readingduckling's reviews
27 reviews
After Passion, by Anna Todd
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.25
Well first the one good thing I have to say about it was it was not boring, it was tedious anoing and tiering but not boring.
Every character in this book is absolutely toxic beginning with the main character, she seemed to like it to make everyones life difficult and provoce people in her proximity just to feel like the 'main character' I think the author wanted the reader to relate to this character but she was just a jackass.
Every friend and love interest ist also toxic in their own special way and in very depressed need of therapy.
Just like every adult mentioned in this story.
The writing style was sloppy the author was repeating the same words in a sentence, except for using euphemism so at least the writing style wouldn't feel that repetitive. But I think this is to much to ask. The story it self was also repetitive every chapter/part of the story was the same. The main character fights with the main love interest, they fight they make up, they make up, they do something sexual and then the circle stars over again. I was more than annoyed reading this book because ist was the same thing 100x over and over and over again.
If you are now wondering, why I didn't stop reading it, it was because some friends and coworkers recommended this book and wanted me to read it; 'because it's sooooo good'. It really wasn't!
First I thought maybe I didn't like the book because it's young adult, but that doesn't make any sense, because I often read young adult books that I really enjoy (my first 5 out of 5 book this year was a young adult book). And about half of the people recommending this book to me are older than I am.
In a way I am really shocked, that this bullshit, is a young adult book because I think it would be dangerous for young people to read this book (- series) they get the wrong idea of what a relationship in any definition of the word should look like. I don't have a a problem with toxic relationships being presented in books for teens/kids/young adults but than it should be clear that it is toxic. It doesn't happen in this book at all.
And I have a problem with this book that resembles a problem with the 50 shades series, it has a relationship that resembles a Dom/sup dynamic but has nothing that is important in this kinds of relationships, especially no after care.
All in all it is a disgrace that anyone was ever able to make money with this story, I will most definitely not read it again, I do not ever recommend reading it to everyone. And I will not read the other books in this series, or consume everything else realated to this.
Every character in this book is absolutely toxic beginning with the main character, she seemed to like it to make everyones life difficult and provoce people in her proximity just to feel like the 'main character' I think the author wanted the reader to relate to this character but she was just a jackass.
Every friend and love interest ist also toxic in their own special way and in very depressed need of therapy.
Just like every adult mentioned in this story.
The writing style was sloppy the author was repeating the same words in a sentence, except for using euphemism so at least the writing style wouldn't feel that repetitive. But I think this is to much to ask. The story it self was also repetitive every chapter/part of the story was the same. The main character fights with the main love interest, they fight they make up, they make up, they do something sexual and then the circle stars over again. I was more than annoyed reading this book because ist was the same thing 100x over and over and over again.
If you are now wondering, why I didn't stop reading it, it was because some friends and coworkers recommended this book and wanted me to read it; 'because it's sooooo good'. It really wasn't!
First I thought maybe I didn't like the book because it's young adult, but that doesn't make any sense, because I often read young adult books that I really enjoy (my first 5 out of 5 book this year was a young adult book). And about half of the people recommending this book to me are older than I am.
In a way I am really shocked, that this bullshit, is a young adult book because I think it would be dangerous for young people to read this book (- series) they get the wrong idea of what a relationship in any definition of the word should look like. I don't have a a problem with toxic relationships being presented in books for teens/kids/young adults but than it should be clear that it is toxic. It doesn't happen in this book at all.
And I have a problem with this book that resembles a problem with the 50 shades series, it has a relationship that resembles a Dom/sup dynamic but has nothing that is important in this kinds of relationships, especially no after care.
All in all it is a disgrace that anyone was ever able to make money with this story, I will most definitely not read it again, I do not ever recommend reading it to everyone. And I will not read the other books in this series, or consume everything else realated to this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Addiction, Alcohol, Bullying, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Gaslighting
Spare, by Prince Harry
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
I liked this book very much. It was a nice, or maybe not so nice summary of Harry's life it helps to understand the whole royal dynamic more and why some things happy but I still think it's incredible that he (and his family) survived this life until now.
And what was clear from the beginning (what should have been clear since 1997) is that paparazzis are a very evil people. Even though many people were criticizedin this memoir the press/paparazzi were always irredeemable.
All in all a great book.
And what was clear from the beginning (what should have been clear since 1997) is that paparazzis are a very evil people. Even though many people were criticizedin this memoir the press/paparazzi were always irredeemable.
All in all a great book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Stalking
Moderate: War
Looking for Alaska, by John Green
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
I liked this book very much, it was the first book in a long time that really touched and effected me after reading it. The way it's written it is really easy to feel what the main character is feeling. And I think it could be a great starting point to talk to adolescent people about the themes discussed in the book. Like underaged drinking/smoking, rebellion against authority figures, sexualitie, and of course death. While reading the first few chapters I was not sure about the book, but now after finishing it I'm absolutely sure I'll reread it. But it's important to note that it was a very emotional read, I cryed almost the entire second half of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Alcohol, and Car accident
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Sexual content
Minor: Vomit, Cursing, and Drug use
Star Wars. Hoffnung der Königin, by E.K. Johnston
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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? N/A
4.0
I really like this book and enjoyed reading it. My biggest critique point is that the German translation (I read it in German) was to put in nicely not the best ever. And catapulted me out of the story a lot. But
I love the story, that you learn mor about different characters and even new ones.
I love the story, that you learn mor about different characters and even new ones.
I'm Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
I really liked this book. It gives visibility to abusive family relationships. It made me very emotional the whole time I was reading it.
Ein plötzlicher Todesfall, by J.K. Rowling
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
I would not buy this book again, and not just because of the actions of the author. I got it when it first came out and it was my very first Thriller but now in comparison to other books in that genre it's not very good.
Die mutige Katze, by Jill Tomlinson
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Die Geschichte ist sehr süß und berührend. Und obwohl es eine Kindergeschichte ist, können auch Erwachsene ihre Freude daran haben. Es ist ein schon geschriebenes Buch und natürlich mit Happy end.
Star Wars: Schatten der Königin, by E.K. Johnston
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
4.5
Es war ein tolles Star wars Buch, man konnte der Geschichte super folgen und hat tiefere Einblicke ins Star wars Universum bekommen.
Besonders schön fand ich das viele Charaktere vorkamen die man aus den Filmen kannte und auch aus dem Buch über Prinzessin Leia. Was meiner Meinung nach eine schöne Verbindung zwischen Mutter und Tochter aufbaut.
Das Buch illustriert die Zeit zwischen dem Ende von Padmes Regentschaft und Episode II sehr gut und verleiht ihr und ihrem Hofstaat noch Mal mehr Tiefe als es die Filme hätten machen können.
Besonders schön fand ich das viele Charaktere vorkamen die man aus den Filmen kannte und auch aus dem Buch über Prinzessin Leia. Was meiner Meinung nach eine schöne Verbindung zwischen Mutter und Tochter aufbaut.
Das Buch illustriert die Zeit zwischen dem Ende von Padmes Regentschaft und Episode II sehr gut und verleiht ihr und ihrem Hofstaat noch Mal mehr Tiefe als es die Filme hätten machen können.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood, by Trevor Noah
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Super interesting and well written book, it was incredibly emotionally engaging and I laughed and cryed a lot during this book. And I think I learned a lot as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, and Racism
Die Schönste im ganzen Land, by Serena Valentino
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Dieses Buch hat mich gefesselt ich konnte mich Grade in der Beziehung zu ihrem Vater so gut mit der Königin Identifizieren. Es ist ein tolles Buch und wirklich toll geschrieben.
Obwohl ich wusste das es nicht möglich ist habe ich bis zum Ende gehofft, das es für die Königin gut ausgeht.
Obwohl ich wusste das es nicht möglich ist habe ich bis zum Ende gehofft, das es für die Königin gut ausgeht.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Emotional abuse