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sophiesometimesreads's reviews
221 reviews
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
5.0
I haven’t binge-read a book like I did the second half of this book for years! Absolutely a great read, well paced and interesting. Doesn’t dwell on the small details to really get you into the good parts of the storyline. Interesting characters with good development.
The main thing I liked was how different it was to Shadow and Bone. I loved exploring the world more and the different countries and regions, with their different views and traditions, but with some nice Easter eggs hidden in there in reference to the Shadow and Bone series.
Can’t wait to read the next one!
The main thing I liked was how different it was to Shadow and Bone. I loved exploring the world more and the different countries and regions, with their different views and traditions, but with some nice Easter eggs hidden in there in reference to the Shadow and Bone series.
Can’t wait to read the next one!
A Paper Mask by John Collee
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Warning: Mild spoilers ahead
It got good towards the end but was so slow through the middle. It was a relatively decent read but nothing really special, in my opinion.
I also honestly just wanted to see him get caught and carted off to prison because I really despised the narrator. I was disappointed that it was only implied in the end and not explicitly stated.
It got good towards the end but was so slow through the middle. It was a relatively decent read but nothing really special, in my opinion.
I also honestly just wanted to see him get caught and carted off to prison because I really despised the narrator. I was disappointed that it was only implied in the end and not explicitly stated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
So adorable, so hilarious. Loved it just as much as the first one. Couldn’t stop reading or blushing. Made me reminisce on the good (and awkward and wonderful) times of my high school experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Homophobia
Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Self harm
Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book kind of confused me. Parts of it were not bad - the parts where there was flowing conversation and things happening were relatively enjoyable - but these moments were washed out by so much repetition. The book could have been half the length and still covered the same story. Did we really need almost a chapter dedicated to Edward’s inner whining about whether Bella will run when she sees the real monster he is when he steps into the sun…? He literally sparkles!
I was somewhat excited to see this from Edward’s perspective but he was just kind of annoying and creepy. And there’s waaaaay to much talk of Bella’s scent which was weird to me.
Meyer’s writing has gotten better from what I remember (though I read the original series about 10 years ago now so take what you want from that). Bella also seemed more interesting and dynamic, though whether that was an attempt to rectify the negatives from her original series or purposefully done to represent how Edward sees Bella versus how she sees herself, I don’t know.
I would’ve rated it higher if it was shorter and there was less dwelling on Edward’s inner monologue about being a monster, but it honestly wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever read.
I was somewhat excited to see this from Edward’s perspective but he was just kind of annoying and creepy. And there’s waaaaay to much talk of Bella’s scent which was weird to me.
Meyer’s writing has gotten better from what I remember (though I read the original series about 10 years ago now so take what you want from that). Bella also seemed more interesting and dynamic, though whether that was an attempt to rectify the negatives from her original series or purposefully done to represent how Edward sees Bella versus how she sees herself, I don’t know.
I would’ve rated it higher if it was shorter and there was less dwelling on Edward’s inner monologue about being a monster, but it honestly wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever read.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I need to preface this review by saying I had, unfortunately, watched the movie before reading the book, albeit a very long time ago, so I did have a vague recollection of what happened. In saying that, I did enjoy the book. It wasn’t a difficult read and the pace was good. I sort of remembered what happened in the second half but couldn’t remember the ending so I wanted to keep reading to see how it was all resolved.
The ending did leave me feeling a bit empty, though. I think it could have been better. I know authors like to leave thrillers with a bit of mystery surrounding them but I would’ve liked a bit more of a conclusion as it seemed kind of abrupt but that may have also been because I read the second half of the book in a couple of days.
I really enjoyed the internal struggle between empathising with the characters then thinking they’re horrible human beings and back to empathising again. It made for an interesting reading experience. Though, a lot of the crude language seemed unnecessary and the amount of times the word “bitch” was used to describe women didn’t sit great with me, even though I know it was part of the characters I didn’t think it was all that necessary. The author also used adjectives in an odd way, a lot of hyphenated phrases as adjectives which wasn’t wrong per say but just something I noticed about the writing style.
The ending did leave me feeling a bit empty, though. I think it could have been better. I know authors like to leave thrillers with a bit of mystery surrounding them but I would’ve liked a bit more of a conclusion as it seemed kind of abrupt but that may have also been because I read the second half of the book in a couple of days.
I really enjoyed the internal struggle between empathising with the characters then thinking they’re horrible human beings and back to empathising again. It made for an interesting reading experience. Though, a lot of the crude language seemed unnecessary and the amount of times the word “bitch” was used to describe women didn’t sit great with me, even though I know it was part of the characters I didn’t think it was all that necessary. The author also used adjectives in an odd way, a lot of hyphenated phrases as adjectives which wasn’t wrong per say but just something I noticed about the writing style.
Loveless by Alice Oseman
emotional
informative
inspiring
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 absolutely loved this book, particularly the second half. I love how it captured all different kinds of love and really highlighted the importance of friendship and platonic love, whilst also not disregarding romantic love for those who want it.
It explained the idea of aromanticism and asexuality well and simply, and had a wide range of representation. I also liked how everyone’s journey to self-discovery was different.
I also related to Georgia a lot and I really loved her character and how her friendship with Rooney developed. The ending had me so emotional and feeling warm and fuzzy.
The actual storyline was simple and not totally unique or ground-breaking by any means. If you’re looking for that sort of novel, you probably won’t find that here. But it was heart-warming, easy to read, great representation and, personally, made me feel more seen than I have before, which is why I enjoyed it so so much.
Would recommend and will probably end up reading it again in the near future.
It explained the idea of aromanticism and asexuality well and simply, and had a wide range of representation. I also liked how everyone’s journey to self-discovery was different.
I also related to Georgia a lot and I really loved her character and how her friendship with Rooney developed. The ending had me so emotional and feeling warm and fuzzy.
The actual storyline was simple and not totally unique or ground-breaking by any means. If you’re looking for that sort of novel, you probably won’t find that here. But it was heart-warming, easy to read, great representation and, personally, made me feel more seen than I have before, which is why I enjoyed it so so much.
Would recommend and will probably end up reading it again in the near future.
Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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’m not crying, you’re crying.
Solitaire by Alice Oseman
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book. By no means was it ground breaking or a deep, philosophical novel but it was an enjoyable read and I was intrigued enough that I wanted to keep reading. I haven’t personally experienced some of the things Tori deals with so maybe that influenced my perception, or maybe the edits done in 2020 that were part of the version I read made it better than some people suggested. I was also invested in the characters previously as I had already read the Heartstopper graphic novels. No matter the reason, I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of Alice’s work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Fire/Fire injury
Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare
3.5
It took me a while to get into this book, and some parts are a bit slow but it definitely wasn’t a bad read and I am interested to see where it goes.
I do love this world and series but I think the number of series makes the book a bit harder to read as the start feels a bit same-same but the ending was good.
I do love this world and series but I think the number of series makes the book a bit harder to read as the start feels a bit same-same but the ending was good.