valeria_balzan's reviews
145 reviews

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

You know what, I underestimated you Labyrinth. I wasn't familiar with your game but you proved me wrong.

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

adventurous funny lighthearted 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? Yes

3.5

Sea of monsters was my least favorite book in the series but now that I've re read it... it's still my least favorite but it made me appreciate it more! It has some banger scenes and it sets up the next couple of books so it's just an in between, filler kinda book that's just enjoyable to read.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

adventurous hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I started reading this because it's a well known Canadian classic and now that I've read it I understand why. Anne Shirley is a lovable, free spirited girl whose daydreaming is adorable.
Anne, Diana, and all the people in Avonlea make this story such an enjoyable read because they feel like real people you'd meet in your life.

Anne's journey of girlhood makes me especially sentimental because it showcases the true meaning of growing up.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Rereading the story made me appreciate the details and the overall storytelling aspect of it more. It was so nice to get to read Percy again.

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

3.75

Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Cute little romance based on tropes... nothing crazy, still enjoyed it.

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare

3.0

It's Shakespeare like what I do have to say...

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? No

4.0

This books is so so so heartwarming and cozy. It very meticulously crafts a story, giving you just enough details for it to be both shocking and memorable. The characters and their circumstances make it a very realistic view of the main question of the book: what would you do/say if you traveled through time?

Overall such a great read and I would recommend it to everyone and anyone.

Ps. The Indigo exclusive made no sense to me (maybe I'm just tired)

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan

adventurous emotional funny medium-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

4.5

okay this is fully biased cause this was House of Hades 2.0 and that's literally my favorite Riordanverse book so bear with me.
It had good pace, great setup and both Nico and Will had their own character development aside from their relationship further developing. I loved it. 
The one thing I will complain about a little bit is that I didn't feel like the stakes were high enough? like the world wasn't ending but they acted like it...idk it just didn't feel as important.

and the ending? gods, it was so powerful I could have cried