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outsidestar's reviews
82 reviews
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was okay. It was a quick, entertaining read, but I was expecting more from it.
The best way to describe this is Gossip Girl meets Pretty Little Liars. Yes, we did have the mystery part going on, but I was way more invested in the relationship between Bronwyn and Nate than I was in finding out who killed Simon. This book would've been completely boring without that romance brewing. They're the equivalents to Blair and Chuck... although he is called Nate. Maybe that was totally intentional?
Anyways, it was crystal clear to me from the beginning thatthe killer wasn't among the four of them and the big reveal didn't come as such a surprise, which I guess was kinda the whole point - for it to be a surprise, I mean.
I did enjoy the characters, though, or at least most of them. I especially liked Addy's character arc. I kept rolling my eyes at her in the beginning and then I ended up wanting to befriend her.
So yeah, this has good things going for it and not so good things. It's an entertaining read, but I'll probably forget everything about it in a couple weeks.
The best way to describe this is Gossip Girl meets Pretty Little Liars. Yes, we did have the mystery part going on, but I was way more invested in the relationship between Bronwyn and Nate than I was in finding out who killed Simon. This book would've been completely boring without that romance brewing. They're the equivalents to Blair and Chuck... although he is called Nate. Maybe that was totally intentional?
Anyways, it was crystal clear to me from the beginning that
I did enjoy the characters, though, or at least most of them. I especially liked Addy's character arc. I kept rolling my eyes at her in the beginning and then I ended up wanting to befriend her.
So yeah, this has good things going for it and not so good things. It's an entertaining read, but I'll probably forget everything about it in a couple weeks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Minor: Mass/school shootings
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
This was cute and adorable and just overall heart-warming.
Both Chloe and Red were absolutely lovable characters who I want to befriend because they're such cutie pies. Which actually made it hard for me to see the foundation of the initial animosity in the whole enemies-to-lovers trope. But I did very much enjoy how complex and well-rounded they were, with their flaws, troubled pasts and their own ways of coping.
This book had me laughing, crying and wishing I had someone like Red in my life and that I was as brave as Chloe. As fluffy and light this story was, it also tackled abusive relationships, chronic illnesses, self-confidence, self-love and so many other important topics. And it did so beautifully.
Also, shout out to Gigi, the world's coolest grandma.
Both Chloe and Red were absolutely lovable characters who I want to befriend because they're such cutie pies. Which actually made it hard for me to see the foundation of the initial animosity in the whole enemies-to-lovers trope. But I did very much enjoy how complex and well-rounded they were, with their flaws, troubled pasts and their own ways of coping.
This book had me laughing, crying and wishing I had someone like Red in my life and that I was as brave as Chloe. As fluffy and light this story was, it also tackled abusive relationships, chronic illnesses, self-confidence, self-love and so many other important topics. And it did so beautifully.
Also, shout out to Gigi, the world's coolest grandma.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Well, those last chapters were definitely a ride.
This book was like a combination of the first two Throne of Glass books: our MC is in a prison, she has to undergo a series of trials to get out of it, there’s some magic here and there, and a jaw-dropping ending. It was a great foundation for what I can already see becoming an epic fantasy story. All I can do is hope the coming books will put it to good use.
Now let me tell you what The Prison Healer is actually about:
Welcome to Wenderall (think of a world like Erilea or Westeros, with different kingdoms ruled by different royal families). This world has a prison (think WWII concentration camps) were criminals from all kingdoms are sent. There is where our story takes place.
The prison of Zalindov is all 17 year-old Kiva has known ever since she and her father were thrown into it 10 years ago. Now the prison healer, Kiva stays afloat with the scarce messages she manages to smuggle to and from her family. And 12 year-old Tipp, who is Kiva’s helper in the infirmary (as well as a sunshine-covered cinnamon roll who can light anybody’s day) and who she sees as a little brother who she must protect. Other than Tipp, Kiva tries to keep her distance from everyone else, because at the end of the day all Zalindov can bring is death to those who you care about.
That is, of course, until a new prisoner is bought to Zalindov and just so happens to be equal parts handsome, sweet and kind, so we all know how that's gonna go. Oh, and he’s got Ashryver eyes (not that it matters in any way).
Fast forward a couple days or weeks and the next new prisoner brought to Kiva is no other than the Rebel Queen. A very-sick-almost-dying Rebel Queen. And she comes with a note from Kiva’s family: Don’t let her die. We are coming. The queen is sentenced to Trial by Ordeal but, since she can’t even stand on her own feet, Kiva volunteers to be her Champion. If she succeeds they will both be free, but if she fails they will both die. The trick? No one has ever survived a Trial by Ordeal.
That, alongside some royals coming to watch the Trial, tiny little glimpses of magic and great characters, pretty much sums up this story. Kiva is a perfectly crafted character and I loved Tipp, Naari, Jaren and even Mot, and can’t wait to see what the gang will be up to in the coming books.
Also, I think the plot twists are worth mentioning. I did see them coming, but then again, I usually see all plot twists coming (except for the Kaz Brekker kind). Anyways, they were very well thought out, hints were left throughout the story if you knew what to look for, which was a perfect build up to the actual revelations. The crafting was just exquisite.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the e-ARC in exchange of an honest and voluntary review.
This book was like a combination of the first two Throne of Glass books: our MC is in a prison, she has to undergo a series of trials to get out of it, there’s some magic here and there, and a jaw-dropping ending. It was a great foundation for what I can already see becoming an epic fantasy story. All I can do is hope the coming books will put it to good use.
Now let me tell you what The Prison Healer is actually about:
Welcome to Wenderall (think of a world like Erilea or Westeros, with different kingdoms ruled by different royal families). This world has a prison (think WWII concentration camps) were criminals from all kingdoms are sent. There is where our story takes place.
The prison of Zalindov is all 17 year-old Kiva has known ever since she and her father were thrown into it 10 years ago. Now the prison healer, Kiva stays afloat with the scarce messages she manages to smuggle to and from her family. And 12 year-old Tipp, who is Kiva’s helper in the infirmary (as well as a sunshine-covered cinnamon roll who can light anybody’s day) and who she sees as a little brother who she must protect. Other than Tipp, Kiva tries to keep her distance from everyone else, because at the end of the day all Zalindov can bring is death to those who you care about.
That is, of course, until a new prisoner is bought to Zalindov and just so happens to be equal parts handsome, sweet and kind, so we all know how that's gonna go. Oh, and he’s got Ashryver eyes (not that it matters in any way).
Fast forward a couple days or weeks and the next new prisoner brought to Kiva is no other than the Rebel Queen. A very-sick-almost-dying Rebel Queen. And she comes with a note from Kiva’s family: Don’t let her die. We are coming. The queen is sentenced to Trial by Ordeal but, since she can’t even stand on her own feet, Kiva volunteers to be her Champion. If she succeeds they will both be free, but if she fails they will both die. The trick? No one has ever survived a Trial by Ordeal.
That, alongside some royals coming to watch the Trial, tiny little glimpses of magic and great characters, pretty much sums up this story. Kiva is a perfectly crafted character and I loved Tipp, Naari, Jaren and even Mot, and can’t wait to see what the gang will be up to in the coming books.
Also, I think the plot twists are worth mentioning. I did see them coming, but then again, I usually see all plot twists coming (except for the Kaz Brekker kind). Anyways, they were very well thought out, hints were left throughout the story if you knew what to look for, which was a perfect build up to the actual revelations. The crafting was just exquisite.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the e-ARC in exchange of an honest and voluntary review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Death
Moderate: Self harm, Slavery, Blood, and Death of parent
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.75
This book hit me on so many personal levels that I feel exposed.
When people look at Danika Brown, all they see is a confident woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. What no one sees is that she has insecurities of her own: she’s afraid of failure, of disappointing, of not being enough (aka. relatable af). And she likes it that way – the no one knowing, I mean. So why bother with relationships when she will clearly end up messing everything up somehow? Nope, better to focus on her goals and her career. Who needs relationships and compromise when friends-with-benefits are just fine?
So when Zaf, the handsome security guard at Dani’s work, rescues her from a fire drill that had her trapped in an elevator, she decides it’s time to add the 'with benefits’ part to their friendship. Somehow, the video of her rescue goes viral and they become twitter’s new trending couple, which is actually good for Zaf’s sports charity. So Zaf asks Dani to play along and be his fake girlfriend in order to get free publicity, and she accepts because who wouldn’t help out a friend? Not that she also kinda sorta really wants to bang him. No strings attached, though.
So that’s what happens, and of course they catch feelings and it’s wonderful. I must say, Talia Hibbert’s writing is flawless. It’s witty and funny and sassy and adorable and I wish I could write the way she does because it looks easy and effortless but it clearly is not.
Also, I really appreciated that there were no filler chapters at the beginning, it went straight to the point and it made me want to keep reading from the start. However, what I liked the least was the ending. You know how in romance books, when a couple gets together, one of them always has to fuck things up and then there’s the grand gesture and they get together again? Well, the grand gesture part could’ve been better. Not that it was bad in any way, it still was adorable, but I don’t know, I wanted more.
Setting that little issue with the ending apart, this book was my exact cup of tea and I liked it way more than Get a Life, Chloe Brown. I will probably reread it many times.
When people look at Danika Brown, all they see is a confident woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. What no one sees is that she has insecurities of her own: she’s afraid of failure, of disappointing, of not being enough (aka. relatable af). And she likes it that way – the no one knowing, I mean. So why bother with relationships when she will clearly end up messing everything up somehow? Nope, better to focus on her goals and her career. Who needs relationships and compromise when friends-with-benefits are just fine?
So when Zaf, the handsome security guard at Dani’s work, rescues her from a fire drill that had her trapped in an elevator, she decides it’s time to add the 'with benefits’ part to their friendship. Somehow, the video of her rescue goes viral and they become twitter’s new trending couple, which is actually good for Zaf’s sports charity. So Zaf asks Dani to play along and be his fake girlfriend in order to get free publicity, and she accepts because who wouldn’t help out a friend? Not that she also kinda sorta really wants to bang him. No strings attached, though.
So that’s what happens, and of course they catch feelings and it’s wonderful. I must say, Talia Hibbert’s writing is flawless. It’s witty and funny and sassy and adorable and I wish I could write the way she does because it looks easy and effortless but it clearly is not.
Also, I really appreciated that there were no filler chapters at the beginning, it went straight to the point and it made me want to keep reading from the start. However, what I liked the least was the ending. You know how in romance books, when a couple gets together, one of them always has to fuck things up and then there’s the grand gesture and they get together again? Well, the grand gesture part could’ve been better. Not that it was bad in any way, it still was adorable, but I don’t know, I wanted more.
Setting that little issue with the ending apart, this book was my exact cup of tea and I liked it way more than Get a Life, Chloe Brown. I will probably reread it many times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Beach Read by Emily Henry
This book is everything.
Ever since I read the ARC for People We Meet on Vacation almost a month ago, I’ve been craving this book. In my review I said People We Meet on Vacation would be one of my favorite books of 2021. Well, Beach Read made it to the all-time favorites list. That’s how much I loved it.
There's the fluffy, feel-good, laugh-out-loud romances and then there's the Emily Henry romances, which somehow manage to completely wreck you and make you feel giddy at the same time. If you ever read this, Emily Henry, please keep writing about the Januarys and Guses and the Poppys and Alexes of the world because I’ll sure keep craving to read about them.
This is the perfect second-chance, opposites-attract, enemies-to-lovers romance (because why stick to just one trope?) and they’re writers, so bonus points for that. I loved all the characters, their perspectives, the drive-in scene, the letters (omg the damn letters had me sobbing) and just about everything in this book really. Maybe, just to be picky, when you-know-who shows up I didn’t get why January shut down without even talking to him, I mean it wasn’t his fault, he did nothing wrong. Like I kinda get it but also don’t.
Anyways, I loved it. A lot. Will definitely re-read.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"I have a fatal flaw. I like to think we all do."
This book is everything.
Ever since I read the ARC for People We Meet on Vacation almost a month ago, I’ve been craving this book. In my review I said People We Meet on Vacation would be one of my favorite books of 2021. Well, Beach Read made it to the all-time favorites list. That’s how much I loved it.
There's the fluffy, feel-good, laugh-out-loud romances and then there's the Emily Henry romances, which somehow manage to completely wreck you and make you feel giddy at the same time. If you ever read this, Emily Henry, please keep writing about the Januarys and Guses and the Poppys and Alexes of the world because I’ll sure keep craving to read about them.
This is the perfect second-chance, opposites-attract, enemies-to-lovers romance (because why stick to just one trope?) and they’re writers, so bonus points for that. I loved all the characters, their perspectives, the drive-in scene, the letters (omg the damn letters had me sobbing) and just about everything in this book really. Maybe, just to be picky, when you-know-who shows up I didn’t get why January shut down without even talking to him, I mean it wasn’t his fault, he did nothing wrong. Like I kinda get it but also don’t.
Anyways, I loved it. A lot. Will definitely re-read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse
El Alquimista by Paulo Coelho
Bueno, por fin he leído El Alquimista. Lo que puedo decir es que es, sin duda, un libro diferente. Sí, es una historia de ficción sobre Santiago y su viaje desde Andalucía a Egipto. Pero también es mucho más. Es un libro que, para lo corto que es, te hace reflexionar sobre la vida, las señales, el propósito de cada uno, el Universo y la conexión entre todas las cosas.
Dicho así suena muy intenso pero es una lectura muy fácil, que cada uno puedo interpretar a su manera. El Alquimista es uno de esos libros que creo que todo el mundo debería leer al menos una vez en la vida, como El Principito.
Está lleno esas frases 'filosóficas' que a mí me encantan así que he subrayado medio libro (como no). Dejo aquí unas pocas:
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
"No importa lo que haga, cada persona en la Tierra está siempre representando el papel principal de la Historia del mundo. Y normalmente no lo sabe."
Bueno, por fin he leído El Alquimista. Lo que puedo decir es que es, sin duda, un libro diferente. Sí, es una historia de ficción sobre Santiago y su viaje desde Andalucía a Egipto. Pero también es mucho más. Es un libro que, para lo corto que es, te hace reflexionar sobre la vida, las señales, el propósito de cada uno, el Universo y la conexión entre todas las cosas.
Dicho así suena muy intenso pero es una lectura muy fácil, que cada uno puedo interpretar a su manera. El Alquimista es uno de esos libros que creo que todo el mundo debería leer al menos una vez en la vida, como El Principito.
Está lleno esas frases 'filosóficas' que a mí me encantan así que he subrayado medio libro (como no). Dejo aquí unas pocas:
"Es justamente la posibilidad de realizar un sueño lo que hace que la vida sea interesante."
"El secreto de la felicidad está en mirar todas las maravillas del mundo, pero sin olvidarse nunca de las dos gotas de aceite en la cuchara."
"Los corazones de hombre son así. Tienen miedo de realizar sus mayores sueños porque consideran que no los merecen, o no van a conseguirlos."
"Solo una cosa hace que un sueño sea imposible: el miedo a fracasar."
Finis Mundi by Laura Gallego
adventurous
fast-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? It's complicated
1.5
La verdad es que le he dado media estrella más por ser de Laura Gallego. Llegados a este punto, todos conocemos mi amor por la forma de escribir de Laura, así que es lo que hay.
Precisamente por eso, he decidido leerme también sus libros más antiguos o menos conocidos. He de decir que se nota mucho que Finis Mundi fue uno de sus primeros libros. La idea es buena, pero la ejecución deja mucho que desear (lo sé, ni yo misma puedo creer que esté diciendo esto acerca de un libro de Laura Gallego). Durante la mayor parte del libro al lector se le cuenta lo que pasa y lo que los personajes piensan en lugar de mostrárselo. La verdad es que ni siquiera me lo he llegado a leer del todo, sino que llegó un punto en el que me lo empecé a leer simplemente por encima. El final es lo único que me hace decir ajá, aquí sí puedo atisbar algo de la Laura a la que estoy acostumbrada.
Y pensar que tan solo un año o dos después se publicó el primer libro de Las Crónicas de la Torre, a los cuales culpo (junto con Memorias de Idhún) de mi eterno amor por los libros.
Precisamente por eso, he decidido leerme también sus libros más antiguos o menos conocidos. He de decir que se nota mucho que Finis Mundi fue uno de sus primeros libros. La idea es buena, pero la ejecución deja mucho que desear (lo sé, ni yo misma puedo creer que esté diciendo esto acerca de un libro de Laura Gallego). Durante la mayor parte del libro al lector se le cuenta lo que pasa y lo que los personajes piensan en lugar de mostrárselo. La verdad es que ni siquiera me lo he llegado a leer del todo, sino que llegó un punto en el que me lo empecé a leer simplemente por encima. El final es lo único que me hace decir ajá, aquí sí puedo atisbar algo de la Laura a la que estoy acostumbrada.
Y pensar que tan solo un año o dos después se publicó el primer libro de Las Crónicas de la Torre, a los cuales culpo (junto con Memorias de Idhún) de mi eterno amor por los libros.
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by David Levithan, Rachel Cohn
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'm not sure what to rate this. It all happens over a night and the story is told more in internal monologues than in actual events and dialogues. It is entertaining but just meh overall.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
Cariño, cuánto te odio by Sally Thorne
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Reread #2 February 2021:
I was looking through it and ended up reading until 2.30 am. This book just does that to me. It sucks me in and I can't let go.
Reread #1 November 2019:
I'm still waiting for Joshua to show up in my life.
Original review January 2019:
OH. MY. GOD. THIS FREAKIN BOOK.
It's been a long time since a book kept me up until 3am because I had to finish it. It was 100% predictable, just like a rom-com, but it was also 100% unputdownable. I'm reading anything Sally Thorne writes from now on, that's how good it was.
And Josh. Oh God, Joshua Templeman. I need you in my life right this second.
I was looking through it and ended up reading until 2.30 am. This book just does that to me. It sucks me in and I can't let go.
Reread #1 November 2019:
I'm still waiting for Joshua to show up in my life.
Original review January 2019:
OH. MY. GOD. THIS FREAKIN BOOK.
It's been a long time since a book kept me up until 3am because I had to finish it. It was 100% predictable, just like a rom-com, but it was also 100% unputdownable. I'm reading anything Sally Thorne writes from now on, that's how good it was.
And Josh. Oh God, Joshua Templeman. I need you in my life right this second.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
What I didn't know was how it was going start. It started great. I loved getting to know Patroclus and Achilles since the very beginning, long before the Trojan war. I liked how Patroclus was a sweet baby cinnamon roll and how Achilles was honest, fierce and noble. It was all going smoothly until they arrived to Troy. Here goes my unpopular opinion: I liked the first half of the book way more than the second.
Once the Trojan war starts, Achilles becomes a stupid, self-absorbed, arrogant prick and I feel like the way the story is told changes. We're told a lot of it and I don't like the way certain things happened or how certain characters were depicted (*cough*Hector*cough*). Honestly, just watch the 2004 Troy movie for that part. You'll thank me later.
So yeah, I'm glad I finally read it. It was great for the first part but then it just came crumbling down for me. I didn't cry. Me, being the cry baby I am, didn't cry. That should be proof enough.
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I went into this with expectations. I was already familiar with the story (and I've watched the 2004 Troy movie more than once or twice - I mean, it features Brad Pitt as Achilles and Eric Bana as Hector, can you really blame me?) so I already knew how this was going to end.
"We will carve ourselves into stories for ages to come."
"It was as Odysseus had said: he had light enough to make heroes of them all."
What I didn't know was how it was going start. It started great. I loved getting to know Patroclus and Achilles since the very beginning, long before the Trojan war. I liked how Patroclus was a sweet baby cinnamon roll and how Achilles was honest, fierce and noble. It was all going smoothly until they arrived to Troy. Here goes my unpopular opinion: I liked the first half of the book way more than the second.
Once the Trojan war starts, Achilles becomes a stupid, self-absorbed, arrogant prick and I feel like the way the story is told changes. We're told a lot of it and I don't like the way certain things happened or how certain characters were depicted (*cough*Hector*cough*). Honestly, just watch the 2004 Troy movie for that part. You'll thank me later.
So yeah, I'm glad I finally read it. It was great for the first part but then it just came crumbling down for me. I didn't cry. Me, being the cry baby I am, didn't cry. That should be proof enough.
"We are all there, goddess and mortal and the boy who was both."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Rape, and Slavery
Minor: Death of parent