thisbookishcat's reviews
547 reviews
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
That was abrupt? I picked up this book which says it's 358 pages, but then 1/3 of the book is just an excerpt for the next book? I'm a bit thrown off because I was ready for so much more story but jk.
I wasn't planning on starting the next book so soon but I might have to just to feel like this story is complete...
Otherwise, I was enjoying myself and really want to know what's going to happen next.
I wasn't planning on starting the next book so soon but I might have to just to feel like this story is complete...
Otherwise, I was enjoying myself and really want to know what's going to happen next.
A Beast So Cold by Beena Khan
dark
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
WTF did I just read?
But will I read the next one?... You bet your ass I will.
But will I read the next one?... You bet your ass I will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Violence
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Oh my fucking heart!
I know it took me a long time to read this book, purely because I could only get through a few chapters before crying and needing a pick-me-up before I could continue. It is a tragic, beautiful story that rips out your heart but puts a smile on your face at the same time. The attention to detail and the graceful way that Alan was able to tackle such a heartbreaking and delicate portion of Hawaiian history should be celebrated.
I definitely recommend this, but make sure you have a fresh box of tissues and maybe warn your family that they're in for a lot of tearful hugs.
I know it took me a long time to read this book, purely because I could only get through a few chapters before crying and needing a pick-me-up before I could continue. It is a tragic, beautiful story that rips out your heart but puts a smile on your face at the same time. The attention to detail and the graceful way that Alan was able to tackle such a heartbreaking and delicate portion of Hawaiian history should be celebrated.
I definitely recommend this, but make sure you have a fresh box of tissues and maybe warn your family that they're in for a lot of tearful hugs.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
I wanted to love this because I've seen how highly its been rated, and this book really should have been up my alley, but oof it was a bit rough.
I didn't find this as captivating as I should have. It's not that the characters were unlikeable, I was ultimately rooting for them afterall, but it's that they fell a bit flat for me. All of these moments that in any other book I would have been balling over just kind of existed in this book and didn't draw me in emotionally.
And don't even get me started on how this book is obviously written by an American. I'm not knocking Americans, but I've talked to enough aged Europeans during various freedom festivals to know their feelings towards Americans, and it's not as daydreamy and bubbly as portrayed in this novel...
Come to think of it, I've never heard anyone French talk dreamily of anything except for holidays in Southern France and their favourite local patisserie...let alone someone from outside France.
Lastly, throwing in all of the French words for different family members at the end was jarring. My brain didn't catch it at first since French is one of my languages, but when I did notice I did a bit of a double take as it was so out of place all of a sudden, especially since throughout the rest of the book everyone is referred to by the English vocabulary.
All in all, not the best, not the worst, but I wouldn't recommend this one.
I didn't find this as captivating as I should have. It's not that the characters were unlikeable, I was ultimately rooting for them afterall, but it's that they fell a bit flat for me. All of these moments that in any other book I would have been balling over just kind of existed in this book and didn't draw me in emotionally.
And don't even get me started on how this book is obviously written by an American. I'm not knocking Americans, but I've talked to enough aged Europeans during various freedom festivals to know their feelings towards Americans, and it's not as daydreamy and bubbly as portrayed in this novel...
Come to think of it, I've never heard anyone French talk dreamily of anything except for holidays in Southern France and their favourite local patisserie...let alone someone from outside France.
Lastly, throwing in all of the French words for different family members at the end was jarring. My brain didn't catch it at first since French is one of my languages, but when I did notice I did a bit of a double take as it was so out of place all of a sudden, especially since throughout the rest of the book everyone is referred to by the English vocabulary.
All in all, not the best, not the worst, but I wouldn't recommend this one.