lilo000's reviews
182 reviews

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This book did slow down a bit in the middle, the humor was entertaining for sure. The side characters really made this book. A great standalone book and just the amount of cozy I was aiming for. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, and Violence

A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

3.75

3.8⭐️ 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Sexism, and Terminal illness

Minor: Death of parent

Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook by Christina Henry

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

Not my typical book. I'd say the pacing flitted between medium and fast-paced. Still an entertaining read, would recommend as far as fairytale retellings go

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gore and Grief

Es-tu un monstre? by Guilherme Karsten

funny fast-paced

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

hopeful medium-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

3.8 stars I thought the epilogue was cute and on theme, but I found it a little implausible how much of a saint Maddy is

— I mean, she seems to have built her whole life structure around Emma's trauma and needs

, which is great as far as best friends go but seemed unreasonable, especially for Maddy's sake. This was still an enjoyable read and plot/story arc. I appreciated that we got a bit of

a redemption arc for

Neil and a definite connect back to the first book. I felt like the *in between* time for Emma

when she had left

felt realistic/not overly dramatized

I mean, realistically, Justin had responsibilities and couldn't really afford to fall into a dramatic slump for 6 months with 3 kids to take care of, but I'm surprised he didn't lash out when she'd gone for 6 months to return hoping to pick things back up — of course it's more complicated, but still, I expect less of men

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Grief and Abandonment

Fourchon by Kyo Maclear

hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

hopeful 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

4.5

I had notable logistic issues in the beginning half of this book with the realism of an ER doc with strong social and general anxiety, but they did later give it context/explanation. I got so attached to these characters and the pacing was great. The story arc was also all I could've asked for. I don't think I noticed more than once instance when I wasn't happy with the changes in POV. The slang did occasionally throw me off, but not enough to be put off.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Sexual content

Legend by Marie Lu

adventurous fast-paced

3.5

3.6⭐️ ish I needed to sit on this a bit because, I think, part of this rating is the fact that I don't think I appreciate young adult fiction as much as I used to. I was a little annoyed that the MMC's name was Day, but we got past that. I do appreciate June, as a character, and while I did want to find out what happens next, I'm not all that invested in their world. It read a little too familiar in terms of set up/dystopia for me, but maybe I need to take a break from the genre and come back to it later.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Blood

Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I had a lot of mixed feelings throughout this, but this book did have me wrapped around its little finger at one point, and I must give credit where credit is due. I didn't appreciate some of the tropes, but not because of the way the author wrote them, I just don't inherently appreciate those tropes. Also, since we're seeing most of the story through Alexis' perspective, it was tough to know how reliable she was

since she was also being tortured/starved

throughout her trials.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Bullying, Gun violence, Self harm, Stalking, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Minor: Animal death

Neglect, emotional manipulation

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

4.15⭐️ - this felt a small step above what I thought it'd end up as, as far as romance books go. I was attached to the characters but got real attached toward the end of the story arc. I appreciate that it felt like Alexis had growth through her experiences. I think it was good that the author was responsible with the warnings and resources at the end of the book. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Death, Medical content, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Classism