toasty_boyo's reviews
24 reviews

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

adventurous 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? No

5.0

This is one work by Neil Gaiman that I wish and hope gets a movie or show adaptation. It’s something that I read for a book report and didn’t give it the thought or care that I should have. Now older and have reread it I can officially say this is a masterpiece. It’s creepy and funny and wonderful all at the same time. It’s a beautiful coming of age story with just the right amount of Gaiman’s fantasy. Bod and Silas have a wonderful relationship and the world building for this story is so good I wish there was more. I would love to know what comes next for Bod but there’s something about leaving it open that leaves everything to the imagination that’s wonderful. I cried reading this but that’s nothing new. I loved it and can’t wait to read more from Gaiman!

All of Our Demise by C.L. Herman, Amanda Foody

adventurous dark tense 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

4.5

Evil. This book is pure evil in the way it makes me care about so many characters that dastardly villainous in their own way. I love how even with character development they all still have flaws and can be selfish or mean but still be characters that are interesting and loveable. I’ll say this again the magic system in this book is top notch with a perfect blend of cool spells and curses strait out of DND and yet the iconic brewing and gathering of ingredients expected from witches type lore. Anyway this book made me feel a lot of feelings good and bad but never the feeling that I should put this book down. The only issue I had with was of my own personal bias towards Gavin’s character where I wish we saw and knew more about him because the way he interacts with everyone and his own motives was so interesting. Long story short I loved it, it was a vibe a masterpiece and a great duology never a wasted moment! 

All of Us Villains by C.L. Herman, Amanda Foody

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

A perfect blend of Hunger Games, Darker Shade of Magic with just a little bit of murder mystery. This book was interesting it had so many characters and so much lore and a crazy magic system (loved the idea of rings and spell and level system very DnD!!). At points I almost wish I was reading the book A Tradition Of Tragedy that this story takes place around just so I can have more. It was weird and thrilling to be rooting for so many characters especially when all are villains or at least not morally sane at most points. This book was twisted and dark and definitely had me checking over my shoulder while reading. I wish more characters were more well rounded and given more time because I’d love to know everything about the families and magic. Here’s hoping I get that with the second and final book!!

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

dark emotional hopeful tense fast-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

4.75

The ability to take an idea like THE Hunger Games and somehow make it darker is unbelievable. Suzanne Collins knocked this one out of the park with a perfect conclusion to a near perfect series. It was dark and gory and horrifying and yet it took a second try to really understand just how twisted it was. Not only that but it was incredibly sad and had me crying more than I was reading. And with all that sad there moments that we’re hopeful and inspiring that still had me crying but not in such a bad way. This series was truly one of the best series and definitely the best dystopian books I’ve ever read. The only thing I have to add is

I WISH PEETA AND KATNISS COULD BE HAPPY AND IN LOVE FOREVER.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.75

Can I just say damn can Suzanne Collins write a sequel. She executed a continuation of this amazing dystopian novel perfectly. Of course it’s a little slow in the beginning but it makes you believe that things are going to get better only for you to realize this is just the beginning. One thing I wish we had more of was knowledge of the other games and tributes (I know it’s beyond what Katniss could know but I’m just so curious about this setting). Anyways what a book it had me so focused on what could happen next that I read like 200 pages before I could put it down. And I know the book can and is supposed to be dark and a reflection of society but Collins has such sweet and funny moments between all the bloodshed that really humanizes this series and makes it so special. Can’t wait to see how it all ends and comes together!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

dark reflective tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

This book is just simply a new era of what will become classics. It’s the perfect dystopian novel that shows the power of governments and what media can hide and control. The characters are so real especially the trauma and emotions that it makes me cry every time no matter how many times I read this book. The stark difference of the brutal Hunger Games and then the poetry of the songs and romance that’s apart of this is just wonderful. There’s just something about this series that clings to you and doesn’t let go.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Wow just wow. I don’t know how this book was even darker than the original Hunger Games but it was. Suzanne Collins crafted the most unloveable and vile character that was still hard to hate. Snow’s decent into the character we know from the original series is astonishing and dark. This book has me on the edge of my seat everything was more twisted and grim than what I could ever imagine. Every reference to the original series was a flawless execution and made me extremely happy. Just a fantastic book and hopefully a movie that will do it justice as well!

A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

adventurous dark tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

I’m so sorry for ever hating this series or this book. The beginning was a struggle and I really should have given it more time - but in the middle I took my time with it and thank god I did. It was beautiful and had me crying real hard at the end.  V.E.Schwab never fails to world build or craft poetry. The way she explains life and meaning is on a whole other level. And the magic, pirates and knights is all intriguing and fun. This book definitely made everything in this series worth it. And can I just say Rhy was the best and thank god for more time with Holland’s character. Anoshe <3

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

emotional funny reflective fast-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

So I’ll admit I watched the movie first but that took nothing away from the book. It’s beautiful and sad but it had me laughing at other moments. It was very real in the way these teens were portrayed and how they all became friends. It truly had me crying at the end. My biggest regret reading this book is that I didn’t do it while I was in highschool I think this would have given me a different outlook and perspective.

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

adventurous dark funny tense medium-paced

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

3.25

Okay so I honestly really loved this book and the world it’s in but my god does Lila Bard make some of it unbearable. I genuinely couldn’t put up with her being so stupid and reckless and “not like other girls” shtick, but the fact that she gets away with this is so aggravating. I love this author I really do but that character made me want to put this book down. Kell was great I enjoyed him enjoying himself and see his magic and I loved Alucard Emery and seeing his relationship with Rhy, but Lila made this really hard. This book is still good and I’m going to finish the series because despite this I still wanna know what happens and I do love majority of the characters. And the fact that magician Olympics is the main plot is hilarious and very intriguing so that’s a plus!