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alysereadsbooks's reviews
371 reviews
A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Listened to the audiobook and throughly enjoyed it. The author knows how to create a thoroughly hateable villain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Sexual assault
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
Had fun with this one! Was a quick, rom com type of read, but in general really like the author’s voice. Was a bit cheesy and trope-y at times, but found myself really immersed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it! The world is so captivating and I love the characters. This particular book was fun because it felt like the triwizard tournament
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and War
How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
2.75
I liked the premise and the idea for this book and agreed with the author on most points (the value in spending time in nature, getting to know your community, and paying attention). I really enjoyed the chapter on what happens to groups who try to leave society and go live in the woods. Certain parts of the writing was unnecessarily pretentious and hard to follow, and overall came across as waxing philosophical without a point. Still compelling though.
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook version of this! I’ve liked other books by the author because they write fantasy so well. I did find Lila’s recklessness frustrating at times, but loved the lore and world building. Grown up and dark Harry Potter vibes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Blood
A Very Typical Family by Sierra Godfrey
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Listened to the audiobook. Overall enjoyed it, but was also a bit bored at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Vomit
Moderate: Addiction, Cancer, Drug use, and Death of parent
The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
emotional
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
3.5
Typically, historical romance isn't my thing, but I really enjoyed the slow-burn romance. I liked the incorporation of magical realism with telekenesis.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Classism
Minor: Sexual content
When We Were Friends by Holly Bourne
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Listened to the audiobook and overall enjoyed it. It was hard to listen to at times because the protaganists were so flawed. There was basic surface level exploration of misogyny and rape culture.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.25
Really enjoyed this audiobook. Love the voice actor from other works and this was no exception. Might be one of my favorites of the year. Heartfelt but also wholesome
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Dementia, Grief, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Ableism
Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is one of my favorite books of the year! Listened to it on audiobook, but really loved it. It legitimately made me laugh out loud at times. A lot of dark gallows humor. It's so realistic that it's slightly painful and cringey at times, but also made me love Maggie more. Definitely going to read again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Grief