The comic starts right where the show ended. I really liked how defeating the Fire Lord in the series wasn’t enough to really have peace. A war that has been going on for a century will definitely be harder to end than just defeat one political leader.

I really enjoyed Toph’s Metal Bending school arc. I really missed Sokka at his finest, which this comic 100% brings back.

The end gave me goosebumps. I am so hyped to read the next installment. Honestly, I think this comic gives a well-rounded explanation for what happened after the ATLA series. The fallout of a century-long war is definitely present, and I think that makes the Avatar universe feel more real.

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

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dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

4.0

Claire Keegan's writing is like a smooth cup of hot chocolate. It's beautiful, precise, descriptive, and thoughtful. Every sentence feels as if can be dissected and analysed. She says so much, with minimal word count.

This short novel was also my first time hearing about the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland. The way Keegan didn't and did go into explaining them, I felt, was very powerful. The same way people at the time might have ignored or not even understood what was happening with all those women and girls, is the same way the descriptions in this book made me feel.
The reader feels there is something wrong, something fishy... but they can't quite pinpoint what it is (specially if it's the reader's first time hearing about the historical context).

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who'd like to read a contemporary literary text that won't take ages to finish.

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

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

3.0

Legends & Lattes was exactly what I needed after reading a bunch of non-fiction. It was such an easy and relaxing read. I really enjoyed the slow progression of the café, the introduction of quirky characters, and the overall vibe the book has.

On the other hand, I felt like the story moved way too quickly. Characters didn't particularly have time to develop, their goals or aspirations weren't clear to me. I suppose I would've liked a little more focus on secondary characters and their development, knowing plot development wasn't the author's main focus for this cosy novel.

Nevertheless, I did enjoy this book and would recommend it for fantasy lovers who just want to chill after reading a plot heavy series.

Babel by R.F. Kuang

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adventurous emotional informative inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

What a novel. I was introduced to R. F. Kuang via Yellowface. Her writing I liked... it was honest, to the point, and punchy. The story itself left me wanting more. Therefore, I decided to read her debut, which friends highly recommended to me. Babel was everything they promised... and more.

The characters are all incredibly well-written. They all feel real. They all feel flawed. Their emotional depths grasped at mine. I felt like I knew them personally.

The world-building was amazing. It felt like reading those first descriptions of Hogwarts all over again. The wonder and curiosity this world sparked in me was something I haven't felt since those early Harry Potter days.

The magic system of Babel was as much magic as scientific. I loved the marriage between both the explainable and the fantastical. It gave the book an adult feel, without losing its child-like wonder quality I loved so much.

The topics Babel covers are extremely important historically and as well as contemporary. The nuance and care Kuang took writing about such a sensitive issue, whilst never forgeting to entertain was absolutely beautifully done.

I don't have enough words to praise this novel. From beginning to end it amazed me: characters tugged at my heart-strings, the world mermerised me, and the plot was entertainng and necessary in contemporary fantasy.

If you haven't yet... please read this book.

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dnietoperafan's reviews 191 reviews

dnietoperafan's reviews
191 reviews