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tacoboutmari's reviews
105 reviews
The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
I read this for a book club and this was the perfect book club read. There’s so much to explore here in this psychological thriller. I love my books layered and complicated. This tackles Asian fetishization, misogyny, cultural differences, classism, trauma, familial expectations and getting revenge.
I listened via audio. The beginning I would say is a bit slow. It didn’t feel dragged. The author took their time slowly establishing Jiwon as a unreliable narrator and the unraveling events that took her to feasting on the eyes of her victims.
The character portraits were astounding. I felt like I knew Jiwon’s sister and Umma personally. I felt like they were very dimensional and felt real. Real is hard to do. They both had bad and good traits. Jiwon’s sister even felt like my younger sister at times. This created an excellent family dynamic that felt authentic.
One thing that kept me from five stars was the dialogue and the dream sequences. Maybe it’s because I read via audio that I felt the dialogue was cringey aside from Geoffrey’s and George’s remarks. It didn’t feel like what a real person would say. It felt forced sometimes. Jiwon’s inner dialogue was excellent though. Very visual and gory. The dream sequences (again could be because I read them via audio) was hard to distinguish from dream vs reality. Maybe this was intentional? To show how troubled Jiwon’s thoughts really were? I struggled with them even so and had to rewind to figure out the scenes. I would have preferred day dreaming vs the constant nightmares.
If you’re looking for something traditionally scary I would say this may not be the book for you. However I am of the belief that a woman’s rage is something to be fearful of. That’s what this was. A young woman getting her tasty revenge on the trashy men in her life.
I listened via audio. The beginning I would say is a bit slow. It didn’t feel dragged. The author took their time slowly establishing Jiwon as a unreliable narrator and the unraveling events that took her to feasting on the eyes of her victims.
The character portraits were astounding. I felt like I knew Jiwon’s sister and Umma personally. I felt like they were very dimensional and felt real. Real is hard to do. They both had bad and good traits. Jiwon’s sister even felt like my younger sister at times. This created an excellent family dynamic that felt authentic.
One thing that kept me from five stars was the dialogue and the dream sequences. Maybe it’s because I read via audio that I felt the dialogue was cringey aside from Geoffrey’s and George’s remarks. It didn’t feel like what a real person would say. It felt forced sometimes. Jiwon’s inner dialogue was excellent though. Very visual and gory. The dream sequences (again could be because I read them via audio) was hard to distinguish from dream vs reality. Maybe this was intentional? To show how troubled Jiwon’s thoughts really were? I struggled with them even so and had to rewind to figure out the scenes. I would have preferred day dreaming vs the constant nightmares.
If you’re looking for something traditionally scary I would say this may not be the book for you. However I am of the belief that a woman’s rage is something to be fearful of. That’s what this was. A young woman getting her tasty revenge on the trashy men in her life.
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
BECAUSE I stupidly kept reading I give this above a 1 but I’m one more “ocean eyes” “Oh, darling” “because” away from doing so.
For starters, I hated this. And please note that this is my personal opinion but I can’t believe this book was published with how many plot holes were in this. So much so that I wouldn’t even say holes in the plural sense. No, this book was a giant hole - think meteor size - with the plot inside that crater. I never ever want to take away from the YA genre and I never want to shit on fan fiction. But this book was the most juvenile thing I’ve ever read and it was basically straight out of the Hunger Games at some point. Did the author think we forgot about 2012? BRO EVEN THE COMMENTARY ABOUT THE TRIALS WAS SO SIMILAR TO HUNGER GAMES. “These trials are different…” bleh bleh. Oh and if I see another italicized phrase I might just lose it.
Predictable. Unoriginal. Whiny FMC. Too many tropes. A weird love triangle between brothers. No diversity. And I really hate when the main love interest is written with POC features but the character is white. Too much banter. Unrealistic scenes. The dancing in the middle of the trials where they are all supposed to fight to end and they are dancing in front of no one like what?????? Also I HATE IT WHEN THEY MADE THE STAKES SEEMED HIGH BUT THEN THEY DECIDED TO FLIRT THE WHOLE TIME. Please be so fucking serious.
For starters, I hated this. And please note that this is my personal opinion but I can’t believe this book was published with how many plot holes were in this. So much so that I wouldn’t even say holes in the plural sense. No, this book was a giant hole - think meteor size - with the plot inside that crater. I never ever want to take away from the YA genre and I never want to shit on fan fiction. But this book was the most juvenile thing I’ve ever read and it was basically straight out of the Hunger Games at some point. Did the author think we forgot about 2012? BRO EVEN THE COMMENTARY ABOUT THE TRIALS WAS SO SIMILAR TO HUNGER GAMES. “These trials are different…” bleh bleh. Oh and if I see another italicized phrase I might just lose it.
Predictable. Unoriginal. Whiny FMC. Too many tropes. A weird love triangle between brothers. No diversity. And I really hate when the main love interest is written with POC features but the character is white. Too much banter. Unrealistic scenes. The dancing in the middle of the trials where they are all supposed to fight to end and they are dancing in front of no one like what?????? Also I HATE IT WHEN THEY MADE THE STAKES SEEMED HIGH BUT THEN THEY DECIDED TO FLIRT THE WHOLE TIME. Please be so fucking serious.
Weird Blood by Azalea Crowley
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Absolutely adored the ace representation on this one. I enjoyed the progression of Eadwulf’s and Josephine’s relationship (love me a slow burn). The vibes were fall vibes. Misha the ghost remains to be my favorite character. This was such a fun read and I devoured it
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Something was not connecting with me. My family comes from a background of farm laborers and I didn’t necessarily agree with the representation. A personal preference but if I can guess the storyline from the synopsis then it’s not going to hook me as much
Please Look After Mom by Kyung-sook Shin
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am inconsolable. I will need 3-5 business days to recover. 5 stars
Yours, Finally by Leonor Soliz
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I absolutely adore how this author writes about fat bodies. The gym scenes had me SO happy. CAN WE ALL JUST NORMALIZE FAT BODIES WORKING OUT AND NOT JUST TO LOSE WEIGHT!?!
Love this positive body reinforcement.
I’m not a fan of brother’s best friend trope but i loved how we got the spice sooner than expected.
Love this positive body reinforcement.
I’m not a fan of brother’s best friend trope but i loved how we got the spice sooner than expected.
A Soul to Heal by Opal Reyne
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Me want a stupid duskwalker lol
An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
5.0
A bit slow but this is a worthy read. You can tell the author did their research. I loved everything about this fiery sapphic love and the characters are so wonderfully drawn out. The ending has my entire heart. I love books with endings that feel proper.
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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
4.0
Reading this was like reading a woman’s love letter to herself. So raw and real. Kennedy Ryan knows how to write about life.
My only complaint is that I never really understood the motives behind Soledad’s ex husband’s deceit. It felt textbook to me while everything else was so developed and brilliantly executed.
If you’re looking for a summer romance with some self love and woman power sprinkled in - this is the perfect read.
My only complaint is that I never really understood the motives behind Soledad’s ex husband’s deceit. It felt textbook to me while everything else was so developed and brilliantly executed.
If you’re looking for a summer romance with some self love and woman power sprinkled in - this is the perfect read.
The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
For fans of “You’ve Got Mail” and of Talia Hibbert’s quirky writing style.
This lighthearted, sweet romance gave all feet kicking vibes in the world. I loved this so much. I really enjoyed reading this cute and simple romance that made me rewatch the Tom Hank’s and Meg Ryan’s “You’ve Got Mail”. In fact, I think this book did way better than the movie. I wish this were a rom com in movie format.
I felt the chemistry through the emails and I loved how that gradually grew into love. I will admit this dragged in the middle for me but at the end, I couldn’t resist the heartwarming elements of this book.
I would say this is cozy and cute and gave flutters at their cute romance. The MMC could have been less annoying is just one complaint of mine! It didn’t take away from the book but just a small critique of mine. I really hate when MMC’s in general think they don’t deserve love then pursue love. It just gives f*ck boy vibes but in this case despite the circumstances was done well. I felt the fairytale vibes of falling in love with your favorite author.
This lighthearted, sweet romance gave all feet kicking vibes in the world. I loved this so much. I really enjoyed reading this cute and simple romance that made me rewatch the Tom Hank’s and Meg Ryan’s “You’ve Got Mail”. In fact, I think this book did way better than the movie. I wish this were a rom com in movie format.
I felt the chemistry through the emails and I loved how that gradually grew into love. I will admit this dragged in the middle for me but at the end, I couldn’t resist the heartwarming elements of this book.
I would say this is cozy and cute and gave flutters at their cute romance. The MMC could have been less annoying is just one complaint of mine! It didn’t take away from the book but just a small critique of mine. I really hate when MMC’s in general think they don’t deserve love then pursue love. It just gives f*ck boy vibes but in this case despite the circumstances was done well. I felt the fairytale vibes of falling in love with your favorite author.