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valdiebalt's reviews
16 reviews
Roman by Grae Bryan
3.0
This book was extremely captivating and the main character danny was relatable and fun, but the ending was clearly rushed and lazy. It was anticlimactic and really ruined the entire experience... I loved the characters, I just wish it took itself a little more seriously. I hope the others improve the series.
The Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth by Kristin Henning
5.0
I found this book in my public highschool library, the fact that this book was displayed front in center by the librarians is a victory. This book made me realize the evil in my school, and the evil within my family and the evil within my community.
The only criticism I have this book is how grounded it is in 2020, which isnt that big of a deal, but I fear the connectabiliy in the future, for future readers I mean. I felt the slight disconnect between now and then while reading now within 2023. I think it could have benefited with a more general story telling without unnecessary dates ... but thats such a small gripe it doesnt even really matter...
The final chapters made me sob, the story about how the killings effect the mothers of the victims really hurt me. This book is insanely important, and I pray that more highschools,like mine, make it shine front in center. As the future judges, police officers, and teachers, we are the people who need to hear this story most.
The only criticism I have this book is how grounded it is in 2020, which isnt that big of a deal, but I fear the connectabiliy in the future, for future readers I mean. I felt the slight disconnect between now and then while reading now within 2023. I think it could have benefited with a more general story telling without unnecessary dates ... but thats such a small gripe it doesnt even really matter...
The final chapters made me sob, the story about how the killings effect the mothers of the victims really hurt me. This book is insanely important, and I pray that more highschools,like mine, make it shine front in center. As the future judges, police officers, and teachers, we are the people who need to hear this story most.
Jade City by Fonda Lee
5.0
I was reluctant to give this 5 stars, this isnt usually the kind of book I would. But Fonda lee's characterizations of the Kaul family and the world around them made me so invested that I had no other choice. Theres not much I can say any better than what other reviewers have, So I'll let them speak for themselves.
Hollow by Branden Boyer-White, Shannon Watters
2.0
I loved the art style, the coloring was beautiful, and some moments were very charming. But besides that, this graphic novel was really flat. It flung itself directly into the story, no world building or character establishment at all? The romance was bland and you never rooted for them to get together, because we didnt know who they were before they had the crush? Or any aspects about them besides the crush? It was like every action these characters took was to progress the story. The only character development anyone goes through is Croc not having a crush on Victoria anymore.... Which also fell extremely flat. Sigh
If you want underdeveloped characters and a bland story, I would suggest this book.
If you want underdeveloped characters and a bland story, I would suggest this book.
The Fresco by Sheri S. Tepper
2.0
So unsure about my thoughts about this book, rating may change... But I feel like the central theme was messy and the climax of the story was EXTREMELY UNDERWHELMING... also they left like all the loose ends of the story until the last 20 pages left so...
(huge spoiler)
ALSO... ITS NOT A GOOD TWIST IF YOU WERE SETTING UP A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHARACTERS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE BOOK AND THEN AS A TWIST U GET HER WITH A ALIEN????? I MEAN IT WAS CUTE BUT... BUT NOT A GOOD TWIST..
agony i wanted them to get together so bad (my review is bias)
(huge spoiler)
ALSO... ITS NOT A GOOD TWIST IF YOU WERE SETTING UP A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHARACTERS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE BOOK AND THEN AS A TWIST U GET HER WITH A ALIEN????? I MEAN IT WAS CUTE BUT... BUT NOT A GOOD TWIST..
agony i wanted them to get together so bad (my review is bias)
The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken
4.0
REALLY ENJOYED THIS ONE
The story is soild and had a lot of good twist and turns, I totally forgot I was reading a middlegrade novel at times.
But I would say that the ending of this book was not satisfying, I know it is setting up for the sequel but im a firm believer that a book should be able to stand alone even if it is apart of a series.
This book should have just been longer if the story wasn't finished.
ANYWAYS! cannot wait to read the second one !
The story is soild and had a lot of good twist and turns, I totally forgot I was reading a middlegrade novel at times.
But I would say that the ending of this book was not satisfying, I know it is setting up for the sequel but im a firm believer that a book should be able to stand alone even if it is apart of a series.
This book should have just been longer if the story wasn't finished.
ANYWAYS! cannot wait to read the second one !
Babel by R.F. Kuang
3.0
Beautifully ambitious... But I sometimes felt like I was being given a summary of the story, rather than being able to experience and live within the worlds Kuang was trying to paint. I loved the ending, and I have so many questions that will stay unanswered. I wish there was a sequel
Seventh Decimate by Stephen R. Donaldson
2.0
2 stars
in depth review will come soon...
holy shit they really did the 'and everybody clapped' ending....
in depth review will come soon...
holy shit they really did the 'and everybody clapped' ending....
Off You Go: A Short Story by Boo Walker
3.0
3.5
What makes a good mystery?
I wonder this while reading this story, 65 pages to complete a whole story. A whole singular thing.
I thought this story would be a simmered down verison of a thriller mystery, and thats what I got.
I really think this story needed more pages. Its just way too short to fully explore the characters and story.
But if you want a quick read and a interesting southern story I'd recommend
What makes a good mystery?
I wonder this while reading this story, 65 pages to complete a whole story. A whole singular thing.
I thought this story would be a simmered down verison of a thriller mystery, and thats what I got.
I really think this story needed more pages. Its just way too short to fully explore the characters and story.
But if you want a quick read and a interesting southern story I'd recommend