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takarakei's reviews
486 reviews
Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
3.25
This started out really great, was definitely intrigued from the start. We follow Violet the Seer to the Kingdom of Auveny, whom often bends the truth when looking into people's futures. She divines a prophecy about the Prince that foretells disaster: either she must die or the Prince must. There was some good twists of fairytales loosely threaded into here (bits of Cinderella and Beauty& the Beast). I enjoyed Violet as a main character, she's very sassy, not at all concerned with court politics and realistic about life. She is at odds with the Prince and finds him to be rather silly, and they do have some good antagonistic banter. However, things dragged a bit midway and did not quite keep my attention. I think this was due to the other characters besides Violet being a bit plain. I have a feeling things could've been edited down into one slightly longer standalone, rather than a forthcoming duology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Racism and War
the self-harm is like 'cut your hand to provide blood for a spell'
Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton
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
4.0
If you're looking for a quick holiday read with great diversity rep where all the character's stories are separate but intertwined and come together in the end. This is it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Drug abuse, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, and Sexual content
Our Dark Duet by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A bit of a lackluster follow up to the first book especially in the first half. Am I the only one who actually didn't want Kate and August to get together? . I was ok with friendship. Despite that V.E. Schwab really does have some beautiful writing, and there are definitely some noteworthy quotes in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
He built a fire just to keep me warm.
Pregnancy trope is not my fav but the spice was good.
🌶️3.5/5
Pregnancy trope is not my fav but the spice was good.
🌶️3.5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem
adventurous
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
3.75
The heir to Jasad, a province that has been forced into near nonexistance, is living in Nizal, a rival province, where she must keep her identity and magic secret. The Prince of Nizal, Arin, is suspicious of her as they are born enemies and in Nizal they have shunned the use of magic. It was an intriguing political setup, but I'll be honest I didn't really understand the point of the tournament besides something to happen, and I felt like the magic system could've been explained better. There is a romance element that is slow burn which I usually like, but it was a bit too long for the first book in a series and there were def some parts early to midway on that dragged. I might eventually listen to the sequel on audio whenever it comes out (but I'm also not sure how long this series is so...)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Torture, Blood, and War
Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.5
The most adorable holiday romance! Set on a Christmas Tree farm. Best friends to lovers. Fake dating (but between the best friends so it didn't feel like fake dating really). I am excited this is a series with some of the side characters cause I can't wait to read their stories.
The bonus chapters/epilogues are a must 🥵
🌶️3.5/5
The bonus chapters/epilogues are a must 🥵
🌶️3.5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Cancer
Bring Me Your Midnight by Rachel Griffin
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I did enjoy this better than the other book I read by this author, but I just think in general her storytelling isn't really for me. There are some beautiful passages and quotes, but I think the underlying plot wasn't anything super special or unique. I also am really not an insta-love person.
🌶️2.5/5 (closed door)
🌶️2.5/5 (closed door)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Minor: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
4.0
My first book by this author, who I've been told is the queen of slow burns. I personally love a slow burn so this one def hit in that aspect. It is a 'football romance' but I wouldn't really say there's a whole lot of sports in it. There's actually more marathon running because Vanessa trains to run a marathon. I really enjoyed her friendship with Zac as well.
Vanessa had a rough childhood and still has a very strained relationship with her family so that is good to know going in.
🌶️3/5 (sneaks in)
Vanessa had a rough childhood and still has a very strained relationship with her family so that is good to know going in.
🌶️3/5 (sneaks in)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Car accident
Minor: Drug abuse and Sexual assault
This is the new to trad pub version and I will say some things could've done to be updated a bit more ex: there's a scene in which Aiden is groped by a fan.
The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Cannibalism and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual content
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A good start to a series. I knew going in that this is a “vibes” book which helped, and it’s a relatively fast read. Even so there’s a couple chapters I was confused by being included that seem to be extraneous. Overall a lot of short chapters which I like.
This gave me definite call backs to The Whispering Dark which I feel like is a lesser known ya fantasy stand-alone that if you liked this you would probably love.
I look forward to continuing the series as I hear it gets better with each book.
This gave me definite call backs to The Whispering Dark which I feel like is a lesser known ya fantasy stand-alone that if you liked this you would probably love.
I look forward to continuing the series as I hear it gets better with each book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol