yvon's reviews
95 reviews

Icarus by K. Ancrum

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3.0

Maybe sad books aren't for me. Or maybe this book wasn't for me.

The story was unique enough to make me wanna finish it but it was boring enough to make me unable to pinpoint one thing that impressed me.
I couldn't connect to any of the characters, and I did find it heavy in the trauma department, so I can't say I enjoyed it.
But things kept happening which made me curious about the story, so, it wasn't a completely unlikable read.

im completely neutral about this book
How to Bite Your Neighbor and Win a Wager by D.N. Bryn

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4.0

buddy read

I had a lot of fun with this book. Vincent was adorable and relatable, Wesley was a redeemable douchebag and Kendall's ridiculous humor cracked me up.

Wesley is manipulative with a bit of a hero complex (which normally I can't stand), but through his POV his regret and guilt is palpable for his choices and tries to mend his mistakes. Was Vincent too forgiving? Yes. Did I mind? Not really.

Not to mention how good the steam between them was
And portraying vampirism as a minority was genius. Made me sad, but genius.

The only parts I wasn't a fan of were:
- the climax of the story
Spoileryou're telling me Wesley will live happily ever after without the police going after him after what he did to the company??

- the bits of voluntary miscommunication
In the Role of Brie Hutchens... by Nicole Melleby

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3.0

3.5-4 stars

My 13 year old self would've loved this book. The "ugh she's so annoyingly perfect it must mean I'm jealous" turning into a "Oh I think I have a crush on this girl" was so real.
The tension in Brie's family made me hold my breath the entire time, but it had a nice happy ending.
Although it's not a favorite to me, I still recommend it to fans of middle grade stories.
Rick by Alex Gino

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2.0

2.5 stars
Good concept, bad execution.
As someone who enjoyed Melissa first, this was quite the letdown.

The good:
- Rick cuts out his toxic friend Jeff and finds better friends (the best part of the book)
- Rick has a mostly supportive family + his grandpa is a gender non-conforming cis man, rep which we don't see often
- I liked the character development Rick had and how it helped him reconnect with Melissa

The bad:
- the Rainbow Spectrum school club... why are 11-13 year olds talking like activists? Some (not all) act like they have all the answers and are kinda condescending
- when Rick asked Melissa how she realized she was a girl, she quickly jumped to the conclusion he was transphobic. While this did portray pretty well the us vs them mentality of "either ally/queer or homophobe", as someone who didnt have their identity figured out from the start, it made me uncomfortable. I know Rick was too. And keep in mind they're just 11. It's more than normal to not have things figured out at that age.
- Speaking of Rick being 11. He's questioning if he's aro and ace. I understand an 11 y.o being aromantic, kids do think of kissing and holding hands and calling each other bf/gf at that age. But asexual? In what world are 11 y.o looking at other 11 y.o's and thinking of sex with them? (apparently Jeff but imo he is an early bloomer, not the norm). I'm glad the story left Rick questioning and others told him it's too early for him to assign himself that label. He is NOT a late bloomer at eleven years old for not having sexual interests and I believe saying otherwise is harmful.

As mentioned, great concept of showing questioning people, diversity, cutting out bad friends. But I'd say this book is rather problematic, which is a shame, really.



This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

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3.0

2.5-3 stars
This book can easily be summed up with just one symbol: ??? (2 more to emphasize my confusion)

I wouldn't have the capability to come up w any coherent opinion were it not for fellow reviewers explaining this work of fiction.

So the positives:
- ...interesting prose
- the love letters were again...interesting
- the sci-fi time traveling concept, yet again...interesting
- in all seriousness, there were a few enjoyable scenes before the 60% mark

The negatives:
- too much purple prose, my pea brain can't take it all in
- don't ask me the details of this fictional universe, all ik is that there r 2 sides fighting each other somehow
- it's supposed to be character-driven, and a romantic sapphic story but that failed for me; they just brag about their wins, tease each other, explain bits ab themselves and suddenly they're madly in love even if it's slow burn i did not enjoy the romance, i would've been fine with Blue and Red sticking to a friendship

I dnf'ed this book a year ago but seeing people praise this book so much got me thinking that i read it wrong so i tried again, this time w the physical copy+audiobook combo (which made my experience slightly better), but unless you're after the vibes and very fancy prose, I wouldn't recommend the book.
If You'll Have Me by Eunnie

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5.0

I love this book to death, but I won't rest in peace unless I read a part 2.

I love HEAs but I need more of their happiness. not enough for my sapphic romance starved self
나 혼자만 레벨업 1 by Chugong

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5.0

OH MY GOD THIS WAS SO GOOD I CAN'T EVEN MAKE A COHERENT REVIEW
文豪ストレイドッグス 1 [Bungō Stray Dogs 1] by Kafka Asagiri

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5.0

An orphan who accidentally saves a suicidal mysterious man? Detectives with super powers? And a grumpy hot dude being pissed at others for fooling around instead of working?
SIGN ME UP!!!
I need to continue this manga so bad, it looks promising
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

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5.0

If I were the type to cry because of a book, I would've cried because of this book.
Viola and Gracewood ♥ and the other side characters, loved all of them.
And the epilogue.
too flabbergasted to speak

Ngl the whole
Spoilerkidnapping Gracewood's sister
was a bit odd and unexpected (at least imo) but do i care? No. I already loved the book.

New favorite ☺
Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco

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5.0

4.5 - 5 star rating.

My rating is mostly for the vibes and characters bcz the lore and plot was too much to keep up with (in a positive way).

Remy:
- so grumpy and so wounded (physically and emotionally): grew up w a dad who hates him but keeps him around for his usefulness , groomed by a crazy court lady, transactional relationships w other court ladies, other reapers like him hate him cuz he's rumored to be half vampire
--> not to mention he accidentally disabled his dad and had to choose between blood and found family at the end, GIVE REMY A BREAK PLEASE

Xiaodan:
- an actually sweet and caring vampire??
- w a badass superpower too
- "Ugh girl I want you bad but you're betrothed to this ancient, mad but smart and hot scientist vampire lord"
--> "Shhh he knows I want you, and hey I think he likes you too"