Scan barcode
cassroberts89's reviews
436 reviews
Fairest: Levana's Story by Marissa Meyer
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Loved getting some of Levana’s backstory, but I don’t feel like the writing was quite as strong as the other novels. Perhaps because it started out intended as a promotional short story? Still, it adds a whole lot of understanding now as I go back to reading Winter.
Parents: Fairest has content that I feel is a bit more “mature” than the other novels as far as sexual references. All closed door, but definite references to manipulation, seduction, loss of virginity, etc. Just FYI.
Parents: Fairest has content that I feel is a bit more “mature” than the other novels as far as sexual references. All closed door, but definite references to manipulation, seduction, loss of virginity, etc. Just FYI.
Cress by Marissa Meyer
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.0
Loving this series!
A Galaxy of Sea Stars by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.75
Beautiful! I don’t get to read many books from a refugee’s point of view. This was such a heartwarming story. I loved seeing the character growth in all the girls. I can’t say I’m surprised at the one girl’s behavior, though; saw that coming from the beginning. Hate hurts everyone.
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
I can’t decide if I love this more than Cinder or not.
The point is that I love it 😍
The point is that I love it 😍
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Murder
Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.5
Delightful! This book was absolutely adorable.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.25
Not bad!! I haven’t enjoyed a thriller this much in a long, long time
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
adventurous
emotional
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
4.25
So much fun! The world building is phenomenal. The only thing that I didn’t love was the rushed ballroom scene at the end. All the way from the encounter between Levana and Cinder to the end of the book felt rushed, really. Still, I can’t wait to pick up the next book.
The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for theme and initial world building
⭐️⭐️ for pretty much everything else
This was not my favorite. I get what the author was trying to do, it just wasn’t done very well. We are asked to swallow some pretty big “truths” in order to make the plot work. I think this whole premise would have worked better as a novel geared toward an older crowd/higher reading level. It needed far more character development (and growth) and setup in order to be believable enough to enjoy. I had to really make myself but so much. A perfect example is the very beginning when Petra just happens to be the only person who doesn’t quite fall asleep all the way. Why? There really isn’t a good explanation. The science behind pretty much everything is also extremely weak, but it is middle grade.
This was a book club pick for the tween book club I run at the public library. We have yet to discuss so I’m curious to see how the target age received it, but it’s not one I’ll be coming back to myself.
⭐️⭐️ for pretty much everything else
This was not my favorite. I get what the author was trying to do, it just wasn’t done very well. We are asked to swallow some pretty big “truths” in order to make the plot work. I think this whole premise would have worked better as a novel geared toward an older crowd/higher reading level. It needed far more character development (and growth) and setup in order to be believable enough to enjoy. I had to really make myself but so much. A perfect example is the very beginning when Petra just happens to be the only person who doesn’t quite fall asleep all the way. Why? There really isn’t a good explanation. The science behind pretty much everything is also extremely weak, but it is middle grade.
This was a book club pick for the tween book club I run at the public library. We have yet to discuss so I’m curious to see how the target age received it, but it’s not one I’ll be coming back to myself.
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It’s been a while since I read Reckless Girls, but I remember enjoying that book much more than I did this one. It’s a page-turner, but not really a twisty thriller. And the romance/not-romance didn’t really do much for me. Still, it was a fun quick read. I couldn’t put it down mainly because I wanted to watch this dumpster fire play out till the end.
And I still haven’t read anything by the Brontës. Guess I need to get on that.
And I still haven’t read anything by the Brontës. Guess I need to get on that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Confinement
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Toxic friendship
The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-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? No
3.75
So interesting! This is not at all the Baba Yaga I expected. I’m not gonna lie, I was a little disappointed in her relative ordinariness. I was expecting a character with a little more fire to her. Still, I was fascinated in the story. I think I get what Gilmore was aiming for, but this could have been wonderful with a healer demigod MC that DIDN’T share a name with such a baddie. It was hard to reconcile this character with that of Slavic folklore.