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gxldenrune's reviews
628 reviews
Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu, Vol. 4 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
as always, incredible.
I liked how in this volume, we get to explore more about the gods and their so-called benevolence. they don't stop being human even after they ascend, they still trick, take revenge, fight, so proud they blind themselves for what it'll come.
they may be gods but they're capable of the worst of humanity too.
they story of wudu and quinxiang it's one I deeply enjoyed. wudu acted wrongfully, I wholly accept that, but it did broke my heat a little bit knowing he did everything as to save his brother who's future seemed condemned since birth. still, to read him not regret one thing and to choose to put an ending to himself.. that was harsh. not even in the end he was capable of some humility, which I doubt it would've helped him but maybe.. it could've made a difference to thrones affected from their actions.
my heart cries from quinxiang, I just need to read him again and well.
the reason why I'm rating this 4 and not 5 it's because, the last arc? I wouldn't say I didn't care, but I was too hanged in the fact that the mount is calling for a new calamity, I needed to jump straight into that and in the moment I couldn't care less about a magical shirt.
still, lin wen was a nice touch, I've been wanting to read more of her, maybe not like this but I'll take it.
as always the comedy in this story is unmatched. one scene that will stay with me forever would be near the end,when the monks arrive at puki shrine and to blind the one with the magical eye, xie lian says to quan yizhen that he'll give him more meatballs and that actives yizhen's protection aura–im still laughing about it, it was one of the best things I've ever read.
can't believe I'm already at the middle of the story, I would've never expect to enjoy it as much as this but I'm glad about it!
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Even as gods, we cannot be spared in the end.”
as always, incredible.
I liked how in this volume, we get to explore more about the gods and their so-called benevolence. they don't stop being human even after they ascend, they still trick, take revenge, fight, so proud they blind themselves for what it'll come.
they may be gods but they're capable of the worst of humanity too.
they story of wudu and quinxiang it's one I deeply enjoyed. wudu acted wrongfully, I wholly accept that, but it did broke my heat a little bit knowing he did everything as to save his brother who's future seemed condemned since birth. still, to read him not regret one thing and to choose to put an ending to himself.. that was harsh. not even in the end he was capable of some humility, which I doubt it would've helped him but maybe.. it could've made a difference to thrones affected from their actions.
my heart cries from quinxiang, I just need to read him again and well.
the reason why I'm rating this 4 and not 5 it's because, the last arc? I wouldn't say I didn't care, but I was too hanged in the fact that the mount is calling for a new calamity, I needed to jump straight into that and in the moment I couldn't care less about a magical shirt.
still, lin wen was a nice touch, I've been wanting to read more of her, maybe not like this but I'll take it.
as always the comedy in this story is unmatched. one scene that will stay with me forever would be near the end,
can't believe I'm already at the middle of the story, I would've never expect to enjoy it as much as this but I'm glad about it!
Funny Story by Emily Henry
emily henry is on a roll, she's just on her way to cause me emotional damage! and I lover her for it!
her stories are always a fresh break from whatever you're reading, they're romance but not romance focused, at least not this book.
loved how daphne and miles built their friendship first before anything else and how daphne choose herself first, that was the lesson she needed, they needed to heal and deal with their own things first, a relationship was not what they needed but I loved how they supported each other through out everything. I'm a sucker for a friends to lovers and here you can actually read them become friends from zero, that was something new!
I could see a little but if myself in daphne, moving over and over again though her childhood, her relationship with her dad.. I told Emily about my life and then she wrote this book lol.
also her writing is so immaculate??? it's so pretty I feel as if I can picture everything perfectly but also like I KNOW WHAT I SHOULD BE FEELING! her way to describe everything it's definitely something that bit a lot of authors can do, so she definitely makes herself notice among other romance authors.
emily henry it's just a feeling, you either love it or you don't.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I believe you should and will have everything you've ever wanted, if you're not too scared to go after it."
emily henry is on a roll, she's just on her way to cause me emotional damage! and I lover her for it!
her stories are always a fresh break from whatever you're reading, they're romance but not romance focused, at least not this book.
loved how daphne and miles built their friendship first before anything else and how daphne choose herself first, that was the lesson she needed, they needed to heal and deal with their own things first, a relationship was not what they needed but I loved how they supported each other through out everything. I'm a sucker for a friends to lovers and here you can actually read them become friends from zero, that was something new!
I could see a little but if myself in daphne, moving over and over again though her childhood, her relationship with her dad.. I told Emily about my life and then she wrote this book lol.
also her writing is so immaculate??? it's so pretty I feel as if I can picture everything perfectly but also like I KNOW WHAT I SHOULD BE FEELING! her way to describe everything it's definitely something that bit a lot of authors can do, so she definitely makes herself notice among other romance authors.
emily henry it's just a feeling, you either love it or you don't.
ASAP by Axie Oh
I was so close to dnf this book out of boredom–because that's the thing, I didn't hate it I just couldn't connect at all with anything.
I don't even know where to start.
maybe sori it's the one thing that made me not sleep through out the story. I loved how she decided to change her path without knowing what she would do in the future and how they told her it takes courage to do that. it hit close to home being that a couple of years before i was in the same position, not knowing what I wanted to do but knowing that I didn't want x thing. it was a refreshing take tbh.
I'm not a fan of second chance, but I do love friends to lovers so nathaniel and sori were 50-50 lol
overall I felt the book was.. a little messy? I didn't felt a plot at all, just little things here and there, nothing quite there yet. it was like a big introduction, that's all.
i think maybe I'm not the expected public from this book, I'm not into kpop and I don't know a lot about it, but the book lacked explanations about how it works bc it's altogether such a different culture and way things work out. I don't know if maybe the book didn't wanted to make such an emphasis on that but it backfired because maybe with more context I would've enjoyed it more.
also everything solved so quickly at the end, that annoyed me. not that I wanted them to suffer more lol but idk I felt sori needed to face her fears, I expected a conversation with jenny about how much she truly missed her etc etc or sori being upfront with the whole world who she truly fears. she did had a development but the secondary characters did everything for her.
it's an easy story for when you just want a light reading.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
2.0
I love him so much that it makes me want to throw everything else away, if only to be with him, for one more day, for one more minute, for one more breath.
I was so close to dnf this book out of boredom–because that's the thing, I didn't hate it I just couldn't connect at all with anything.
I don't even know where to start.
maybe sori it's the one thing that made me not sleep through out the story. I loved how she decided to change her path without knowing what she would do in the future and how they told her it takes courage to do that. it hit close to home being that a couple of years before i was in the same position, not knowing what I wanted to do but knowing that I didn't want x thing. it was a refreshing take tbh.
I'm not a fan of second chance, but I do love friends to lovers so nathaniel and sori were 50-50 lol
overall I felt the book was.. a little messy? I didn't felt a plot at all, just little things here and there, nothing quite there yet. it was like a big introduction, that's all.
i think maybe I'm not the expected public from this book, I'm not into kpop and I don't know a lot about it, but the book lacked explanations about how it works bc it's altogether such a different culture and way things work out. I don't know if maybe the book didn't wanted to make such an emphasis on that but it backfired because maybe with more context I would've enjoyed it more.
also everything solved so quickly at the end, that annoyed me. not that I wanted them to suffer more lol but idk I felt sori needed to face her fears, I expected a conversation with jenny about how much she truly missed her etc etc or sori being upfront with the whole world who she truly fears. she did had a development but the secondary characters did everything for her.
it's an easy story for when you just want a light reading.
Magnetizado by Carlos Busqued
No es que me decepcionó pero creo que fui pensando que iba a leer otro tipo de historia. Me gustó el formato de entrevista, y se me heló la sangre al describir que está basado en hechos reales. Creo que fueron esas dos cosas las que "salvaron" el libro para mí.
La fuerte presencia de la religión también es un tema que me llega demasiado, habiendo crecido en un ambiente donde se imponen dichas creencias. También, leer como el sistema penal y la vida dentro de una cárcel fue interesante.
dark
tense
fast-paced
2.5
La única expectativa que tengo, la única deuda trascendental, es ser una persona. Yo fui una cucaracha. Y después un monstruo. Y después un preso. Me gustaría ser una persona.
No es que me decepcionó pero creo que fui pensando que iba a leer otro tipo de historia. Me gustó el formato de entrevista, y se me heló la sangre al describir que está basado en hechos reales. Creo que fueron esas dos cosas las que "salvaron" el libro para mí.
La fuerte presencia de la religión también es un tema que me llega demasiado, habiendo crecido en un ambiente donde se imponen dichas creencias. También, leer como el sistema penal y la vida dentro de una cárcel fue interesante.
God of Pain by Rina Kent
annika carries this whole book and you know what she didn't has to apologize, there, I said it. she didn't do anything wrong.
I actually enjoyed the book more than u expected, but craigh annoyed me from time to time so I just couldn't rate it higher.
I liked the siblings dynamic, specially Eli and Creigh's, it's nice to see cero drama siblings who support each other's crazy lol every cameo from other characters was also funny to read and a nice way to make the transition to the new generation easier, everybody's happy!
may I say that in also genuinely interested in the next book? cecily seems like the kind of character I would like, I guess we'll figure it out.
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.5
I love you to the point I see darkness without you and light only when I'm with you. You're my sanctuary and the one person who makes me whole."
annika carries this whole book and you know what she didn't has to apologize, there, I said it. she didn't do anything wrong.
I actually enjoyed the book more than u expected, but craigh annoyed me from time to time so I just couldn't rate it higher.
I liked the siblings dynamic, specially Eli and Creigh's, it's nice to see cero drama siblings who support each other's crazy lol every cameo from other characters was also funny to read and a nice way to make the transition to the new generation easier, everybody's happy!
may I say that in also genuinely interested in the next book? cecily seems like the kind of character I would like, I guess we'll figure it out.
I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann Liang
SPECTACULAR! I think to this date, this is ann liang's best work, it's definitely my favorite of her's.
as always, she doesn't miss. she's so good at making you feel so much sympathy for the main character and communicates her issues and emotions so well!
I think I say this in every book, but one of my favorite things is how she writes teenagers so realistically! you can feel how young they are and the burdens they carry, they're just kids, and I like how the book makes emphasis on that, it's never something like "oh they're mature !!" NO they're as mature as some their age would be and that's okay! they don't need to be so extravagant.
all her characters are in the lines of academic value and even tho I've never had that kind of thing lol I still feel inspired by them, and you can understand how important that is for them.
maybe my only dislike? is how abruptly the book ends. I would've liked one more chapter or an epilogue, to kind of wrap up everything, but the rest of the book was so good I couldn't rate it lower than five stars.
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
5.0
“For ten years I thought I was preparing to destroy you, when really I was preparing to love you.
All of which is to say I really hope this finds you.
And I hope you find me too.”
SPECTACULAR! I think to this date, this is ann liang's best work, it's definitely my favorite of her's.
as always, she doesn't miss. she's so good at making you feel so much sympathy for the main character and communicates her issues and emotions so well!
I think I say this in every book, but one of my favorite things is how she writes teenagers so realistically! you can feel how young they are and the burdens they carry, they're just kids, and I like how the book makes emphasis on that, it's never something like "oh they're mature !!" NO they're as mature as some their age would be and that's okay! they don't need to be so extravagant.
all her characters are in the lines of academic value and even tho I've never had that kind of thing lol I still feel inspired by them, and you can understand how important that is for them.
maybe my only dislike? is how abruptly the book ends. I would've liked one more chapter or an epilogue, to kind of wrap up everything, but the rest of the book was so good I couldn't rate it lower than five stars.
Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 3 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
I'm speechless, I don't have words to describe how much I suffered and enjoyed through this.
I loved how.. painful it was to read the first half, but also it did such a great job showing us the difference between heaven's and xie lian's heart and spirit. it was a painful lesson for him but a lesson at last.
so many plots are being interwoven and as always I'm a sucker for that kind of story, I truly can't wait to read the next one but also have to take a break because the emotional damage and how much this novel drained me is incomparable. I swear I need a couple of days in bed.
the dueling scene between the weapons in the kitchen? top 5 scenes of all times.
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
"You cannot save everyone."
"I won't know until I've tried. Even if the heavens say I must die, if that sword doesn't pierce my heart and nail me dead to the ground, then I am still alive, and I will struggle till my last breath!"
I'm speechless, I don't have words to describe how much I suffered and enjoyed through this.
I loved how.. painful it was to read the first half, but also it did such a great job showing us the difference between heaven's and xie lian's heart and spirit. it was a painful lesson for him but a lesson at last.
so many plots are being interwoven and as always I'm a sucker for that kind of story, I truly can't wait to read the next one but also have to take a break because the emotional damage and how much this novel drained me is incomparable. I swear I need a couple of days in bed.
the dueling scene between the weapons in the kitchen? top 5 scenes of all times.
House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A. Craig
I enjoyed this one even more than the previous one, but still.. I have some mixed feelings.
overall, I liked it. verity is such a good protagonist, you can't help liking her and just wanting for her happiness. she's kind and nice, but also fierce and she did everything as good as she was able.
the cast of characters were interesting, but something that I notice it's that overall the book lacked development. so many things were just brushed off and then brought them back when needed, I almost forgot a couple of details and it's like the author didn't know how to connect some events and just–idk didn't put that much detail as I expected.
the book is good, scary and creepy, my kind of story lol.
tbh the character that stood out to me the most was viktor. yes, that annoying little shit who was left to his own devices made me feel things. it talks a lot about the book being that viktor is introduced halfway into the book, the rest of it wasn't as deranged lol. I understood why it ended that why but.. maybe I saw another type of story being written lol like I could see some potential.
and the whole God's thing.. idk sometimes I forget how gods are real beings that walked among the mortals, that's another thing that maybe I don't understand why did you choose to write because there's not that much information either and sometimes it's just a weak excuse to have a plot like you could erase gods and not a lot would change.
anyway, I'm a little bit disappointed but I still liked the book and the story.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The gods feared...me.
I enjoyed this one even more than the previous one, but still.. I have some mixed feelings.
overall, I liked it. verity is such a good protagonist, you can't help liking her and just wanting for her happiness. she's kind and nice, but also fierce and she did everything as good as she was able.
the cast of characters were interesting, but something that I notice it's that overall the book lacked development. so many things were just brushed off and then brought them back when needed, I almost forgot a couple of details and it's like the author didn't know how to connect some events and just–idk didn't put that much detail as I expected.
the book is good, scary and creepy, my kind of story lol.
tbh the character that stood out to me the most was viktor. yes, that annoying little shit who was left to his own devices made me feel things. it talks a lot about the book being that viktor is introduced halfway into the book, the rest of it wasn't as deranged lol. I understood why it ended that why but.. maybe I saw another type of story being written lol like I could see some potential.
and the whole God's thing.. idk sometimes I forget how gods are real beings that walked among the mortals, that's another thing that maybe I don't understand why did you choose to write because there's not that much information either and sometimes it's just a weak excuse to have a plot like you could erase gods and not a lot would change.
anyway, I'm a little bit disappointed but I still liked the book and the story.
The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
it's a fun book, maybe I thought I would've enjoyed it more but still, it was nice.
some things spoke to me and overall I have more information about taoism than I did before.
if you're looking for a well-detailed book about taoism, this isn't one. it's a good introduction, basic concepts and such, but it's enjoyable and even fun with the characters from winnie pooh explaining some things and being used as examples. (I was a hard core fan of them when I was a kid so maybe I was a little biased lol)
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
“When you discard arrogance, complexity, and a few other things that get in the way, sooner or later you will discover that simple, childlike, and mysterious secret known to those of the Uncarved Block: Life is Fun.”
it's a fun book, maybe I thought I would've enjoyed it more but still, it was nice.
some things spoke to me and overall I have more information about taoism than I did before.
if you're looking for a well-detailed book about taoism, this isn't one. it's a good introduction, basic concepts and such, but it's enjoyable and even fun with the characters from winnie pooh explaining some things and being used as examples. (I was a hard core fan of them when I was a kid so maybe I was a little biased lol)
God of Malice by Rina Kent
well, this is a surprise. truly didn't thought I would manage to enjoy–or better yet, not strongly hate this book.
as always, rina has her style and maybe in this saga she found an equilibrium between developing her main characters and solving everything in one chapter.
not only solving everything–"curing" years long trauma in one conversation, boy I wished.
anyway, I obviously didn't read this book expecting a tesis about mental health or anything and that's not even an insult, at this point this is on you (me) if I decide to keep reading.
to be honest, and surprised, I actually liked glyndon and could relate to some of her problems. I was rooting for her the entire book she could do no wrong in my eyes.
it's funny when you remember they're in college and they have this rivalries against fraternities but they also have mafia etc it's all just a giant mess and it was funny how ridiculous everything was like.
anyway I'm gonna keep reading the saga and finish the rinaverse I mean I'm this far so I might as well end it.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.0
I'll make sure you always choose me as much as I choose you.
well, this is a surprise. truly didn't thought I would manage to enjoy–or better yet, not strongly hate this book.
as always, rina has her style and maybe in this saga she found an equilibrium between developing her main characters and solving everything in one chapter.
not only solving everything–"curing" years long trauma in one conversation, boy I wished.
anyway, I obviously didn't read this book expecting a tesis about mental health or anything and that's not even an insult, at this point this is on you (me) if I decide to keep reading.
to be honest, and surprised, I actually liked glyndon and could relate to some of her problems. I was rooting for her the entire book she could do no wrong in my eyes.
it's funny when you remember they're in college and they have this rivalries against fraternities but they also have mafia etc it's all just a giant mess and it was funny how ridiculous everything was like.
anyway I'm gonna keep reading the saga and finish the rinaverse I mean I'm this far so I might as well end it.