Scan barcode
violentdelights's reviews
56 reviews
D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins
3.25
There were a lot of things I enjoyed about this book. I loved the characters, the unique configurations of characters that could have easily been slotted into certain tropes (eg. the heartless butch, the shy prude). I enjoyed the dialogue, that made me chuckle out loud at times and felt very loud and over dramatic at times, as the best of people can be, while at other times feeling very gentle and honest. I enjoyed the chemistry between the two leads, something that is very necessary to make me buy into a six-week-old relationship.
Unfortunately, the writing style kept me from rating this book any higher. The overwritten nature meant that every thought, doubt, feeling, unspoken gaze, and subtle action was spelled out to illustrate exactly what it meant or could mean. It felt like the author was hellbent on telling the audience things that would have been much better implied in actions, rather than spoonfed to us. I felt like this book could be 50-100 pages shorter if all of the hand-holding was cut out.
Additionally, this is a relatively minor complaint, but it was hard for me to suspend disbelief as to why two people who loved their families so much would go on a reality show that involved so much lying to their family.
As for the audiobook, I really enjoyed the narrator. The voices for all the characters, especially Kris, sounded exactly like the descriptions given in the book, and the emotions in each line made the experience of the book so much better. I would highly recommend the audiobook if choosing to pick up this book!
Unfortunately, the writing style kept me from rating this book any higher. The overwritten nature meant that every thought, doubt, feeling, unspoken gaze, and subtle action was spelled out to illustrate exactly what it meant or could mean. It felt like the author was hellbent on telling the audience things that would have been much better implied in actions, rather than spoonfed to us. I felt like this book could be 50-100 pages shorter if all of the hand-holding was cut out.
Additionally, this is a relatively minor complaint, but it was hard for me to suspend disbelief as to why two people who loved their families so much would go on a reality show that involved so much lying to their family.
As for the audiobook, I really enjoyed the narrator. The voices for all the characters, especially Kris, sounded exactly like the descriptions given in the book, and the emotions in each line made the experience of the book so much better. I would highly recommend the audiobook if choosing to pick up this book!
The Davenports by Krystal Marquis
5.0
I’ve never seen Bridgerton, but I must imagine that the delight I felt at a grand gala, a masked ball, a fancy ballroom and a kiss to the hand must be the same feeling that Bridgerton watchers have. The extravagance in this book was palpable, and created a lush environment that transported me back in time.
That’s how I begin this review, but of course, the best part of The Davenports are the titular Davenports. The individual characters and their complex relationships to each other as well as their parents were rich and layered, and created a complicated web of familial pressure and drama amidst the equally complicated web of love and heartbreak.The scene in the final chapter where they all commiserate over their individual heartaches together spoke to a family who, despite not being the closest, have a strong love and bond that connects them.
Of course, that’s not to say I didn’t love the non-Davenport point-of-view characters. Ruby’s character development and Amy-Rose’s arc were beautifully told, and they were loveable and interesting characters in their own right. While the four points of view occasionally felt cluttered, I found the author knew when to cut away and trust the reader to fill in the gaps between the last chapter and the next one, letting scenes and characters unfold in the negative space. In this sense, the four overlapping stories kept from being told in a repetitive nature and were instead kept fresh by the next chapter presenting a different-if-connected conflict.
I loved this book, and while the critical part of me wonders if I could rate it lower than five stars, as I finish reading I can think of no complaints I have with the book. It was a quick, addicting read with charming characters each dealing with racism, legacy and love in their own unique ways. Would recommend to anyone who loves a star-crossed love story, a motivated heroine, and vivid period pieces.
That’s how I begin this review, but of course, the best part of The Davenports are the titular Davenports. The individual characters and their complex relationships to each other as well as their parents were rich and layered, and created a complicated web of familial pressure and drama amidst the equally complicated web of love and heartbreak.
Of course, that’s not to say I didn’t love the non-Davenport point-of-view characters. Ruby’s character development and Amy-Rose’s arc were beautifully told, and they were loveable and interesting characters in their own right. While the four points of view occasionally felt cluttered, I found the author knew when to cut away and trust the reader to fill in the gaps between the last chapter and the next one, letting scenes and characters unfold in the negative space. In this sense, the four overlapping stories kept from being told in a repetitive nature and were instead kept fresh by the next chapter presenting a different-if-connected conflict.
I loved this book, and while the critical part of me wonders if I could rate it lower than five stars, as I finish reading I can think of no complaints I have with the book. It was a quick, addicting read with charming characters each dealing with racism, legacy and love in their own unique ways. Would recommend to anyone who loves a star-crossed love story, a motivated heroine, and vivid period pieces.
What a Match by Mimi Grace
lighthearted
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
3.0
Just a fine, cute book. I liked the characters on their own though I was a bit dubious on their chemistry. Reads like a classic 90s romcom.
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
5.0
As a big fan of Casey McQuiston’s novels, a hater of change, and someone who let Red, White, and Royal Blue turn their brain into mush for a month straight, it’s hard to pick a new favourite CMQ. But I think I can confidently say that The Pairing is their best work so far. The writing style is beautiful and poetic and shows a maturity in their penmanship that, while not wholly absent from their earlier work, has certainly aged like a fine wine. Even the discussion around Big Topics (eg. Theo’s gender, the Upstairs Lounge, etc) were handled more gracefully than the almost clunky way they were in the past.
The characters of this book are the heart of it, as with any good book, but this is essentially true of The Pairing. While they do have a beautiful relationship, Theo and Kit as individuals are loveable, complex, whole people and they make the book worth picking up. I could feel Theo’s blood, sweat, and tears, Kit’s yearning and heartache. They were palpable beings and I loved them for it. While the book is a little light on actual plot, I found that the depth of the characters (and even the fun of the supporting cast) more than made up for it.
In an effort to devour this book, I didn’t stop to translate certain phrases or look up unfamiliar art pieces or foods - that’s something I’ll definitely be doing on a reread, and recommend other readers of the book do as well, as I can only imagine it would deeply enrich the reading experience. The book is so much about food and art that I almost wish it came with visuals, saving readers the hassle of having to Google something every other page if they’re as unfamiliar with European cuisine and architecture as I am.
All in all, this book will make you want to book a food tour the very moment you finish it. It’s decadent, loving, heartbreaking, and a perfect summer read. I can’t wait to reread it when it comes out so the sun can warm me outside and this book can warm me inside.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
The characters of this book are the heart of it, as with any good book, but this is essentially true of The Pairing. While they do have a beautiful relationship, Theo and Kit as individuals are loveable, complex, whole people and they make the book worth picking up. I could feel Theo’s blood, sweat, and tears, Kit’s yearning and heartache. They were palpable beings and I loved them for it. While the book is a little light on actual plot, I found that the depth of the characters (and even the fun of the supporting cast) more than made up for it.
In an effort to devour this book, I didn’t stop to translate certain phrases or look up unfamiliar art pieces or foods - that’s something I’ll definitely be doing on a reread, and recommend other readers of the book do as well, as I can only imagine it would deeply enrich the reading experience. The book is so much about food and art that I almost wish it came with visuals, saving readers the hassle of having to Google something every other page if they’re as unfamiliar with European cuisine and architecture as I am.
All in all, this book will make you want to book a food tour the very moment you finish it. It’s decadent, loving, heartbreaking, and a perfect summer read. I can’t wait to reread it when it comes out so the sun can warm me outside and this book can warm me inside.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher
3.5
Very cute and charming with a sense of humour that matched mine. I loved all of the characters, though the author could not for the life of me get me to care about the cultist uprising and the general politics of the world. Also, the betrayal and fake uprising in the North felt very obvious to me almost immediately, and even more so after the assassination attempt. However, when focused on the romances and the characters, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
I absolutely loved the audiobook narrators. I don’t often listen to fictional audiobooks as I find that narrators can try too hard to put on different voices for different characters and end up with either a squeaky voice or a comically low voice. These narrators had distinctive voices for each of the characters without sounding too put on, something I really appreciate.
I absolutely loved the audiobook narrators. I don’t often listen to fictional audiobooks as I find that narrators can try too hard to put on different voices for different characters and end up with either a squeaky voice or a comically low voice. These narrators had distinctive voices for each of the characters without sounding too put on, something I really appreciate.
Something More by Jackie Khalilieh
3.75
I feel like I give every YA/romance novel I enjoy a 3.5, but I definitely enjoyed this! It was cute, heartwarming, and easy to read - I devoured it in less than a day despite the audiobook being eleven hours.
On the note of the audiobook, I really enjoyed the narrator - she managed to make distinct voices despite the fairly large cast of characters, and had voices that sounded boyish that weren’t just her awkwardly lowering her voice.
By far, the best character was Jesse. As someone who also sees the world in black and white more often than not at least in my YA), it was unexpected to see the shades of gray that coloured the book. Took a bit of getting used to, but I ultimately enjoyed it.
I’m usually not a fan of love triangles, but this one unfolded very naturally, and it was nice to see a brown neurodivergent girl be desired, something so rare to see for a single one of those identities, let alone at the intersection of them. I wish her identities took a bit more centre stage, but I also appreciate stories being told where brown and neurodivergent characters get to just exist, same as white and neurotypical characters do.
At the end of the day, it’s exactly what it says on the tin - a cheesy high school romance with an autistic girl navigating the ups and downs of her freshman year.
On the note of the audiobook, I really enjoyed the narrator - she managed to make distinct voices despite the fairly large cast of characters, and had voices that sounded boyish that weren’t just her awkwardly lowering her voice.
By far, the best character was Jesse. As someone who also sees the world in black and white more often than not at least in my YA), it was unexpected to see the shades of gray that coloured the book. Took a bit of getting used to, but I ultimately enjoyed it.
I’m usually not a fan of love triangles, but this one unfolded very naturally, and it was nice to see a brown neurodivergent girl be desired, something so rare to see for a single one of those identities, let alone at the intersection of them. I wish her identities took a bit more centre stage, but I also appreciate stories being told where brown and neurodivergent characters get to just exist, same as white and neurotypical characters do.
At the end of the day, it’s exactly what it says on the tin - a cheesy high school romance with an autistic girl navigating the ups and downs of her freshman year.
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim
3.0
Honestly not sure how I feel about this book - maybe it works better as a literary novel about happiness and communication than it does as a thriller. As literary fiction, I was moved to tears by Eugene being able to communicate with his family for the first time. Especially on audiobook, those parts - and the character of Eugene as a whole - stuck to me in a very meaningful way. As a thriller, however, none of the false leads worked for me - and I’m not a particularly bright reader. I will usually believe a narrator just because I can, but the unreliability of this narrator wasn’t sinister, just stupid - I saw the holes in her story chapters before she reached the same conclusion.
The first half of the book felt stronger than the second, which is a bit ironic considering the discussions around low happiness baselines and the like had in this book. The first half of the book raised my expectations, making me believe it was going to be a clever and twisty thriller, but up until the very last page I was waiting for a twist that never showed. Everything seemed to just be the most obvious answer. There are a few unanswered questions, which can intrigue me, but here I feel like answering them would have almost strengthened the story.
In the end, I finished this book in about half a day so it was an engrossing but I’m not still quite sure how to feel. I guess upon immediately finishing it I feel…disappointed. But maybe that’ll change.
The first half of the book felt stronger than the second, which is a bit ironic considering the discussions around low happiness baselines and the like had in this book. The first half of the book raised my expectations, making me believe it was going to be a clever and twisty thriller, but up until the very last page I was waiting for a twist that never showed. Everything seemed to just be the most obvious answer. There are a few unanswered questions, which can intrigue me, but here I feel like answering them would have almost strengthened the story.
In the end, I finished this book in about half a day so it was an engrossing but I’m not still quite sure how to feel. I guess upon immediately finishing it I feel…disappointed. But maybe that’ll change.
Speak, Okinawa: A Memoir by Elizabeth Miki Brina
Did not finish book. Stopped at 80%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 80%.
This book just sort of ran through me. Not sure if it’s because I listened to the audiobook or what but nothing stuck to me at all, and by the end the repetitive phrases got a little grating. It sort of felt like I was waiting for something to happen, some truth to uncover, but…nothing.
Maybe I’ll try again sans audiobook, but for now I feel like I’m dragging myself to the end.
Maybe I’ll try again sans audiobook, but for now I feel like I’m dragging myself to the end.
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe
5.0
I devoured this 500-something book in three days, reading at work and in the car and waiting impatiently until I could read it again. A multigenerational narrative that reads like a thriller, it is gripping and overwhelming and horrifying and - most of all - impossible to put down. Will be recommending to everyone I know, regardless of their preferred genre.
They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib
5.0
Wrapped up in a package of music essays is a book about race, grief, loneliness, and joy. A beautiful and insightful book that reads like poetry.