maggie_desu's reviews
324 reviews

Verdades Ocultas by Michael Hjorth

adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

If you're claustrophobic, please, avoid this book! It is creepy as hell and very original, i quite enjoyed it. I bet the physical copy of this might be awesome. Also, I think it would make a fun horror movie.

Se os Gatos Desaparecessem do Mundo by Genki Kawamura

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

3.75

Temporary rating. I'm not sure what to think of it.

Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

adventurous funny informative lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Rumo a Casa by Yaa Gyasi

challenging dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.

Only read the first chapter (Libby) and didn't enjoy it particularly and seeing other reviews now reassure me that I'm doing the right thing for myself.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

I have to say that I enjoyed this more than I was expecting. That being said I don't think this book is something out of this world, quite on the contrary. The whole plot isn't that much to be honest. I was a bit halfway through it and got myself thinking that hasn't really happened nothing great. It was an okay story. However, I got to give it to Bardugo for writing Alina. Being this a YA book I was expecting an annoying main character, because, you know, authors most of the time write annoying teenagers who have the task of saving the world. She didn't come up with a helpless whinning girl who only thinks about the guys she likes or who like her. I applaud you, Bardugo, well done! It is a mature YA, it's focused, it isn't cringy. I was already readying myself to hate her and roll my eyes at all the stupid actions she would take. I am pleasantly surprised. Although, I'm not sure if this is due to the fact that the characters are a bit tad bland and generic, but then again Alina isn't the typical girl we're used to.
The world building is basically non-existent, I'm sorry, but it is true. I have read a few fantasy books, even though not enough to make myself an expert on this genre, but I've read really good fantasy books with great world building. It was basic, you could put anything in its place and it would still work okay. I'm expecting more of this in the next two books.
Bardugo's writing is good. She knows what she's doing. She knows how to write compelling action scenes and keep the narrative captivating.
All in all, it's a nice read and fun for newbies to the genre.

Os Sete Maridos de Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

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

Antes que o café arrefeça by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25

 That last reflection❤️ In the end, we need to accept what happened in the past, it has already happened and nothing will change it. If it's hard to deal and make our peace with it? Of course it is, sometimes we all just need a little bit of time for that. However, the way that shapes us and what we decide to do from then on and how we face it is all up to us, that is the crucial decision. We can grow or we can simply do nothing and stay forever in that state. It is hard and sometimes we need help to move on or to deal with what has happened. It's just like the book said: at the end it takes courage to face life's adversities. We need to grieve the situation, that is a fact. However, we need to move on at some point, there's no reason to dwell on and drown in grief. If we don't do it, we will lose important things, we'll be wasting precious time and moments that can never be retrieved. It will be an infinite loop of sorrow and regrets on what was lost, forgetting what is still being lost at that precise moment. Whenever you feel you can't handle what's happening or has happened and you can see that alone you can't move on, seek help. Don't feel ashamed or be afraid. There will be people who are right there to help you get through it, it's their job and there's nothing wrong in asking for help. It will get better. The present will be enough and it will be good.

O artigo da revista sobre o mito urbano afirmara: «Afinal, quer se regresse ao passado ou se viaje para o futuro, o presente não se altera. O que levanta a questão: para que serve aquela cadeira?»
Contudo, ainda hoje Kazu acredita que, por maiores que sejam as dificuldades que se enfrentam, as pessoas terão sempre a força necessária para as ultrapassar. Apenas é necessário coragem. 

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0