Scan barcode
serinas's reviews
327 reviews
How We Began by L.M. Juniper
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
4.0
I just read How We End and craved more of this universe, so I jumped straight into How We Began. This is a novella with different MCs. It's 75 pages and a prequel to How We End.
We meet Marianne - a patient who has survived being bitten by one of the Infected. Marianne's lack of symptoms suggests that she is immune, which leads to the hope of a vaccine or cure. But soon the lab is breached, and she needs to run away. What will she do to survive, and is she truly immune?
It was a solid read, and a great introduction to the How We Survive series. Some parts felt rushed and could've been written more in depth, and Marianne figured stuff out pretty quick - considering her memory was wiped.
Other than that, I truly have no complaints. The MCs are loveable, the plot thickens, and the world is still ending. I truly hope we get more books soon, as I'd love to see where the story goes. I'd recommend to read How We End first, as this one might spoil what happens there.
I will definitely continue this series when more books are published.
We meet Marianne - a patient who has survived being bitten by one of the Infected. Marianne's lack of symptoms suggests that she is immune, which leads to the hope of a vaccine or cure. But soon the lab is breached, and she needs to run away. What will she do to survive, and is she truly immune?
It was a solid read, and a great introduction to the How We Survive series. Some parts felt rushed and could've been written more in depth, and Marianne figured stuff out pretty quick - considering her memory was wiped.
Other than that, I truly have no complaints. The MCs are loveable, the plot thickens, and the world is still ending. I truly hope we get more books soon, as I'd love to see where the story goes. I'd recommend to read How We End first, as this one might spoil what happens there.
I will definitely continue this series when more books are published.
How We End by L.M. Juniper
adventurous
dark
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
I came across this book on TikTok, and I didn't give it much thought at the time I saw it. But recently I've been wanting to read more found family-tropes, as well as more LGBTQA+ literature, and How We End crossed my mind. We meet BIPOC and queer main characters here, which is right up my alley!
We are quickly introduced to two POVs: Jack and Liv. Jack is on the tub on his way to meet Megan, his fiancée. Liv is fresh out of prison, and at a bar for the first time in a while. Suddenly the tub stops for several hours before Jack gets to meet Megan, the lights go out, and random people come knocking on Liv's car while she's sleeping off the hangover. Before they can do anything, the apocalypse is coming, and the strangers Jack and Liv need to make alliances. Infected are roaming the streets, and they have to do everything in their power to survive.
It's an easy read, and I know London well enough to 'see' where the characters are, and there was a map in the book if you aren't familiar with London. This made it easy to get into, and I really needed that during my reading slump!
The chapters are short, but not disruptive to the plot and story. It's mainly plot-driven, but the characters are also important. The characters makes the found family trope after all, so they are of great importance too.
I have tried to read books about zombie apocalypses before, and I didn't really enjoy them. That was also the reason why I dismissed the book the first time I saw it. But the found family trope really made this work for me, and I loved the characters so much. Jack and Liv, and the other sidekicks, were so loveable. You'll definitely come across several characters that you'll love, just like I did. The plot isn't that complicated or intricate, but I really needed something easy while I was in a reading slump.
I will definitely continue this series!
We are quickly introduced to two POVs: Jack and Liv. Jack is on the tub on his way to meet Megan, his fiancée. Liv is fresh out of prison, and at a bar for the first time in a while. Suddenly the tub stops for several hours before Jack gets to meet Megan, the lights go out, and random people come knocking on Liv's car while she's sleeping off the hangover. Before they can do anything, the apocalypse is coming, and the strangers Jack and Liv need to make alliances. Infected are roaming the streets, and they have to do everything in their power to survive.
It's an easy read, and I know London well enough to 'see' where the characters are, and there was a map in the book if you aren't familiar with London. This made it easy to get into, and I really needed that during my reading slump!
The chapters are short, but not disruptive to the plot and story. It's mainly plot-driven, but the characters are also important. The characters makes the found family trope after all, so they are of great importance too.
I have tried to read books about zombie apocalypses before, and I didn't really enjoy them. That was also the reason why I dismissed the book the first time I saw it. But the found family trope really made this work for me, and I loved the characters so much. Jack and Liv, and the other sidekicks, were so loveable. You'll definitely come across several characters that you'll love, just like I did. The plot isn't that complicated or intricate, but I really needed something easy while I was in a reading slump.
I will definitely continue this series!
Woman at Point Zero by Nawal El Saadawi
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Woman at Point Zero is about Firdaus, a woman who has been sentenced to death after she killed a man. Firdaus speaks about her childhood in poverty, SA, being a sex worker and hating men. This is a true story, that Nawal El Saadawi is retelling, from Firdaus' perspective.
It's a short book, about 150 pages, but a powerful read about womanhood. Many women can probably relate to Firdaus and understand her hatred, and it was a story that greatly impacted me. This is a story about the character Firdaus and her life, and not a plot-driven story, so be aware of that.
I struggled at times with the writing style - there are many details that are described in depth, and sometimes it was too much. There were terms that I've never heard of, as I'm not muslim or Egyptian, but this was not an issue. A quick Google search helped, and it didn't make me enjoy the book any less.
It was a good pacing that I enjoyed, that was a great mix of not too slow, but not too fast.
It's a short book, about 150 pages, but a powerful read about womanhood. Many women can probably relate to Firdaus and understand her hatred, and it was a story that greatly impacted me. This is a story about the character Firdaus and her life, and not a plot-driven story, so be aware of that.
I struggled at times with the writing style - there are many details that are described in depth, and sometimes it was too much. There were terms that I've never heard of, as I'm not muslim or Egyptian, but this was not an issue. A quick Google search helped, and it didn't make me enjoy the book any less.
It was a good pacing that I enjoyed, that was a great mix of not too slow, but not too fast.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
She Who Knows by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
mysterious
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
5.0
I got this as an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
She Who Knows is about Najeeba and her life before she gives birth to Onyesonwu from Who Fears Death.
Salt is the resource that makes the village Adoro 5 thrive, and every year families in town go to the salt lake to collect salt and sell it. Okeke people and Nuru people can't go to the lakes, and are dependent on the Osu'nu to collect the salt. Najeeba is 13 and going on the salt roads for the first time with her dad and brothers - but this trip changes her. It's the start of her new life, but the second trip when she is 14 is even stranger. Once she turns 16, everything has changed.
My only complaint is that it should've been a longer book - I want more of Najeebas story!
I love Nnedi Okorafors storytelling and writing style, and She Who Knows is pretty similiar to her earlier books in that way. The plot isn't complicated or intricate, but interesting enough to make you want more.
I feel like this book has a focus on Najeeba as a character and how she evolves, not necessarily a plot in the traditional sense where you fight evil or have a goal. This will definitely make She Who Knows a book that is not to everyones liking, but I enjoyed it so much!
She Who Knows is a prequel, but I feel like you don't have to read it before Who Fears Death unless you want to. You read it in the order you want to, which is great.
She Who Knows is about Najeeba and her life before she gives birth to Onyesonwu from Who Fears Death.
Salt is the resource that makes the village Adoro 5 thrive, and every year families in town go to the salt lake to collect salt and sell it. Okeke people and Nuru people can't go to the lakes, and are dependent on the Osu'nu to collect the salt. Najeeba is 13 and going on the salt roads for the first time with her dad and brothers - but this trip changes her. It's the start of her new life, but the second trip when she is 14 is even stranger. Once she turns 16, everything has changed.
My only complaint is that it should've been a longer book - I want more of Najeebas story!
I love Nnedi Okorafors storytelling and writing style, and She Who Knows is pretty similiar to her earlier books in that way. The plot isn't complicated or intricate, but interesting enough to make you want more.
I feel like this book has a focus on Najeeba as a character and how she evolves, not necessarily a plot in the traditional sense where you fight evil or have a goal. This will definitely make She Who Knows a book that is not to everyones liking, but I enjoyed it so much!
She Who Knows is a prequel, but I feel like you don't have to read it before Who Fears Death unless you want to. You read it in the order you want to, which is great.
In the Garden Behind the Moon: A Memoir of Loss, Myth, and Magic by Alexandra A. Chan
lighthearted
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I got this ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In the Garden Behind the Moon: A Memoir of Loss, Myth, and Magic is about Alexandra A. Chan, but mostly her family and loss. She lost both of her parents in a short amount of time. This is a dedication and storytelling of her parents' life, but also Chan's life after her loss. In the Garden Behind the Moon searches for meaning, and finding love and joy again in Chan's everyday life.
I rated it 4/5 stars. It's hard to rate a memoir, especially as I haven't read a lot of them, but I truly enjoyed this book. I'm looking past the fact that memoirs aren't for me, as I feel that it isn't fair to lower the rating because of the genre.
The start was slow, but after the second 'book' I found interest in what I read. The pictures and undertones of magic truly pulled this book together, and made it enjoyable and fairly easy to read.
I loved the way the story was told, from Chan's parents' met to the day they died. The journey after the loss was sad, but made me hopeful. One might find healing in the stories of loved ones, and looking at the past is not always a bad thing.
This wasn't particularly funny or entertaining to read, as it was sad, but it was a hopeful read. It was a great way to honor Chan's parents', and a lovely read.
In the Garden Behind the Moon: A Memoir of Loss, Myth, and Magic is about Alexandra A. Chan, but mostly her family and loss. She lost both of her parents in a short amount of time. This is a dedication and storytelling of her parents' life, but also Chan's life after her loss. In the Garden Behind the Moon searches for meaning, and finding love and joy again in Chan's everyday life.
I rated it 4/5 stars. It's hard to rate a memoir, especially as I haven't read a lot of them, but I truly enjoyed this book. I'm looking past the fact that memoirs aren't for me, as I feel that it isn't fair to lower the rating because of the genre.
The start was slow, but after the second 'book' I found interest in what I read. The pictures and undertones of magic truly pulled this book together, and made it enjoyable and fairly easy to read.
I loved the way the story was told, from Chan's parents' met to the day they died. The journey after the loss was sad, but made me hopeful. One might find healing in the stories of loved ones, and looking at the past is not always a bad thing.
This wasn't particularly funny or entertaining to read, as it was sad, but it was a hopeful read. It was a great way to honor Chan's parents', and a lovely read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Racism
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
adventurous
funny
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
4.5
I have never tried to read a cozy fantasy, and I've heard great things about Legends and Lattes. After many recommendations, I decided to finally give the genre, and the book, a try!
Legends and Lattes is about Viv, an orc who wants a new beginning. For decades she used violence and strength to live life and work, but now she is done - and her new life starts with a coffee shop. She meets many new people, but also new challenges to overcome.
This was honestly amazing. It was easy to read and get into, and I loved the characters so much.
There's a minor plot, but the focus is on the coffee shop and the friends Viv make. The characters are well-written, and have depth. The focus is the MC, Viv, but we still learn a lot about her friends. I feel like we could've seen more and learnt more about Cal or the others. This was still cozy and I loved them so much, but there was potential for more story here. The actual plot was also predictable, but I didn't mind, as this was low-stakes, cozy fantasy.
This is cozy fantasy, so there is little to no action. Still, I loved the story and coffee shop. It's a short book as well, which I needed at the time I read it.
Legends and Lattes was a great introduction to cozy fantasy, and I think I might read more books of this genre.
Legends and Lattes is about Viv, an orc who wants a new beginning. For decades she used violence and strength to live life and work, but now she is done - and her new life starts with a coffee shop. She meets many new people, but also new challenges to overcome.
This was honestly amazing. It was easy to read and get into, and I loved the characters so much.
There's a minor plot, but the focus is on the coffee shop and the friends Viv make. The characters are well-written, and have depth. The focus is the MC, Viv, but we still learn a lot about her friends. I feel like we could've seen more and learnt more about Cal or the others. This was still cozy and I loved them so much, but there was potential for more story here. The actual plot was also predictable, but I didn't mind, as this was low-stakes, cozy fantasy.
This is cozy fantasy, so there is little to no action. Still, I loved the story and coffee shop. It's a short book as well, which I needed at the time I read it.
Legends and Lattes was a great introduction to cozy fantasy, and I think I might read more books of this genre.
Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie
emotional
reflective
medium-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
3.75
The writing style wasn't something for my liking, but that is fine. I still managed to read it - but the way the stories were told wasn't to my taste.
The start was slow in my opinion, but it picked up the pace around page 90. Up until this point I was sure I'd rate the book a 2.5-3 stars. I just didn't like to read about Akorfa and her side of the story, but my interest peaked when I reached Part 2 about Selasi.
Selasi was much more likeable, and some of my suspicions from Akorfas POV was justified. I won't spoil it, but Akorfa made me rage. Selasis POV made this book better, and made me give Nightbloom a better rating. The ending is not very believable, but I still liked it.
The start was slow in my opinion, but it picked up the pace around page 90. Up until this point I was sure I'd rate the book a 2.5-3 stars. I just didn't like to read about Akorfa and her side of the story, but my interest peaked when I reached Part 2 about Selasi.
Selasi was much more likeable, and some of my suspicions from Akorfas POV was justified. I won't spoil it, but Akorfa made me rage. Selasis POV made this book better, and made me give Nightbloom a better rating. The ending is not very believable, but I still liked it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
Black Looks: Race and Representation by bell hooks
informative
4.5
Black Looks is a work of essays written by bell hooks. They all discuss different topics - sex, violence, representation, stereotypes etc. The different topics all relate to Black people and how they are affected. Some of the topics discussed are: Black representation in media, Black mens masculinity and harmful stereotypes, and Black women as 'exotic' sex objects to white men. There are many more essays, in total 12, that can be read.
I rated it 4.5. There were many great essays to work with here, and Chapter 1: Loving Blackness as Political Resistance made for a strong start. Chapter 12 wasn't as good as the previous and chapters, but still good overall. I don't know if I've read too much into it ... but it feels like hooks is appropriating Native Americans by almost 'deleting' their own struggle, and only comparing it to the Black struggle. It feels biased, and is contradictory to what she writes in earlier chapters.
Another reviewer on Goodreads said something similar, and I'll have to agree with her ( https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2942721878?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=2 )
I learned a lot - even though this book is 30 years old now, it's still relevant.
I rated it 4.5. There were many great essays to work with here, and Chapter 1: Loving Blackness as Political Resistance made for a strong start. Chapter 12 wasn't as good as the previous and chapters, but still good overall. I don't know if I've read too much into it ... but it feels like hooks is appropriating Native Americans by almost 'deleting' their own struggle, and only comparing it to the Black struggle. It feels biased, and is contradictory to what she writes in earlier chapters.
Another reviewer on Goodreads said something similar, and I'll have to agree with her ( https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2942721878?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=2 )
I learned a lot - even though this book is 30 years old now, it's still relevant.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Violence
Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It's easy to relate to John Grimes, especially as I grew up in church myself. I had many doubts, like John, with sexuality and spirituality.
It has a very unique way of telling the story, with different POVs that kind of come together at the end. You get the feeling that everything makes sense now, and you understand why the characters behave the way they do. The fact that everything in this book takes place in one day, is also insane. We get some throwbacks and such, but technically everything happens on that one Saturday in March.
This was an emotional read, so powerful and great. I understand why Baldwins work is praised and loved by many. I will definitely read more books by him.
It has a very unique way of telling the story, with different POVs that kind of come together at the end. You get the feeling that everything makes sense now, and you understand why the characters behave the way they do. The fact that everything in this book takes place in one day, is also insane. We get some throwbacks and such, but technically everything happens on that one Saturday in March.
This was an emotional read, so powerful and great. I understand why Baldwins work is praised and loved by many. I will definitely read more books by him.
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It had a strong start that got me hooked right off the bat. I could relate to Korede. It's hard - I love my sisters more than anything, as Korede does, but jealousy will poison the relationship. My sisters have never killed anyone though, but I would definitely do a lot for them.
Truly loved the love-hate relationship between Korede and Ayoola, and I think most people with siblings can relate to that. The family dynamic is very interesting, and leaves you wanting more. To me, the writing style was amazing and made me chuckle at times. I'm not certain about the ending, it left me with mixed feelings.
Still, a great book that left me somewhat satisfied!
Truly loved the love-hate relationship between Korede and Ayoola, and I think most people with siblings can relate to that. The family dynamic is very interesting, and leaves you wanting more. To me, the writing style was amazing and made me chuckle at times. I'm not certain about the ending, it left me with mixed feelings.
Still, a great book that left me somewhat satisfied!