karareadwhat's reviews
136 reviews

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense 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

5.0

This was even more layered than I recall. I think the brilliance of Meyer is that she's one of those authors, not all that common, that truly paints an incredible picture, with so many layers that you find yourself missing huge details the first two times around. It makes sense at the end of the day. These characters live with the author's day in and out, so it takes the reader a bit longer to dive that deep into the souls of each one. I especially love Jacob's growth, and Edward's compromising to levels that surprise even him. His love for Bella, of course never fails to make us all sigh with a smile upon our faces. Jacob is just too good, and hated seeing him get shattered again. Not looking forward to that bard of BD, but then again - that's what makes a series so memorable, the pain, emotion, and fulfillment that they evoke within us. 

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

5.0

As always, just the most lovely, nostalgic, and soul-lilting series. I especially love and appreciate how much stronger the bonds between the three become, and how intensely they are woven and continue to adapt with the insanity that is Voldemort, and all the havoc he wreaks upon Harry. This is where the plot thickens, and things become darker and far more intense. Bagman really is a git. Hate that it takes him so long to catch on. C'mon, it's Dumledore for crying out loud...

Favorite quote of the book: "You don't think anything that Skeeter cow - uh, sorry professor...: 

"I have gone temporarily dead and haven't any idea what you've said, Harry." Dumbledore said, twiddling his thumbs and staring at the ceiling. 

Gleam by Raven Kennedy

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense 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

5.0

What, an intensely……… intense read. This was bloody brilliant, and there’s just no further words. 

I loved this. The power comeback. The love. The “touch her and I’ll rot you from the inside out” energy. The feministic power cooling and pulsing throughout the power. Bravo. 

Heads Will Roll by Emily Lynne, Kate McKinnon

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-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? Yes

3.5

 This...... was so many things. It was good! I feel as though my IQ has dropped, while simultaneously gaining some secret access to ridiculous fictitious knowledge. Interesting to say the least. 

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring 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

“I’m not going to be murdered” said Harry out loud. 

“That’s the spirit, dear”, said his mirror sleepily. 


Gets me every time! Loved listening to the bits of Sirius and Harry meeting again. It’s so pure; the excitement Harry has when he finds out who Sirius really is. So wonderful listening to this series for the first time. Stephen Fry really does take the entire experience up several notches. 

The Second List by Max Bridges, Max Bridges
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.

I received this book from a GoodReads Giveaway. It is rather disappointing… It reads as if it were written in a different language and harshly translated. I genuinely tried to push myself through this, and I didn’t succeed.  For reference, I’ve had ONE other book in my entire life that I did not finish, and this marks two. 

My issues with this book is that it is so incredibly choppy, and you simply cannot keep up. An international series or read should feel rushed and intense at times, but not so poorly described that you cannot even follow the plot. The characters are poorly described and the writing doesn’t allow for you to attach to the characters in anyway.

There’s a spot where the parties are nearly assassinated, and even that was anti-climactic. So sad. This needs far less location and time changes (every other paragraph is a country or time and location within the new country change with new characters), and deeper connection with the characters.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing 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

"Yes, Severus does seem the type, doesn't he? So useful to have him swooping around like an overgrown bat...." I am still laughing at this quote. I can't believe it never stuck out to me this vividly in the past, but wow. Hilarious. 

This gem always remains the best, also: "After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure."

As wonderfully nostalgic and calming as I recall. Can't wait to continue into the rest, especially the near-ending books, dark as they may be.

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This was....... wow.

Any certified book nerd knows, reading something outside of your regular zones is a huge leap of faith. Generally, we find it's okay, but ultimately we want to be in our nice, comfortable, and knowing corner of the subject. Alas, this was one of the most powerful books I have ever encountered. I highly recommend for everyone. Especially women who have ever been, or are currently in an abusive relationship. This was the most jarring, insanely emotional, and heartachingly beautiful book that is in existence. 

The ending...... Jesus.

Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon

adventurous challenging emotional 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

4.0

As per usual, Diana delivers the most incredibly intricate and passionate example of life, love, and time. I'm not sure any book could ever top the first of this series, but this comes close. It's full of grit, horror, and death; with the best possible opposites of life, love, and the birth of brand new ways of propelling through the worst. I am so excited to continue, as always. What an absolutely incredible series, that we are all insanely lucky to have been witness to. Brava, Diana. 

Glint by Raven Kennedy

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense 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

5.0

This, was absolutely amazing. Anyone who has read Raven Kennedy is lucky enough to know what a descriptive author she is. She has the best way of tying together the tiniest details that primarily didn’t stick with you in the beginning. There’s so many little tells that intertwine and eventually process together to make a big beautiful batch of something that blows your mind in the very end.

 
********S P O I L E R **********

Rip, being King Ravinger….. WHAT! Oddly enough, I actually called this a little earlier in the book, but immediately put it to the side because there was no way that they were the same person, especially when Midas (prime art definition for “Little Bitch Boy”) was at the head Kings meeting and saw them both together.  

On a sidenote, I was entirely shocked how quickly my feelings for King Midas changed. Kennedy does a superb job of leading you through Auren’s point of view, so we tend to see King Midas through rose colored glasses without even knowing we are. During the meeting of the Kings, it couldn’t have even been more than two pages and my feelings for King Midas completely flipped. Well, not to mention the fact that he just had thrown, literally thrown, his supposed love of his life into an iron cage. That did obviously a damper onto my feelings…. Clearly that had some effect first. BUT if that weren’t enough - it was clear what a little twat he was during the meeting of the Kings. 

Back to the shock of the reveal…. The feelings that are evoked when King Rot is described versus what commander Rip causes in Auren, and especially us poor readers (fans self hectically), are polar opposites. The ending absolutely blew my mind and I’m still trying to figure out how he really is the same person, but I just love that from the beginning Rip saw every tell in Auren that everyone tended to gleam (ha) past. Without the slightest hint of any effort, he not only has the entire journey planned out, but he knows what will happen and has prepared to protect Auren at every single step. 

Bravo. I am eternally grateful I am stumbling upon the series when it is completed, because I’m not sure I could wait and stay entirely sane for the next book.