starkov's reviews
224 reviews

Faebound by Saara El-Arifi

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

The idea was cool but the execution didn’t impress me too much tbh.

Some of the prophesies were so painfully obvious that it actually pissed me off when the characters didn’t get it. I much prefer when the characters outsmart ME - not the other way around.

The romance between Yeeran and Furi felt so forced. I reread some pages several times to see if I missed some key sentence as to why they got together, but no it was just that sudden. They had no chemistry. Lettle and Rayan also felt sudden but more so in a insta-love type way than a forced way. The “oh no there was only one bed” moment did nothing for me. Give me more mutual pining!!!

And the characters read so much younger than they actually were??? What was up with that.

Still the One by Harper Bliss

medium-paced

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

2.0

These characters were so annoying, imagine the love of your life who you've been with for 10 years cheated on you right before your wedding and planned IVF treatment start for a woman she just met which threw your entire life off track and then when you meet again 20 years later at your mutual friend's wedding all your friends are like "it's been so long just get over it" DAWWWGGG FUCK JAMIE IDC IF SHE REGRETS IT 

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No

2.0

Painfully average. I had such high expectations because this book was sooo hyped up by tons of people online but it did not deliver. It was okay and I liked the idea behind the dragon/magic lore but the characters were lowkey insufferable 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

dark reflective medium-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

Den lyckligaste mannen på jorden: En förintelseöverlevare berättar om varför kärlek och hopp är starkare än hat by Eddie Jaku

emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

Kärlek i Seoul by Sang Young Park
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

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

5.0

This book was absolutely fantastic and both the writing and story had me mesmerised. I could’ve continued reading about Addie forever. My stubborn, poetic, darling Addie. I really loved how the chapters jumped back and forth between Addie’s past and present day. It never felt like unnecessarily filler chapters, everything was woven together so beautifully. I definitely recommend this. 

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I had really high expectations going into this and although they were not quite met, I still enjoyed this. Time travelling lesbians! Definitely Romeo and Juliet inspired! The writing was beautiful but most of the book was a bit confusing. I really loved the ending though, so that brought my rating up to four stars.