Scan barcode
gracielleberry's reviews
246 reviews
Frozen Tides: A Falling Kingdoms Novel by Morgan Rhodes
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
This is one of those series I push aside because of how good it is. If you know me, you'd know I have the tendency to do that to prolong the journey. But I was taken aback to find out that it has been over three years, THREE, since I read the third book! So at first, I hesitated to read this thinking I might have forgotten too much detail, but I'm pleased that this story is still so easy to go back to; you can just pick up where you left off and instantly get lost in its world—like you never truly left!
It's stupid of me to have waited this long because this book is simply AMAZING. I loved everything about it! Well, I still hate this one character but it looks like she'll have a redemption arc on the next book. /eyeroll
So anyway! I'm not sure when I'll pick up the fifth book, probably late this year or next year, but I'm so excited for it because of how this one ended. I have high hopes!
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I didn't even know Coraline has a book and I immediately picked it up when I found out! I only watched the movie some time last year and was delightfully creeped out by it—I'm not sure how it passed as a "children's story". Lol. The book also has a haunting, eerie vibe to it but I think the movie unsettled me more. Still, this was a very quick and fun read.
The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
I really enjoyed this book (except the character death /sob) and it would have gotten a higher rating if only it caught my attention to the point of my finishing it faster than I actually did. Not sure if it was just because my interest in reading have unfortunately dwindled since the pandemic started (and is still ongoing /eyeroll), but I hope to do better in the remaining months of the year.
The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson
adventurous
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
3.5
Finally finished this one! Not that it wasn't a good read, just needed time to adjust to its world. Silly me, I thought this was a standalone novel and only realized it wasn't about halfway through the book. Lmao.
Were there things I loved about it? Definitely! I need me more crows!! But there were also a handful I'd much rather skip. Hope things get better in the sequel!
...oh, and I also like the other guy more. Can we get a redemption arc or something? Please and thank you.
To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
I don't know if my words could give justice to this book but I'll go ahead anyway...
First of all, this is my first time to read a retelling of a fairytale—my favorite one, in fact—and I was not expecting much because nothing beats the original, right? Right? WRONG. This is The Little Mermaid... but made perfect. Does that even make sense? If it doesn't, well, it's still true.
The thought of this story focusing on sirens instead of mermaids put me off at first, but I still picked it up because it's intriguing. I mean, sirens naturally kill humans and the prince is human, so how will this work?
Seriously was not expecting THAT.
To Kill a Kingdom is an adventure-fantasy-plot-driven story with flawed yet strong and likeable characters. It's a love story but without a smidge of yech, and yet it still has all of the good stuff.
Ugh, I can sing praises about it all day long and still feel I haven't said enough. JUST READ IT.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I originally intented to read the book before watching the film but ended up doing the opposite... which is probably a good thing 'cause back then, I didn't know any better so I was able to enjoy the movie. Naturally, I hate it now. Lol.
Ready Player One was an absolute thrill to read even for a casual gamer like myself, and it also felt like a warm hug which I hope more people would get to experience.
Quotes Section:
"I created the OASIS because I never felt at home in the real world. I didn't know how to connect with the people there. I was afraid, for all of my life. Right up until I knew it was ending. That was when I realized, as terrifying and painful as reality can be, it's also the only place where you can find true happiness. Because reality is real. Do you understand?" —James Donovan Halliday
Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige
Did not finish book. Stopped at 52%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 52%.
First log here on StoryGraph and I already used their "did not finish" shelf. Lol. It has been SO long since I opened this book that I can't even recall most of it, but what I'm sure of is I just couldn't finish it.
...probably unlikeable characters + plot and writing just didn't work for me.
...probably unlikeable characters + plot and writing just didn't work for me.
For One More Day by Mitch Albom
3.0
Mitch Albom excels in writing books that are light to read, but are heavy in content. This novel opened my eyes to how truly important time and family is, how our choices shape our lives, how forgiveness starts from within, and how we shouldn't take anything for granted, for we can never know what might happen tomorrow.
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
4.0
Where do I start? Hmmm. How about "I really liked this book"? For starters, this novel completely changed my feelings towards Nicholas Sparks. I felt that he's the guy I should run to if I need mushy, tearjerker romance novels which will be bearable to read 'cause Sparks is a very good author. Well, I stand corrected on how I stereotyped him.
Safe Haven kept me on my toes. It is very well written, and I expected nothing less from Sparks. I have to say it's a romance/mystery novel to me. I eagerly flipped though the pages just so I'd know what'd happen next, on the other hand, I didn't want to read too fast and finish the story 'cause it's so good! I was torn, basically, but I was very pleased of how the story progressed, and how it ended. Love, mystery, family, haunting pasts... it's a fiction novel, but the story stayed realistic, and I liked that very much.
Safe Haven kept me on my toes. It is very well written, and I expected nothing less from Sparks. I have to say it's a romance/mystery novel to me. I eagerly flipped though the pages just so I'd know what'd happen next, on the other hand, I didn't want to read too fast and finish the story 'cause it's so good! I was torn, basically, but I was very pleased of how the story progressed, and how it ended. Love, mystery, family, haunting pasts... it's a fiction novel, but the story stayed realistic, and I liked that very much.
Quidditch Through the Ages by J.K. Rowling, Kennilworthy Whisp
3.0
A very light read, Quidditch Through the Ages is quite entertaining. It was written with pure dedication, I can see, for the game's history contained within the pages seems all too real. If there's anything I need to know about this popular magical sport, I would surely seek out this book for help. After reading Quidditch Through the Ages, I now wish even more that I could play the sport. I'd even settle for just watching one good, real game.