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knrivera16's reviews
11 reviews
Accordance by Shelly Crane
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Love & Hate relationship with this one.
There's so many things I love about this one. I love Bish coming into the scene and his attraction to Jen (They are my OTP of this series.). I am here for all scenes that have to do with them. I love Maggie figuring out more about who she is in the Ace community and her navigating through that. Again, simple read nothing too in depth. but I will eat it up every time.
Now... the second-hand embarrassment in this one IS REALLL! That scene in the bathroom with Kyle... yeah I skip it, and Beck talking about it π¬. There's so many parts that I cringe at either Maggie or someone else's behavior in this one, which causes me not to like it as much.
I will still continue to defend this series for life. π«ΆπΌπ€π»
There's so many things I love about this one. I love Bish coming into the scene and his attraction to Jen (They are my OTP of this series.). I am here for all scenes that have to do with them. I love Maggie figuring out more about who she is in the Ace community and her navigating through that. Again, simple read nothing too in depth. but I will eat it up every time.
Now... the second-hand embarrassment in this one IS REALLL! That scene in the bathroom with Kyle... yeah I skip it, and Beck talking about it π¬. There's so many parts that I cringe at either Maggie or someone else's behavior in this one, which causes me not to like it as much.
I will still continue to defend this series for life. π«ΆπΌπ€π»
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Onyx Storm was what Iron Flame wasn't.
I was hesitant coming back to this series because Iron Flame was just not an enjoyable read and I really had to push through it. However, Rebecca has surprised me with this one and gotten my attention back!
Let's start with the well dones of the book! Can we all acknowledge that the side characters one of the main reasons we love this series so much? Like my babies Aaric, Ridoc, and Garrick π«ΆπΌ, they eat it up every time. Once it hit chapter 24, the ball got rolling and it had me hooked from then on out. Also, of course that ending?! Like hello, what am I supposed to do during this supposed break that Rebecca is taking! π
The reasons I don't give this a 5-star, again like Iron Flame, I feel like it's unnecessarily long and I feel like it could be shortened. Like I usually read books in a couple days, but this one was just soo long lol. Also, that beginning was ehh. I don't like how she didn't start right where Iron Flame left off. I had no idea what was going on, and wasn't sure who all these characters were lol. I can see how other people may find some stuff repeated, but again it goes back to me thinking that the book was just too long for no reason.
However, I will definitely be back for book 4 because HELLO... I need to know what happened!
I was hesitant coming back to this series because Iron Flame was just not an enjoyable read and I really had to push through it. However, Rebecca has surprised me with this one and gotten my attention back!
Let's start with the well dones of the book! Can we all acknowledge that the side characters one of the main reasons we love this series so much? Like my babies Aaric, Ridoc, and Garrick π«ΆπΌ, they eat it up every time. Once it hit chapter 24, the ball got rolling and it had me hooked from then on out. Also, of course that ending?! Like hello, what am I supposed to do during this supposed break that Rebecca is taking! π
The reasons I don't give this a 5-star, again like Iron Flame, I feel like it's unnecessarily long and I feel like it could be shortened. Like I usually read books in a couple days, but this one was just soo long lol. Also, that beginning was ehh. I don't like how she didn't start right where Iron Flame left off. I had no idea what was going on, and wasn't sure who all these characters were lol. I can see how other people may find some stuff repeated, but again it goes back to me thinking that the book was just too long for no reason.
However, I will definitely be back for book 4 because HELLO... I need to know what happened!
Significance by Shelly Crane
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Guilty pleasure reread π¬.
You know how there may be a book that is not the best written or best executed book and even the plot may not be fully there just yet, but somehow you will give it 5 stars and defend it for life? Yeah, this is that book for me.
The writing is pretty simple, nothing special, and it definitely falls under the "insta-love" category, considering the fact that this book takes place in like max time span of a month (and that's being gracious). The story moves super fast where you're literally like hold on these two LITERALLY just met. HOWEVER, it's a soulmate trope and I eat it up every time.
I first read this book in 2012, when the sequels were coming out and I fell in love. I've reread this book so many times since then and it's crazy. Maggie and Caleb were just what my little 12 year old heart needed and I reread it for the nostalgia. I will defend this series for life. ππ€πΌ
You know how there may be a book that is not the best written or best executed book and even the plot may not be fully there just yet, but somehow you will give it 5 stars and defend it for life? Yeah, this is that book for me.
The writing is pretty simple, nothing special, and it definitely falls under the "insta-love" category, considering the fact that this book takes place in like max time span of a month (and that's being gracious). The story moves super fast where you're literally like hold on these two LITERALLY just met. HOWEVER, it's a soulmate trope and I eat it up every time.
I first read this book in 2012, when the sequels were coming out and I fell in love. I've reread this book so many times since then and it's crazy. Maggie and Caleb were just what my little 12 year old heart needed and I reread it for the nostalgia. I will defend this series for life. ππ€πΌ
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I like it, but I feel like I was left hanging.
The book starts of strong and I am immediately invested in the characters and what's happening. I am a suckered for anything dystopian, so I was in it. It's such a simple read and easy to follow along, given the fact that it takes place in an other worldly society. I honestly just wished there was something more, like why weren't there other people alive or what was going on in this society and that made it this way. However, I can understand that those were not meant to be the main points of the book. I personally felt like it had a strong start, but then the ending, I felt like something was missing. All notes aside, I enjoyed the book though!
The book starts of strong and I am immediately invested in the characters and what's happening. I am a suckered for anything dystopian, so I was in it. It's such a simple read and easy to follow along, given the fact that it takes place in an other worldly society. I honestly just wished there was something more, like why weren't there other people alive or what was going on in this society and that made it this way. However, I can understand that those were not meant to be the main points of the book. I personally felt like it had a strong start, but then the ending, I felt like something was missing. All notes aside, I enjoyed the book though!
The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Unique read.
The whole family dynamic was interesting to say the least. I, like many other people, didn't quite appreciate the step-sibling romance. When Shin decided to act, I found it pretty disturbing. Also the fact that they decided to leave together and ignore her mother's wishes didn't sit well with me. Ren stood on business from the get go and I grew to care for him as the book went on. I wish they would've explored the connection more between Ji Ling and Ren but I can see if it wasn't meant to be brief for the sake of the plot.
I enjoyed the setting of this book. It starts off strong and has me hooked on the plot from the beginning. Even though it had different points of view, I was able to still follow along with all the characters. For the last quarter of the book was when I started to get lost and just wasn't quite sure as to what was happening. I thought I had too many events thrown my way and wasn't just how they came together for the plot. I still think it was a good read though.
The whole family dynamic was interesting to say the least. I, like many other people, didn't quite appreciate the step-sibling romance. When Shin decided to act, I found it pretty disturbing. Also the fact that they decided to leave together and ignore her mother's wishes didn't sit well with me. Ren stood on business from the get go and I grew to care for him as the book went on. I wish they would've explored the connection more between Ji Ling and Ren but I can see if it wasn't meant to be brief for the sake of the plot.
I enjoyed the setting of this book. It starts off strong and has me hooked on the plot from the beginning. Even though it had different points of view, I was able to still follow along with all the characters. For the last quarter of the book was when I started to get lost and just wasn't quite sure as to what was happening. I thought I had too many events thrown my way and wasn't just how they came together for the plot. I still think it was a good read though.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
Timeless read for me.
I first read this 12 years ago when I was in middle school and completely feel in love with the dystopian genre. Then and know it was such an easy read. Even though the plot gets going relatively quickly, I am still able to keep up with what's going on and the characters. The book is action packed, moves quickly but still at a good pace. For this to be a first book, I really enjoy it. I felt like just the right amount of information is thrown at me and it's enough to understand and hate the Capitol.
There's such a variety of different characters and I love them all. I have heard people complain before about Katniss being whiny, but when you think about the fact that she's a 16 year old girl and she's been sent to death, let's just say not alot of us have been in her shoes, and I appreciate she rawness and her distrust in other people, because of her circumstances. I even appreciate her mental struggle at the end whether or not she actually like Peeta, especially after he thinks that the show was just for the games.
Nothing but good thoughts on loverboy Peeta. I absolutely LOVE how he knows how to play the game. Big golden retriever energy, can I get one please?
I first read this 12 years ago when I was in middle school and completely feel in love with the dystopian genre. Then and know it was such an easy read. Even though the plot gets going relatively quickly, I am still able to keep up with what's going on and the characters. The book is action packed, moves quickly but still at a good pace. For this to be a first book, I really enjoy it. I felt like just the right amount of information is thrown at me and it's enough to understand and hate the Capitol.
There's such a variety of different characters and I love them all. I have heard people complain before about Katniss being whiny, but when you think about the fact that she's a 16 year old girl and she's been sent to death, let's just say not alot of us have been in her shoes, and I appreciate she rawness and her distrust in other people, because of her circumstances. I even appreciate her mental struggle at the end whether or not she actually like Peeta, especially after he thinks that the show was just for the games.
Nothing but good thoughts on loverboy Peeta. I absolutely LOVE how he knows how to play the game. Big golden retriever energy, can I get one please?
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
Great collection of silly poems!
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Personally, I felt like it was hard to follow.
I felt like there was so many characters/suspects. There was points that I had no idea who Poirot was talking about. Even when towards the end of the book he goes over all the suspects, I still found it hard to follow along.
Even though it was a simple read, I feel like it could've been simpler in terms of the amount of characters. The guilty party made sense, but because of all the characters, I was just so confused. π
I felt like there was so many characters/suspects. There was points that I had no idea who Poirot was talking about. Even when towards the end of the book he goes over all the suspects, I still found it hard to follow along.
Even though it was a simple read, I feel like it could've been simpler in terms of the amount of characters. The guilty party made sense, but because of all the characters, I was just so confused. π
The Dinner by Herman Koch
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Dark, but not as dark as I thought.
I honestly expected this to be darker, but I wonder if it was the writing. The pacing of the novel was slow. The first half of the book was just the main character whining, and I'm assuming this is a middle aged man, who needs to grow up a bit. Then it would go into flashbacks at different times, so there got to a point where I wasn't sure if it was a flashback or something happening after the dinner.
I will say, there was a nice twist in terms of the characters of the book as you go along. You think you know someone, but then as the book goes on you learn stuff that makes you scratch your head.
The idea for the book is there, but I feel like there could've been a better way of writing it.
I honestly expected this to be darker, but I wonder if it was the writing. The pacing of the novel was slow. The first half of the book was just the main character whining, and I'm assuming this is a middle aged man, who needs to grow up a bit. Then it would go into flashbacks at different times, so there got to a point where I wasn't sure if it was a flashback or something happening after the dinner.
I will say, there was a nice twist in terms of the characters of the book as you go along. You think you know someone, but then as the book goes on you learn stuff that makes you scratch your head.
The idea for the book is there, but I feel like there could've been a better way of writing it.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Snow lands on top, at least in this book.
Honestly, the first half of the book was a bit harder to get through then the second half. The author had introduced so many different characters (both tributes and classmates), that I felt like I couldn't keep up. However, the 2nd half of the book was quicker to get through and I personally liked it much better.
I didn't really like how the story was one-sided from Snow the whole time, and we didn't see much of Lucy's POV. It would've been interesting to see what she started feeling for Snow, since on his end it was pure obsession. However, I can also see if that was the intention of the author the whole time, since her focus was on Snow.
I also think the movie did a good job in portraying the book. I committed the crime and watched the movie before reading the book. Obviously in the book we have alot of internal monologues that are not shown in the movie, but I still think that the movie showed his thoughts in a great way! The whole time I was thinking, this guy is trash and his actions are not matching what he says at all.
My favorite part of this in both book and movie is that last scene when they're about to run away, and Snow has that switch up moment and Lucy runs. I think that's such a cool turning point even if it was at the very end. It shows Lucy who Snow has been all along. I will come back to the inner monologue, because the whole time (during the movie) I'm thinking "he's gonna kill her" and reading the book I'm so glad that's exactly what he was thinking!
Honestly... Part 3: The Peacekeeper is what carried the whole book for me.
Honestly, the first half of the book was a bit harder to get through then the second half. The author had introduced so many different characters (both tributes and classmates), that I felt like I couldn't keep up. However, the 2nd half of the book was quicker to get through and I personally liked it much better.
I didn't really like how the story was one-sided from Snow the whole time, and we didn't see much of Lucy's POV. It would've been interesting to see what she started feeling for Snow, since on his end it was pure obsession. However, I can also see if that was the intention of the author the whole time, since her focus was on Snow.
I also think the movie did a good job in portraying the book. I committed the crime and watched the movie before reading the book. Obviously in the book we have alot of internal monologues that are not shown in the movie, but I still think that the movie showed his thoughts in a great way! The whole time I was thinking, this guy is trash and his actions are not matching what he says at all.
My favorite part of this in both book and movie is that last scene when they're about to run away, and Snow has that switch up moment and Lucy runs. I think that's such a cool turning point even if it was at the very end. It shows Lucy who Snow has been all along. I will come back to the inner monologue, because the whole time (during the movie) I'm thinking "he's gonna kill her" and reading the book I'm so glad that's exactly what he was thinking!
Honestly... Part 3: The Peacekeeper is what carried the whole book for me.