saoreads's reviews
140 reviews

Tradition by Brendan Kiely

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reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

For the most part, it's like a wild attempt to make it seem as if it makes any sense, but the plot is all over. The two characters do not even have that much chemistry in the friendship aspect, so it wouldn't have been necessary to make the book in two povs as there is a disconnect for the emotional factor for the readers to step in and empathize with the characters, but instead the focus in the first part of the book lacked striking elements for engagement. It's a good thing that relevant issues were tackled, but it was more the storytelling that did not deliver, which was a disappointing read. It was still deep-rooted, and justice was not enough to suffice to even make something that'll pull you to read it, but it taught something: tradition is a scary thing, especially when you've been hardwired that your detrimental inhumane actions are fine, and the enabling was a reality slap.
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The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

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adventurous challenging mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

Mystery after mystery—it wasn't a cliffhanger, but it makes you look forward to the next installation. I'm not a big fan of the love lines or simply the romance in the book overall, but it's an easy book to consume, especially with the mystical elements it follows about secrets and riddles.
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Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

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emotional inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

The whole book series is just the epitome of the "try not to cry challenge," and I am failing in all of it. An ultimate tearjerker, and I just started part 1. There's an underlying theme in the book; it's a simple concept we tend to take for granted: we never know when we will die, so take the chance and do it, whether you wish it on a thing, for someone, or for yourself.
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The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

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adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious reflective 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

5.0

I finally got through it, and it was most definitely in the latest parts where everything seemed to fit together, even though some mystifying areas still exist—a fact that made me love it. To be honest, I find that it wasn't my cup of tea in the first place, but by just continually reading it, especially that there are more than six characters involved, it is a challenge that you are rooting for; you might end up rooting for one or none, but it won't matter; it's a different kind of play in relationship dynamics that we don't find commonly. Often I have the obsessive urge to read the next installment just to find out what happened after, but this one was not the indulging type where it makes me go cray cray, but it gave both thrill and mystery that is enough to binge over for some weeks. 
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The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson

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adventurous challenging emotional funny informative reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

As if your comfortable fitted box was ripped and stretched way too far and a stranger suddenly appears to say, "Get out of there," this was the general feeling I got out of the book. First and foremost, it helped me get out of a draggy kind of reading slump. Secondly, it spoke of history, life experiences, and reflections in an interesting way, written like an antithesis that springs about paradoxes and with straightforward intention. Thirdly, I knew I had succinctly absorbed the book, but for the most part, the cliché phrase "Just do it" made some certain changes to a person (me). Lastly, I want to read it again with a much clearer mind. It's a great conversation starter with its bluntness and uncensored dealings. This book has been popular for a reason. 
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The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

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adventurous inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

4.5

The character's owner had the worst state of life, but he had a positive outlook, with the description being that of a third-person point of view that didn't seek attention nor approval; it was so humane and touching. It brought awareness as to the mindset animals have—the kind of little things humans find worrisome but to them it isn't. It makes you realize just how much overthinkers we tend to be. There were plenty of characters not only pointing to the cat's perception but also demonstrating the versatility of personalities of people Satoru met throughout his lifetime. 
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How to Read a Person Like a Book by Henry H. Calero, Gerard I. Nierenberg

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informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

It brought general insights into the most obvious to the subtle nonverbal cues every individual does. Knowing of these congruences of gender clusters does not mean you suddenly became a master of body language, as identifying is one thing, but taking the step of learning and actively being mindful of your own and other people's cues is another. At some point, the book becomes educational as it shows the scientific process undergone through physical contact, experience, and experiments. 
Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money - That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki

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adventurous challenging funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

This was driven by the kind of learner's mindset that gave insight into the environment we are living in, opened one's mind, and made you take action if you were willing to, not wanting to live in the rat race and offering plenty of realistic areas that often we fail to understand. It's neither gentle nor people-pleasing with words; it was direct to the point where the majority usually does not reside, and another angle some failed to realize for the sake of security and stability. It spoke of risk and trying. It spoke of desires and the game of life, if it ever had one. 
Untold Night and Day by Bae Suah

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challenging mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It's bizarre but poetic in a sense, so I kept reading anyway. Definitely strange, I didn't even know it ended. That was how it ended? It was a book that mentioned plenty of characters, but it seemed to focus only on two, as if they were the only people in the world. 
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Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

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challenging emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad 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

5.0

I definitely did not know where it was headed, but its dark humor and straightforwardness were truly a treat. In all scenes and dialogues, as if stationed to face a hypocritical world that wants to feed on society's standards while screaming free will and to live on one's own, this book had its unique way of telling you to go live life however you want it no matter what other people say. 
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