bobcat_thepagemaster's reviews
98 reviews

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

3.5

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

5.0

This was the first time I have ever read Jane Eyre despite being an English major (how scandalous I know!!). Having read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte multiple-times and being one of my all-time favorite books, I knew I was in for a treat! 

The book begins when Jane Eyre is a rambunctious young-girl. She is forced to live her aunt, Mrs. Reed, and cousins after the death of her parents. Jane is treated unfairly and punished by Mrs. Reed. Eventually, Jane is sent away to a girls school during this time she befriends a girl named Helen. The book continues to follow Jane throughout her life, she graduates from schools and teaches there for two years until she answers an advertisement for a governess. This is where we get to meet the dark, mysterious, and wealthy Mr. Rochester. We witness both Mr. Rochester and Jane Eyre fall for one another knowing their love is forbidden due to the class divide

and the fact that Mr. Rochester is still married to his wife, who he hides in the attic!

 

This book is considered a classic for good reason! It gives us modern readers a look into what life was like for young women in the 19th-century—what their limitations where when it comes to love, work, and opportunity. There’s politics, religion, love, and gothic spookiness all wrapped into one story. Charolette Bronte’s prose is unparallel! She began writing this book in 1846 yet feel very modern. It is intelligent, honest, and unforgiving. I believe everyone should read this book at some point in their life. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, and Classism

Minor: Misogyny

Spy x Family, Vol. 9 by Tatsuya Endo

adventurous funny lighthearted 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

3.5

Sex and Rage by Eve Babitz

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I fell in love with Eve Babitz prose. Like the ocean, it ebbs and flows, telling the story of Jacaranda. It captures the essence of 1960s/1970s California, young starlets and producers, and the all consuming party culture of the time.  Jacaranda is such a relatable character. Perhaps, it's because I'm in my mid-20s and still trying to find my place in the world/ find myself, but Jacaranda's life is one of caution and one to admire. This is a story for writers. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Promises and Pomegranates by Sav R. Miller

dark mysterious tense 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

1.0

They say don't judge a book by it's cover. That saying rings true with this book but not in a good way. I really wanted to like this book. The cover is pretty, enemies to lovers romance, and lose Greek mythology references. However, the characters are too unlikeable, the plot is all over the place, and not to mention the age gap between the characters,  and

Kal being groomed and having a previous affair with her mother!!

It got to the point that some of the triggering aspects of the book were just put in there for shock value and not for either character development or plot.
For me, the pay off just wasn't there. I probably won't be reading the other books written in this series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Cancer, Confinement, Incest, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker

dark emotional informative reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, and War

Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan

adventurous inspiring 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? Yes

3.75

 I enjoyed the first book in this duology, ‘The Daughter of the Moon Goddess’. Like the first book, ‘Heart of the Sun Warrior’ is everything you would want in a fantasy, adventure, romance, and excellent world building. I enjoyed the fact this story has roots in Chinese mythology. You can tell that Tan enjoyed sharing this story with us. Tan’s descriptions of the Celestial Kingdom are something out of a dream—vivid and immersive. In both books but especially this one, Tan explores the various kinds of love—romantic, platonic, and parental. This story really tackles that love can triumph over all and transcend lifetimes. Xingyin’s journey is one of love, grief, and growth. I recommend this book, and the duology, for anyone who is a fantasy fan looking for a breath of fresh air, or someone looking to getting into fantasy. 

After Dark by Haruki Murakami

adventurous dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Play It as It Lays by Joan Didion

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25