martin888's reviews
122 reviews

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

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adventurous dark emotional funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

Absolute masterpiece! Chef's kiss🤌✨️ muah!

This story is so well built with complex characters, intriguing worldbuilding, Oscar-worthy twists, and political chess. 

I was never a big fantasy reader, but this book, Jude and Cardan, have my whole heart<3

FAVORITE QUOTES:
"I never wanted to be your enemy," I say. "But I didn't want to be in your power, either."

"By you, I am forever undone."

"I spent much of my life guarding my heart. I guarded it so well that I could behave as though I didn't have one at all. Even now, it is a shabby, worm-eaten, and scabrous thing. But it is yours."
The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 39%.
I mean... I skimmed through it, but I wouldn't call it reading. I guess Kupi Kaur's poetry just isn't my cup of tea. 

Didn't like Milk and Honey too much either but wanted to give this one a try. Well. I tried.
Tõde ja õigus II by A.H. Tammsaare

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Def more fun than the first book. Also probably the longest of the series.
I did like it a lot, but took a while to finish.
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I feel like the last page told me more about the book than the other 240 ones. Depressing, lyrical, reflective and uniqe.

Also, the amazing quote:
"What are you doing here, honey? You're not even old enough to know how bad life gets." 

 "Obviously, Doctor,'" she said,
"you've never been a thirteen-year-old girl."

The Wicked King by Holly Black

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This. Freaking. Book.
I have no words. I just devoured this book and now I have no idea what to do with myself.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This might be my new fav Ali Hazelwood book. I would love it if she wrote more paranormal romances<3
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

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adventurous informative inspiring mysterious 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? No

3.0

It was fun but I have no idea what happened.
Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Such a fun read for my readathon. Was it fun? Yes. Did it change my life and will I be thinking about it every day for the next year? Probably no. 

But it was a quick, fun, familiar ride of Hazelwood romance.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Amazing. Just amazing. Jude is such an iconic girl boss. And Cardan? Skskslj! The tension, the worldbuilding, the betrayal??? I. LOVED. IT. ALL.
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book is amazingly put together, beautifully written, and way ahead of its time. One of the best queer classics I have read. 
Truly deep and complex three-dimensional characters with all of their own thoughts, feelings, and fears.