vel629vet's reviews
925 reviews

Beyond the Wand: Growing Up a Wizard, by Tom Felton

emotional informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.0

Very easy to read. Small anecdotes and stories from Felton’s life. Would have liked a little more substance. 

Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir

adventurous funny hopeful informative tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Best book I’ve read this year. Weir can make absolutely anything interesting and exciting. I honestly can’t share anything without spoiling the fun of this incredible book. Read it read it read it! 

Spoiler

I would die for Rocky.

Well Traveled, by Jen DeLuca

lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

I liked that this book was much more focused on the actual Ren Faire than the previous couple in the series, but overall the story still fell flat. Nothing compares to book 1. 

The Fastest Way To Fall, by Denise Williams

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

I flew through this book and loved every second. True character depth and growth and an actual love story that wasn’t completely contrived. Also inspired me to rediscover my love for fitness! Highly recommend. 

Champions, Vol. 1: Outlawed, by Eve L. Ewing

adventurous medium-paced

2.75

Huge build up to just…nothing? Nothing happened at the end? Continued the trend of ensemble comics that have so many characters that no one ends up with any kind of personality. 

Seven Days in June, by Tia Williams

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad 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? It's complicated

4.25

Took me a long time to get into this book, but once I was hooked I flew through it. Beautiful and unique love story that touches on so much more about Black culture, discrimination, stereotyping, and more. I love how it wrapped up and it wasn't just a happily ever after. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Violence and Racism

Minor: Police brutality

Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, by Diana Gabaldon

adventurous emotional informative tense slow-paced

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

4.25

One of the stronger books in the whole series. As always, I loved living through the characters for the first half of the book. I still find it hard to care about William's story - he is the least relatable and likeable still. 
The last hundred pages or so are SO TENSE, but that is how Gabaldon does it and I wouldn't expect anything less! I'm glad the cliffhanger was not too terrible, since we're probably going to be waiting another 8-9 years for book 10! 

Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus

informative 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? No

3.0

2 stars for the first half. 4 stars for the second. 
Why oh why does this book have such good reviews? The main character came in fully developed and had 0 growth. The beginning was so drawn out and uninteresting. The cooking show grew on me, but still went nowhere. 

Spoilers:
The ending was ridiculous and unearned. So after everything she worked for, she was still saved by someone else simply because of who she had been in love with. 

Carrie Soto Is Back, by Taylor Jenkins Reid

emotional inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

Incredible. One of her most straight forward stories, yet most heartfelt. Carrie is so steady in her devotion, and her growth is perfection. Hard to write my feelings about it, because I instead just shared it all with my friend who read it with me. A must read!!!

A Torch Against the Night, by Sabaa Tahir

adventurous challenging dark hopeful tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Fell into a little bit of middle book syndrome - just felt like we got a lot of filler and not a lot of actually plot advancement. Somehow less frequent violence but much more intense violence and gore. Ready to see what happens with Helene because this entire book was just a beating for her. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Genocide, Blood, and Torture