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naoml's reviews
47 reviews
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
"If you insist on disavowing that which is ugly about what you do you will never learn from your mistakes"
The plot twists are easy to guess and some of the characters are cliches, but it's an easy exciting read and I'll probably continue the series
The plot twists are easy to guess and some of the characters are cliches, but it's an easy exciting read and I'll probably continue the series
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
"Growth isn't a deviation from what we've done before, but a natural progression to honor all those who make this community strong"
I thought this was very well done. The representation of queerness and transness was not overworked, but beautifully woven into the story, which stands on it's own very well. I thought the world building and family dynamics were really well crafted. Not 5 starts because it felt a tad rushed in a few places
I thought this was very well done. The representation of queerness and transness was not overworked, but beautifully woven into the story, which stands on it's own very well. I thought the world building and family dynamics were really well crafted. Not 5 starts because it felt a tad rushed in a few places
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming and Blood
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Homophobia, Death of parent, and Deportation
Inferno by Dante Alighieri
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Reading this to better understand over the garden wall
You don't need me to tell you if this is good or not, it's super old and there are people more qualified
You don't need me to tell you if this is good or not, it's super old and there are people more qualified
Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I applaud Rick on reflecting on what he put these characters through and thinking about how that would change them. Percy's trauma, and subsequent anger is portrayed in what I find to be a very realistic way. He has anger issues, he is apathetic. This is the perfect example of growing with your readers
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is masterful. This is a beautiful critic of what voices are deemed important. How are people remembered? Who gets to tell the stories? Is it even possible to know a full truth?
The story follows the myth of Achilles but for once not through his eyes or the eyes of someone who adores him. We see that "heroism" is sometimes simply violence, depending on the lens you are viewing it through. However, this also gives us the nuance of sometimes evil doesn't always look that way, and even worse: not everything and evil person does is bad. Humanity is more complex than that, and you own no one forgiveness based on a single action or moment.
I can't fully put into words my thoughts and feelings on it, but I do know that it is incredible. The story will keep permeating my thoughts for a long time to come.
**please read the trigger warnings
The story follows the myth of Achilles but for once not through his eyes or the eyes of someone who adores him. We see that "heroism" is sometimes simply violence, depending on the lens you are viewing it through. However, this also gives us the nuance of sometimes evil doesn't always look that way, and even worse: not everything and evil person does is bad. Humanity is more complex than that, and you own no one forgiveness based on a single action or moment.
I can't fully put into words my thoughts and feelings on it, but I do know that it is incredible. The story will keep permeating my thoughts for a long time to come.
**please read the trigger warnings
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Alcohol, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
Jeanette's writer voice is incredibly strong, and the book is organized in a way that could only have been thought up by her, but she guides the reader through the timeline and I was never once confused.
I appreciated the honesty of this book, and think it's a very important read as it doesn't let you romanticize the performance industry, but rather gives a very nuanced look into what fame does to a life.
The content revolving around family dynamics and mental health is also very well portrayed but it is done in a manner that is VERY TRIGGERING. I don't think that's a problem necessarily, but you HAVE to make sure you are in a healthy spot to be consuming that sort of content
I appreciated the honesty of this book, and think it's a very important read as it doesn't let you romanticize the performance industry, but rather gives a very nuanced look into what fame does to a life.
The content revolving around family dynamics and mental health is also very well portrayed but it is done in a manner that is VERY TRIGGERING. I don't think that's a problem necessarily, but you HAVE to make sure you are in a healthy spot to be consuming that sort of content
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Medical content, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Stalking
Athena's Child: A spellbinding retelling of one of Greek mythology's most important tales by Hannah Lynn
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
A short, easy read. It wasn't challenging but it was emotional. Beautifully handled, but I feel like it could be expanded
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Definitely a page turner, trust nothing and no one.
This book is really good, it has all the facets of "favourite book" material, but for some reason I don't have super strong feelings about it. I enjoyed reading it don't get me wrong, but it wasn't life changing and I doubt I'll reread
This book is really good, it has all the facets of "favourite book" material, but for some reason I don't have super strong feelings about it. I enjoyed reading it don't get me wrong, but it wasn't life changing and I doubt I'll reread
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Alcoholism