nikolinaza's reviews
526 reviews

Not If I Save You First - Menyelamatkanmu Lebih Dulu by Ally Carter

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2.0

Sebagai orang yang suka banget sama Gallagher Girls Series, jujur agak kecewa sama buku ini.

Aku kira ini bakalan banyak misteri, teka-teki, dan aksi. Ternyata cuma ada banyak sekali repetisi. Aku tahu Maddie itu kuat dan unbreakable, tapi haruskah kalimatnya diulang setiap dua paragraf sekali?

Dan entah kenapa, terjemahannya terasa kaku banget waktu dibaca dan enggak masuk di otak, jadi banyak sekali bagian yang aku lewati karena terlanjur bosan duluan.

Sayang banget, padahal premisnya bagus....
Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco

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4.0

Actual rating: 3.95 ⭐ because we, ça veut dire this final installment of a series I truly like and I, have that one kind of a love-hate relationship.

After the fateful voyage of RMS Etruria in the previous tome, our two lovebirds Audrey Rose and Thomas, alongside Dr. Jonathan Wadsworth has arrived in New York to solve another murder case which has an uncanny resemblance to one that happened back in London five months ago. In other side, with their continuing courtship, Thomas was finally ready to meet Audrey Rose's father to ask for her hands in marriage. Soon after, they were set to married. But a lot of unexpected trouble came in their way and threatened to break their bond forever. At the same time, the mysterious killer has set his sight on Audrey Rose, and to get out of this horrifying endgame, one of them must be sent to Hell immediately.

After reading 'Escaping From Houdini' last year, I do hold a high hope for this book. I mean, this is the last. I won't get to see these lovely characters anymore outside of this series, and thus, I want 'Capturing the Devil' to left me a sweet, nice, unforgettable aftertaste--and fortunately, it successfully did.

Not because of the mysteries, though.

The premise was great and I've seen it since the first time I laid my eyes on 'Stalking Jack the Ripper'. I knew the case would continue, I knew he wouldn't get defeated easily, and I knew it would be a great obstacle for the trio Dr. Wadsworth - Audrey Rose - Thomas. The mystery was served nicely, however, after that, I couldn't shake the same feeling I got after reading the third book of the series (which I've mentioned earlier): I am not here for just this.

I am here for the mystery. I am here to find out who the real Jack the Ripper was, and what the hell was his motive. I do wish to see Audrey Rose and Thomas getting their miserable and happy times, but that doesn't mean I want it to dominate the half part of the book and sidelined the case and the killer for the sake of romance and family drama which has little to do with the investigation.

I do think it would be good if they had some contribution to make the case even more personal and dangerous for the trio (or our lovebirds), but until the end, the drama and the mystery acted like two parallel lines who went their own ways. I did enjoy the drama and the romance, but I thought it wasn't wise to waste time cocooned in them when there's a serial killer on the loose, butchered dozens of unlucky women.

Thankfully, its weakness was half made-up by the return of the old version of our heroine: the witty, brave, and badass Audrey Rose. She's a bit reckless as usual, for sure, but her strength and fierceness were not something to be played with. Partnered with sharp-minded Thomas with his Sherlockian deductions, the two made their way to the end nicely--I guess.

Nevertheless, I still love this book. It's not as what I expected it to be, but I do think this is a great ending for this series.

Now, now, I will miss all of the characters terribly.
Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

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5.0

The story has begun a bit too fast, but afterwards, the pace of the book is perfect. Neither too quick nor too slow. Combined with not too many deep backstories, not too many great problems, and playful writing style, it has created a light, fun, yet insightful read. The author has done a great job on representing Japanese people and culture.

The chemistry between the characters is super. Almost all the people here (except The Shining Twins) accepted Izumi as their new, long-lost princess. Even the Emperor and the Empress were so understanding of their granddaughter's mistakes and flaws, and so does The Crown Prince. He has always welcomed his daughter with open arms. As the main character, even if she's not as shiny as the other imperial family members, she truly has her own charm that makes people love and respect her (and her tendencies to break the rules). Whatever her people did to her in Kyotk was rotting-toothly sweet and cute and wholesome.

As for the love story, it was a bit of the too-fast-instalove type. But our main couple here was so cute, so I'll have no problem with that. But seriously, I need more moments between them (I mean, the exchanged poems? Man that's CUTE).

5 out of 5 stars, definitely waiting for the next book!
Burn Baby Burn by Christian Simamora

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4.0

Beda sama novel Bangse lainnya yang pernah aku baca, sejauh ini Burn Baby Burn yang paling kerasa realistis. Bittersweet, tapi lucu tiap kali lihat interaksi Gia yang malu-malu anjing sama Ky yang enggak peka. Waiting for more like this one!
Deadly Fear - Apa Ketakutan Terbesarmu? by Cynthia Eden

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2.0

2 stars for the mystery. I love how the suspense was built. It was thrilling, and yeah, my very only reason to stick to this book because I'm dying to find out about the ending and who the hell the psycho was.

The rest of them...

- 1 star for the unnecessary horny and unnecessary sex scenes. I know, I get it, I've been told so many times that it is one of the most basic human needs (
Loveless by Alice Oseman

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5.0

Actual rating: 4.5 ⭐

Finally, a no-romance book that isn't middle grade. The last time I saw an ace repeesentative was when I read Vicious by V.E. Schwab (not the main issue, I know, but still, Victor's an ace). And the fact that the writer herself identify as an aro-ace, I know she'd do the representation right.

As always, Alice Oseman's books totally speak to me and I understand the loneliness that Georgia felt. As an aro-ace, she'll never find a romantic partner, but she does have great best friends--one that I envy so much.

As someone who grew up in a rather traditional environment, I don't get to talk about this type of sexuality (and also any other sexualities straight) and it left me wondering because I had no one to ask. But this book has helped me to understand more about them in a fun way.

But if we compared this book to 'Solitaire', 'Heartstopper', and 'I Was Born For This', the conflict in 'Loveless' was honestly a bit lacking. The pace is a bit dragging in the beginning and thus I was waiting for something big to happen in the middle, but no. It was not completely bad though, but it could be more.

I will always look forward for her other books. Also, we do need more aro-ace representatives in books and other medias....
You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sarra Manning

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4.0

It was a not-so-light, but cute read. At first, the characters were so unlikable, but eventually they grew on me. They were so realistic, I feel like I was living with them.

Body weight issue might be sensitive to some people, but the author handled it very well without offending anyone. I can truly feel Neve's struggle to lose weight--I wish I was as consistent as her.