rebeccazh's reviews
2320 reviews

Quick read and really engrossing. I liked this more than [b:Sugarbread|28230013|Sugarbread|Balli Kaur Jaswal|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1463645720l/28230013._SX50_.jpg|48259928] because I had a few issues with the author's style in Sugarbread. This book revolves around a Sikh family and it shows the family sort of imploding as Singapore progresses, because of repressed shame, mental illness, and the clash of modernity with tradition. The author took care to portray very complex characters. I loved the way she explored mental illness and shame. Some of the characters and plot points were also quite thought-provoking; for instance, the unseen mother. Also loved the descriptions of Singapore - so vivid and so familiar.

3.5 stars. This is somewhat similar to Grace Draven's [b:Radiance|24473763|Radiance (Wraith Kings, #1)|Grace Draven|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1422721500l/24473763._SX50_.jpg|40780371] although I kind of liked Radiance better. Anyway, this is a really cute and fast read. I really enjoyed the protagonist having to acclimate to a new culture.

Really fun book. It reminded me a bit of the first book from WR Gingell's City Between series. Anyway, the strength of this book lies in the relationships that Hazel has with the vampires. It's a delight watching them warm up to each other and start to care for each other. Although I really like her dynamic with Killian, I kinda hope there isn't going to be a romance...

A solid follow up to the first book. Really glad that the author pushed Hazel to confront her cousin. The plot was beginning to stall. The relationship development was great, and again, the biggest strength of the book was Hazel's development and her dynamic with Killian. Looking forward to the next book.

Beauty and the beast is one of my least favorite fairy tales but I still really liked this one. Took a while for it to get going but the last 40% was really fun to read.

great fun!! lighthearted, funny and short. i really like her stories where the same protagonist carries the whole series (MBRC, Hall of Blood and Mercy) coz they're really good; the ones with a different protagonist in each book are of varying quality (fairytale series).

EDIT 24/12/19: reread this recently. this book and [b:天涯客|17786841|天涯客|Priest|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1365507177l/17786841._SX50_.jpg|24875230] both felt like they'd been written quite early.

I love priest - she has the best novels.

EDIT 24/12/19: in retrospect, it seems that this, alongside [b:Qiye|17669288|Qiye|Priest|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1364023316l/17669288._SX50_.jpg|24666180], was one of her earlier books. it has none of the complexity and nuance and confidence that her later books gain.

Much shorter than Sha Po Lang and Guardian but still very enjoyable. I love Priest's complex plot, characterization and world building. She's so creative and her character analysis is always realistic.

EDIT Jan 2021: so I obviously had to reread this after reading Blood Heir. I love that book but there was just way too little Derek and Julie interaction. This is so good, still. I love their dynamic, and I love the view into Derek's perspective. Hoping for a book two for Blood Heir at some point, and more Derek...

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this review is just pure fangirling, don't expect anything coherent.

reread this because i've been rereading their KD stuff and i'm so excited for the new IA book

Pretty interesting, but the jokes and the peppy tone get tiring quickly. This is a translation, which does explain that. I also wish I could have watched this as a documentary.