seabookshells's reviews
35 reviews

Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.25

Psycho Beasts by Jasmine Mas

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

1.0

The world building and plot direction was interesting and was the only thing that got me through Sadie's collection (that's the version that i read on kindle not the 3 books separately) the personalities of the characters, where i get the direction and how it could be interesting was poorly executed. While the plot itself was progressing the progress of the characters were kind of stunted in the sense that, we get war is approaching Nd they are supposed to become a part of in but despite the fights that they seem to be getting into we don't see them develop per say. The male characters seem to "remain strong" - that is even after being captured and used as gladiators we don't see their level of strength change. Same with the female protagonist- she unlocks new powers but we don't see her truly develop on her on even in the beast realm with the training rather than going into the fights as she initially practiced, she used the "numb" (i think that deserves a better name btw it sounds childish) to hide behind immediately which takes away from her strength. And i understand it was to build up to her not having it for the fight in the end but she just used her powers then so again- her own strength is yet to be fully showcased thus a lack of development. That being said- cannot continue the series no matter how intrigued i may be. It does have promise- i just dont have the patience.

Psycho Fae by Jasmine Mas

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

1.0

The world building and plot direction was interesting and was the only thing that got me through Sadie's collection (that's the version that i read on kindle not the 3 books separately) the personalities of the characters, where i get the direction and how it could be interesting was poorly executed. While the plot itself was progressing the progress of the characters were kind of stunted in the sense that, we get war is approaching Nd they are supposed to become a part of in but despite the fights that they seem to be getting into we don't see them develop per say. The male characters seem to "remain strong" - that is even after being captured and used as gladiators we don't see their level of strength change. Same with the female protagonist- she unlocks new powers but we don't see her truly develop on her on even in the beast realm with the training rather than going into the fights as she initially practiced, she used the "numb" (i think that deserves a better name btw it sounds childish) to hide behind immediately which takes away from her strength. And i understand it was to build up to her not having it for the fight in the end but she just used her powers then so again- her own strength is yet to be fully showcased thus a lack of development. That being said- cannot continue the series no matter how intrigued i may be. It does have promise- i just dont have the patience.

Psycho Shifters by Jasmine Mas

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

1.0

The world building and plot direction was interesting and was the only thing that got me through Sadie's collection (that's the version that i read on kindle not the 3 books separately) the personalities of the characters, where i get the direction and how it could be interesting was poorly executed. While the plot itself was progressing the progress of the characters were kind of stunted in the sense that, we get war is approaching Nd they are supposed to become a part of in but despite the fights that they seem to be getting into we don't see them develop per say. The male characters seem to "remain strong" - that is even after being captured and used as gladiators we don't see their level of strength change. Same with the female protagonist- she unlocks new powers but we don't see her truly develop on her on even in the beast realm with the training rather than going into the fights as she initially practiced, she used the "numb" (i think that deserves a better name btw it sounds childish) to hide behind immediately which takes away from her strength. And i understand it was to build up to her not having it for the fight in the end but she just used her powers then so again- her own strength is yet to be fully showcased thus a lack of development. That being said- cannot continue the series no matter how intrigued i may be. It does have promise- i just dont have the patience.

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

4.0

It was beautiful. Truly. The way hubris, feminism, fate and life were woven together into the story of these sisters, creating the tapestry of this novel. It was a bit repetitive in some ways, in a sense the author's voice was a bit louder than the characters voices in some moments but it was good. There is honestly so much i want to say about this but i dont know how. 

The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh by Ingrid Persaud

dark emotional medium-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

4.75

Insightful read. Persaud really draws readers into the time of Trinidad in the approximate 1930s to the 1960s. She brings the historical Boysie Singh to life through the perspective of 4 women. The misleading and yet spot on title, 'The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh' flares to life in the testimonies that is this novel. Despite it being fictional the loss described by the characters allows us as readers to imagine the reality, the hurt and pain blazed by the life of Boysie Singh and the victims he left behind. The book is a way to keep us connected to the past figures that haunted us but also encourages us to drop the scales in our eyes for the present

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, and Violence

Wilfred Owen by Dominic Hibberd
Did not finish book.

Returned it to the library 

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5

And I'll tell you no lies by K.Q. Warner

reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

It truly left me astounded the way in which this family's lives were intertwined, the betrayals experienced. The variety of betrayals among other things

The Snakes by Sadie Jones

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

Really interesting book. Coukd not truly guess what woukd happen since there were misdirects. It was a little anticlimatic though. They created so much tension that could have developed into more grotesque endings but did not develop them. Very bleaky vibe definitely would like to re read in the rainy season outside in the gallery bundled up with blankets and a cup of tea.