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alexaperez's reviews
27 reviews
Blackbird by David Harrower
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Please look up trigger warnings for this if you think about reading or seeing a production of it. Yikes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Getting into this book initially was a challenge. There was a lot of world building and setup involved for the plot, which was necessary but a lot to absorb nonetheless. I was also lacking interest for the first 20% of the book due to so much of what I was digesting mainly being centered around the culture at Yale, which is mostly upper class white men. (Factor in the time jumping that occurs throughout this book along with ADHD and the next thing you know, I was lost.)
However, as I said, it is necessary for the plot. The author’s work on this book feels very much like a commentary on what institutions like Yale represent (for better or for worse) and she does it well. There is conversation as the book progresses about how these institutions choose to view women, people of color, and anyone deemed to be of lower class. Our main character carries all of these qualities that institutions look down upon. Despite her mistreatment and struggles, she fights tooth and nail to understand this world she was thrown into and to survive it. Her character was the reason I powered through and fought to understand all of the detail this book contained that I wasn’t grasping. She has grit and spark.
As a reader I’m personally not used to reading books that take extra work to keep up with, but I’m happy I took the time to do so. If someone else is struggling to read this one and retain everything, I highly suggest listening to the audiobook and looking at a synopsis. Once I understood all of the intricacies of these societies and the larger mystery at hand, I was all in to continue the ride.
The mystery of this book tied together so well at the end, and I love how the author made everything connect. It didn’t feel forced. It really worked, and I felt SO satisfied when all of the complexities of this plot linked together.
Only knocking a star off due to my personal struggle to get into this book at the start, but this was truly a great book.
However, as I said, it is necessary for the plot. The author’s work on this book feels very much like a commentary on what institutions like Yale represent (for better or for worse) and she does it well. There is conversation as the book progresses about how these institutions choose to view women, people of color, and anyone deemed to be of lower class. Our main character carries all of these qualities that institutions look down upon. Despite her mistreatment and struggles, she fights tooth and nail to understand this world she was thrown into and to survive it. Her character was the reason I powered through and fought to understand all of the detail this book contained that I wasn’t grasping. She has grit and spark.
As a reader I’m personally not used to reading books that take extra work to keep up with, but I’m happy I took the time to do so. If someone else is struggling to read this one and retain everything, I highly suggest listening to the audiobook and looking at a synopsis. Once I understood all of the intricacies of these societies and the larger mystery at hand, I was all in to continue the ride.
The mystery of this book tied together so well at the end, and I love how the author made everything connect. It didn’t feel forced. It really worked, and I felt SO satisfied when all of the complexities of this plot linked together.
Only knocking a star off due to my personal struggle to get into this book at the start, but this was truly a great book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Moderate: Violence
Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa
dark
fast-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
2.0
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Reading this after What the River Knows was a choice I’m very happy I made lol. It comes as no surprise to me that Rebecca Ross and Isabel Ibáñez are friends and colleagues because their style of storytelling is so similar. I loved the concept behind this story, and it was beautifully told. The incorporation of the letters into this story was so sweet. Looking forward to the second book to learn more about the lore and world Ross has created.
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
I can’t begin to express how happy I am that this book was even better than I was hoping it to be.
As soon as I heard about it and the plot, I felt like it was made for me. I grew up watching The Mummy and Indiana Jones and having a deep interest in ancient Egyptian history. Reading this book scratched an itch I had forgotten I constantly carry. My inner child leapt for joy seeing that under the dust jacket of my book was a secret message written in hieroglyphs. As soon as I got to the key on page 4, I immediately dropped everything and started decoding before I continued reading. (I won’t share what it says, but I do know it’s a clue that has to do with the next book!)
This book was funny, heartbreaking, and fascinating. The characters jump off the page, the mystery constantly hooks you in for the journey, and the romance is one I found myself clapping and cheering for at every turn.
I also have to say that the main character being from Argentina and the author being Bolivian made my little Latina heart so happy. Every chapter number having been written in Spanish made me feel so seen lol.
I don’t know what else to say. I have no shame in saying that I absolutely ate this story up. It is my new favorite book. I am so happy it exists. The sequel cannot be released soon enough. ❤️
As soon as I heard about it and the plot, I felt like it was made for me. I grew up watching The Mummy and Indiana Jones and having a deep interest in ancient Egyptian history. Reading this book scratched an itch I had forgotten I constantly carry. My inner child leapt for joy seeing that under the dust jacket of my book was a secret message written in hieroglyphs. As soon as I got to the key on page 4, I immediately dropped everything and started decoding before I continued reading. (I won’t share what it says, but I do know it’s a clue that has to do with the next book!)
This book was funny, heartbreaking, and fascinating. The characters jump off the page, the mystery constantly hooks you in for the journey, and the romance is one I found myself clapping and cheering for at every turn.
I also have to say that the main character being from Argentina and the author being Bolivian made my little Latina heart so happy. Every chapter number having been written in Spanish made me feel so seen lol.
I don’t know what else to say. I have no shame in saying that I absolutely ate this story up. It is my new favorite book. I am so happy it exists. The sequel cannot be released soon enough. ❤️
Home by Whitney Hanson
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
I’m not rating this because I have no idea how to rate poetry. I am not a poetry girly. However, poems are cute and I wanted to try reading some. I saw this at the local bookshop and thought it looked cute so I went for it. Some stuck out to me but I guess I found myself craving more imagery? Idk. I didn’t love it or hate it. 🤷🏻♀️
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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
An orc retires from adventuring for a softer life running a café. That’s it, that’s the plot and it was SO cute. The vibes this book set are immaculate. No notes. I loved it.
PS - Thimble is my fave.
PS - Thimble is my fave.
Snowed In by Catherine Walsh
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
4.5
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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