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eve_reads's reviews
121 reviews
The Collective by Alison Gaylin
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ This is a book for those who want an easy, weekend binge read. It's not the masterpiece of the decade by any means, but goodness is it hard to put down.
⁕ Gaylin presents a surprisingly in-depth analysis of anger and revenge in the face of grief. She does not try to entertain forgiveness, rather she explores the reality of taking vengeance to the extreme and the consequences of doing so (bonus points because it's from the perspective of a woman).
⁕ I could not have predicted the ending (which was awesome), but it was very outlandish and a little nonsensical (which was maybe a little less awesome).
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ This is a book for those who want an easy, weekend binge read. It's not the masterpiece of the decade by any means, but goodness is it hard to put down.
⁕ Gaylin presents a surprisingly in-depth analysis of anger and revenge in the face of grief. She does not try to entertain forgiveness, rather she explores the reality of taking vengeance to the extreme and the consequences of doing so (bonus points because it's from the perspective of a woman).
⁕ I could not have predicted the ending (which was awesome), but it was very outlandish and a little nonsensical (which was maybe a little less awesome).
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Drug use, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Stalking, and Murder
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
⁕ This book is written from the perspective of the female gaze and it shows! It is so soft and lovely, even in hand with the darker portions of the novel.
⁕ Lo's work has layers upon layers. I do not hold all the same identities as her main characters (so I cannot speak to accuracy or shared experiences), but she breathed such life into Lily and every portion of her existence as an young, gay, Asian American woman and science enthusiast during the red scare.
⁕ The pacing of this book was a little wonky at the back end. It dragged for a while and then suddenly dumped a HUGE plot twist in the last 50 pages or so.
⁕ Lo's work has layers upon layers. I do not hold all the same identities as her main characters (so I cannot speak to accuracy or shared experiences), but she breathed such life into Lily and every portion of her existence as an young, gay, Asian American woman and science enthusiast during the red scare.
⁕ The pacing of this book was a little wonky at the back end. It dragged for a while and then suddenly dumped a HUGE plot twist in the last 50 pages or so.
Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
2.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The atmosphere of this book was it's strongest aspect. The descriptions of the magical hotel rooms were serving HEAVY Night Circus vibes.
⁕ The text could have gone through another round of editing. There were a couple of grammatical errors and VERY some repetitive descriptions of all the characters' skin?! Like, the author dedicated SEVERAL lines per page at times to break from the plot to point out every single character's complexion (even if they were no name/background characters and had NO impact on the story whatsoever). It was so weird.
⁕ The magic system was cobbled together at best. I would have forgiven this, if it were not for the fact that the largest conflict in the story was dependent on how the energy of magic is used/stolen, etc.
⁕ The main romance came out of nowhere with hardly any build up and it enraged me.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ The atmosphere of this book was it's strongest aspect. The descriptions of the magical hotel rooms were serving HEAVY Night Circus vibes.
⁕ The text could have gone through another round of editing. There were a couple of grammatical errors and VERY some repetitive descriptions of all the characters' skin?! Like, the author dedicated SEVERAL lines per page at times to break from the plot to point out every single character's complexion (even if they were no name/background characters and had NO impact on the story whatsoever). It was so weird.
⁕ The magic system was cobbled together at best. I would have forgiven this, if it were not for the fact that the largest conflict in the story was dependent on how the energy of magic is used/stolen, etc.
⁕ The main romance came out of nowhere with hardly any build up and it enraged me.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Book of Night by Holly Black
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.0
⁕ Black's main character Charlie is rough around the edges to the extreme (think Alex from Ninth House or even Katniss from The Hunger Games). It wouldn't be a problem, except this character trait becomes her entire personality and she comes across as the stereotypical "tough girl" (very flat indeed). I could not connect to her emotionally at all!
⁕ Despite the high stakes of the conflict that Charlie is caught in, the development of the main action was incredibly slow. I was bored and had to force myself to slog through most of the book until the last 50 pages or so when things started to pick up.
⁕ The world-building is lacking, specifically the magic systems.
⁕ Despite the high stakes of the conflict that Charlie is caught in, the development of the main action was incredibly slow. I was bored and had to force myself to slog through most of the book until the last 50 pages or so when things started to pick up.
⁕ The world-building is lacking, specifically the magic systems.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Gun violence and Medical trauma
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The sci-fi, dystopian bits don't really develop until about 25% into the book. It will feel like a contemporary piece at first, but give it time and things get wild.
⁕ Chan peels back all the layers of motherhood and explores how it is impacted by not only one's identities (including sexual orientation, culture, race, etc.), but also systemic sexism and white supremacy.
⁕ Moments that I thought were emotionally important to the story were completely skipped over and explained after the fact, such as Frida's final court ruling. It was frustrating to miss out on those key plot points that had been built up to throughout the story.
⁕ There are SO many characters of different ages and genders in this book. Catherine Ho's narration distinguishes each of them without detracting from the overall story
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ The sci-fi, dystopian bits don't really develop until about 25% into the book. It will feel like a contemporary piece at first, but give it time and things get wild.
⁕ Chan peels back all the layers of motherhood and explores how it is impacted by not only one's identities (including sexual orientation, culture, race, etc.), but also systemic sexism and white supremacy.
⁕ Moments that I thought were emotionally important to the story were completely skipped over and explained after the fact, such as Frida's final court ruling. It was frustrating to miss out on those key plot points that had been built up to throughout the story.
⁕ There are SO many characters of different ages and genders in this book. Catherine Ho's narration distinguishes each of them without detracting from the overall story
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Women Don't Owe You Pretty by Florence Given
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
What a Time to Be Alone: The Slumflower's Guide to Why You Are Already Enough by Chidera Eggerue
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The switch to Grey and Lia Mara's perspectives was abrupt. After the intense ending of A Curse so Dark and Lonely, I wanted more insight as to how Rhen and Harper were doing. I wasn't as interested or invested in the other characters until about 100 pages in, and after that I actually liked the narrative better than in the first book.
⁕ A decent chunk of this story occurs when Grey and Lia Mara are traveling. A lot of character and relationship development occurs during these scenes, but it might be rough if you're a more plot-driven reader.
⁕ Rhen's character arc is beyond extreme and frustrating. Again, we don't see things from his perspective in this one, so there's no insight to the stuff that's happening offstage. But I was totally confused by his actions until I finished the third and final book in the series.
⁕ The switch to Grey and Lia Mara's perspectives was abrupt. After the intense ending of A Curse so Dark and Lonely, I wanted more insight as to how Rhen and Harper were doing. I wasn't as interested or invested in the other characters until about 100 pages in, and after that I actually liked the narrative better than in the first book.
⁕ A decent chunk of this story occurs when Grey and Lia Mara are traveling. A lot of character and relationship development occurs during these scenes, but it might be rough if you're a more plot-driven reader.
⁕ Rhen's character arc is beyond extreme and frustrating. Again, we don't see things from his perspective in this one, so there's no insight to the stuff that's happening offstage. But I was totally confused by his actions until I finished the third and final book in the series.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Torture, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death and Sexual content
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.75
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ I wouldn't say there is anything special about the plot or character development in comparison to other YA retellings. But goodness was it an addicting comfort read. The fast-paced chapters and familiar tropes had me devouring this in a day. It's like brain junk food.
⁕ This tries and fails so hard to be a feminist story. Harper is a kick-butt heroine, but it doesn't negate the "pick me"/"not like other girls" energy, strong enforcement of traditional gender roles, and lack of consent that is prevalent throughout the text.
⁕ The ending has a wacky, cobbled-together feel to it. A solution to one of the major conflicts appears out of seemingly no where and it didn't feel as satisfying as I would have hoped.
⁕ The characters in this book are more diverse than other Beauty and the Beast retellings. I especially appreciate the disability rep.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ I wouldn't say there is anything special about the plot or character development in comparison to other YA retellings. But goodness was it an addicting comfort read. The fast-paced chapters and familiar tropes had me devouring this in a day. It's like brain junk food.
⁕ This tries and fails so hard to be a feminist story. Harper is a kick-butt heroine, but it doesn't negate the "pick me"/"not like other girls" energy, strong enforcement of traditional gender roles, and lack of consent that is prevalent throughout the text.
⁕ The ending has a wacky, cobbled-together feel to it. A solution to one of the major conflicts appears out of seemingly no where and it didn't feel as satisfying as I would have hoped.
⁕ The characters in this book are more diverse than other Beauty and the Beast retellings. I especially appreciate the disability rep.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual content