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pamcullen's reviews
648 reviews
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
adventurous
fast-paced
- 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
3.5
I liked how the book addresses the topic of beauty that the world chases, simply because society imposes that pressure on us. Even though this book is from 2005, reading it in 2024, in a context where the pressure to reach an ideal of beauty and youth is stronger than ever —especially on social media, where celebrities influence us, even if indirectly— really opens your eyes.
In the book, it is the government that imposes the beauty standard necessary to be accepted. Just like in real life, these "pretty" people are empty. In the story, this happens because the government doesn’t want people to think for themselves or have access to important information, out of fear of a revolution.
In real life, I think the same thing often happens. We see celebrities who put all their effort into being beautiful and dressing well, but who don’t have well-formed opinions on relevant topics. It’s as if their entire vocabulary revolves around makeup, the gym, and clothes. I think this happens because society often doesn’t demand intelligence from these people, since being attractive seems to be enough.
Going back to the book, I really liked Tally. I always understood that her obsession with becoming “pretty” was due to the society and government she grew up in, as she didn’t know any better.
We, however, still have a choice.
In the book, it is the government that imposes the beauty standard necessary to be accepted. Just like in real life, these "pretty" people are empty. In the story, this happens because the government doesn’t want people to think for themselves or have access to important information, out of fear of a revolution.
In real life, I think the same thing often happens. We see celebrities who put all their effort into being beautiful and dressing well, but who don’t have well-formed opinions on relevant topics. It’s as if their entire vocabulary revolves around makeup, the gym, and clothes. I think this happens because society often doesn’t demand intelligence from these people, since being attractive seems to be enough.
Going back to the book, I really liked Tally. I always understood that her obsession with becoming “pretty” was due to the society and government she grew up in, as she didn’t know any better.
We, however, still have a choice.
Cómo vender una casa embrujada by Grady Hendrix
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Legendary by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Hades, el dios menos malo by Pol Gise
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Recomiendo muchísimo el audiolibro que esta narrado por Pol. Se hace super llevado porque le da el mismo toque que cuando narra las historias en tiktok. Incluso pegue varias carcajadas con los chistes o comparaciones que hacia.