hanna's reviews
653 reviews
The Darkening, by Sunya Mara
adventurous
challenging
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
4.25
This was such a good read and it gave me all the YA feels that I love about the genre. The characters were fun and interesting and the world-building is so interesting and out-wordly. There's no dumb rules for only male monarchs, the rulers are queer, female, siblings ruling together.
Yes, it's a bit basic at times — the different city parts relating to power, evil princes who aren't so evil after all but why change a working system? 😉 There is a lot of poc-rep and I spy mlm rep in the future 🤞🏻 Ikonomancy is an interesting power system and it doesn't rely on violence, more on academic wisdom. At first, I was a bit confused but it made more sense as the book went on and the explanations actually made sense for once, haha.
The ending made me feel like I was on drugs and it was all a bit crazy (and the characterisation went 🏃🏼♀🏃🏼♀🏃🏼♀) but I'm still really excited for the next book!
Yes, it's a bit basic at times — the different city parts relating to power, evil princes who aren't so evil after all but why change a working system? 😉 There is a lot of poc-rep and I spy mlm rep in the future 🤞🏻 Ikonomancy is an interesting power system and it doesn't rely on violence, more on academic wisdom. At first, I was a bit confused but it made more sense as the book went on and the explanations actually made sense for once, haha.
The ending made me feel like I was on drugs and it was all a bit crazy (and the characterisation went 🏃🏼♀🏃🏼♀🏃🏼♀) but I'm still really excited for the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Confinement, and Violence
The Dead and the Dark, by Courtney Gould
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
My highlight was definitely Ashley and Logan's relationship and I wish we could've spent more time with them. The paranormal element was interesting but a bit too little developed for me and I felt like everyone accepted it's existence (or the existence of any real paranormal activity) wayyy too quickly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Homophobia, Gun violence, and Child death
Minor: Grief and Alcohol
The Lucky List, by Rachael Lippincott
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
2.0
This had some cute moments but it took way too long for anything to happen and then it was just rushed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Infidelity and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia and Cancer
The MC cheated on her ex bf
Stone Blind, by Natalie Haynes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I really loved the Gorgon-family aspect of this — all the feels — but I couldn't connect well with the rest of the story. It's a pretty basic retelling of the Medusa & Perseus myth that doesn't stand out much. What I loved, though, was the author's narration, she really brings the right emotions through and (rarely seen in author-read audiobooks) is an awesome narrator. Really weird ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Rape, and Blood
Moderate: Gore, Grief, and Infidelity
Portrait of a Thief, by Grace D. Li
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
I really loved this! I may be a history student but above all, I am a museum criticist.
This story seems simple — 5 Chinese-American college students, 5 zodiac heads to be retrieved. But it is so much more than that. It's about immigration, family, love and the loss of it, complicated sibling relationships and just not knowing where your life is supposed to end up. I could find myself so much in this book, it was so raw and real.
The character relationships were so interesting, especially how each of them had different and established relationships and intercations with the other members of the crew. They're all multifaceted and you can really see that come through in those scenes and that's what makes them seem so much like real people.
I really appreciated the constant mentions of Chinese proverbs and the small differences in meaning that sentences can have in English & Chinese, that was so interesting. I've been trying to get into Asian history for some time but I've been really struggling to find an in (I'm not one for biggg, long, overview books, give me one single aspect please) and I think the Summer Palace is the one! Its history in the past and its status right now really intrigues me.
Would definitely recommend if you also love criticising museums and your own academic field. Academia is a scam but I firmly believe we can change it.
Okay, now, why wasn't this 5 stars? Don't get me wrong: people know me as someone who hates, basically can't read anything, that has a sad ending but this one was just too perfect for me. I loved how much they messed up in the book, how un-perfect this heist was and maybe I'm just a hater of historical institutions at my form but I'm not able to dispense reality enough to believe this ending.
This story seems simple — 5 Chinese-American college students, 5 zodiac heads to be retrieved. But it is so much more than that. It's about immigration, family, love and the loss of it, complicated sibling relationships and just not knowing where your life is supposed to end up. I could find myself so much in this book, it was so raw and real.
The character relationships were so interesting, especially how each of them had different and established relationships and intercations with the other members of the crew. They're all multifaceted and you can really see that come through in those scenes and that's what makes them seem so much like real people.
I really appreciated the constant mentions of Chinese proverbs and the small differences in meaning that sentences can have in English & Chinese, that was so interesting. I've been trying to get into Asian history for some time but I've been really struggling to find an in (I'm not one for biggg, long, overview books, give me one single aspect please) and I think the Summer Palace is the one! Its history in the past and its status right now really intrigues me.
Would definitely recommend if you also love criticising museums and your own academic field. Academia is a scam but I firmly believe we can change it.
Okay, now, why wasn't this 5 stars? Don't get me wrong: people know me as someone who hates, basically can't read anything, that has a sad ending but this one was just too perfect for me. I loved how much they messed up in the book, how un-perfect this heist was and maybe I'm just a hater of historical institutions at my form but I'm not able to dispense reality enough to believe this ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death of parent, Racism, and Grief
Minor: War
The Worst Guy, by Kate Canterbary
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
5.0
SO GOOD. SO SO GOOD. Will be thinking about this book for the foreseeable future.
I was hesitant to pick this up — I've read "Before Girl" and it just didn't work for me — but I'm so glad I did.
Sebastian and Sara are enemies-to-lovers at its finest. They fight, they scream at each other every possible moment, they have mind-blowing hate-sex, y'know the likes (the smut in this was *chef's kiss*). But there's also so much caring, so much unwanted feelings for each other, so much "I didn't want to like you but here we are".
Sara's character, especially, spoke to me on so many ways — the people-pleaser, the oldest sister, the messed-up perfectionist — and reading about her really felt like someone lifted my therapy notes and printed them. The way she works through her relationship with Sebastian is also messy but it works so well and it's so refreshing to see a relationship where two people really have to work for it. They talk about their issues, their fears, their worries and they work through it together. No instant HEA but something so much more real and all the sweeter for it.
Can already tell this will be one of my 2023 favourites ❤
I was hesitant to pick this up — I've read "Before Girl" and it just didn't work for me — but I'm so glad I did.
Sebastian and Sara are enemies-to-lovers at its finest. They fight, they scream at each other every possible moment, they have mind-blowing hate-sex, y'know the likes (the smut in this was *chef's kiss*). But there's also so much caring, so much unwanted feelings for each other, so much "I didn't want to like you but here we are".
Sara's character, especially, spoke to me on so many ways — the people-pleaser, the oldest sister, the messed-up perfectionist — and reading about her really felt like someone lifted my therapy notes and printed them. The way she works through her relationship with Sebastian is also messy but it works so well and it's so refreshing to see a relationship where two people really have to work for it. They talk about their issues, their fears, their worries and they work through it together. No instant HEA but something so much more real and all the sweeter for it.
Can already tell this will be one of my 2023 favourites ❤
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Chronic illness
Moderate: Mental illness, Emotional abuse, and Eating disorder
Minor: Abandonment, Vomit, and Medical content
Emotional abuse is from the h's father
It Happens in the Hamptons, by Holly Peterson
funny
relaxing
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
3.0
Wanted to love this!! I love reading about fucked up rich people!! Always reminds me I don't actually want to marry rich. It just had to me plot at the end. Give me more gossip, no boring romances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
A Really Bad Idea, by Jeannine Colette
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
How can two people who are apparently SO smart be SO SO BAD at COMMUNICATING with eachother, I swear to god.
I really liked this for the most part — Christian and Meadow are really sweet characters and I love myself a good boy & girl friendship! It was so cool to see Meadow be so open about how much she wants to be a mum, we often get kids or pregnancy in epilogues but this is one of the first times where I felt like the parents really really wanted that kid.
The pacing of the writing took me out at times and there were moments where it just became a bit ridiculous — like, really, the three potential bachelors her mum wants her to get with each appear on the three dates she has with Christian? What is this, A Christmas Carol?
The supporting cast in this book was really great, Meadow has such sweet friends who supported her through all her wild decisions. Especially some scenes with her mum towards the end had me so emotional, it was really touching.
Even though, the miscommunication was cleared up soon after, it still really annoyed me and was just unnecessary drama and trouble. It's so obvious that they have feelings for eachother but at some point it wasn't cute anymore, just annoying — get your shit together please.
I'll leave this at 3.5 ⭐ for now and stress about my rating for the next few days.
I really liked this for the most part — Christian and Meadow are really sweet characters and I love myself a good boy & girl friendship! It was so cool to see Meadow be so open about how much she wants to be a mum, we often get kids or pregnancy in epilogues but this is one of the first times where I felt like the parents really really wanted that kid.
The pacing of the writing took me out at times and there were moments where it just became a bit ridiculous — like, really, the three potential bachelors her mum wants her to get with each appear on the three dates she has with Christian? What is this, A Christmas Carol?
The supporting cast in this book was really great, Meadow has such sweet friends who supported her through all her wild decisions. Especially some scenes with her mum towards the end had me so emotional, it was really touching.
Even though, the miscommunication was cleared up soon after, it still really annoyed me and was just unnecessary drama and trouble. It's so obvious that they have feelings for eachother but at some point it wasn't cute anymore, just annoying — get your shit together please.
I'll leave this at 3.5 ⭐ for now and stress about my rating for the next few days.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Sexual content, Cursing, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infidelity
Life, Death and Biscuits, by Anthea Allen
emotional
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
4.25
A bit repetitive at times but such a tender and real insight into a nurse's life during Covid. I especially appreciated how many different parts of live Allen touched upon, like how old people or young teenagers were struggling in their own ways during Covid. As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals or doctor's offices, she also made me feel much more comfortable with the moments there, that are embarrassing for me but just normal for the nurses. They really hold the whole medical world together. I feel like this is a book that I could show to my kids in the future to make them understand the weird world we lived in during the height of the pandemic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Death
Moderate: Car accident, Self harm, Animal death, Pregnancy, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death of parent
Bring Me Back, by Kristen Granata
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
2.0
I just couldn't stand the writing in this one, it was so boring, felt like a copied "Mental Health 🌻✨" and relied too much on exposition.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Child death, Death, and Injury/injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, and Drug abuse
Minor: Miscarriage, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Medical content