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xx_selenite's reviews
167 reviews
Ithaca by Claire North
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I'm gonna start with what I did not like in the book: the 100 or so first pages. They were long and annoying, I was a bit confused from going from one character to another. But once I finished them, the plot really started.
I truly enjoyed Claire North's writing. It's poetic when it is required, simpler at times, and overall well-balanced. Choosing to have Hera as a narrator is a surprising yet relevant choice. She was touching and it allows Claire North to give us information a mortal could not have. Moreover, the characterisation was complex and interesting. Of course, Penelope and Clytemnestra are marking, but I also found Telemachus quite noticeable, as well as Electra.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I cannot rate it any higher because the beginning made me consider DNF it, but I'm glad I kept reading!
I truly enjoyed Claire North's writing. It's poetic when it is required, simpler at times, and overall well-balanced. Choosing to have Hera as a narrator is a surprising yet relevant choice. She was touching and it allows Claire North to give us information a mortal could not have. Moreover, the characterisation was complex and interesting. Of course, Penelope and Clytemnestra are marking, but I also found Telemachus quite noticeable, as well as Electra.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I cannot rate it any higher because the beginning made me consider DNF it, but I'm glad I kept reading!
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
This is by far the most boring biography I've ever read
Babel by R.F. Kuang
dark
emotional
reflective
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? No
5.0
As I'm writing these words, I have just finished the book and I'm still trying to process what I just read. I am blown away by R.F Kuang's work, from the thought she put into this book to the writing itself. She manages to create an atmosphere in a few words only and I could fully picture Oxford as I was reading the book.
I enjoyed reading the first half of the book and I was invested in the story, but it wasn't going to change my life. But then, I reached the second half of the book and wow. The intensity of this part amazed me, I was breathless and closing the book was straight-up torture.
I enjoyed the commentary about colonialism and resistance because of the number of different opinions exposed. The author does not say who's right or wrong, most of the characters have fair points but also have to face criticism or contradiction. In the end, it's a complex and nuanced representation of a layered theme.
I'm not going to talk about the ending apart from saying it's going to take me a lot of time to fully recover from it.
This was my first R.F Kuang and I am definitely going to read other works from her. A huge recommendation.
I enjoyed reading the first half of the book and I was invested in the story, but it wasn't going to change my life. But then, I reached the second half of the book and wow. The intensity of this part amazed me, I was breathless and closing the book was straight-up torture.
I enjoyed the commentary about colonialism and resistance because of the number of different opinions exposed. The author does not say who's right or wrong, most of the characters have fair points but also have to face criticism or contradiction. In the end, it's a complex and nuanced representation of a layered theme.
I'm not going to talk about the ending apart from saying it's going to take me a lot of time to fully recover from it.
This was my first R.F Kuang and I am definitely going to read other works from her. A huge recommendation.
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This was a tender, comforting book that I enjoyed thoroughly. The atmosphere is set wonderfully, the words managed to transport me to Chinatown and the 50s. I got really attached to Lily which made me even more invested in her story and love story.
As many other people said in their reviews, the epilogue felt a bit rushed, but hey, I'd take this ending over any other.After everything she went through, Lily has the right to see Kath again. She has the right to be happy. May it be rushed.
As many other people said in their reviews, the epilogue felt a bit rushed, but hey, I'd take this ending over any other.
Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up by Naya Rivera
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
I overall enjoyed this book. I listened to the audiobook and the writing style combined with Naya's voice made me feel like at a sleepover at some moments.
My biggest critic on the book is that dividing it by topics sometimes lost me in the chronology.
That being said, it is only a small thing compared to the very interesting topics she deals with: money, body image, race, and so on.
There is a certain ironical bitterness in hearing her say she wants to live for a long time, and that she has trust in God's plan for her.
Rest in peace Naya.
My biggest critic on the book is that dividing it by topics sometimes lost me in the chronology.
That being said, it is only a small thing compared to the very interesting topics she deals with: money, body image, race, and so on.
There is a certain ironical bitterness in hearing her say she wants to live for a long time, and that she has trust in God's plan for her.
Rest in peace Naya.
These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It took me around a hundred pages to (finally) get invested in the book. But once I was invested, it became a page-turner. Paul and Julian's toxic, co-dependent, twisted relationship was extremely well-written without ever being glorified by the author. Even if the plot isn't that good when you just explain it, the atmosphere created by the author makes it intense and dark, reminding me of The Secret History.
Not to mention, I found the ending glorious, perhaps a bit hard to get at first glance, but once you get the metaphor it's magical. In this way, I'd compare the ending to If We Were Villains, so if you have read the latter and know this is the kind of ending you appreciate, go for it without waiting one more second.
Not to mention, I found the ending glorious, perhaps a bit hard to get at first glance, but once you get the metaphor it's magical. In this way, I'd compare the ending to If We Were Villains, so if you have read the latter and know this is the kind of ending you appreciate, go for it without waiting one more second.
The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Un bonheur presque parfait by Maryse Dubuc, Delaf
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5