Scan barcode
home_in_books's reviews
182 reviews
Evocation by S.T. Gibson
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
5.0
I was totally taken by surprise by this book, since it wasn’t originally on my radar, but thankfully it was recommended to me by a friend to whom I asked for LGBTQIA+ books to read in June for pride month. I am so glad that I decided to dive into this one, because I have probably found one of my new favourite books of all times and, for sure, the best character whose pov I have read from so far in 2024. In fact, I totally fell in love with Moira’s personality, and I felt really represented by many of the traits and thoughts. In fact, even though I also enjoyed the plot a lot, what stuck with me the most about this book are its protagonists and their relationships with each other. What I appreciated particularly is the lack, or at least very little presence, of miscommunication, that is probably one of the few tropes that I really can’t stand.
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? No
5.0
I loved this book from beginning to end, I literally couldn’t put it down and, if I have had the chance, I probably would have finished it in one sitting. Even though I had high expectations around this book, due to the fact that the first series that I read from this author is probably in my top 5, it didn’t disappoint me in any way, since it made me fall in love with the characters, the plot, the writing style and, last but not least, the atmosphere. It soon became my favorite read of the year so far, and I didn’t hesitate one moment before giving it a full 5 stars. The plot develops quickly thanks to how fast-paced this first installment is but nothing ever feels rushed. I fell in love with every single one of the characters, I felt connected to them and I kept thinking about them even days after finishing the book. Jennifer Lynn Barnes made me enjoy even the love triangle trope, which I tend to dislike, and, even though it is quite obvious who she will end up with, I am not bothered by it.
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This book was so close to becoming a 5 stars romance for me, and as soon as I finished it I thought it had, but, looking back to it a couple of weeks later, I realized that it didn't stick with me as much as a 5 stars read should have. Nevertheless, I loved the characters in this novel as well as the general plot, with the fake-dating trope. The fact that the male love-interest is a celebrity also added to the fun of reading this story, because it gave me the chance to imagine him as one of my celebrity crushes and picture myself as Hannah. In addition, I was fond of the more serious topics that the author explored throughout the development of the plot, as grief, guilt, self-love and many others. Moreover, I felt myself represented by the main character, due in part to her being a workaholic but also to her feeling like she's not worth of being loved.
Saltblood by Francesca De Tores
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
I cannot describe this book in any other way than "surprising". In fact, my expectations around it were really high, because the extract read in the "Book of books Ne/oN" had intrigued me particularly and, above all, had made me fall in love with the protagonist. Nevertheless, what I didn’t realize and understand about this novel, is that it is presented as a realistic story, albeit fictionalized, of a woman whose life has been anything but simple and quiet, a woman who has faced great loss and pain, who fell in love but in a reality where in the first place there was always the sea and the ship. In short, I did not imagine that this story would feel so straightforward and direct as I discovered, and, although I greatly appreciate this stylistic choice that represented very realistically the hardness of the pirate life, it has also often made me feel uncomfortable. Therefore, I do not feel like giving 5 stars to "Saltblood", but this does not necessarily mean that it has disappointed me. Indeed, as I said at the beginning, it surprised me in many aspects and, although the plot per se can not be defined full of plot twists, it managed to male the revised biography of Mary Read compulsive readable, despite the rather slow and descriptive nature of the text.
A Condition Called Love, Volume 1 by Megumi Morino
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75
I haven't read many mangas in my life and therefore I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this one as much as I actually did, but the description sounded interesting and so I requested it. In the beginning I felt like I had made a mistake starting it, but as I kept reading, the scenes became less cringe and way more cute, and I also found myself blushing different times. The male love-interest is literally everything I could ever ask for as a boyfriends, and I also felt really represented by many of the female main character's thoughts and worries. In fact, I loved the discussion around feeling like you're not able to fall in love or differentiate platonic love from romantic one. The ending had me tearing up and I can't wait to get to the second volume.
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
adventurous
funny
fast-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
3.5
What I enjoyed the most about this book are the characters and relationships between them. In fact, I loved to follow older women, at their retiring age, instead of teenagers or new adults that have all their lives ahead of them. The protagonists’ age also brought to the surface many discussions around grief, love, aging, family, regret, life choices and many other topics that wouldn’t have been discussed if the characters had been younger.
Unfortunately, reading this book via audio probably wasn’t the best choice, because I wasn’t paying my full attention to what was happening in the book and therefore I didn’t grasp some plot twists nor connected much with the story. As an example, by the end of the book I still hadn’t learned the names of the protagonist nor could I tell which point of view were we reading from. For this reason, some twists didn’t hit for me as much as they could have and the overall plot was quite vague in my mind.
Nevertheless, I found the original idea quite intriguing and I am planning to do a reread of this novel in the future, but in physical format.
Unfortunately, reading this book via audio probably wasn’t the best choice, because I wasn’t paying my full attention to what was happening in the book and therefore I didn’t grasp some plot twists nor connected much with the story. As an example, by the end of the book I still hadn’t learned the names of the protagonist nor could I tell which point of view were we reading from. For this reason, some twists didn’t hit for me as much as they could have and the overall plot was quite vague in my mind.
Nevertheless, I found the original idea quite intriguing and I am planning to do a reread of this novel in the future, but in physical format.
Lies Like Wildfire by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez
fast-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? Yes
3.0
Overall, I enjoyed my experience with this book, but, even though I finished it only a couple weeks ago, I have already forgotten most of the plot. In fact, I think that this is a perfect summer read to binge in a single day, but not necessarily one that will stick with you for long.
In addition, I found some plot twist a little predictable and the general story very average.
What actually entertained me the most is probably the exploration of the toxic group of friends that we follow as main characters.
I would recommend this book when looking for a fast paced and no-brain mystery to get out of a reading slump, since the writing style flows really well and easily.