend to struggle more enjoying literary fiction. (Also, the biggest reason is that I decided to read The Pairing by Casey McQuiston next, and I’ve been impatient as fuck to get to it.)

Foul Heart Huntsman by Chloe Gong

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

Last Violent Call by Chloe Gong

adventurous dark emotional lighthearted mysterious tense 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? No

5.0

Definitely read this right after Foul Lady Fortune!! I loved getting reacquainted with characters from the initial duology. Love them. 

The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I’m going to need to think about this one for a while. Maybe reread the physical book just to make sure I catch everything. It was good. Great. And I’m glad we finally get introduced to the world of higher magics. Magic felt more of a bigger part of this book even though the first three centered around Diana figuring things out. The end….not sure how I feel yet. 

Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I LOVED this. I love a flawed, snarky, badass FMC. I love it even more when she realizes she's made poor decisions and self-serving actions and strives to change. I really enjoyed the magic in this world with the various "smiths" and their skills. Julian's sword is awesome. 

Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0