durrareadsstuff's reviews
154 reviews

I've been dnf-ing a lot of books lately haha. It's not at all that the book's bad. I'm just not in the mood for teenage hormonal stuff. I mean, I get it, they're teenagers, they party like a lot. But it kinda feels repititive. I feel like not a lot has gone on (what the heck is that sentence?) And it's like dragging. I'm also tired of skipping scenes of Anna and Tate and yup. Otherwise, it's pretty good. Would've enjoyed this in another time probably.

Okay, WOW this book 🤯 I really enjoyed it. At first I thought it was just meh 🤷‍♀️ but then I was hooked. I could not put it down. This book was creepy and mysterious. I thought this book was all about witches but it's not actually. It's sort of a mystery book too. 

And although the characters weren't that developed, I loved them anyway. I think the plot of the book was amazing! I felt the plot twist was brilliant. You know, the ones that make you go, "why didn't I think of that?" I guess because the author kept introducing potential culprits that are all unexpected, so you'd think they were it, but turns out, it's another person. 

The writing was okay, not that beautiful, but not that simple either. I liked the style. I also liked that it was set in an English high school cause I think this is my first time reading a book that had this setting. I felt like this book also shone a light on well, witchcraft, and the whole craziness and unfairness behind it all. And just how we humans struggle to comprehend weird stuff by making up even weirder stuff. If that makes sense? 

I also loved the friendship in the book. Lis, Jack, Kitty and Delilah were just such an awesome friend group. The author did some foreshadowing in the beginning that I think fully served its purpose. However, I do think the romance was a bit rushed, but that didn't really bother me. I mean, it isn't a romance book. But I do like Danny's character. He was sweet. 

Another thing mentioned in the book was bullying. And I think it highlighted how bullies are actually just humans who are lonely and need some real friends. Laura's story was actually quite sad. Maybe that's the whole theme of this book: friendship. What what can do with it, and how your life would be without it. 

Reading this reminded of my childhood. Ah, the good old days. I'm only 18 but whatever, I can be dramatic. 

Anyway, I loved the book. It was everything I expected when I picked it up. Rick Riordan's books always made me laugh out loud and this one was not an exception. I loved seeing Jason, Grover and Piper in this book. I think their characters were consistent. Once again we follow Apollo or Lester as he discovers what it means to be human, which makes us humans appreciate it more. Does that make sense? Both Meg and Apollo face their pasts and I loved getting to know more about them. Also, we get to see Piper trying to make sense of everything, and I honestly relate to that. 

I don't know what else to say. It's Rick Riordan, I think that summarises this book pretty well. 

I got to the third pov, Parker. I didn't like it. I mean, I get it, he's a teenage boy, but I couldn't help feeling grossed out by "curvaceous thighs" and "breasts". I just couldn't go on. The writing was beautiful at the beginning though. I think I'd like this book of not for Parker. 

Oh wow, this book. 🤯🤯🤯 Leigh Bardugo just keeps on writing masterpieces. I was so excited for this book since, you know, Nikolai, duh🤭. Honestly at the beginning I was a little bit disappointed, I thought he was better in Siege and Storm. But, actually, the characters were consistent. We get to see another side to Nikolai, a more vulnerable and deep side and I loved it! I also despised Zoya before, but she's had her reasons for being a stone-cold witch. And in this book she is forced to face her past and because of that she became all the more powerful. I loved her POV, and as always with Leigh's characters - it was downright tragic. 

All the POVs in the book were awesome, and so was the writing. Nina being a spy was just - that girl kicks ass dude!! I liked how Nina embraces her "new" powers and the grief written in this book was completely heartbreaking 💔. Reading about her transitioning between characters reminded me of Nikolai in Siege and Storm again. I loved Adrik and Leoni, and how they're the total opposite of each other. Once again, Ms Bardugo teaches you about trauma, in this case about the two very different ways people handle them. Having Hanne in the storyline added a new vantage point, from the Fjerdans who were stuck in their customs. I was skeptical about Isaak, but he did the job well, so he's good. Princess Ehri, OH MY GOD. (I can't say much more without spoiling anything, so I'll just leave it at that.) 😉 

Another thing I absolutely adored: When the characters mention "the couple who runs the orphanage" and the crows, I sort of get nostalgic (?) Especially when Nina said she wished Inej was there, I STAN THEIR FRIENDHIP!!! 😍 Towards the end, plot twists kept coming like one of those automatic gun machines🔫. There is no way anyone could have guessed them. Or maybe I'm just naive, whatever. Anyway, the characters were developed so, so well. Even though you're not a total bada** like they are, you'll find yourself relating to parts of their stories, which makes them attach to yourself like super glue 😎 So much themes were discussed: Fjerdan bigotry, sexism, feminism, abandonment, child marriage, grief, and of course, facing your demons. 

This book was everything I imagined and please please, Rule of Wolves, don't disappoint me. I can't wait to see more of Zoyalai and just everything else! 

I picked this up after I saw carley thornes's video about easy-to-read classics, and I agree. It's definitely one of the classics where I actually have some sort of idea of what's going on. Whether my understanding is right or wrong is a different matter. But anyway, I liked it. And it was a short book too. 

I don't really know how to analyse a classic—it seems wrong somehow haha. But I liked Nick Carraway, and the way he narrates the story. Most of the other characters—let's face it—were pretty much jerks. I guess the takeaway from this is that rich people get away with everything? 

I thought the writing was beautiful. There were some racist and sexist stuff mentioned, but the main character didn't seem to support or particularly fight it, so I'm not really sure what the book's stand is on the issues. It also captures the very sad nature of Mr Gatsby's life and his loneliness.

Overall, fun, quick, it's a good classic for someone like me, i.e. someone with a very short attention span and has a hard time understanding most things.

Woww, I have no complaints about this book. It's been a long time since I picked up a ya contemporary and I don't regret it at all. I'm telling you, you should read this. It's got Italy, gelato, pastries, pizza, a main character who loves food. The writing is easy and humorous I was laughing constantly. The love interest was cute and so was the romance. 

So many themes were covered in the book : grief, breakups, toxic relationships, finding your passion, to name a few. As someone who's struggled with grief before, I find the way it's described to be quite accurate. I loved every character, even Mimi. And Howard was just-- I'll just leave it at that. 

Point is, if you haven't read this, please do. I promise you won't regret it. 

This book was good, but it didn't live up to my expectations. I wasn't shocked or that much impacted, but I have to say, it was pretty creepy and overall, a quick and fun read.

I think this is my first time reading horror. I really enjoyed the creepy parts, and it's got a little bit of humour too. Although, I do think the romance seems a little rushed? and I didn't feel connected to any characters. Plot-wise, it was okay. There was nothing that shocking

except Tybalt's death (YOU WENT TOO FAR, OBEAHMAN!)

, I saw most of it coming, but still, it was good. 

Damn, this book wrecked me! I mean, it had me gasping and mad and also made me shed a tear or two, which I thought was impossible lol. I loved this one the most out of the whole trilogy, I think. Firstly, the way war itself was described by the author was incredible. There was no good or bad, no right or bad side, just a few sides with their own interests and being selfish even though the right thing would be to come together. I loved seeing how Todd and Viola grew so much and I loved Bradley's character. I wished I got to see some more of him and Simone, but oh well. Also, we got a third POV!

Welcome to the club, 1017! I was so happy for Wilf, Bradley and Lee when they sort of got promoted. Ben is also here! aka the only sensible person in this story.

One of my favourite things is how the author writes action scenes and how he develops suspense. It was so good!! And every time Todd tells himself to shut up, I honestly felt that lol. 

Moving on to why I think this was not a 5 star book. There are a few things that annoyed the heck out of me, for instance, Todd being so stupid and gullible and thinking that the Mayor was redeemable?!?

Dude, he killed his own son??

, the unnecessary love triangle (I mean, just give someone to Lee already), Mistress Coyle being herself

and going out with a bang haha

and Ivan.

who finally died.

But fine, at least Lee knows when to back off. Besides that, I get how Todd and Viola are supposed to be each other's weapons, but I just can't help but cringe every time they do that. What else? 
 

Oh, yes, just please explain to me why did everyone had to die?? I mean, even Acorn had to die! It's a miracle there are still people alive at the end of the book.

Also, don't get me wrong, I love how Patrick Ness writes action scenes, but you know, there comes a time when the suspense just gets in the way cause I just want to know if he made it out alive and I want to skip it but I don't want to miss out on any important details, so yeah. I rarely get this worked up over a book so I guess that's a good thing. I think the way the horrors of war was depicted in this book was quite accurate, although not exactly cause this is, after all, a children's book. Like how Todd just wanted to forget all about it, and how it just completely changed Angharrad.