Scan barcode
azulization's reviews
60 reviews
The Dark King by Gina L. Maxwell
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
Initially borrowed the book looking forward to reading some good smut, and was pleasantly surprised by the overarching plot and world-building. It's definitely interested me enough to want to read the other books in the trilogy.
However, I will note that it isn't quite as 'dark' as it might advertise to be; it's a little past vanilla but nothing terribly hardcore.
However, I will note that it isn't quite as 'dark' as it might advertise to be; it's a little past vanilla but nothing terribly hardcore.
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher
2.0
The Princess Diarist is the first (auto)biography I've ever read and I wasn't disappointed. I've been eyeing the book since the unfortunate passing of the beloved Carrie Fisher as I did not know too much about the actress behind the famous intergalactic princess.
The contents of her autobiography made her feel absolutely and utterly human, so much of it easily relatable in this confusing time in my own life where things much bigger than me are constantly happening and I am finding myself swept up in the middle of it.
I must say, though, that I didn't love it either. From a reader's standpoint, so much of it left me bored and with a feeling of obligation to finish, while others truly did pique my interest and keep me reading until early hours of the morning.
The contents of her autobiography made her feel absolutely and utterly human, so much of it easily relatable in this confusing time in my own life where things much bigger than me are constantly happening and I am finding myself swept up in the middle of it.
I must say, though, that I didn't love it either. From a reader's standpoint, so much of it left me bored and with a feeling of obligation to finish, while others truly did pique my interest and keep me reading until early hours of the morning.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
4.0
The romance that sprouted between this unlikely pair really spoke to me. It was a nice change from reading about the typical caucasian boy/girl who is a tad bit awkward and introverted falling for this unbelievably attractive person who so happens to exceed their expectations and turn out to be something wonderful.
Eleanor and Park are different because Eleanor doesn't fit society's expectations of beauty and comes from a broken home while Park is part of a minority and doesn't always meet his parents expectations and doesn't even really fit in with the friends that he has.
They come together in one of the simplest and most common ways to meet a person and the way they bring their friendship and relationship to life is through something that I can personally relate with (books, music, comics).
I loved reading about their separate lives and how they made everything better for each other.
Eleanor and Park are different because Eleanor doesn't fit society's expectations of beauty and comes from a broken home while Park is part of a minority and doesn't always meet his parents expectations and doesn't even really fit in with the friends that he has.
They come together in one of the simplest and most common ways to meet a person and the way they bring their friendship and relationship to life is through something that I can personally relate with (books, music, comics).
I loved reading about their separate lives and how they made everything better for each other.
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
4.0
*Re-read Feb.19/17-Feb.26/17*
I read the first three books of The Mortal Instruments series back when I was in elementary school and had always had fond memories of it. However, later on I learned that it was not in fact a completed trilogy but continued on up to six books. At that point, though, I hadn't had the time nor patience to pick up an old beloved series from where I left off.
Since I was on vacation this past week (and returned today for my birthday), I had the pleasure of rereading the first instalment of TMI and once again found myself full of joy while reading. While I did remember bits and pieces of the story back from when I had first read it, it was like reading it all over again which allowed me to fall in love with the characters as I once did.
Often times I found myself noticing things I hadn't when I read it many years ago, and was impressed many times by Cassandra Clare's foreshadowing throughout the various chapters.
I can't wait to dive into the rest of the series, both with the books I remember and with the ones that will be completely new to me!
I read the first three books of The Mortal Instruments series back when I was in elementary school and had always had fond memories of it. However, later on I learned that it was not in fact a completed trilogy but continued on up to six books. At that point, though, I hadn't had the time nor patience to pick up an old beloved series from where I left off.
Since I was on vacation this past week (and returned today for my birthday), I had the pleasure of rereading the first instalment of TMI and once again found myself full of joy while reading. While I did remember bits and pieces of the story back from when I had first read it, it was like reading it all over again which allowed me to fall in love with the characters as I once did.
Often times I found myself noticing things I hadn't when I read it many years ago, and was impressed many times by Cassandra Clare's foreshadowing throughout the various chapters.
I can't wait to dive into the rest of the series, both with the books I remember and with the ones that will be completely new to me!
Heartless by Marissa Meyer
4.0
Firstly, I would like to say that, if it had not been for the immense pick up in plot and character development somewhere in the middle of the book (Chapter 33-34 or so), I would've just given a straight 3-star rating.
Up until that particular point in the book, I was bored and annoyed. Why that is, is due to the incredibly slow build-up; not only was the main relationship in the book slow (which really, I didn't mind), the whole plot itself didn't seem to go anywhere. Given the utter craze and hype over this book, I was very disappointed at least throughout the beginning of the book.
That being said, after that halfway mark, I was very pleased and at the edge of my seat as I blazed through it. Everything I had been hoping for was picking up. The relationships were going somewhere, the plot was thickening and became highly stress-inducing - I was taken and couldn't put the book down.
I think that this unique reimagining and the story of Catherine and her place in the kingdom of Hearts was quite enjoyable overall. It may not feel like the best read for impatient readers like myself, but it is definitely worth a shot if one fancies the kookiness, uniqueness, and extremely colourful creatures of the world of Wonderland.
Up until that particular point in the book, I was bored and annoyed. Why that is, is due to the incredibly slow build-up; not only was the main relationship in the book slow (which really, I didn't mind), the whole plot itself didn't seem to go anywhere. Given the utter craze and hype over this book, I was very disappointed at least throughout the beginning of the book.
That being said, after that halfway mark, I was very pleased and at the edge of my seat as I blazed through it. Everything I had been hoping for was picking up. The relationships were going somewhere, the plot was thickening and became highly stress-inducing - I was taken and couldn't put the book down.
I think that this unique reimagining and the story of Catherine and her place in the kingdom of Hearts was quite enjoyable overall. It may not feel like the best read for impatient readers like myself, but it is definitely worth a shot if one fancies the kookiness, uniqueness, and extremely colourful creatures of the world of Wonderland.
The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
5.0
*Firstly, I'd like to thank Penguin Random House for sending me a copy of this book! Thank you so much, truly appreciated!*
When I was told that this book was an absolute need-to-read, I hadn't thought much of it as I hear those words often. However, I ended up eating that book up whole in one sitting.
The Sun Is Also A Star is a lovely tale centred around the fantastical and universal connection between human beings with elements of humour, adventure, and most of all, romance. Both of the lead characters whose perspectives are shown in the majority of the book are lovable and relatable what with their quirkiness, personalities, and individual - if not extreme - situations. Alongside them, we see snippets of the minor characters' stories and histories, and see how each life thread connects to the other.
My biggest fear when reading was that it would end in some unrealistic and totally impossible happily-ever-after and I'm happy to say that it surprised me with the ending it delivered to me instead.
When I was told that this book was an absolute need-to-read, I hadn't thought much of it as I hear those words often. However, I ended up eating that book up whole in one sitting.
The Sun Is Also A Star is a lovely tale centred around the fantastical and universal connection between human beings with elements of humour, adventure, and most of all, romance. Both of the lead characters whose perspectives are shown in the majority of the book are lovable and relatable what with their quirkiness, personalities, and individual - if not extreme - situations. Alongside them, we see snippets of the minor characters' stories and histories, and see how each life thread connects to the other.
My biggest fear when reading was that it would end in some unrealistic and totally impossible happily-ever-after and I'm happy to say that it surprised me with the ending it delivered to me instead.
As Red as Blood by Salla Simukka
3.0
*Firstly, I'd like to thank Penguin Random House for sending me an ARC of this book! Thank you so much, truly appreciated!*
Overall, I enjoyed the first installment of the As Red as Blood trilogy by Salla Simukka. Being a thriller, it had me at the edge of my seat, trying to piece together the puzzle unfolding throughout the chapters. The characters were enjoyable - it was nice to have different perspectives from each of the 'opposing' sides offered in each chapter.
Admittedly, there were definitely parts of the story that seemed out of place for me, but then again that may be due to some sort of set up for the later additions in the trilogy.
Overall, I enjoyed the first installment of the As Red as Blood trilogy by Salla Simukka. Being a thriller, it had me at the edge of my seat, trying to piece together the puzzle unfolding throughout the chapters. The characters were enjoyable - it was nice to have different perspectives from each of the 'opposing' sides offered in each chapter.
Admittedly, there were definitely parts of the story that seemed out of place for me, but then again that may be due to some sort of set up for the later additions in the trilogy.
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
3.0
Milk and Honey has been recommended to me for some time and I am glad to have finally gotten my hands on it. I read it in one sitting - as one does when they find themselves completely enthralled by a book - and have come to the conclusion that Rupi Kaur's collection of poems reflects perfectly the heartaches and growth all women seem to experience in life.
Although at times the writing and depictions seemed cliche (for lack of a better term), there were most certainly passages that were undeniably relatable. Although my heartstrings were tugged in a bittersweet way, and old memories I thought I'd banished for good resurfaced, I feel that this collection of poetry is a wonderful read for any woman at any stage in her life.
Although at times the writing and depictions seemed cliche (for lack of a better term), there were most certainly passages that were undeniably relatable. Although my heartstrings were tugged in a bittersweet way, and old memories I thought I'd banished for good resurfaced, I feel that this collection of poetry is a wonderful read for any woman at any stage in her life.