Take a photo of a barcode or cover
stopdropandglare's reviews
159 reviews
The Most Famous Girl in the World by Iman Hariri-Kia
4.5
So, The Most Famous Girl in the World definitely took me on a ride. Rose is such a good main character—she’s interesting and kind of not a good person, and completely obsessed with finding the truth. It took me a little bit to get into the book but once I did, it really pulled me in, and the way it was set up had me excited to see where it would go. Rose meeting the FBI agent and their romantic subplot seemed really well done to me, and I really liked him as a character.
The supporting characters, especially Rose’s friends Steph and Fern, were a huge plus. Steph was sweet and caring, while Fern’s sarcasm had me cracking up. They were really good friends which was surprising because Rose was really not a good friend to them.
And then there’s that ending. It was totally unexpected and did feel a bit much but I think that was the purpose. It does feel like there could be a sequel but I also think this is one of those books that's better left with the open ending.
In the end, The Most Famous Girl in the World is a fresh, engaging look at fame and para-social obsession, with some wild twists thrown in. If you’re up for a read that’s unpredictable, funny, and just a little chaotic, this one’s worth checking out. This did read similarly to Under the Influence by Noelle Crooks, in a good way! If you liked this one, I'd suggest that and vice versa.
The supporting characters, especially Rose’s friends Steph and Fern, were a huge plus. Steph was sweet and caring, while Fern’s sarcasm had me cracking up. They were really good friends which was surprising because Rose was really not a good friend to them.
And then there’s that ending. It was totally unexpected and did feel a bit much but I think that was the purpose. It does feel like there could be a sequel but I also think this is one of those books that's better left with the open ending.
In the end, The Most Famous Girl in the World is a fresh, engaging look at fame and para-social obsession, with some wild twists thrown in. If you’re up for a read that’s unpredictable, funny, and just a little chaotic, this one’s worth checking out. This did read similarly to Under the Influence by Noelle Crooks, in a good way! If you liked this one, I'd suggest that and vice versa.
Daughters of Bronze: A Novel of Troy by A.D. Rhine
4.0
Let just start with this: Daughters of Bronze was everything I want in a Trojan War retelling. It definitely reminded me why I love retellings as a genre.
This book doubles down on the grit, tragedy, and resilience of women caught up in a brutal war. It really nails how these women wielded power in their own ways that fit with their characters.
Adding Cassandra’s perspective was absolutley a good idea. I always love to read books with her as a character or an inspo—she's layered, tragic, and powerful in her own quiet way. Her backstory, especially dealing with trauma and silence, I think hits close to home for a lot of women. And then there’s Helen, who’s usually typecast as “the beautiful one". I was really glad to see her written as so much more in this one and the first one. Her compassion and inner strength really stood out, and by the end, I was fully on Team Helen.
Andromache’s growth into motherhood without losing herself was also so refreshing. She’s still the strong, proud woman we met in Horses of Fire, but with a new layer of compassion and understanding. Her relationship with Hector was also super well done, and when their inevitable showdown with Achilles arrived....
And Rhea. Her softening toward the Achaeans, especially Ajax, added a surprising tenderness to the story. I'm not gonna spoil the ending but.... it was rough. In a good way.
While the ending did feel a bit rushed, it didn’t take away from the story’s impact. Rhine does an incredible job bringing us into the lives of these iconic women, showing that even amid the grief and destruction, there’s resilience, love, and strength. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves mythological retellings or historical fiction that puts women’s stories front and center. Highly recommend!
This book doubles down on the grit, tragedy, and resilience of women caught up in a brutal war. It really nails how these women wielded power in their own ways that fit with their characters.
Adding Cassandra’s perspective was absolutley a good idea. I always love to read books with her as a character or an inspo—she's layered, tragic, and powerful in her own quiet way. Her backstory, especially dealing with trauma and silence, I think hits close to home for a lot of women. And then there’s Helen, who’s usually typecast as “the beautiful one". I was really glad to see her written as so much more in this one and the first one. Her compassion and inner strength really stood out, and by the end, I was fully on Team Helen.
Andromache’s growth into motherhood without losing herself was also so refreshing. She’s still the strong, proud woman we met in Horses of Fire, but with a new layer of compassion and understanding. Her relationship with Hector was also super well done, and when their inevitable showdown with Achilles arrived....
And Rhea. Her softening toward the Achaeans, especially Ajax, added a surprising tenderness to the story. I'm not gonna spoil the ending but.... it was rough. In a good way.
While the ending did feel a bit rushed, it didn’t take away from the story’s impact. Rhine does an incredible job bringing us into the lives of these iconic women, showing that even amid the grief and destruction, there’s resilience, love, and strength. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves mythological retellings or historical fiction that puts women’s stories front and center. Highly recommend!
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book absolutely deserves 5 stars. An all-around fantastic read.