yers's reviews
21 reviews

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

adventurous dark sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

A dark tale sprinkled with well known characters from classic fairy tales. Rather a dark and gruesome take on the typical tale of the lost son who found his way back into light.

The Dollmaker of Krakow by R.M. Romero

adventurous emotional lighthearted sad medium-paced

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

4.5

Lovely story with a touching background full of courage and sincere affection. I would have loved to see a happier ending but everything was laid out beautifully regardless.

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.

I was expecting this book to be more concise and engaging, but Etienne (or Tom) is just written as a dull character plagued with guilt over the loss of his mother, the cruelty experienced by ignorance and abuse of power while lamenting his years of immortality. All the chapters I read dwelled heavily in the past with long history lessons, yet lightly brushing over the characters' side stories and evolvement. It was not the worst I have read from Matt Haig but the slow pace with the boring plot just did not make it worth continuing as I felt many parts came across as overwritten.

El coleccionista de relojes extraordinarios by Laura Gallego

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.25

La historia de Jonathan y sus travesías para encontrar el Reloj de Deveraux es en momentos divertida y muy ligera. Hay ocasiones en que la trama y los personajes (como El Contador de Estrellas, Jeremiah y Emma por ejemplo) necesitan mas elaboración pero al ser una novela muy juvenil, la verdad es que no es de tomárselo a pecho. Aunque la historia no es perfecta, los capítulos fluyen rapidamente haciendo la lectura muy acojedora. Si te gustan las novelas juveniles, Laura Gallego parace tener un dominio claro y definido en este genéro. 

Pueblos malditos: Un viaje en busca de misterios y fenómenos paranormales by Miguel Ángel Segura

informative mysterious slow-paced

2.0

If you are not from Spain you get to hear about remote towns full with folklore tales of paranormal and UFO sightings. However, the storytelling is very vague without any compelling visuals or evidence to back up the stories. A quick read mostly for geographical purposes than paranormal outings.

The Book of Flying by Keith Miller

adventurous dark slow-paced

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

2.0

This story starts by depicting Pico's journey through unknown lands while coming across blemished characters and their stories of solitude and hardships. However, the story succumbs into darkness and immorality taking Pico into bouts of confusion, bleakness and obscurity with a doomed open ending. Beautiful, lyrical writing with a touch of melancholy but the whole story just falls into the absurd.    

The Life You Left Behind by Debbie Howells

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

The writing in this book is lyrical, grief-stricken and heavy hearted with a beautiful depth and pensiveness to it. The story touches on many important topics such as over consumerism, work burnout and climate change. The chemistry between Cassey and Ben was charming and touching but also inconsolable. Casey's journey understandably hard, makes you think about the world around you. On the other hand, the story was unnecessarily long and repetitive. Also a few missed opportunities to give Cassey's character a true meaningful venue for growth, but otherwise a very nice read full of insightful quotes and warming moments for reflection.

The Man I Never Met by Elle Cook

lighthearted slow-paced

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

3.5

The Man I never Met has an interesting Title with a promising theme. It is a lighthearted story about life decisions, insecurities and unexpected obstacles. Hannah and Davey's story was ok but I felt it lacked chemistry. When I think of hopeless, despairing moments I always picture "Never Forget You" by Sophie Cousin somehow, but I did not observe that here. The banter of always skipping a beat and missing the chance to meet again I believe was relatable, although I truly did not like Hannah and George's relationship. Overall the book is a lightweight read with some good moments, maybe too long for what it is, but ok to read in any event.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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

3.5

Reading A.J.'s story puts you in a salty-sweety mood because of his sarcasm. His Love and dedication toward Maya is truly what grips your heart from start to end. The lightheartedness of this book goes around our capacity to go beyond judgment while opening our hearts without compromising our values or who we are to always make an imprint in this otherwise difficult, ever changing world. Yes, the book is brimming with stereotypes and some parts also felt inconclusive but the biggest downfall for me was A.J. death and Maya's silence towards the end. Somehow I wanted their corky family dynamics to have a happy ending alongside more disclosure regarding Daniel and Ismay situation. Regardless, I enjoyed my self very much reading this book! 

Drake Hall by Christina Baehr

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

Drake Hall is a fun and spontaneous continuation of Wormwood Abbey. The advocacy for female independence and heroism is written all over in between the lines. The Author has carefully reversed the stereotypical gender roles by placing Edith as the strong, dependable savior of the lot while males are depicted as flawed bigots, insecure and traditional. These traits for sure can attract young readers with an inclination toward individual rights. It is fiction after all, but not sure how I well this could nurture the quality of the writing and storytelling. Very sweet story at times, over feeling will depend on the conclusion of Wales Trip and the dragons' race fate.