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_bookishbrina's reviews
601 reviews
The Holiday by embersofapril
fast-paced
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Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood
fast-paced
2.0
The concept of this was excellent but the EXECUTION was incredibly wonky and drenched in details, while at the same time - not being detailed enough in regards to the world-building.
The romance was insta-lust and the characters lacked depth.
People died left and right, and somehow I did not care because we either 1) did not know them enough or 2) they sucked so why should we care?
The MC had a couple of great moments which were immediately ruined by « i’m not pretty enough » or « i love him » after knowing him for what, two weeks?
Anyway. I’m sad because I had been holding off reading this one thinking it would be mind blowing…. Alas.
The romance was insta-lust and the characters lacked depth.
People died left and right, and somehow I did not care because we either 1) did not know them enough or 2) they sucked so why should we care?
The MC had a couple of great moments which were immediately ruined by « i’m not pretty enough » or « i love him » after knowing him for what, two weeks?
Anyway. I’m sad because I had been holding off reading this one thinking it would be mind blowing…. Alas.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
slow-paced
3.0
Girl was on her deathbed when she was writing this and it shows.
Best Beware My Sting by Wanderingfair
medium-paced
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Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
medium-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
4.5
Now this is the Kuang experience I’ve been longiiing for. NOW, I get it.
Perhaps I should re-read The Poppy War, or try Babel again, because I am STARVED fore more Yellowface.
Perhaps I should re-read The Poppy War, or try Babel again, because I am STARVED fore more Yellowface.
All The Young Dudes - Volume One: Years 1 - 4 by MsKingBean89
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OHMAMI by Hypothetically
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The Troublesome Thing About Time by LadyKenz347
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
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The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
I’d like to thank my friends and family as they supported me while I incessantly complained about the length of this book. At least, it was worth it.
Love Actually (everybody knows everybody to some degree) meets Merlin (gay round table knights) meets Game of Thrones (dragons and complex political environment + secret societies).
Narrators in a nutshell:
Loth - The cool cousin that everybody likes that seems down for adventure, but truly is a Hobbit and wants to stay home; alas he was chosen for missions beyond his understanding. Very Bilbo. Very Frodo. Very demure.
Tané - the annoying cousin who thinks who’s better than everyone and does one legit thing once in a while: but it’s legit enough to keep her around. She’s also the one who never finished anything and changes uni program all the time.
Ead - the calm & cold first daughter that handles everything and spreadsheets her way through life. Reliable. Tough as a cookie. Talks back to her dad without blinking.
Niclays- Wet sock energy. Very Pettigrew.
Side characters:
Sabran - Sharpay Evens. In the sense that you hate her at first, but the as you grow older and rewatch HSM, the more you realize there is more to her and she might not be the villain, after all.
MAIN COMPLAINT:
Not NEARLY enough dragons - it’s on the COVER for Christ’s sake. 750 pages over political plot and twists for a battle of 50 pages and the shortest ending ever.
Love Actually (everybody knows everybody to some degree) meets Merlin (gay round table knights) meets Game of Thrones (dragons and complex political environment + secret societies).
Narrators in a nutshell:
Loth - The cool cousin that everybody likes that seems down for adventure, but truly is a Hobbit and wants to stay home; alas he was chosen for missions beyond his understanding. Very Bilbo. Very Frodo. Very demure.
Tané - the annoying cousin who thinks who’s better than everyone and does one legit thing once in a while: but it’s legit enough to keep her around. She’s also the one who never finished anything and changes uni program all the time.
Ead - the calm & cold first daughter that handles everything and spreadsheets her way through life. Reliable. Tough as a cookie. Talks back to her dad without blinking.
Niclays- Wet sock energy. Very Pettigrew.
Side characters:
Sabran - Sharpay Evens. In the sense that you hate her at first, but the as you grow older and rewatch HSM, the more you realize there is more to her and she might not be the villain, after all.
MAIN COMPLAINT:
Not NEARLY enough dragons - it’s on the COVER for Christ’s sake. 750 pages over political plot and twists for a battle of 50 pages and the shortest ending ever.