emii_k's reviews
82 reviews

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

funny fast-paced

4.0

Objectively, was this good? Absolutely not! Plot holes a plenty, some uh interesting writing choices,  and very very predictable tropes. But I was here for a good time and a good time was in fact what I got. I could not put this down. The banter was fun, and a few of the plot twists actually got me. I will be reading book two (I need them to kiss I’m just a girl).

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.75

This was a collection of short stories which I wasn’t expecting. I went in blind with this book, and it was honestly just ok. Only one of the stories really resonated with me out of all them, and I didn’t really enjoy the writing style. It felt very childish at times, but that might’ve also been due to things being lost in translation. This was a very anticipated read, and I feel a little let down. Kinda just eh.

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

3.25

This was strange. I still liked it, don’t get me wrong, but it just wasn’t my favorite, and that’s ok. Still an enjoyable read though. Very interesting concepts were explored but like I said before, just not my favorite in all areas.

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I feel like I was punched in the stomach. This will be living in my head for a while now. May update my rating later, but for now, 4/5.

The Will of the Many by James Islington

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

This, this was something. And I mean that in a good way. It was a bit confusing at times just because so much was going on (especially in the beginning), but I got it after maybe 30-40 pages in. I really enjoyed this. I did have to put this book down at time just because of the anxiety it was giving me (anxiety in a good way; the stakes were high). This was very ancient Rome inspired which I loved, and it was done in a way that I  haven't seen before at all, which was very refreshing. It fed my need to read ancient mythology inspired works without repeating the same stuff over and over.

ALSO MINOR CHARACTER DEATH ?? HELLO ?? WHAT WAS THAT ??? GIVE ME CALLADIS BACK RN !!!

This book also really explored power dynamics, especially in government systems but it was done in a way which I felt was understandable, and well. A lot of politics and things motivated on a political basis were happening. But I do need the next one to come out like now please and thank you.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Gore, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Medical content

Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner
Did not finish book.

I just wasn’t in the mood for this kind of book or style at this moment. I may come back to it when I’m more inclined to this kind of story. Not the books fault, I’m just a mood reader and this wasn’t what I wanted right now.

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I am not usually a romance book girly BUT LET ME TELL YOU. This was fun. Genuinely, this was fun. Did it read a little Wattpad-y? Yes. Was it groundbreaking? No. Could I put it down? Also no.

This book is a bit silly and satyrical and it know it, which is what makes it fun. It doesn’t take itself completely seriously. I don’t usually read books in this style, or that revolve around romance as the center plot point but I honestly might pick up another one of Hazelwoods books just because they’re such an easy read, and her writing is fun.

The MC here wasn’t over the top, she wasn’t super “pick me” (which I was worried about picking up a romance book), and she was fun! Misery was a fun narrator, and her narration mimicked an internal monologue. Just thoughts that go, which I enjoyed.

But the knot. That was…something for sure. I ended up skipping/skimming most of it just because I’m not a huge fan. Another thing that I ended up not being a huge fan of was the way the ending was written. The pace really picked up (which wasn’t an issue), but the book started to take itself more seriously about 80-85% of the way through to the end compared to the beginning; which I feel ruined the light-hearted air that was set down early, and that was carried through almost the entire story. The switch was just a bit odd, and made everything seem a little silly. I don’t think I’ll end up recommending this book to anybody I know just because it’s so specific and niche. 

If you’re worried about how prominent the “alpha” stuff is, it’s really not all that bad. It’s more of a respect thing in this book versus position=power and “my word is law because I have power”.

Serena is a queen. Owen kinda grew on me. 

Overall fun, and dare I say worth the hype. 

The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

Bro what did I just read. Genuinely, what was that. This at times, filled me with so much anxiety and dread but I couldn’t put it down. I read this mostly in one sitting, and I was royally creeped out but that’s also a sign of good writing. Very well written, but this also freaked me out. I may change my rating later, but for now, 3.5.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual content

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

Having watched Miazakis’ Howls Moving Castle before reading this, I kind of knew what was going to happen right off the bat. BUT, a lot of things in this book were pretty different than the movie and I still highly recommend reading this even if you’ve watched the movie (10/10 movie btw you should go watch it the soundtrack is stunninggg). Sophie’s character was much more developed here and much more nuanced, which I greatly enjoyed. She was explored a decent deal, and I think I would have to reread this book on paper (I read on my Kindle) to really annotate her properly. She was a lovely character to explore this world through, and she gave ZERO fucks to some things which was very enjoyable to read about if I do say so myself (love me a grouchy old lady what can I say). Howl was pretty much the same as in the movie lol. Still kind of a prick, but fun nonetheless. 

The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa

dark emotional

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

2.25

I liked this concept a lot, and the entire premise of the book was very interesting. But the ending was disappointing. It felt a bit rushed and almost of the blue, and I feel like the initial concept could’ve been taken a bit further and explored more especially in the last couple chapters. 

Too many ends were left loose, especially with what was going to happen to one of the main characters. It was just a bit too open ended for my liking, which honestly kind of ruined it for me unfortunately. A lot of things in the book were written with the ending in mind, which led to a lot of momentum being built up that the ending itself just didn’t deliver. 

And the infidelity that was just randomly thrown in???! That genuinely made no sense in my opinion, and although it could be argued that it was for the plot and character development, it felt so random and it was just another turn off in this book for me. It felt incredibly unnecessary, and just a bit gross honestly, considering that the guy HAD A WIFE AND A NEWBORN KID.

I really wanted to like this book, and some of the writing was beautiful but overall, no. It fell short for me. The more I think about this book the less positive things I can remember (I’ve also forgotten the main characters name).