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eve_reads's reviews
121 reviews
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ Madeline Miller writes the process of growing into love so well. Even though the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus forms in less than 100 pages, it was every bit believable and swoon worthy. She truly writes the little moments so well.
⁕ Maybe it's the hype surrounding the book, but the ending did not pack the emotional punch I expected it to. Yes, I was sad. But the final loss suffered by both characters was only explored for a couple of chapters, and didn't live up to the epic proportions of the rest of the story.
⁕ I wasn't entirely sold on Patroclus' character until the very end. He largely seemed to exist in the context of Achilles and their relationship, instead of as a fully developed character of his own.
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⁕ Madeline Miller writes the process of growing into love so well. Even though the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus forms in less than 100 pages, it was every bit believable and swoon worthy. She truly writes the little moments so well.
⁕ Maybe it's the hype surrounding the book, but the ending did not pack the emotional punch I expected it to. Yes, I was sad. But the final loss suffered by both characters was only explored for a couple of chapters, and didn't live up to the epic proportions of the rest of the story.
⁕ I wasn't entirely sold on Patroclus' character until the very end. He largely seemed to exist in the context of Achilles and their relationship, instead of as a fully developed character of his own.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Sexual violence, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexual content
Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ Sebastian uses Elaine's Seer abilities to develop a powerful narrative about anxiety, control, and safety.
⁕ I've read a lot of Arthurian retellings, and this one is certainly one of the most creative. Not only are the events and relationships between characters rearranged, but there is a much greater emphasis on players that are usually secondary to the main story. Getting to see their motivations and arcs reimagined was such a treat.
⁕ [spoiler] I'm still struggling to determine whether or not I believe this to be a truly feminist text. On one hand, Elaine claims that she makes the "choice" to accept her fate of drowning at the end of the book, and a core principle of feminism is that women, in fact, get to choose how to live their lives. On the other hand, does fate really allow choice? It seems like she was actually just backed into a corner and accepted it.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ Sebastian uses Elaine's Seer abilities to develop a powerful narrative about anxiety, control, and safety.
⁕ I've read a lot of Arthurian retellings, and this one is certainly one of the most creative. Not only are the events and relationships between characters rearranged, but there is a much greater emphasis on players that are usually secondary to the main story. Getting to see their motivations and arcs reimagined was such a treat.
⁕ [spoiler] I'm still struggling to determine whether or not I believe this to be a truly feminist text. On one hand, Elaine claims that she makes the "choice" to accept her fate of drowning at the end of the book, and a core principle of feminism is that women, in fact, get to choose how to live their lives. On the other hand, does fate really allow choice? It seems like she was actually just backed into a corner and accepted it.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexism, and War
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ A lot of true crimes focus on the gravity of the culprit's actions. McNamara places more emphasis on the lives of the survivors and victims, as well as the experiences of those trying to hunt down the Golden State Killer. It was a fresh perspective to the true crime genre and a more empowering narrative for all those affected, which I very much appreciated.
⁕ McNamara was unable to finish the book before her passing. The final chapters were completed by her husband and fellow researchers. The change in narrative from a memoir-type recounting to a detailed analysis of maps, numbers, and charts is very abrupt and jarring.
⁕ I read the updated version of the book, which was published after the capture of the Joseph DeAngelo, and there is surprisingly little detail on how he was finally arrested. If this is something that interests you, I recommend also watching the HBO documentary series which has much more information in that regard.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ A lot of true crimes focus on the gravity of the culprit's actions. McNamara places more emphasis on the lives of the survivors and victims, as well as the experiences of those trying to hunt down the Golden State Killer. It was a fresh perspective to the true crime genre and a more empowering narrative for all those affected, which I very much appreciated.
⁕ McNamara was unable to finish the book before her passing. The final chapters were completed by her husband and fellow researchers. The change in narrative from a memoir-type recounting to a detailed analysis of maps, numbers, and charts is very abrupt and jarring.
⁕ I read the updated version of the book, which was published after the capture of the Joseph DeAngelo, and there is surprisingly little detail on how he was finally arrested. If this is something that interests you, I recommend also watching the HBO documentary series which has much more information in that regard.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Stalking, and Murder
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ Hendrix balances humor and horror perfectly. She acknowledges the absurdity of planning dinner parties and birthdays against the gruesome realities of domestic violence, child abuse, classism, and white privilege and, of course, vampires.
⁕ I've read a lot of reviews complaining that the women in this novel are frustrating and "have no backbone." I think they're real in their flaws, and their original inability to stand up to their sexist partners reflects the experience of many women living in a patriarchal society. Also, having read the book from cover to cover, I would say that I found the ending more satisfying because of their growth in confidence and general badassery.
⁕ Please, PLEASE read the content warnings for this one. Part of this book's success is it's ability to look at all the bloody, graphic details right in the face. But it is NOT for everyone.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ Hendrix balances humor and horror perfectly. She acknowledges the absurdity of planning dinner parties and birthdays against the gruesome realities of domestic violence, child abuse, classism, and white privilege and, of course, vampires.
⁕ I've read a lot of reviews complaining that the women in this novel are frustrating and "have no backbone." I think they're real in their flaws, and their original inability to stand up to their sexist partners reflects the experience of many women living in a patriarchal society. Also, having read the book from cover to cover, I would say that I found the ending more satisfying because of their growth in confidence and general badassery.
⁕ Please, PLEASE read the content warnings for this one. Part of this book's success is it's ability to look at all the bloody, graphic details right in the face. But it is NOT for everyone.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence
The House on Vesper Sands by Paraic O'Donnell
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ A combination of Victorian language, overly descriptive passages, and limited action makes the plot DRAG. This was a tough one to get through.
⁕ I stan the grumpy/sunshine trope that the two main characters fall into. The humorous moments between them broke up what would have been an otherwise monotonous read.. plus it was very Sherlock and Watson.
⁕ [spoiler] The answer to the "mystery" was explained away by vague, underdeveloped paranormal activity that was not at all built up to. It was nonsensical and completely unrewarding after slugging through the the first several hundred pages.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ A combination of Victorian language, overly descriptive passages, and limited action makes the plot DRAG. This was a tough one to get through.
⁕ I stan the grumpy/sunshine trope that the two main characters fall into. The humorous moments between them broke up what would have been an otherwise monotonous read.. plus it was very Sherlock and Watson.
⁕ [spoiler] The answer to the "mystery" was explained away by vague, underdeveloped paranormal activity that was not at all built up to. It was nonsensical and completely unrewarding after slugging through the the first several hundred pages.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, and Classism
An Ember in the Ashes Exclusive Collector's Edition by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The character development is strong, especially for the two main heroes. Laila's growth into bravery especially can be well tracked and pinpointed to specific moments.
⁕ There was a lot of scenes of violence (many of them tied to enslavement and/or sexual harassment). Sometimes these scenes served to aid the plot or character development, but other times they acted as unnecessary shock value.
⁕ Roman history/culture has a decent influence on the world-building. If this is something that interests you, it's pretty obvious but well done!
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ The character development is strong, especially for the two main heroes. Laila's growth into bravery especially can be well tracked and pinpointed to specific moments.
⁕ There was a lot of scenes of violence (many of them tied to enslavement and/or sexual harassment). Sometimes these scenes served to aid the plot or character development, but other times they acted as unnecessary shock value.
⁕ Roman history/culture has a decent influence on the world-building. If this is something that interests you, it's pretty obvious but well done!
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ This is not an action-driven story, but one ruled by characters, emotion, and aesthetic. You read it more to feel a certain way than you do to experience a traditional plot.
⁕ As a theatre geek, I ADORED the references to classical plays. Even more so, I was in awe of the acutely accurate representation of what an education in the performing arts looks and feels like (minus the murder, of course). It made my thespian heart swoon.
⁕ The way that Rio blends her own prose Shakespeare's is seamless. She draws metaphors and references from classic works in a way that is not cheesy or redundant, but hauntingly beautiful. Her writing has the effect of punching right to the heart of these plays in a way that you never experienced in your high school lit class.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ This is not an action-driven story, but one ruled by characters, emotion, and aesthetic. You read it more to feel a certain way than you do to experience a traditional plot.
⁕ As a theatre geek, I ADORED the references to classical plays. Even more so, I was in awe of the acutely accurate representation of what an education in the performing arts looks and feels like (minus the murder, of course). It made my thespian heart swoon.
⁕ The way that Rio blends her own prose Shakespeare's is seamless. She draws metaphors and references from classic works in a way that is not cheesy or redundant, but hauntingly beautiful. Her writing has the effect of punching right to the heart of these plays in a way that you never experienced in your high school lit class.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Violence, Grief, and Alcohol
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ Normally books with so many POVs have portions that drag, but Chockshi largely avoids this common pitfall. Each of the characters is so well-developed, each with their own identities, background, and emotional growth. I was never preferential towards one over the others.
⁕ There are some pretty intense puzzles that are solved by the characters, many of them involving math and geometry. My brain does NOT work this way, but the drawings and explanations made what would have been intimidating actually accessible.
⁕ The ending was throw-the-book-across-the-room type good. Without any spoilers, things got dark and the stakes got raised. I was super sad that I did not have the next in the series immediately on hand to continue reading.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ Normally books with so many POVs have portions that drag, but Chockshi largely avoids this common pitfall. Each of the characters is so well-developed, each with their own identities, background, and emotional growth. I was never preferential towards one over the others.
⁕ There are some pretty intense puzzles that are solved by the characters, many of them involving math and geometry. My brain does NOT work this way, but the drawings and explanations made what would have been intimidating actually accessible.
⁕ The ending was throw-the-book-across-the-room type good. Without any spoilers, things got dark and the stakes got raised. I was super sad that I did not have the next in the series immediately on hand to continue reading.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Homophobia, Racism, Violence, and Colonisation
Heartbreak for Hire by Sonia Hartl
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The concept of this book had so much promise. An agency dedicated to seeking revenge for scorned lovers promised a unique stage for the romance of our two main characters to play out. Most of their significant encounters took place outside of this setting, though -- leaving me with a sense of disappointment and general lacking.
⁕ Using the Brinkley's mother as source of conflict outside of the romance allowed character development beyond the stereotypical relationship drama in every rom com. It was enjoyable, but there still could have been more of it.
⁕ I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator's choices devalued the story being told. What should have been serious, tender moments ended up being lessened by goofy acting choices and over the top silliness.
⁕ The concept of this book had so much promise. An agency dedicated to seeking revenge for scorned lovers promised a unique stage for the romance of our two main characters to play out. Most of their significant encounters took place outside of this setting, though -- leaving me with a sense of disappointment and general lacking.
⁕ Using the Brinkley's mother as source of conflict outside of the romance allowed character development beyond the stereotypical relationship drama in every rom com. It was enjoyable, but there still could have been more of it.
⁕ I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator's choices devalued the story being told. What should have been serious, tender moments ended up being lessened by goofy acting choices and over the top silliness.
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: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Lore by Alexandra Bracken
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
3.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The schematics of the bloodlines, family relations, and transfer of powers was so convoluted to me for such a large portion of the book. The chart provided helped a little bit but not entirely.
⁕ The plot is quest-based and driven more by physical action than character emotion and development. Consequently, the main heroes fell flat.
⁕ My favorite scene involved one of the Gods talking about her experience as a women and one of the only remaining "old gods." It was a perspective that we don't usually get in modern day retellings of Greek mythology and one of the strongest moments of emotional vulnerability in the book.
⁕ Yes, there were some plot twists. No, I did not see them coming.
⁕ The schematics of the bloodlines, family relations, and transfer of powers was so convoluted to me for such a large portion of the book. The chart provided helped a little bit but not entirely.
⁕ The plot is quest-based and driven more by physical action than character emotion and development. Consequently, the main heroes fell flat.
⁕ My favorite scene involved one of the Gods talking about her experience as a women and one of the only remaining "old gods." It was a perspective that we don't usually get in modern day retellings of Greek mythology and one of the strongest moments of emotional vulnerability in the book.
⁕ Yes, there were some plot twists. No, I did not see them coming.
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: Death, Gore, Violence, and War
Moderate: Child death, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual assault