raikowlreads's reviews
151 reviews

The Life She Wanted by Anita Abriel

challenging dark hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

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

2.5

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Pandora Carmichael is our main character in this story set in the late 1920s. Even though she wasn't born into privilege, with the help of her friend Virginia, she can go to luxurious parties and meet high class and influential people. After meeting Harley Enright, Pandora feels like her life will become how she wants it to be: married, having children, and finally opening the boutique of her dreams. But will it really turn out that way?

Personally, it was hard for me to start due to the amount of times I read Pandora's name in the first chapter, which easily could've been edited out. The book was still alright. The writing wasn't super extraordinary and gave you only what you really had to know. Simple descriptions and mainly focusing on the main character herself.

I loved the idea of an empowering woman who has her goal in an era where women still barely have any rights, even though they can finally vote. The 1920's is about women rebelling, and you could really find that back in the fashion of that time. So having this about an aspiring female fashion designer is great. I just wish Pandora had more character to her. I didn't really feel the empowering woman in her until somewhat later in the book, which disappointed me. I, also, wish she was an overall more likable character... The amount of times I have rolled my eyes because of her way of thinking, comments and actions was painful. But the story ended nicely and was in some ways really enjoyable; that's why it got the star-rating it got.

I really wish we saw more of the side characters, because they carried this book hard. Especially Pandora's friend, Virginia, would've even made an amazing main character. Her views were very daring at that time and it really made her an interesting character. Especially when we get descriptions of some of her outfits and hairstyles. It was great.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, and Alcohol

Minor: Death and War

Has the pregnancy trope in it.

Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

4.0

This book was first not my taste. In the first half, I didn't care so much about the battle? However, the story was still amazing. I couldn't stop reading the second half and guessing what happened to whoever and seeing betrayals. It was great.
I can't wait to read book 6 when it comes out :)

Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

5.0

Seeing Nico grow up in this book filled with horrors and sadness, was probably my favourite part. I loved the small little humourous parts of him. 
Book 4 is definitely the strongest book for the series so far. I loved every bit and I could not stop reading. Thank you for making this book Rick😭💜

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

3.5

This book lacked a lot compared to the other books. For me it seemed quite slow story telling wise and the hunters made it harder for me to go further. They were unlikable. I didnt feel sympathy towards Zoë as much as the book wanted me to near the end. I'm looking forward to the actual phophecy thing about the child of the big three though. Doubt Percy can be it and change it to him.

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

adventurous fast-paced

4.5

The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed

dark funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A

4.0

The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper

2.0

Shit ship. Kissing but no spark through the whole book. Also why the fuck did it feel like those astronauts were just paid actors and not actual astronauts. Oh, wait, cause of the reality show plot. That btw ended mid book. The rest was just boring.

De kat die bleef by Hiro Arikawa

emotional inspiring lighthearted sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

5 stars for making me cry twice

Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

fast-paced

5.0

Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus

hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0