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eve_reads's reviews
121 reviews
Alone by Megan E. Freeman
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ Wowza, the stakes are high in this one, especially for a middle grade novel. Be warned that Freeman includes some intense scenes relating to near death experiences and animal cruelty that had an extreme emotional impact on my 23-year-old self .
⁕ This is more of an examination of loneliness than it is an expansive exploration of plot and world-building. If you're someone who likes all the answers, you wont find them here.
⁕ I guess this book was written in a verse format? That obviously didn't always come through when listening to the audiobook, but it certainly put the copious amounts of classical poetry references that I was originally annoyed with into context.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ Wowza, the stakes are high in this one, especially for a middle grade novel. Be warned that Freeman includes some intense scenes relating to near death experiences and animal cruelty that had an extreme emotional impact on my 23-year-old self .
⁕ This is more of an examination of loneliness than it is an expansive exploration of plot and world-building. If you're someone who likes all the answers, you wont find them here.
⁕ I guess this book was written in a verse format? That obviously didn't always come through when listening to the audiobook, but it certainly put the copious amounts of classical poetry references that I was originally annoyed with into context.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Abandonment
The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ If I could describe this book in one word, that word would be repetitive. Within itself and in comparison to the previous books in the series, the same scenes just keep repeating themselves over and over.... and over.
⁕ There's a lot of fluff without much consequence for the story. Romance books have to have romance, but after a while it stops adding value. I wish there was less of it and more of the political intrigue that is present in first book.
⁕ Poppy's character is too overpowered. Every time a new challenge arises she develops special abilities out of nowhere that perfectly address whatever the given situation is. It takes all the conflict and tension out of the story.
⁕ At this point, the only reason I will finish the series is solely because I need to know how it ends and not because I actually enjoy the act of reading it.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ If I could describe this book in one word, that word would be repetitive. Within itself and in comparison to the previous books in the series, the same scenes just keep repeating themselves over and over.... and over.
⁕ There's a lot of fluff without much consequence for the story. Romance books have to have romance, but after a while it stops adding value. I wish there was less of it and more of the political intrigue that is present in first book.
⁕ Poppy's character is too overpowered. Every time a new challenge arises she develops special abilities out of nowhere that perfectly address whatever the given situation is. It takes all the conflict and tension out of the story.
⁕ At this point, the only reason I will finish the series is solely because I need to know how it ends and not because I actually enjoy the act of reading it.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and War
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ This book is layered and has so many moving pieces at all times! It’s impressive how Novik ties it all together, but the plot is over-complicated and bogged down at points.
⁕ The characters are so unique and distinct from one another… I just didn’t find them personable and had a hard time emotionally connecting to them.
⁕ Novik’s writing style has all the markers of dark, traditionally western fairytales. It is worth it for the ✨a e s t h e t i c ✨if nothing else.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ This book is layered and has so many moving pieces at all times! It’s impressive how Novik ties it all together, but the plot is over-complicated and bogged down at points.
⁕ The characters are so unique and distinct from one another… I just didn’t find them personable and had a hard time emotionally connecting to them.
⁕ Novik’s writing style has all the markers of dark, traditionally western fairytales. It is worth it for the ✨a e s t h e t i c ✨if nothing else.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Sexual assault, Violence, and Death of parent
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ Doerr’s prose is beautiful and the only thing that kept me reading at certain points
⁕ It was really, agonizingly slow to start & once things did get interesting, it felt rushed.
⁕ Madame Manec is the coolest character in this book. Prove me wrong.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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⁕ Doerr’s prose is beautiful and the only thing that kept me reading at certain points
⁕ It was really, agonizingly slow to start & once things did get interesting, it felt rushed.
⁕ Madame Manec is the coolest character in this book. Prove me wrong.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Antisemitism, and War
Animal: A Novel by Lisa Taddeo
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ When reading the description of this book, I imaged a Kill-Bill-type revenge plot with a badass female MC. Instead, it focuses WAAAY more on the traumas of Joan’s past than any action she takes to seek retribution. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the resulting story, but it is NOT what was advertised.
⁕ There was a lot of potential to explore relationship dynamics, abuse, power, and control. BUT - these themes were often overshadowed by excessive use of violence for shock value, with little room for reflection or deeper exploration in the text.
⁕ I do think the audiobook narration was a massive success for Emma Roberts. The character of Joan is outside of her usual type cast and she succeeded in creating a gritty, dark experience for the reader.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ When reading the description of this book, I imaged a Kill-Bill-type revenge plot with a badass female MC. Instead, it focuses WAAAY more on the traumas of Joan’s past than any action she takes to seek retribution. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the resulting story, but it is NOT what was advertised.
⁕ There was a lot of potential to explore relationship dynamics, abuse, power, and control. BUT - these themes were often overshadowed by excessive use of violence for shock value, with little room for reflection or deeper exploration in the text.
⁕ I do think the audiobook narration was a massive success for Emma Roberts. The character of Joan is outside of her usual type cast and she succeeded in creating a gritty, dark experience for the reader.
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, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ Bashardoust writes about grief, loneliness and loss SO WELL! I really was taken aback by how artfully she utilized the characters to create conflict centered around these themes.
⁕ Soraya’s development as the main character is solid. I thought it was particularly clever how Bashardoust juxtaposed two of the minor characters to show the alternative “paths” Soraya could take, and used her understanding of them to help her grapple with her inner conflict.
⁕ Some of the plot developments felt a little too convenient, a little too easy. As terrible as it sounds, I wanted the characters to suffer just a little more before being saved. It didn’t feel as gratifying as I would have liked when they were.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ Bashardoust writes about grief, loneliness and loss SO WELL! I really was taken aback by how artfully she utilized the characters to create conflict centered around these themes.
⁕ Soraya’s development as the main character is solid. I thought it was particularly clever how Bashardoust juxtaposed two of the minor characters to show the alternative “paths” Soraya could take, and used her understanding of them to help her grapple with her inner conflict.
⁕ Some of the plot developments felt a little too convenient, a little too easy. As terrible as it sounds, I wanted the characters to suffer just a little more before being saved. It didn’t feel as gratifying as I would have liked when they were.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Torture
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The maiden/mother/crone metaphor can be hit or miss in most witchy tales. I LOVE that Harrow uses it to explore how differing phases of life and priorities may affect the ways women relate to the suffragist movement.
⁕ Harrow’s style is very unique. She mashes together the extremely poeticized language of traditional western fairytales with quirky, sometimes vulgar dialogue. For some this may be an acquired taste, but I found it to be both hilarious and refreshing.
⁕ I appreciate that Harrow approaches feminism from an intersectional lens. HOWEVER, the story is still presented from mainly a white, western European perspective. Characters that deviate from this narrative feel haphazardly thrown in to advance the plot for the 3 sisters and aren’t given the in-depth arcs and development they deserve.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
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⁕ The maiden/mother/crone metaphor can be hit or miss in most witchy tales. I LOVE that Harrow uses it to explore how differing phases of life and priorities may affect the ways women relate to the suffragist movement.
⁕ Harrow’s style is very unique. She mashes together the extremely poeticized language of traditional western fairytales with quirky, sometimes vulgar dialogue. For some this may be an acquired taste, but I found it to be both hilarious and refreshing.
⁕ I appreciate that Harrow approaches feminism from an intersectional lens. HOWEVER, the story is still presented from mainly a white, western European perspective. Characters that deviate from this narrative feel haphazardly thrown in to advance the plot for the 3 sisters and aren’t given the in-depth arcs and development they deserve.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Police brutality, Abortion, and Death of parent
Vengeful by V.E. Schwab
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
4.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ So much of Vicious focused on Victor's perspective, whereas Vengeful gives more focus to the origin stories of Eli and other characters. The addition of these details strengthened my understanding of character development and choices in the series overall.
⁕ I am SO HERE for the female super villian. I love the exploration of power and greed through her eyes. I love her glaring faults and ugly hopes. She is definitely one of my new favorite characters.
⁕ I complained in my review of Vicious that the book was not as violent or gory as people claimed. This book definitely rectifies that. The stakes are RAISED.
⁕ Somehow, V.E. Schwab manages to write about violence and gore like poetry. Her style never ceases to amaze me.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ So much of Vicious focused on Victor's perspective, whereas Vengeful gives more focus to the origin stories of Eli and other characters. The addition of these details strengthened my understanding of character development and choices in the series overall.
⁕ I am SO HERE for the female super villian. I love the exploration of power and greed through her eyes. I love her glaring faults and ugly hopes. She is definitely one of my new favorite characters.
⁕ I complained in my review of Vicious that the book was not as violent or gory as people claimed. This book definitely rectifies that. The stakes are RAISED.
⁕ Somehow, V.E. Schwab manages to write about violence and gore like poetry. Her style never ceases to amaze me.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Sexual content, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.75
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ I like how Wells used changes in Murderbot's internal dialogue to signal his growing love for the humans he interacts with. For example: calling them the "clients" then later "my humans." Such strong way to demonstrate character development!
⁕ I was not expecting to laugh as much as I did while reading this. Murderbot cracks me up. Imagine the anti-social soul of Bilbo Baggins with the power and abilities of the terminator. Absolute comedic gold.
⁕ I wanted this book to have a greater emotional impact on me. Absolutely I enjoyed it, but I was just expecting a Hugo and Nebula award-winning novella to leave me changed more? I have hopes that the series will hit harder as it continues.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ I like how Wells used changes in Murderbot's internal dialogue to signal his growing love for the humans he interacts with. For example: calling them the "clients" then later "my humans." Such strong way to demonstrate character development!
⁕ I was not expecting to laugh as much as I did while reading this. Murderbot cracks me up. Imagine the anti-social soul of Bilbo Baggins with the power and abilities of the terminator. Absolute comedic gold.
⁕ I wanted this book to have a greater emotional impact on me. Absolutely I enjoyed it, but I was just expecting a Hugo and Nebula award-winning novella to leave me changed more? I have hopes that the series will hit harder as it continues.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Slavery, and Violence
The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
3.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The characters' jumps in logic when solving the main mystery of the book were WILDLY far-fetched when compared to The Inheritance Games. I get that the plot must move onward, but the randomness of the clues and their meanings made it hard to participate as the reader.
⁕ The second half of the book redeemed itself through its poignant examination of love and relationships. It gave me all the feels, truly!!
⁕ I love that Barnes gave secondary characters (Rebecca and Max especially) an inch more of the spotlight. More! I want more!
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ The characters' jumps in logic when solving the main mystery of the book were WILDLY far-fetched when compared to The Inheritance Games. I get that the plot must move onward, but the randomness of the clues and their meanings made it hard to participate as the reader.
⁕ The second half of the book redeemed itself through its poignant examination of love and relationships. It gave me all the feels, truly!!
⁕ I love that Barnes gave secondary characters (Rebecca and Max especially) an inch more of the spotlight. More! I want more!
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Gun violence, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism