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takarakeireads's reviews
548 reviews
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Wow! What a wild ride, especially with the graphic audio. I did follow along with an ebook as it was my first time reading this (and there's def some small bits left out of the GA, so I'm glad I did that - it was mostly inner-dialogue stuff but still a bit curious). The ending of this book really takes off and that especially on GA was like "eeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!"
I just honestly had a GOOD ASS TIME reading this book. Really enjoyed the characters! Lightsong especially was just hilarious (also one of my fav tropes: the reluctant hero). The interactions between characters was fun to read, good banter. Sanderson is really good at writing distinctly different povs and then weaving them into a storyline that comes together in the end. THE MAGIC SYSTEM is SO cool! Felt like magic created for visual artists for sure.
The ending was what is described as a typical "Sanderlanche" where there's really a point of no return while reading and you're not gonna wanna put it down. So much happens at the end it's a lil nuts in a "I'm at 96% in this book and HOW is this gonna end" way - and how it does end is a little abrupt. Supposedly, Sanderson is going to write more in this world, and I could definitely see how that's possible with where things end (although it is definitely still a standalone so no worries about a cliffhanger).
So far... this is my top rated Sanderson book, but I've just started Stormlight and was told to read this before Words of Radiance (which I have HIGH expectations for).
I just honestly had a GOOD ASS TIME reading this book. Really enjoyed the characters! Lightsong especially was just hilarious (also one of my fav tropes: the reluctant hero). The interactions between characters was fun to read, good banter. Sanderson is really good at writing distinctly different povs and then weaving them into a storyline that comes together in the end. THE MAGIC SYSTEM is SO cool! Felt like magic created for visual artists for sure.
The ending was what is described as a typical "Sanderlanche" where there's really a point of no return while reading and you're not gonna wanna put it down. So much happens at the end it's a lil nuts in a "I'm at 96% in this book and HOW is this gonna end" way - and how it does end is a little abrupt. Supposedly, Sanderson is going to write more in this world, and I could definitely see how that's possible with where things end (although it is definitely still a standalone so no worries about a cliffhanger).
So far... this is my top rated Sanderson book, but I've just started Stormlight and was told to read this before Words of Radiance (which I have HIGH expectations for).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Torture, Murder, and War
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
In the author's note N.K. Jemisin wrote that she had a hard time finishing this series (and switched it from a trilogy into a duology) because the things she wrote about in book 1 became reality. I can totally understand losing motivation, and indeed it was eerie to read about - it really did not seem like fiction.
Unfortunately the struggle was felt while reading. The pace of the book was a bit slow - not a lot happening from each character's pov until towards the end. It felt a little meander-y and I wasn't super engaged overall. The political storyline in particular I did not find super compelling. I did really enjoy the 'interruption' chapters that visited the other cities & really emphasizing just how young the US (and NYC) is. I found the ending to be a bit too tidy also. I really loved the first book, so it's a shame this one didn't quite meet that high bar.
These remain fantastic audiobooks, they really are almost like graphic audios with sound fx! If you're going to read this series and enjoy audiobooks I highly recommend those.
Unfortunately the struggle was felt while reading. The pace of the book was a bit slow - not a lot happening from each character's pov until towards the end. It felt a little meander-y and I wasn't super engaged overall. The political storyline in particular I did not find super compelling. I did really enjoy the 'interruption' chapters that visited the other cities & really emphasizing just how young the US (and NYC) is. I found the ending to be a bit too tidy also. I really loved the first book, so it's a shame this one didn't quite meet that high bar.
These remain fantastic audiobooks, they really are almost like graphic audios with sound fx! If you're going to read this series and enjoy audiobooks I highly recommend those.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Gun violence, Transphobia, and Police brutality
Minor: Homophobia
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
When I’d gotten to 80% in and the past conflict still hadn’t been revealed I knew I was going to feel like the ending would feel unresolved. And I was right.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol
Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez
emotional
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
4.5
Writing this review with tears in my eyes ( + 1/2 a star just for that).
It's a little puzzling to me this book isn't being marketed as belonging to the Part of Your World series because they are connected. But it also seems as if all Abby's books have little easter eggs and she is building her own cinematic universe.
I enjoyed the funny way these two main characters meet on Reddit and the whole setup to 'break a relationship curse'. Obviously as you read you know it's a romance and they have to fall for each other despite the set up. But this book ends up being about a lot more, as Abby's books often are. Emma is dealing with childhood trauma from a very unstable mother and this makes her very distant to people in her life, with the exception of her best friend/foster sister. They move around constantly and Emma can fit her whole life into two suitcases. Girl is running from her problems fr.
Justin is dealing with his own family drama as he is preparing to take over custody of his 3 younger siblings. Abby really knows how to write a book boyfriend! Justin is so funny and the 'date surveys' were sending me! He is so sweet with his siblings and shows early on that he is such a kind and caring person. Earlier on in the book there's plenty of laugh out loud moments. I loved how Emma teaches Justin about empathy for others because despite her rough childhood Emma is very forgiving.
The ending though had me so emotional! Abby really knows how to rip your heart out and stomp on it before putting it back together.
"Say Don't Go" by Taylor Swift
It's a little puzzling to me this book isn't being marketed as belonging to the Part of Your World series because they are connected. But it also seems as if all Abby's books have little easter eggs and she is building her own cinematic universe.
I enjoyed the funny way these two main characters meet on Reddit and the whole setup to 'break a relationship curse'. Obviously as you read you know it's a romance and they have to fall for each other despite the set up. But this book ends up being about a lot more, as Abby's books often are. Emma is dealing with childhood trauma from a very unstable mother and this makes her very distant to people in her life, with the exception of her best friend/foster sister. They move around constantly and Emma can fit her whole life into two suitcases. Girl is running from her problems fr.
Justin is dealing with his own family drama as he is preparing to take over custody of his 3 younger siblings. Abby really knows how to write a book boyfriend! Justin is so funny and the 'date surveys' were sending me! He is so sweet with his siblings and shows early on that he is such a kind and caring person. Earlier on in the book there's plenty of laugh out loud moments. I loved how Emma teaches Justin about empathy for others because despite her rough childhood Emma is very forgiving.
The ending though had me so emotional! Abby really knows how to rip your heart out and stomp on it before putting it back together.
"Say Don't Go" by Taylor Swift
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit
Maybe proceed with caution if you have mommy/parental issues
This Is Vegan Propaganda by Ed Winters
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Essential reading. Wish more people would read.
I've been vegan for a long time (over half my life) and I still learned so much from this book. If you are at all curious about veganism and why this lifestyle matters I urge you to read this book.
I've been vegan for a long time (over half my life) and I still learned so much from this book. If you are at all curious about veganism and why this lifestyle matters I urge you to read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Gore
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Sexism
Court Of Wanderers by Rin Chupeco
slow-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? No
3.25
I’m being generous with 3.25 stars to be honest. It pains me to say that because I loved Silver Under Nightfall so much and I’ve told so many people to read it! and I still will…but as a stand-alone
The first half of this sequel wasn’t too bad, I was enjoying the banter between Remy and Malekh a lot. It was a tad spicier (still relatively closed door or just not graphic) but we do head into kink territory! The throuple relationship truly is the one saving grace in this book. However there wasn’t a ton more development persay, and there definitely wasn’t the same tension here from the first book.
I had such a hard time following this plot. There were a lot of new characters from different vampire courts introduced, but none of them felt distinct from each other so I couldn’t keep track of who was who and where their political loyalties were. It felt like there were multiple kind of plot twists (for lack of a better word) happening and the plot got really convoluted. I love political fantasies, but this was poorly done because it moved very slow and felt like a really different world almost from the first book. Idk there was a lot of new world building which seems strange for the second book in a duology.
The action scenes, which were so fun to read in the first book, in this were sparse and very quick. Every conflict seemed to be resolved too easily (this was a bit of my critique in the first book as well, but was exacerbated here). Monsters like weren’t the focus anymore??
It also definitely could’ve been at least 100 pages shorter.
And in the end his dad and mom weren’t actually bad? Like it was that the night king was ultimately at fault? I actually don’t understand it. I guess it’s nice that Remy reconciled with his dad but it didn’t necessarily feel earned?
The first half of this sequel wasn’t too bad, I was enjoying the banter between Remy and Malekh a lot. It was a tad spicier (still relatively closed door or just not graphic) but we do head into kink territory! The throuple relationship truly is the one saving grace in this book. However there wasn’t a ton more development persay, and there definitely wasn’t the same tension here from the first book.
I had such a hard time following this plot. There were a lot of new characters from different vampire courts introduced, but none of them felt distinct from each other so I couldn’t keep track of who was who and where their political loyalties were. It felt like there were multiple kind of plot twists (for lack of a better word) happening and the plot got really convoluted. I love political fantasies, but this was poorly done because it moved very slow and felt like a really different world almost from the first book. Idk there was a lot of new world building which seems strange for the second book in a duology.
The action scenes, which were so fun to read in the first book, in this were sparse and very quick. Every conflict seemed to be resolved too easily (this was a bit of my critique in the first book as well, but was exacerbated here). Monsters like weren’t the focus anymore??
It also definitely could’ve been at least 100 pages shorter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Death, Genocide, Sexual content, Dementia, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Toxic relationship/ sexual violence is talked about from a side characters past
She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
3.25
This isn't really my genre of reads, but it also didn't totally keep my attention. On audio it was hard to tell but there were these kind of small passages sometimes at the beginning of the chapters(?) that seemed to be from the house's pov (kinda?) and those were the most interesting bits. I think it could've been even creepier overall. I did really like the concept of a house haunted by colonizers, but it didn't quite hit for me in the end *shrug*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Animal death and Fire/Fire injury
How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures by Sabrina Imbler
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I really enjoyed how Sabrina uses stories or information about sea life to relate back to human existence, especially as a queer POC.
Be sure to check content warnings!
Be sure to check content warnings!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Racism and Dysphoria
Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma
lighthearted
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
I read the first book in this series so long ago that I didn't remember much of the prior interactions between Bobbi and Bunty (which start in book 1) so I wish that the beginning of this book had built up their relationship a bit more. Once we got into their relationship though they had a good dynamic and some good banter (mostly over text tho cause Bunty is often on the west coast for business). I loved how Bunty was always feeding Bobbi, making sure she ate well (food as a love language).
Bobbi is planning her bff's Desi wedding (Kareena and Prem from book 1) and Bunty is friends with the couple as well. But someone is trying to sabotage the wedding and Bobbi is dealing with all these mishaps along the way. This story line added a bit to the book, but it was also a tad silly in places. Both Bobbi and Bunty are next in line to family businesses (one wants that and the other does not) and so they are often dealing complex family dynamics related to that.
Spice: 4/5, kink positive
Bobbi is planning her bff's Desi wedding (Kareena and Prem from book 1) and Bunty is friends with the couple as well. But someone is trying to sabotage the wedding and Bobbi is dealing with all these mishaps along the way. This story line added a bit to the book, but it was also a tad silly in places. Both Bobbi and Bunty are next in line to family businesses (one wants that and the other does not) and so they are often dealing complex family dynamics related to that.
Spice: 4/5, kink positive
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia and Racism
Minor: Body shaming and Death of parent
Bobbi is fat but very comfortable in her body and Bunty loves it as well. But Bobbi refers to past instances when she's been fat/body shamed
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown
informative
medium-paced
4.25
If you're at all familiar with Brené Brown's work this is right in alignment with many of the concepts she talks about frequently. Framed from a more business-leaning mindset it has some great advice on how to lead with courage and vulnerability. I will definitely be referring back to my physical copy and looking at the worksheets available on her website.
Definitely showed how my past work situations were doing basically the opposite of everything in this book which is why they were so toxic.
Definitely showed how my past work situations were doing basically the opposite of everything in this book which is why they were so toxic.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Racism