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lilo000's reviews
172 reviews
Lightlark by Alex Aster
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and War
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
I don't think I prefer this style of writing/organization, but the context and content of it was all there + I can appreciate that
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
adventurous
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Like the first book, the humor stays about the same, with a bit less feeling like the themes and plot is bashing you atop the head like a metal pan. Thankfully, some of the tropes/themes were less redundant in that sense. There did seem to be more movement of the characters (geographically), so it was nice to learn a bit more about the backstory/area through some new-ish conflict.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Torture, Violence, and Murder
A Venom Dark and Sweet by Judy I. Lin
adventurous
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
I think I'd have liked this book better if I had read it less disjointedly.. which is my bad. I still (like the first book), really like the themes of tea and its importance in the book.
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
adventurous
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Would recommend for any YA fantasy enthusiasts who are also a fan of tea. I've never read any book where tea was so central to the plot or backstory. Not so much the history of tea but moreso the ceremony and significance of it. I think the circumstances annoyed me sometimes, but I shouldn't say they were necesarily unrealistic. I do feel like I missed a plot point or two when she leaves the palace and has her falling out eith Jang but🤷🏻♀️so be it.
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Who would've thought a book about robots would make me think about humanity, sentience, and purpose. This book had great world-building and character development. Definitely touching and makes you root for the underdogs. The humor is also fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Violence
You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
emotional
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
It's tricky to rate this one. On the one hand, I didn't prefer the writing. I think it felt more childish than I had anticipated and the main character was frustrating in her illogical choices, but I guess grief isn't always logical. I think for the themes and the dedication to the (albeit hole-filled) premise, I still want to give it credit. Of course was sad where it needed to be sad. Mixed feelings overall because I think the magical realism felt vague of course because it isn't really the main point. Unsure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death and Car accident