lilo000's reviews
174 reviews

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

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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. 
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You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao

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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. 
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Tomb Sweeping by Alexandra Chang

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Maybe i should'v eread that this was a collection of short stories. Oops
Becoming by Michelle Obama

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hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Overall very inspirational in tone. I'm glad I read it. Not sure how well I'd've made it through if it weren't an audiobook though. There were definitely some parts I was less interested/attentive to than others. Would still recommend as a read - definitely fit some of what I expected but some parts not as much
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

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2.75

Seoulmates by Susan Lee

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hopeful lighthearted
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.25

I think some of this read a little too young for me. Some of it also felt so scripted. 
I couldn't really get on board with the jumping between levels of emotional maturity for them. They're supposed to be 18 and sometimes couldnt communicate seemingly really basic things and then other times talked with much more emotional maturity/introspection than i remember any teen posessing. 
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Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

Some beautiful description. Took me a minute to realize the connection between the two stories. Also took me a minute to  wrap my head around jumping time periods with each chapter but I got the hang of it eventually. I'm guessing the acknowledgements were narrated by the author - definitely made them that much more powerful. 
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The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

I don't think i like fast-paced books. Nothing felt fleshed out, and every time something character/relationship-related was happening, it felt like there was a lot missing plot-wise. When plot things were happening, it never felt complete. The magic felt so haphazard, with none of the rules or concepts explained before the story started. I can think of few instances where I've wanted more exposition. Sex scenes felt so out of place. Can't really recommend 
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The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

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adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

:'( all of my journal entries were deleted but overall - a more sad-toned book than I'm used to. Maybe I don't read enough sad books, but I don't know if this overall qualifies as sad. Overall a good read, good writing: I mean it's greek mythology. Did very much appreciate the themes of Greek mythology and always love the idea of a known story from a different perspective. 98% good pacing - very few spots where I wasn't happy with the plot/writing's pacing.
I guess it's sad because - yes they both die,
but I think that was to be expected and kind of fit with the way the story was flowing/going.  The main character is flawed of course (he is only human) but to a relatable degree. I thought it was really interesting that the two main characters toward the end seem so opposed on values, as fundamental as violence
Would definitely recommend, I think the only thing keeping it from a 5 star were that the character arc for our main character didn't come as grandiose as I wanted it to, but I think that made it more real (which isn't why I read fictional books haha). I was disappointed in Achilles character arc, but it was a little more understandable humanity wise. 
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Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

4.0

I liked the main character for the most part, kind of expected there to be a full exposé/final true account of what happened but🤷🏻‍♀️ alas maybe a spinoff/sequel book? I really want to know how the family drama actually went down
because we don't know until the end that this is just her account she's given to the police and then it goes on to add in stuff from actual reality about how she's gotten into contact with Winnie while she's on the run.