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ali1311's reviews
191 reviews
The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was really disappointing for me :( It felt like the other four books led up to something major and then it was...nothing. There was no resolution of the thematic and overarching conflicts (gods being useless and expecting so much, villains being treated unfairly for no good reason, bitterness of those that sided with Gaea, Gaea's motivations, the Greek/Roman divide). I did really enjoy Reyna and Nico's POVs, but I think if that's what Rick wanted to do here, then he needed a sixth book. It's a little messy to add two new POV characters in the final book and then dedicate half the book to them. Idk the whole thing just felt really unresolved and majorly low stakes despite the fact that the world was supposedly going to end. We needed a Last Olympian, where we get a whole book just for a battle. Instead, we get barely more than one chapter. I did love the Nico and Will content though. And the book was still funny (though not as funny as past ones unfortunately). Overall, this just felt like Rick had the end plotted out for four books and then changed his mind halfway through the fifth.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Ok, this one grew on me! Once I adjusted to the writing style--which I first thought was a bit oversimplified, but as I got into it, I was fine with it--I started to really enjoy this. Honestly, the plot of this was maybe the best part. And since the plot was reliant upon the main characters' emotional arcs, it made the whole thing feel even more rewarding. It was a really sweet and heart-wrenching story about love and creating family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent and Gaslighting
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book made me feel insane. I loved every second of it. I think the writing is perfection. I have not read a romance book that romanced so hard in awhile. There is no way to properly describe the love I have for this book. Most fun reading experience I've had in a minute. Had to literally take 5 minutes to reset after I put the book down to do something else bc it affected me so much. I get it, this book has some flaws--I literally don't care. Idk what's in Ms Hazelwood put in this lil novel, but it is gooooood!!!!!!!!!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Stalking, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Gay the Pray Away by Natalie Naudus
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
A really good (and haunting) look into Christian cults and all the abuse that goes on in these settings. I do think that it felt like our main character 'figured things out' a bit too quickly, but it definitely makes sense since it was written by someone who is on the other side of that journey. I think this is a really important book to have in the world, especially for people who are in these cult situations. And a really good deep dive into a family who is a part of one and all that it takes out of a child to be a part of something like that. It was less a romance and more a personal story of learning and perseverance. It was honestly stressful to read, which means the narrator's feelings were conveyed really well. Definitely a hard read if you've been through any form of religious trauma but very clearly important to read nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Vomit
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Unfortunately this was not hitting and it was on its way to putting me in a reading slump, so I had to press pause. Didn't get gay soon enough for me and I wasn't there for the magic so :/
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
This book was even better than I remembered it being when I was younger. The narration was so character-driven and so deep inside Ponyboy's own head that you really got a sense of the world and people in this story. Heartbreaking and beautiful. A great kid's book that doesn't shy away from the complexities children face and know about. It tackles those issues head on and never does anything but assume the reader is as smart, if not smarter, than Ponyboy himself. Stay gold :')
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century by Alice Wong
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
What a great way to learn more about disability. I really appreciated the collection and diversity of stories in this. The various topics that were discussed all while falling under the umbrella of disability brings to light just how widespread disability is and how important disability programs are. The stories were short enough that they went by quickly and there was something new to be gleaned in each one. The diversity of storytelling was also cool; from a eulogy to a TED talk to written essays, I think this did a great job of keeping the reader interested and making each essay unique.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, and Police brutality
The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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 such a sweet book. A bit lengthly in the middle, but other than that, I really appreciated a lot of the stylistic elements. Yami's voice was so clear and her narration really felt like we were in her head, unfiltered. I appreciated the complications throughout the book and the topics discussed. I think some of the secondary characters were a bit unnecessary, but no harm was done by having them around. Overall, this book was a really refreshing YA read if a bit long.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Suicide attempt
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved!!! This book was so action-packed and I loved getting to see Aelin build a support system around her. The book was intense and fun with a ragtag group who are now near and dear to my heart. The way everything comes together is always so rewarding and mind-blowing. It's impressive how many characters there are here and that I care so much about all of them. Also I would die for Rowan and Aelin. Get married NEOW!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Blood
Your Driver Is Waiting by Priya Guns
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
This book was goooood!! I loved the main character and the writing was so great. It did a great job of touching on issues and taking on a perspective without feeling preachy. The whole book felt brutally honest, and the vivid language used for descriptions is likely a big part of that. Despite the fact that the book was technically pretty mild in terms of plot, I found myself dying to read the next chapter each time. The way the author managed to create an air of mystery and a disconcerting feeling throughout the story was impressive and effective. I thought it was the perfect length and the ending made me stare at the wall for a few minutes after I finished it. It also felt particularly poignant for the present day but the vague nature of the city, protests, and issues at hand will allow it to feel that way until the end of time, I'd imagine. Overall, I had a great time reading this and thought the writing was excellent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Deportation