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zarlynsnook's reviews
110 reviews
Unnatural Ends by Christopher Huang
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I'd really like to give this book a higher rating but it just didn't lived up to my expectations. I rarely read historical mystery murder and I got intrigued with the premise. The plot was very promising but the writing style, for me, was very middle. I applauded the historical aspects of the book not because of the accuracy (I have no idea whether they are accurate in the first place) but because of the way it was written and interjected in the story arcs of the characters; though I didn't get a lot of the references made, especially the Shakespeare ones. The way the events were unravelled was my major turn off because there was more telling instead of showing. Once the mystery of the murder was revealed, I got lost a bit and the ending was unsatisfying for me.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Inkshare for the ARC of this book.*
*Thanks to Netgalley and Inkshare for the ARC of this book.*
Valley of Shadows by Rudy Ruiz
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
*ARC Review*
I enjoyed reading the book but I didn't think it warrants a much higher rating.
I love magical realism books and the writing for this one is good for me but the plot point of the story is the main reason why I decided to give it a 3 star. I loved reading about the mexican culture but the events leading towards the ending didn't put me on edge as much as I thought it would.
I enjoyed reading the book but I didn't think it warrants a much higher rating.
I love magical realism books and the writing for this one is good for me but the plot point of the story is the main reason why I decided to give it a 3 star. I loved reading about the mexican culture but the events leading towards the ending didn't put me on edge as much as I thought it would.
The Union by Leah Vernon
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
4.0
*ARC review*
First time reading a dystopian novel that puts the black community in the spotlight and it did not disappoint. The world building is good, every plot points presented was explored enough but left some room to tackle for the sequels. I also love the fact that the plot did not focus alot on romance. However,the characterization did not offer something new for me.
*Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.*
First time reading a dystopian novel that puts the black community in the spotlight and it did not disappoint. The world building is good, every plot points presented was explored enough but left some room to tackle for the sequels. I also love the fact that the plot did not focus alot on romance. However,the characterization did not offer something new for me.
*Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Racism, Slavery, Blood, Death of parent, War, and Classism
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is both light and heavy at the same time. For me,there was nothing heavy happening in the plot but the words the author used to describe simple scenes are thought-provoking.
I can't say I'm a fan of the writing style,I haven't the read something like it before.
Despite it being unreliant to the plot, reading rhe book is very satisfying for me.
I can't say I'm a fan of the writing style,I haven't the read something like it before.
Despite it being unreliant to the plot, reading rhe book is very satisfying for me.
How To Save A Life by Clare Swatman
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
3.0
I really thought I'd like this book but unfortunately it didn't lived up to my expectations. The prompt was really promising and I love these kinds of stories- the ones that plays with fate and destiny..but the writing for this one failed to made me ugly-cry.
It started really good but for me, the chapters were too short, not enough to give me a good grip on what the characters are going through. The writing style too fell too short for me, I didn't feel emotions I thought I'd feel. I was really sad because I really wanted to love this book when I started reading it.
It started really good but for me, the chapters were too short, not enough to give me a good grip on what the characters are going through. The writing style too fell too short for me, I didn't feel emotions I thought I'd feel. I was really sad because I really wanted to love this book when I started reading it.
Shoko's Smile by Choi Eunyoung
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
All the stories featured in the book are heart-wrenching. Each of them examplifies different types of relationship,makes the book relatable,all of them made me very emotional(even the author and translator's note has me sobbingðŸ˜).
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Death, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and War
Cocoon by Zhang Yueran
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
3.0
One word to describe this book is that is challenging. It explores friendship, death and generational trauma in a very intriguing way. Narrated by the two characters looking back at each other’s version of their family history that is bound by an incident, it kept me on the edge as to how it would end.
After finishing the book, I find myself looking for the meaning of ‘Cocoon’. Google says in Chinese,it means ‘a protected place’. I guess Jacqui and Gong had cocooned their version of their family history.
After finishing the book, I find myself looking for the meaning of ‘Cocoon’. Google says in Chinese,it means ‘a protected place’. I guess Jacqui and Gong had cocooned their version of their family history.
*Thanks to Net Galley and World Editions for allowing me to read and review an ARC (for the english translation)of this book.
Love and Gravity by Samantha Sotto
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Another magical masterpiece from Samantha 💯
This has me sobbing on a Good Friday🥺 I just love this book as much as I love Before Ever After. At the beggining, I was reminded of The Time Traveler's Wife and other romantic time-travel movies but the book was great on its own. If you haven't ugly-cried over a book in a while (and wanting to) go read this one!
This has me sobbing on a Good Friday🥺 I just love this book as much as I love Before Ever After. At the beggining, I was reminded of The Time Traveler's Wife and other romantic time-travel movies but the book was great on its own. If you haven't ugly-cried over a book in a while (and wanting to) go read this one!
The Caretaker by Emily Shiner
dark
fast-paced
2.0
*this review is based on the ARC I received from netgalley
I finished the book in less than 2 days but I did not really enjoy reading it. The plot of the book was promising but what the book was missing was characterization. Despite all the characters having their own POV, it doesn't work in building attachement to each of them. How I wish this book was written differently. It doesn't feel like I was reading a thriller because of the swithcing povs and the fact that the mystery of the caretaker was already presented on the very beggining of the book, there is nothing left to discover. Even the cliff hanger at the end doesn't make up for it. 😔
I finished the book in less than 2 days but I did not really enjoy reading it. The plot of the book was promising but what the book was missing was characterization. Despite all the characters having their own POV, it doesn't work in building attachement to each of them. How I wish this book was written differently. It doesn't feel like I was reading a thriller because of the swithcing povs and the fact that the mystery of the caretaker was already presented on the very beggining of the book, there is nothing left to discover. Even the cliff hanger at the end doesn't make up for it. 😔
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
What a great read for the Women's Month!! Every chapter of this books screams feminity..women in all its forms and meaning,in all its voices and dreams. Glad to have read it,thanks to #monoreadingclub for reccomending this.