Scan barcode
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's reviews
533 reviews
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I am pleasantly surprised by this book. I know classics are a classic for a reason but I tend to struggle with the writing style in a lot of classics, and the ones where they are following a life of someone tend to feel like they focus on the mundane stuff or events that don't feel important to the story.
Now The Count of Monte Cristo does do this as well. If it were written now I can guarantee that it would be much shorter. Everything in this book is given in a meandering way. If you are someone that can't handle the book jumping POVs, timelines and stories that eventually help build a bigger picture and pay off towards the end of the book, this may not be the read for you. There were many times that I was listening to a chapter having zero clue how we ended up here or why we needed to know this until a few or several hours later.
In saying that I thought the story was really good and it does feel nice to have those 'Ah-ha!' moments when listening. Seeing all the people and events come together almost feels like a mystery that is being unfolded in front of you. You feel like you are involved with the story.
I think those you read and enjoyed Six of Crows would really enjoy this. I felt like the books where paced and gave information to the reader in very similar ways.
Now The Count of Monte Cristo does do this as well. If it were written now I can guarantee that it would be much shorter. Everything in this book is given in a meandering way. If you are someone that can't handle the book jumping POVs, timelines and stories that eventually help build a bigger picture and pay off towards the end of the book, this may not be the read for you. There were many times that I was listening to a chapter having zero clue how we ended up here or why we needed to know this until a few or several hours later.
In saying that I thought the story was really good and it does feel nice to have those 'Ah-ha!' moments when listening. Seeing all the people and events come together almost feels like a mystery that is being unfolded in front of you. You feel like you are involved with the story.
I think those you read and enjoyed Six of Crows would really enjoy this. I felt like the books where paced and gave information to the reader in very similar ways.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse and Slavery
The Takedown by Lily Chu
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.75
I love Lily Chu's books. She writes compelling and driven characters that learn and grow by overcoming personal challenges through out the book. On top of the well written characters each of the couples feel real and different from one another. In this case Dee and Teddy had me giggling at how adorable and dorky the two were together.
They were so sweet and loving to each other, even when they make mistakes you can see how they love each other.
Lily Chu also has an amazing way of dealing with common mental and societal issues. For this book toxic positivity and both diversity and change in the workplace. I thought these issues were really well done and brought them to the reader's mind. It makes you think how you are involved with these issues and what you can do to help.
I cannot wait for her next book. Lily Chu is an auto buy author at this point.
They were so sweet and loving to each other, even when they make mistakes you can see how they love each other.
Lily Chu also has an amazing way of dealing with common mental and societal issues. For this book toxic positivity and both diversity and change in the workplace. I thought these issues were really well done and brought them to the reader's mind. It makes you think how you are involved with these issues and what you can do to help.
I cannot wait for her next book. Lily Chu is an auto buy author at this point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Misogyny and Cultural appropriation
Gild by Raven Kennedy
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I thought this was an interesting fantasy read. Often the main characters in these books tend to grow up in harsh situations that make them the main character and whilst Auren had a rough upbringing for the last 10 years of her life she has been shield away from reality in her golden cage. This makes her both out of touch from the world outside the castle and socially awkward, which was refreshing to see.
Watching the world through her eyes you get to see as she slowly starts to be reintroduced to the world and reality outside the castle.
Whilst there isn't any major character development I think the work has been laid for her to explore the world more and grow as a character in the others books. I cannot wait to see where she finds herself in the next book and what she will learn.
Watching the world through her eyes you get to see as she slowly starts to be reintroduced to the world and reality outside the castle.
Whilst there isn't any major character development I think the work has been laid for her to explore the world more and grow as a character in the others books. I cannot wait to see where she finds herself in the next book and what she will learn.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Violence, and War
Witch Undercover in Westerham by Dionne Lister
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
This book had so many things going for it. It was so close to being one of those reads that could be 5 star and make you want to devour the rest of the series. Without spoilers it touches on some interesting concepts and ideas but fall through with actually following up with them leaving me feeling that I wanted more of what I glimpsed at.
I would love for one of the characters to return and get some development and more depth but I highly doubt that would happen. I think it would have led to some really interesting dynamics among the group and something outside the organisation.
The only really issue I had with the book was a tell and not show. There is a character that is meant to be one of the best agents across multiple branches but in every instance they are in they're immature and unprofessional and NO ONE calls them out on it?? Like is this meant to be the best you have and no one else seems to think what they are doing is highly unprofessional and resembles someone who is just new to the work force and has never worked a day in their life. Oh gosh that just made me so annoyed, but it also made me look at them like they were new and not this amazing agent.
I would love for one of the characters to return and get some development and more depth but I highly doubt that would happen. I think it would have led to some really interesting dynamics among the group and something outside the organisation.
The only really issue I had with the book was a tell and not show. There is a character that is meant to be one of the best agents across multiple branches but in every instance they are in they're immature and unprofessional and NO ONE calls them out on it?? Like is this meant to be the best you have and no one else seems to think what they are doing is highly unprofessional and resembles someone who is just new to the work force and has never worked a day in their life. Oh gosh that just made me so annoyed, but it also made me look at them like they were new and not this amazing agent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Stalking, and Murder
Love, Furballs & Forever by Karen Drew
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
I thought this was a really cute and light hearted read. It had cats (what else could you want) and the plot wasn't trying to reach far and kept it ground but still had some urgency.
My only grip with the story was Tiffany being bought in at the end. I didn't mind how she was used in the book until then as it felt like she was bought in for little to no reason, especially as the conflict is resolved off page which makes it really feel unimportant. Other than this the book was really fun to read and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
My only grip with the story was Tiffany being bought in at the end. I didn't mind how she was used in the book until then as it felt like she was bought in for little to no reason, especially as the conflict is resolved off page which makes it really feel unimportant. Other than this the book was really fun to read and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I didn't mind this book but out of the series as a whole it is certainly my least favourite. It felt like a struggle with the character dynamics as there was just so much blaming and questionable treatment that is frustrating to read about. it had me constantly yelling to talk like adults, but then I need to remember that one half of the cast are barely adults and the other are so old that they are use to what they want. Honestly I just want a novella now of Amren and Varian. These two were cute and helped keep my sanity.
It will be interesting to see how much of this carries over to the next book. I know it is centred around Nesta and Cassin so at least some of my frustrations will carry across but it will be interesting to see how the others act between the two books.
It will be interesting to see how much of this carries over to the next book. I know it is centred around Nesta and Cassin so at least some of my frustrations will carry across but it will be interesting to see how the others act between the two books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Spy x Family, Vol. 10 by Tatsuya Endo
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
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
This volume hits hard with Loid's backstory being the first chapter. Seeing his childhood and the role that the war played on how he views life now is impactful and heartbreaking. The rest of the volume does slowly go back to the lighthearted and familiar dynamic of the forger family.
Yor makes her first friend in this volume and I cannot wait to see how this plays out in the other volumes to come. Anya is still being her cute and troublesome self which always brings a smile to my face. We even got a chapter centred around Sylvia which was new but never the less enjoyable.
Yor makes her first friend in this volume and I cannot wait to see how this plays out in the other volumes to come. Anya is still being her cute and troublesome self which always brings a smile to my face. We even got a chapter centred around Sylvia which was new but never the less enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and War
Spy x Family, Vol. 9 by Tatsuya Endo
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
The ending to the cruise ship arch was really well done. I was happy to see that by the end the Forger family did get to spend a day together.
There were a few more chapters around supporting characters which were both funny and a little bit concerning with Becky's crush. I thought the chapters around the school was the strongest and the last one has me excited for the next volume to see Damian and Anya again and how they will interact.
There were a few more chapters around supporting characters which were both funny and a little bit concerning with Becky's crush. I thought the chapters around the school was the strongest and the last one has me excited for the next volume to see Damian and Anya again and how they will interact.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder
I'm the Queen in This Life by Omin, Lefaljinf, Themis
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Bullying and Murder
Lured by the Dusk by Angela J. Ford
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book started out strong and kind of meandered in the middle. It felt like nothing was happening and I was more or less reading the same thing again that just happened a few chapters ago. The ending was more solid but did have me confused at moments.
I did also like Tanith and Oren as characters they felt complex and morally interesting with everything that was happening in the book. I will say compared to the first book I didn't feel as much chemistry between them and they could have used more development together. A lot of the book did have them separated so it was strange to me that they got together at all, but overall I did enjoy the book.
I did also like Tanith and Oren as characters they felt complex and morally interesting with everything that was happening in the book. I will say compared to the first book I didn't feel as much chemistry between them and they could have used more development together. A lot of the book did have them separated so it was strange to me that they got together at all, but overall I did enjoy the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, and Torture