monicavillasb's reviews
142 reviews

Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados

lighthearted slow-paced

3.5

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, and Murder

Anchored Hearts by Priscilla Oliveras

funny lighthearted slow-paced

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

2.0

Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

emotional sad slow-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

The One by John Marrs

adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Boy Parts by Eliza Clark

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Fatphobia, and Xenophobia

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence

Minor: Rape

Deception Point by Dan Brown

4.0

Dan Brown's Deception Point was the first book I read during quarantine. It took me two days to finish the story of Rachel Sexton, a woman caught in a trap between conspiracies.
While many people don't enjoy Dan Brown's writing style, as it follows a certain pattern in every book, I found it to be very distracting during the times we are living. It's a book you can't put down due to constant action and discoveries and, at the same time, you can always learn something new - be it history or science related.
My highlights for this book are: fierce women characters, science facts, plot twists.

Capitães da Areia by Jorge Amado

4.0

Jorge Amado is one of my three favorite writers from my home country of Brazil. What I love about him is that he always writes stories about his state of Bahia, giving the reader a great picture of the social situation at the time he lived.
And social situation and injustices is exactly what this book is about. Capitães da Areia follows the story of many young boys that were abandoned or orphaned and ended up living on the streets, stealing and cheating for a living.
The book shows a reality still present in Bahia and many other states of Brazil. Children are forced to become adults before the right time to find a way to make it to adulthood alive. Many times us, who take have a home and food for granted, see these kids on the street at young thieves who should be at school. The book shows a different side of the situation: boys who would do anything to change the streets for a house with a loving family and a sense of belonging.
Hightlights: humanization of kids in street situation, accurate portrait of Bahia back in the days.
Triggers: rape and suicide! Be aware.