Scan barcode
cinnamonmarti's reviews
125 reviews
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Memoirs aren't generally my thing, but I heard a lot about this one, so I decided to pick it up. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the writing and by the vivid, heartfelt imagery that punctuates each chapter.
As an only daughter who has a complicated relationship with her mother (don't we all?), I found the subject matter tough to deal with. Grief is the core of this narration and the author is very good at putting it into words. There were a couple of scenes that had me pause and close the book because I was on the verge of tears. So if you need a cathartic cry definitely go for this book!
As an only daughter who has a complicated relationship with her mother (don't we all?), I found the subject matter tough to deal with. Grief is the core of this narration and the author is very good at putting it into words. There were a couple of scenes that had me pause and close the book because I was on the verge of tears. So if you need a cathartic cry definitely go for this book!
The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
4.75
This second installation of the Broken Earth saga is more static, which is not to say boring. On the contrary, the author really widens the scope of the narrative as we delve into the origins of the Stillness, the factions who are at war and the first consequences of this new Season.
I keep thinking that these books could easily be the subject matter of a university course because there's so much to unpack and discuss here! I'm really obsessed with the astounding level of care and afterthought Jemisin infuses in her worldbuilding and plotting. One could say there is not enough space for in-depth characterisation in the midst of all the horrors and trials the characters face, but she manages to make it work. I really felt for all the main characters: Essun, Alabaster and Nassun in particular. Schaffa is still a big question mark for me but I love Hoa, I'm eager to learn more about his origins.
The only small note I'd make is that I really wish some scenes and pivotal moments were given more time to breathe, but I understand it wouldn't fit the narrative tone. There was a character death in particular that I'm still hurting over :(
I can't tell you how happy I am to have found this trilogy. It's already up there in my pantheon of books which have changed me (& my standards) as a reader!
I keep thinking that these books could easily be the subject matter of a university course because there's so much to unpack and discuss here! I'm really obsessed with the astounding level of care and afterthought Jemisin infuses in her worldbuilding and plotting. One could say there is not enough space for in-depth characterisation in the midst of all the horrors and trials the characters face, but she manages to make it work. I really felt for all the main characters: Essun, Alabaster and Nassun in particular. Schaffa is still a big question mark for me but I love Hoa, I'm eager to learn more about his origins.
The only small note I'd make is that I really wish some scenes and pivotal moments were given more time to breathe, but I understand it wouldn't fit the narrative tone. There was a character death in particular that I'm still hurting over :(
I can't tell you how happy I am to have found this trilogy. It's already up there in my pantheon of books which have changed me (& my standards) as a reader!
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Still a cute and fun read, but this second volume lost a bit of its traction. Which is ironic, considering that the plot deepens and we get to know the characters better. I'm convinced Stiefvater's strength lies in fleshing out these beautiful, flawed characters and describing the vivid interactions between them. I feel like I can perfectly picture Blue's scathing side looks, Adam's quiet rage, Gansey's polite and firm tone, Ronan's knife-like smile, all that and more. Sadly, as I was reading I kept thinking there was something missing in the way the story is told and I'm in no rush to read book 3 to find out if and how they'll complete their mythical quest.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was a fun summer read! It's young adult, but the kind of YA I personally enjoy a lot! Nothing super deep, but still very well crafted in terms of characters and prose.
This book will give you all sorts of fond and fuzzy feelings and make you reminisce on your teenage years.
This book will give you all sorts of fond and fuzzy feelings and make you reminisce on your teenage years.
Dracula by Bram Stoker
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
3.5
A timeless classic that will appeal to Gothic horror fans. The epistolary format makes it quite unique for its times, but it does drag on unnecessarily on more than one occasion.
It was an interesting read and I was curious to learn more about what it essentially the genesis of the vampire literary trope. Still, Dracula's presence throughout the story is fickle and overall I expected something more.
A+ for the very vivid description and imagery though!
It was an interesting read and I was curious to learn more about what it essentially the genesis of the vampire literary trope. Still, Dracula's presence throughout the story is fickle and overall I expected something more.
A+ for the very vivid description and imagery though!
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
“For all those that have to fight for the respect that everyone else is given without question.”
Wow. Just -- wow. As the meme goes, this book has permanently altered my brain chemistry (and redefined my standards). Yes, it's THAT good.
Jemisin has such a powerful and fierce voice. Her words demand your attention. She reminds me of authors like Atwood and Le Guin, and I don't make this comparison lightly.
This story really brought me on a journey through the emotional spectrum: it was gritty, painful, sarcastic, angry, hopeful, heartbreaking. The worldbuilding is simply immaculate and the author never makes it too easy for you to fully understand the events unfolding on the page, which I appreciated. Everything eventually slots into places like massive dominoes, leaving you torn between re-reading some chapters and immediately jumping into the next volume.
I cannot recommend this enough. If you like speculative fiction with a female main character and lots of brilliant, harsh parallels with the real world, look no further!
Wow. Just -- wow. As the meme goes, this book has permanently altered my brain chemistry (and redefined my standards). Yes, it's THAT good.
Jemisin has such a powerful and fierce voice. Her words demand your attention. She reminds me of authors like Atwood and Le Guin, and I don't make this comparison lightly.
This story really brought me on a journey through the emotional spectrum: it was gritty, painful, sarcastic, angry, hopeful, heartbreaking. The worldbuilding is simply immaculate and the author never makes it too easy for you to fully understand the events unfolding on the page, which I appreciated. Everything eventually slots into places like massive dominoes, leaving you torn between re-reading some chapters and immediately jumping into the next volume.
I cannot recommend this enough. If you like speculative fiction with a female main character and lots of brilliant, harsh parallels with the real world, look no further!
Funny Story by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Emily Henry continues to be my go-to choice when I'm in the mood for some romance. I swear this woman must be sprinkling some kind of very addictive drug in between pages, because I always finish her books so quickly!
To me this ranks a bit below Happy Place or Book Lovers, but still very firmly in the category of fun, cute books. I think it lost some traction in the second half, despite the lovable characters.
As always, the highlight is how the author manages to widen the scope of the romcom genre. Friendship, family, community, self-love and mental health themes are not just an afterthought or a cheap narrative device: they're at the core of the characters' arcs and they make the story much more relatable than it would be otherwise.
To me this ranks a bit below Happy Place or Book Lovers, but still very firmly in the category of fun, cute books. I think it lost some traction in the second half, despite the lovable characters.
As always, the highlight is how the author manages to widen the scope of the romcom genre. Friendship, family, community, self-love and mental health themes are not just an afterthought or a cheap narrative device: they're at the core of the characters' arcs and they make the story much more relatable than it would be otherwise.
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
The author's prose continues to be lovely and enchanting and I really, really love Iris and Roman.
With that being said, I feel like this duology could have been so much MORE in terms of plot and world-building and that is particularly evident in this 2nd book.
The stakes are supposed to be high as it's so centred on the war, and yet I found myself almost skimming some pages that should have been poignant and cathartic.
I'm kind of annoyed by how much I liked certain elements and still ended up shrugging at the epilogue.
With that being said, I feel like this duology could have been so much MORE in terms of plot and world-building and that is particularly evident in this 2nd book.
The stakes are supposed to be high as it's so centred on the war, and yet I found myself almost skimming some pages that should have been poignant and cathartic.
I'm kind of annoyed by how much I liked certain elements and still ended up shrugging at the epilogue.
Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
3.75
A cute, whimsical little adventure. Terry Pratchett might be the very definition of comfort read for geeks such as myself!
Hyperversum by Cecilia Randall
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Rilettura scatenata da un'improvvisa nostalgia per uno dei miei fantasy del cuore in età adolescenziale :')
A distanza di anni e da lettrice molto più matura è facile ammettere che questa saga lascia a desiderare in quanto a caratterizzazione dei personaggi e sviluppo della trama. Nonostante questo per me resta una lettura divertente e godibile! Cecilia Randall fa dell'ambientazione il suo punto di forza ed è davvero brava a trasportare il lettore nel Medioevo con un pizzico di fantastico.
A distanza di anni e da lettrice molto più matura è facile ammettere che questa saga lascia a desiderare in quanto a caratterizzazione dei personaggi e sviluppo della trama. Nonostante questo per me resta una lettura divertente e godibile! Cecilia Randall fa dell'ambientazione il suo punto di forza ed è davvero brava a trasportare il lettore nel Medioevo con un pizzico di fantastico.