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mariah_readssometimes's reviews
358 reviews
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
The storytelling in this book is marvelous. Reminds me why contemporary literature can be so important. When you start reading, there's no way you would guess where it is going nor the outcome. As the book progressed, I made the connections and knew what was going on, but I kept reading because I wanted to know how it affected or characters.
I have to admit, I absolutely hated Cameron's character, but I still wanted his happiness. He was dealt a crappy hand, and Sowell Bay is more than just answers for him. It's proof that he can change and grow.
I know that he was just the glue, but I wanted more Marcellus. His insights were refreshing, and it was a reminder that animals are more than just cute creatures.
I also want to admit, I was scared at the beginning that this was going to be a Tova-falls-in-love-with-the-octopus story.. I was pretty close to putting it down. But after a bit, I realised fascination doesn't have to mean infatuation. I've been reading too much romance, lol.
I have to admit, I absolutely hated Cameron's character, but I still wanted his happiness. He was dealt a crappy hand, and Sowell Bay is more than just answers for him. It's proof that he can change and grow.
I know that he was just the glue, but I wanted more Marcellus. His insights were refreshing, and it was a reminder that animals are more than just cute creatures.
I also want to admit, I was scared at the beginning that this was going to be a Tova-falls-in-love-with-the-octopus story.. I was pretty close to putting it down. But after a bit, I realised fascination doesn't have to mean infatuation. I've been reading too much romance, lol.
Isle of Wolves: Hunt or Die by Tiffany Daune
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.75
I received an ARC copy of this book by BookSirens, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
This is a great YA fantasy with witches, werewolves, and other dark creatures. It gave me teen wolf x pretty little liars vibes.
WARNING it does end with quite a surprise and with more questions than answers, which really just makes me want book 2 yesterday!
The pacing was good. Each chapter ended in such a way that kept you wanting to continue reading.
The world building and character development was good--yet some details are confusing. I really enjoyed the werewolf premise but still don't understand how you're born with the wolf inside of you. But also, magic doesn't always have to explain itself.
I enjoyed the different personalities the characters had. The romance was minimal yet still a part of the plot, which was nice.
The Slavic folklore was neat. However, the amount of times I had to reference the Ukranian dictionary at the beginning of the book was a bit absurd. I liked the terms, it gave it that extra touch. But (and maybe it's just my brain lol) the terms were all so very similar that the first half of the book I had to flip back n forth often.
Overall a fun and interesting read, I hope to catch book 2 if/when it becomes available!
This is a great YA fantasy with witches, werewolves, and other dark creatures. It gave me teen wolf x pretty little liars vibes.
WARNING it does end with quite a surprise and with more questions than answers, which really just makes me want book 2 yesterday!
The pacing was good. Each chapter ended in such a way that kept you wanting to continue reading.
The world building and character development was good--yet some details are confusing. I really enjoyed the werewolf premise but still don't understand how you're born with the wolf inside of you. But also, magic doesn't always have to explain itself.
I enjoyed the different personalities the characters had. The romance was minimal yet still a part of the plot, which was nice.
The Slavic folklore was neat. However, the amount of times I had to reference the Ukranian dictionary at the beginning of the book was a bit absurd. I liked the terms, it gave it that extra touch. But (and maybe it's just my brain lol) the terms were all so very similar that the first half of the book I had to flip back n forth often.
Overall a fun and interesting read, I hope to catch book 2 if/when it becomes available!
The First Stone (The First Dryad) by Teshelle Combs
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Once again, a wonderfully built world and wonderfully complex characters were the name of the game.
Sanaa is possibly one of the greatest characters I have ever read. She is the epitome of growth coming from a land like Rote, which was bland and boring and conforming and harsh and emotionless and just mute. Not to mention, women were just a means for creation and power. Blegh.
Her shift after moving to Caram, which is very loud and colorful and flavorful and challenging and strong and equal. It just led to her ultimate power and badassery.
I loved the relationship between Sanaa and Taeyo. The banter was perfect. The respect was perfect. They just really matched well. They pushed each other's boundaries but not in a way that made the other feel unloved.
The additional characters. There are always so many, but Tess really makes sure you learn about and love each and every one. This is possibly one of my favorites of the First series.
To continue on about the characters... literally, there's a frog named Mus that has a big part to Sanaa's story. A FROG.
Sanaa is possibly one of the greatest characters I have ever read. She is the epitome of growth coming from a land like Rote, which was bland and boring and conforming and harsh and emotionless and just mute. Not to mention, women were just a means for creation and power. Blegh.
Her shift after moving to Caram, which is very loud and colorful and flavorful and challenging and strong and equal. It just led to her ultimate power and badassery.
I loved the relationship between Sanaa and Taeyo. The banter was perfect. The respect was perfect. They just really matched well. They pushed each other's boundaries but not in a way that made the other feel unloved.
The additional characters. There are always so many, but Tess really makes sure you learn about and love each and every one. This is possibly one of my favorites of the First series.
To continue on about the characters... literally, there's a frog named Mus that has a big part to Sanaa's story. A FROG.
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
dark
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
This book is more than I thought it would be. I was worried it would be exactly like the first where there wasn't a lot of excitement. Ooooh boy. There is plenty of excitement this time around.
There's deception. There's star crossed love. There's despair. I cried a few times. Rebecca really made you love the characters she wrote. Everything that happens feels personal.
I'm so glad I stuck it out for the second book.
There's deception. There's star crossed love. There's despair. I cried a few times. Rebecca really made you love the characters she wrote. Everything that happens feels personal.
I'm so glad I stuck it out for the second book.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
dark
emotional
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
If you're looking for thrill and excitement, this is not the book for you. There is *some*, but it's sad and war related. You will likely get bored if thrill is what you want.
This book is more for the development. The development of your characters. The world building. The relationships amongst friends. The creation of myths and gods. The feeling of right vs wrong. Pen pals!?
I feel like giving it a rating won't feel right. Because I did really like this book, however, it didn't excite me. But I am huge on development, and I really became close to the characters. So I don't know. It's a lot of good and bad mixed
This book is more for the development. The development of your characters. The world building. The relationships amongst friends. The creation of myths and gods. The feeling of right vs wrong. Pen pals!?
I feel like giving it a rating won't feel right. Because I did really like this book, however, it didn't excite me. But I am huge on development, and I really became close to the characters. So I don't know. It's a lot of good and bad mixed
Stolen Tongues by Felix Blackwell
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.25
When I first started reading this book, I was creeped out enough I didn't want to read it at night. Then it started getting extremely repetitive and I almost gave up. It got better, but there was a whole bid up and the ending fell short. I wish there was more gusto. The secret was meh, the wrap up was boring. I just wanted more.
But if this does turn into a movie, I'll watch the crap out of it.
But if this does turn into a movie, I'll watch the crap out of it.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5
Not my usual genre. I'm glad I gave it a go though.
Elizabeth is a baddie. Having to put up with the bs of a man's world 60-70 years ago sounds exhausting. Everyone thinking she's riding her boyfriend's coat tail and men taking advantage of her and her smarts left and right. It was tough to read, because sometimes I still feel that way in the world today.
I am in disagreement with a lot of people that Elizabeth isn't a relatable character. Her ridiculous logic and rationality is me.
One of the things that bothered me was how much it hopped around. I was confused a few times because we'd randomly be transported into a memory and then go back to the "present" and it was spotty and hard to follow at times.
Elizabeth is a baddie. Having to put up with the bs of a man's world 60-70 years ago sounds exhausting. Everyone thinking she's riding her boyfriend's coat tail and men taking advantage of her and her smarts left and right. It was tough to read, because sometimes I still feel that way in the world today.
I am in disagreement with a lot of people that Elizabeth isn't a relatable character. Her ridiculous logic and rationality is me.
One of the things that bothered me was how much it hopped around. I was confused a few times because we'd randomly be transported into a memory and then go back to the "present" and it was spotty and hard to follow at times.
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
You think you know, but you don't.
Okay, so the beginning of this book it seems like it's going one way and you get annoyed with the predictability, but then the second half things get a little crazy. Very fast paced and the twists were SO GOOD!
Okay, so the beginning of this book it seems like it's going one way and you get annoyed with the predictability, but then the second half things get a little crazy. Very fast paced and the twists were SO GOOD!
Dead Girls Can't Smile by Nichole Heydenburg
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.5
I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSirens, and this is my honest review.
Okay, here's the thing. I wish goodreads had half ratings because this is better than just a 3, but it's just not *there* for a 4.
This book starts off very slow. I wasn't sure it was something I'd want to get into for the first ~30%.
However, when the going got going, I had a hard time putting it down. Sleep did win the first night I read it, but the next day, I sat down and finished in one go. Very fast-paced.
I did not expect what went down to have gone down. There was some darkness. There was some betrayal. There was high school drama.
This is a great YA thriller if you want a *truly* YA novel.
What I did not like: the romance/dating. I know it was part of the plot, but it seemed a little out of place and silly at times.
Okay, here's the thing. I wish goodreads had half ratings because this is better than just a 3, but it's just not *there* for a 4.
This book starts off very slow. I wasn't sure it was something I'd want to get into for the first ~30%.
However, when the going got going, I had a hard time putting it down. Sleep did win the first night I read it, but the next day, I sat down and finished in one go. Very fast-paced.
I did not expect what went down to have gone down. There was some darkness. There was some betrayal. There was high school drama.
This is a great YA thriller if you want a *truly* YA novel.
What I did not like: the romance/dating. I know it was part of the plot, but it seemed a little out of place and silly at times.
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Look, I'm probably an unpopular opinion, but Nesta Archeron is one of the most relatable characters. She is going THROUGH it. Figuring out her trauma. She may be a giant b sometimes, but she is the type to push Pele away when she has her big feelings and that's super relatable.
I know people love the smut, but that was my least favorite part about the book. Sorry 😅
This book made me ugly cry. You learn about the power of friendship and sisterhood. And tradition. And ugh it was just a good ending (until next book).
I wanna be a valkyrie so bad.
I know people love the smut, but that was my least favorite part about the book. Sorry 😅
This book made me ugly cry. You learn about the power of friendship and sisterhood. And tradition. And ugh it was just a good ending (until next book).
I wanna be a valkyrie so bad.