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booksteastories's reviews
579 reviews
This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
3.5
Well written and incredibly interesting!
I loved the magical system in this book! It was incredibly well developed and I deeply enjoyed not only the characters relationships to it but also just the way it was all portrayed. I enjoyed the clarity with which it was all conveyed and the various functionings of it.
Both Clem and Cris were really interesting and distinct characters to read -- they are the protagonists of the story, although we do get a few other POVs thrown in, which I also appreciated as it gave the book a lively pace and a lot more moral greyness, which I do not think we get to see particularly often. The twins are both deeply complex characters and I really, really want to see who they become in the aftermath of this book.
I enjoyed the various relationships within the book! Family is obviously very key and I loved the way everyone was deeply fleshed out, It was a pleasure to see basically competent adults in a YA fantasy novel. The twins love interests and the way it all played out was very captivating -- Clem's story seemed a tiny bit insta-lovey but I am nonetheless invested in what happens next. Cris's story is deeply empowering and, without spoilers, you are in for a rather heavy discussion with her.
The plot was wonderful -- whenever I felt my interest dwindling a tiny bit, a new twist would occur and they were always so drastic that I would immediately get sucked back into the book.
The only thing is that I am no longer quite the target audience for the character journeys that our protagonists go on, so at times their sentiments were a bit difficult to fully feel for me but I am very, very invested and I do recommend it immensely for anyone who is interested,
I loved the magical system in this book! It was incredibly well developed and I deeply enjoyed not only the characters relationships to it but also just the way it was all portrayed. I enjoyed the clarity with which it was all conveyed and the various functionings of it.
Both Clem and Cris were really interesting and distinct characters to read -- they are the protagonists of the story, although we do get a few other POVs thrown in, which I also appreciated as it gave the book a lively pace and a lot more moral greyness, which I do not think we get to see particularly often. The twins are both deeply complex characters and I really, really want to see who they become in the aftermath of this book.
I enjoyed the various relationships within the book! Family is obviously very key and I loved the way everyone was deeply fleshed out, It was a pleasure to see basically competent adults in a YA fantasy novel. The twins love interests and the way it all played out was very captivating -- Clem's story seemed a tiny bit insta-lovey but I am nonetheless invested in what happens next. Cris's story is deeply empowering and, without spoilers, you are in for a rather heavy discussion with her.
The plot was wonderful -- whenever I felt my interest dwindling a tiny bit, a new twist would occur and they were always so drastic that I would immediately get sucked back into the book.
The only thing is that I am no longer quite the target audience for the character journeys that our protagonists go on, so at times their sentiments were a bit difficult to fully feel for me but I am very, very invested and I do recommend it immensely for anyone who is interested,
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Beautiful descriptive writing! I really enjoyed the visceral horror elements of this book -- the descriptions are just impeccable and there was a very defined sense of atmosphere that I appreciated. Andrew's anxiety and panic attacks were represented quite well and there was a lot of creative imagery.
Here's the thing: I have a very particular pet peeve regarding a certain type of mental health representation that I really do not care for still being around. The blurring of fiction and reality is often very creative but there is a certain extent at which it stops being inventive and just starts bordering on harmful mental health representation. Unfortunately, that is what happened here and what happens in many magical realism books that attempt to involve mental health. To be honest, that is what knocked the book from a 4 to a 2.5 for me.
I think the characters could have been fleshed out better -- I felt like we were often told why we should like a character or care for them but not often given an opportunity to create our own opinions on the matter. It would have been nice to see more involvement of the side characters that were given such a grave importance within the book.
Unfortunately, I did not care much for the romance. Again, since description takes up such an impressive majority of the book, it was hard to really care fully about it and it felt as if we didn't see them interact enough, in a way.
Overall, not for me! But definitely not a horrible book.
Here's the thing: I have a very particular pet peeve regarding a certain type of mental health representation that I really do not care for still being around. The blurring of fiction and reality is often very creative but there is a certain extent at which it stops being inventive and just starts bordering on harmful mental health representation. Unfortunately, that is what happened here and what happens in many magical realism books that attempt to involve mental health. To be honest, that is what knocked the book from a 4 to a 2.5 for me.
I think the characters could have been fleshed out better -- I felt like we were often told why we should like a character or care for them but not often given an opportunity to create our own opinions on the matter. It would have been nice to see more involvement of the side characters that were given such a grave importance within the book.
Unfortunately, I did not care much for the romance. Again, since description takes up such an impressive majority of the book, it was hard to really care fully about it and it felt as if we didn't see them interact enough, in a way.
Overall, not for me! But definitely not a horrible book.
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke And Other Misfortunes by Eric LaRocca
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
Now, we all know that Casey McQuiston is one of my most beloved authors. When I received my advanced copy, I almost shed tears of pure joy, because I have been awaiting this book impatiently and I am lucky enough to have had early access to it. I have loved everything they have written, so it really shouldn't come as a surprise that I adored this book too.
First of all, brilliant descriptions! This book is stunning, not only landscape-wise but regarding taste and smell too -- absolutely exquisite depictions of desserts, wine profiles and food in general. I felt completely transported when I was reading, there is a perfect balance of emotion and description to take you right along with Theo and Kit on their tour of Europe.
Speaking of, I love them both with all my heart. They are complex and multi-layered and imperfect and unique in their own ways but they still complement each other perfectly. It was an absolute treat to read from both of their POVs, especially as McQuiston does not usually do that in their books. It fits well here, though.
Did I cry? Yes, of course, it is a prerequisite that I cry when I read any of their books for the first time. There's just always so much emotion in their books and written in such a way that it easily resonates within me. And, as usual, incredibly satisfying character development.
After Red, White and Royal Blue and One Last Stop, I should not have been surprised by how well written certain scenes are but. I'm just saying, they're great.
Overall, another masterpiece from my favourite author!
First of all, brilliant descriptions! This book is stunning, not only landscape-wise but regarding taste and smell too -- absolutely exquisite depictions of desserts, wine profiles and food in general. I felt completely transported when I was reading, there is a perfect balance of emotion and description to take you right along with Theo and Kit on their tour of Europe.
Speaking of, I love them both with all my heart. They are complex and multi-layered and imperfect and unique in their own ways but they still complement each other perfectly. It was an absolute treat to read from both of their POVs, especially as McQuiston does not usually do that in their books. It fits well here, though.
Did I cry? Yes, of course, it is a prerequisite that I cry when I read any of their books for the first time. There's just always so much emotion in their books and written in such a way that it easily resonates within me. And, as usual, incredibly satisfying character development.
After Red, White and Royal Blue and One Last Stop, I should not have been surprised by how well written certain scenes are but. I'm just saying, they're great.
Overall, another masterpiece from my favourite author!
The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing World by Margaret Cavendish
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Extras All For The Game by Nora Sakavic
dark
emotional
slow-paced
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What We Did While You Were Gone by Rory Power
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5