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rachelmerrie's reviews
373 reviews
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This book frustrated me in many ways, but the generational traumas that were preventing each generation from succeeding in the next society bothered me the most. America (especially the south) may not be where we want it to be, but neglecting to acknowledge the lengths EVERY race has gone through to get to where we are today will only continue the momentum of segregation. Choosing schools, therapists, friends, clubs, etc. on race and having the inability to see people for who they are today and not what their ancestors did in the past will continue to segregate and limit us from growing TOGETHER. Terrible things happen every single day to every single race from same-raced or different-raced people, and although this creates racial biases, believing that an entire population of people think/act the same is not the way to progress.
“I cry for my ancestors, for my family, for my mother, for all of my people for the thread of death and violence forcibly woven into our blood and the resistance we had to grow to survive it. I cry for the deaths I witnessed and couldn’t stop. I’m not the chosen one. I am the product of violence. I just want to be my mother‘s daughter and my father’s. I just want to be me, but I know it will never be that simple again. I will never be that simple again. My lineages are bound together in inextricable, horrible truths, and there’s no untangling them from my destiny whether I’m ready to face it or not.”
I believe it is one thing to acknowledge and educate about past generations; and an entirely other thing to make our children believe that because of the sad realities of our generational histories, that they will never be able to break these cycles, that they should have to carry the traumas of the past in order to be tied to their lineage.
“I cry for my ancestors, for my family, for my mother, for all of my people for the thread of death and violence forcibly woven into our blood and the resistance we had to grow to survive it. I cry for the deaths I witnessed and couldn’t stop. I’m not the chosen one. I am the product of violence. I just want to be my mother‘s daughter and my father’s. I just want to be me, but I know it will never be that simple again. I will never be that simple again. My lineages are bound together in inextricable, horrible truths, and there’s no untangling them from my destiny whether I’m ready to face it or not.”
I believe it is one thing to acknowledge and educate about past generations; and an entirely other thing to make our children believe that because of the sad realities of our generational histories, that they will never be able to break these cycles, that they should have to carry the traumas of the past in order to be tied to their lineage.
The Hobbit: or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Riddle me this: how are modern day individuals meant to digest this text?
I had the most difficult time finding/holding interest in the writing and the story. It wasn’t until the end that the purpose of the adventure was explained.
I had the most difficult time finding/holding interest in the writing and the story. It wasn’t until the end that the purpose of the adventure was explained.
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
My review may be biased on the fact that I recently read Tuesday Moody Talks to Ghosts and didn’t enjoy that one a little more than I didn’t mind this one.
Maybe a 3.5 rounded down? It just didn’t hold my interest enough to want to continue on through the series. Maybe that’s because I hated every single character? Maybe it’s because there was a lot of “Emily wouldn’t have wanted it this way” when Emily is insignificant and it doesn’t matter what a teenage girl would or wouldn’t have wanted? 🤣 She’s not even a main character or part of the main puzzle in my opinion.
Additionally, I felt that some riddles were guessable, and I suck at riddles.
The ending is the only thing that may have gotten me to continue reading, but I’m not sure I care for any of the characters enough to care how it turns out. (Maybe after some time away, my mindset will change).
Maybe a 3.5 rounded down? It just didn’t hold my interest enough to want to continue on through the series. Maybe that’s because I hated every single character? Maybe it’s because there was a lot of “Emily wouldn’t have wanted it this way” when Emily is insignificant and it doesn’t matter what a teenage girl would or wouldn’t have wanted? 🤣 She’s not even a main character or part of the main puzzle in my opinion.
Additionally, I felt that some riddles were guessable, and I suck at riddles.
The ending is the only thing that may have gotten me to continue reading, but I’m not sure I care for any of the characters enough to care how it turns out. (Maybe after some time away, my mindset will change).
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
I found myself thinking about this book any time it wasn’t in my hands and am looking forward to looking at the fan art (first time interest for me).
Things I enjoyed:
-I enjoyed the story, the pacing, and the fully developed characters <Liam ♡> (I’m sure some will become more developed in future books)
Things I didn’t enjoy:
-The storyline and characters were very juvenile, but the language and sex scenes were extremely vulgar, it felt off balanced
-Some sections prioritized getting quickly through the scenes over fully fleshing out the depth and complexity the scene before seemed to promise
Confusion:
-She steals this very powerful, very confidential map from her mom’s office and no reprimand or even discussion comes from it? lmao k
-In one scene the venin is there one second, gone the next, super powerful, then is killed with almost no effort in the next scene??
-She wakes up to her memories being lost, but regains them within seconds - where is the effort, the suspense?!
Maybe these things will be addressed in one of the next 4 books.
The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was very cozy, especially the epilogue, but as the book progressed, I became less and less interested and it turned a STRANGE turn at the end.
I loved the concept of going after what you love and giving up everything to get there. I especially loved the concept of moving from a big city to the country side to do it.
I loved the concept of going after what you love and giving up everything to get there. I especially loved the concept of moving from a big city to the country side to do it.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I found this book challenging to enjoy or to want to keep reading. If it weren’t for it being this month’s book in my book club (that ironically I chose) I don’t think I would’ve made it through.
It’s well written, thought and emotion provoking, inspiring, and heartbreaking. History/historical fiction just isn’t for me. If I were rating it purely on my interest, it would be a 2 stars.
It’s well written, thought and emotion provoking, inspiring, and heartbreaking. History/historical fiction just isn’t for me. If I were rating it purely on my interest, it would be a 2 stars.
Things My Son Needs to Know about the World by Fredrik Backman
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Quick and adorable. I’d recommend for any dad, whether you have a daughter or a son.
Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Kate Racculia
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Dex said, “it’s a bunch of abstract ideas about money I hardly care about”. Replace “money” with “characters with money”.
Just call me Dan Humphrey from season 1 of GG.
Just call me Dan Humphrey from season 1 of GG.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Ravenclaw Edition by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
So many unanswered questions from the movies answered in this final book of the series, but how did I never notice in the movie that Harry had a second son!?!?
The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Finished in one day. Way less guessable than the first.