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tatyana_'s reviews
174 reviews
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
adventurous
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
3.5
Yeeran is a decorated general in a war that has consumed the Elven lands for generations. She and Lettle, her younger sister and aspiring diviner, have lived through the horrors the war has ravaged their people from a very young age. When Yeeran makes a critical mistake and is exiled, Lettle and Rayan, her trusted commander, follow her. Together they become entangled in the Fae court. The only thing is that the Fae were thought to have died ages ago with humans. With this discovery, the future of both Elves and Fae is at stake.
While I enjoyed reading this book, I was expecting a lot more and I have had trouble making a review that properly reflects that. Given that Yeeran is a decorated general, I expected her to be more strategic and decisive, but she was often distracted and made mistakes. She was also very naive about the war she was very active in despite her insight, experiences, and warnings from others. With Lettle being an apprentice to the top diviner, I hoped she would be more active in interpreting prophecies. Instead, I found the prophecies predictable and was left underwhelmed when the characters were shocked during the reveal. I also wished for more development within the platonic and romantic relationships between the characters. I especially felt that I was told more than I was shown their feelings.
The history of the world, the cultures of Elves and Fae, and African and Arab influences were fascinating in this book. The world-building is done throughout the book, and I found it had a nice balance of providing information without being overbearing or removing all the story's mystery. Nonetheless, it ended with a lot of unanswered questions that I expect us to learn more about as the series moves forward. All that being said I do plan to continue with this series and am interested in how the story unfolds with the next installments.
While I enjoyed reading this book, I was expecting a lot more and I have had trouble making a review that properly reflects that. Given that Yeeran is a decorated general, I expected her to be more strategic and decisive, but she was often distracted and made mistakes. She was also very naive about the war she was very active in despite her insight, experiences, and warnings from others. With Lettle being an apprentice to the top diviner, I hoped she would be more active in interpreting prophecies. Instead, I found the prophecies predictable and was left underwhelmed when the characters were shocked during the reveal. I also wished for more development within the platonic and romantic relationships between the characters. I especially felt that I was told more than I was shown their feelings.
The history of the world, the cultures of Elves and Fae, and African and Arab influences were fascinating in this book. The world-building is done throughout the book, and I found it had a nice balance of providing information without being overbearing or removing all the story's mystery. Nonetheless, it ended with a lot of unanswered questions that I expect us to learn more about as the series moves forward. All that being said I do plan to continue with this series and am interested in how the story unfolds with the next installments.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Death, Death of parent
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Faerie scholar journals about her field trips and adventures one winter. (Full)RTC.
The Rock in My Throat by Kao Kalia Yang
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
This children's memoir follows Kalia, who is a young child from a family of Hmong refugees. After witnessing her parents being treated poorly for speaking limited English, she stopped speaking at school. Her selective mutism confuses everyone both at home and school, but none more than Kalia. She describes the pressure and helplessness she is experiencing as "the rock in [her] throat". This is a moving story that is infused with hope at the end. The simple, muted color palette also seems to enhance the growing pressure and anxiety Kalia is experiencing.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lerner Publishing Group, and Kao Kalia Yang for an advanced copy of this book. Available as of March 5, 2024.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lerner Publishing Group, and Kao Kalia Yang for an advanced copy of this book. Available as of March 5, 2024.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
In this book, a WWII pilot crashes in the desert where he encounters a young prince who is also very far from home. While he tries to fix his plane the prince recounts how he got to the desert from his home planet. The pilot and the prince explore what is truly important in life and use the lessons the prince learned to do so. The book has been a part of my life for many years. I had a copy of it as a child in its original language (that I could not read by myself lol) and later used it for a 10th grade English essay that I was rather proud of at the time. And I plan to keep rereading this book throughout my life. I certainly think reading this book at different ages and stages of my life has shaped what I’ve gotten from the work. I found myself picking up on the criticisms the prince and the pilot make about losing yourself in desires and cherishing time this time around. Although this is often regarded as a children’s book, I’d recommend this book to people of all ages.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide