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saoreads's reviews
140 reviews
The Long Walk by Stephen King, Richard Bachman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
The reason I couldn't finish the book "The Long Walk" by Stephen King is that I got bored halfway through. I found myself trying to convince myself numerous times to continue, but ultimately, I had to admit that it wasn't my cup of tea. The constant scenarios in the story seemed useless and didn't capture my attention. Additionally, I felt that the pacing of the narrative wasn't to my liking, making it challenging to maintain my interest in the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Talk Like Ted: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds by Carmine Gallo
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
It is an understatement to say how much this book has made a huge difference in my life in the sense that action was sought out after reading and understanding the things learned from here. It ignites something in you, and even in whatever shape or form of life you might find yourself in, it's our responsibility to hone our devices to an impassioned point and make our hearts sing both wild and calm.
The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It is so odd and strange; there were those warm moments, but it felt like something in you was depriving you with the way disappearances had occurred. It's as if they were living in a twisted social experiment setting. The things you could control were no longer there because the feeling was no longer there and the memory of how it worked was no longer there. It's distorting to think of a world like this one. Nevertheless, it was interesting to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Reading this was a delightful experience, akin to being intoxicated by poetry. The cascade of words was bathed in the warm sunlight of emotion. In reality, it didn't thrust you immediately into the realm of a powerful heroine, but instead, it showcased her gradual growth into one, and even more. The narrative unveiled the intricate dynamics of surrendering control to life and its offerings, capturing the fleeting fragments that one could grasp. The story intertwined grit, grief, and madness, often unveiling the poignancy of first experiences. The narrative's twists and turns were masterfully crafted, prompting contemplation within the romantic facets, both paths feeling valid. It not only left room for a potential sequel but also stood strongly as a complete tale in its own right. In the latter sections, I found myself drawn to the evocative emotions it evoked and the eventual embrace of closure. Sacrifices were made and the notion of sacrifice was far from concluding easily. Truly, I adored it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark
adventurous
challenging
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? Yes
3.5
Miscommunication tropes, enemies-to-lovers literal dramatics, and the rough tone of language, considering the age, were quite immature. There's this immediacy that was toxic to a relationship to start off, but it was easily consumed for the most part due to the short chapters. I'm not a big fan of the violence, and the storyline was a bit lackluster; the scenes were short, and if it was fast-paced, it was just that it was detailed on parts I don't like that much. Overall, there were areas that could have been improved and some side characters to be given spotlight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
This was no horror, but somewhat left with thrilling events that transpired from the various jobs the main character had encountered. As someone who's yet to face the working world, this was a good introduction to the kinds of perspectives we have when it comes to careers and professions. It was a question of what mattered. Of the fact that everything was hard, but it was a matter of dealing with it nonetheless because it held value to you and what you chose to hold value over. It's ironic how you ask for an easy job, and when it finally comes, you still find yourself seeking something more purposeful, as if difficulties were our best highs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Finally finished the trilogy! Hats off to its detailed and creative plot input. It is one of those books that is easy to consume and that you can be fond of. Though the sensual parts were on the extreme wavelength, the twists and thrills around the book leave you satisfied. So many mysteries were unraveled, and there was more room if Vittoria had a story to tell of her own—I'd gladly read it. Overall, it's a satisfying read, though it's too bad Gluttony and Sloth didn't have much of an appearance. I'd love to take up more of them too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
The Traitor's Kiss by Erin Beaty
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
It's the kind of read that's good enough as a standalone; I wonder why it had other parts unless it consisted of different main characters this time. I do love the short chapters, just like Chef Kisses, but at the same time it was really fast-paced and left no room for the world-building to be easily digested. It was hard reading through the various povs with no clarity as to whose voice was at the moment; it would have been better if from a third standpoint. I'm not a big fan of the characters, as it might be rooted in a less emotional build-up for reader attachment, but overall, it's easy to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
It's grounded in many facets I don't think I am most familiar with, but it's an insightful concept towards our grasp of the world and economy. The idea behind optimism and pessimism did blow my mind, but it was somewhat pre-existing just for us to understand and accept that it was. I love that it taught of saving for no reason as we lived in uncertainty; it was an easy statement but truly difficult to do, seeing the statistics that almost everyone failed to see the power it does. The aspect of frugality and comparison, the environment, and the principles were really deep-rooted and made you ponder what you truly held in regard: riches or financial independence?
I'm a Fan by Sheena Patel
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
There's a lot to unpack in here; the raw style of writing and toxicity are so oozing that it's oddly all-consuming to read. It's a different kind of self-destructive concept when the main character itself is hyper-aware of all these things. It left nowhere for finality, which is not satisfying; it just ended however it wanted at the pinnacle of making the worst decision as time and emotional well-being have been invested for so long to stop. It's a short-sighted way of ruining yourself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship