vel629vet's reviews
1018 reviews

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

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

5.0

I tore through this book in less than a week. Parts were incredibly bleak but it was such a wild, spooky right. I was a little disappointed when the first ‘reveal’ happened toward the end, because it left me thinking it was a pretty simple solution to what seemed like a huge mystery. Then BAM BAM BAM twist after reveal after twist… Bardugo’s writing is incredible. Immediately starting book 2. 
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Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

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emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.5

I have never read a romance trilogy that was tied up and connected so perfectly at the end of book 3. I loved how the characters were brought together. 
Emma is the most emotionally damaged character of the three books but this is honestly the most well done story. Emma and Justin were torn apart by life and it was so accurate to what happens in life that is out of your control. Really beautifully written characters and situations. 
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

4.5

4.5 stars - I was completely absorbed. Only critique was that I wish the reveal was live, rather than a confession note/letter. Definitely want to read more Agatha Christie! 
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

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adventurous emotional hopeful sad tense medium-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

4.75

A quasi-World War novel where the people are fighting for Gods instead of nations and magic is part of life in small but beautiful ways. 

Basically a 5 star read but I knocked just a tad because I had a hard time staying continuously interested in the story. The last quarter of the book was incredible - I wondered many times how Ross was going to tie up all of the loose ends but she did it masterfully. This was really wonderful and unique fantasy and I think she is an expert storyteller. 
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Funny Story by Emily Henry

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

4.0

This was a pretty solid 3 star book for me right up until the end. I didn’t feel that Daphne nor Miles were as developed as characters in her other books and I was generally really uninterested and apathetic about their story unfortunately. I felt like jumping so many days throughout the story (from Sunday to Sunday) meant that we weren’t actually getting to SEE Daphne becoming a new person. We just got told she changed. Same for Miles. 
The ending was very solid for me - really comparable to real life when things just blow up. 
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

4.25

I love Jimenez's writing. Banter is absolutely top tier in this book, and Briana is one of my favorite romance book heroines ever. She is hilarious. That being said, I liked Part of Your World a bit better because the miscommunication trope was a bit too much for me here. And for a literal doctor to not be in therapy for a traumatic life event was a stretch. Otherwise a really cute story that I thoroughly enjoyed. 

Amazing Spider-Man: Big Time: The Complete Collection, Vol. 4 by Dan Slott

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3.0

Alpha was a pretty weak story. This isn’t my favorite work by Dan Slott, and I continue to dislike this art style. Kingpin and Hobgoblin(s) are also pretty forgettable. 
Thor: God of Thunder, Volume 3: The Accursed by Nic Klein, Das Pastoras, Ron Garney, Jason Aaron, Emanuela Lupacchino, Esad Ribić

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4.0

Lots of action, lots of gore, a little less invested in Malakith as a villain. Continuously fantastic writing from Jason Aaron though. He continues to show us that he is not writing an MCU/Disney Thor. He is a pretty dark hero. Issue #18 was a really good little vignette of what immature, non-hammer wielding Thor must have been like  
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Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman

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

5.0

Continues to be beautifully written. Heartfelt, balanced, thoughtful, and sensitive. Oseman is a master of representation in these graphic novels and nothing feels forced or contrived. Every new book addresses a new difficulty in their relationship or in their personal lives and not everything gets wrapped up with a bow at the end, but everything always feels blessedly hopeful. I adore these books. 
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Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? No

5.0

Absolutely adored this book. The writing is young and fresh but not cringey. The love story was so sweet and heartfelt and I love when a town is its own character in itself. The climax had everything to do with the story and setting and was set up perfectly by Jimenez and had nothing to do with two people in love having a misunderstanding. Can’t wait to read more by her!!! 
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