xx_selenite's reviews
168 reviews

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

Ex, drague et rock'n'roll ! by Maryse Dubuc

emotional inspiring 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

5.0

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

hopeful lighthearted medium-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? Yes

3.25

I want to start with what I think is the most positive point: I feel this book is a massive step up compared to the rest of the series in terms of writing. The plot, though not revolutionary, was enough to keep me entertained, and there were some passages I thought well-written. Even the sex scenes made me cringe way less than others, although a few sentences still made me frown.
It was interesting to talk about grief, and I thought Francesca was an interesting main character. She was easy to appreciate. I wish I could say the same about Michael, but that would be a lie. He had qualities, and sometimes he made me smile, but a few aspects of his personality were red flags in my eyes. 
It was still a cute story and I spent a rather good time reading it. I particularly liked the epilogue.

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

This is the kind of book that I won't forget, that will stick with me forever, either the metaphors, the characters or the quotes themselves. It will haunt me forever. And it's a good thing.
It is beautifully written and deeply poetic, but for this reason it can be slightly obtuse. Yet, this is such a forgettable flaw when Ocean Wuong writes some of the most beautiful quotes I have read.
I have never known war, nor did my parents, and this is a privilege I am aware of. And I think I needed to read this book to grasp even more the luck I have. To grow up in a rather peaceful country with a rather peaceful family. To be born there, alongside my entire family, and part of the ethnic majority. 
A sincere recommendation.

Crossing the River by Caryl Phillips

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.75

I thoroughly enjoyed reading - and studying - that book, and I want to give my opinion on each choronotope.
-> Prologue & Epilogue: very beautiful, with striking opening lines. It sets the scene very well, with all the

metaphorical meaning of the Father being the African Father, a mystical, spiritual presence.

-> Pagan Coast: A very enjoyable critic of the American colonization society and its twisted way. Although we don't learn much about Nash, it's easy to emphasise with him.
-> West: I cry like a baby every time.

Martha is such a resilient character, and the icing on the cake is, of course, how she is going to be dehumanised and renamed yet another time by a white person who genuinely thinks she's doing something nice.

-> Crossing the River: It's the reason why I didn't give the book five stars. I see the purpose of this section, I've analysed it, and it's very rich in meaning, but I did find it boring.
-> Somewhere in England: With Martha's part, it's my favourite bit of the book. I think Joyce is a very interesting character, especially when we start reading the 1936 entries. Travis is relatively absent in the story, yet we feel sympathy towards him. One great point is also that it is filled with foreshadowing.

I cry like a baby every time, the writing style is very efficient. Travis's death might not be explicitly described, but Joyce feels it and so do we. And the two 1963 entries with Greer? I can't read it with a straight face.

-> Epilogue: Very solid, very striking.

The idea of the Father looking over all of his descendants, even Joyce who is a part of the family through her status as a mother, is very heartwarming. And of course, the last words that I don't think I'll ever forget

In These Hallowed Halls by Marie O'Regan, Paul Kane

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

The issue with collections of short stories is that there will always be stories you love and some that make you indifferent. I'm going to start talking about the two which I preferred, and then more generic remarks.

Pythia by Olivie Blake: The very concept of the story is, I think, a good twist to the classical dark academia setting, the Classical references mixed to something almost surrealistic. The writing was as well great. I have not read Olivie Blake's novels yet, but I surely will give it a try!

The Hare and the Hound by Kelly Andrew:  The plot is less original, but I'm a sucker for the good old "The ending is explicitly said at the beginning," reminding me of Greek tragedies. Not to mention, the use of Norse folklore is refreshing in a genre which tends to remain focused on Greco-Latin lore.

Phobos by Tori Bovalino: I have to say, I mostly liked it for the very end. Was it expected? Yes, but it doesn't mean it wasn't good. I'm also a sucker for anything with a form of secret society or organisation, so I'm obviously biased

Now, overall, I think that the main issue is that those are short stories. I am pretty convinced I would have loved all of those stories if they had been developed, but writing stories which often deal with madness, plots, secret societies, etc... requires intense characterisation and descriptions. It takes time, it's tedious, and I think this is what is lacking here. A short story makes it feel rushed, even when the concept is great. 

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

dark mysterious 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? Yes

3.75

I didn't love this book as much as I thought I would but I believe I am partly to blame for I had NO IDEA that there was magic in the book. I thought it was a down-to-Earth, whodunit dark academia book, fully my fault.
I overall had a nice time reading the book, although switching between autumn and winter sort of confused me from time to time. I especially liked Darlington and Dawes's characters, while I struggled being attached to Alex.
Most of the plot twists landed well, I was invested in the story. I'd say it simply went downhill from the last plot twist to the ending of the book which I am really not a fan of. That being said, I am going to read the sequel (as I said, I love Darlington and Dawes.)
If I had to summarise this book, I'd say it's a slight deception, but still an enjoyable book to read.

Lou ! Sonata - Tome 02 by Julien Neel

emotional reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

4.75

Lou ! Sonata - Tome 1 by Julien Neel

4.5

La Cabane by Julien Neel

4.75