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blessedbyjupiter15's reviews
18 reviews
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
After almost 20 years since I first read the entire series I decided to reread it now that I'm an adult and I'm reminded yet again why I loved the series so much!
The Secret Diaries of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4 is still as funny and relatable as ever but now I can appreciate some aspects of the book and characters that as a child I lacked the capacity to understand.
On a surface level the book is a collection of woes, worries and day to day life of a teenager but on a much deeper level it's an incredibly well executed portrayal of poverty and it's effects on a family, flawed adults struggling to make ends meet still trying to find their footing in the world despite their age, mid life crises, mental health, marriage, cheating and separation and it's consequences on a child.
Tears of laughter are guaranteed while reading about the world ending problem of pimples, first love and poems written by a somewhat pompous teen full of empathy still very naive and oblivious to the world around him. But there's moments of sadness too that at times hit me like a gut punch and left me heartbroken.
A must read for every teen and adult!
The Secret Diaries of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4 is still as funny and relatable as ever but now I can appreciate some aspects of the book and characters that as a child I lacked the capacity to understand.
On a surface level the book is a collection of woes, worries and day to day life of a teenager but on a much deeper level it's an incredibly well executed portrayal of poverty and it's effects on a family, flawed adults struggling to make ends meet still trying to find their footing in the world despite their age, mid life crises, mental health, marriage, cheating and separation and it's consequences on a child.
Tears of laughter are guaranteed while reading about the world ending problem of pimples, first love and poems written by a somewhat pompous teen full of empathy still very naive and oblivious to the world around him. But there's moments of sadness too that at times hit me like a gut punch and left me heartbroken.
A must read for every teen and adult!
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
Managed to read half of the book until I got incredibly bored. The pacing and the writing style didn't sit well with me.
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
If you are looking for a book about magic, magical schools, amazing world building and great characters similar to Harry Potter this is NOT THE BOOK FOR YOU!
Very shallow characters especially side charachters although the mains suffer from this too no matter how much the book wants to convince you of the opposite. Poorly executed dynamic between characters that leaves you wondering why do they all sound the same. The book tried to be very inclusive with characters of different ethnic backgrounds however it failed massively because other than some superficial descriptions there's not much focus on these charachters nor does the book delve deep into their backgrounds and cultures.
The stakes are very low to the point that when characters (always some background very minor irrelevant to the overall plot) do actually die you as a reader might blink and miss it and if you do notice it it's likely you won't feel anything. The setting that is supposed to be cruel and vicious where only the very best and most resourcful can survive suffers from needless neverending exposition that gets dumped on you mid passage and takes you straight out of the story. Main character is "not like other girls", annoying and arrogant. Her inner monologue is filled with neverending ramblings that often times get repetitive. Her character development is very sudden, without any real work put into it and it reads more like a "chane of mind" than character growth. The main male character is not even worth commenting on.
I'm very disappointed in this book especially because I am familiar with Naomi Novik's other work and I do actually like it.
Got the entire triolgy as a present and I will suffer through the next two installments but my hopes are not high.
For all of you magic lovers you are better of finding your luck with another book.
Very shallow characters especially side charachters although the mains suffer from this too no matter how much the book wants to convince you of the opposite. Poorly executed dynamic between characters that leaves you wondering why do they all sound the same. The book tried to be very inclusive with characters of different ethnic backgrounds however it failed massively because other than some superficial descriptions there's not much focus on these charachters nor does the book delve deep into their backgrounds and cultures.
The stakes are very low to the point that when characters (always some background very minor irrelevant to the overall plot) do actually die you as a reader might blink and miss it and if you do notice it it's likely you won't feel anything. The setting that is supposed to be cruel and vicious where only the very best and most resourcful can survive suffers from needless neverending exposition that gets dumped on you mid passage and takes you straight out of the story. Main character is "not like other girls", annoying and arrogant. Her inner monologue is filled with neverending ramblings that often times get repetitive. Her character development is very sudden, without any real work put into it and it reads more like a "chane of mind" than character growth. The main male character is not even worth commenting on.
I'm very disappointed in this book especially because I am familiar with Naomi Novik's other work and I do actually like it.
Got the entire triolgy as a present and I will suffer through the next two installments but my hopes are not high.
For all of you magic lovers you are better of finding your luck with another book.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
An incredibly charming, witty and funny book with a feel good ending. Perfect for days when you need some lightness and humor to brighten up.
The book is a bit cliche and follows well established tropes for the genre and yet it's written in such a great manner that it doesn't take away from the book itself.
The book is a bit cliche and follows well established tropes for the genre and yet it's written in such a great manner that it doesn't take away from the book itself.
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett
adventurous
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.5