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bookphenomena_micky's reviews
4674 reviews
The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Have you ever finished a book and wanted to find a recap straight away? That's me right now because I'm certain I don't have everything straight. How could I, this is super complex, twisty and pretty far out once we jumped into to the future. I do know that despite the underlying confusion to a bunch of elements, I am still very invested and I need to see the crisis era through.
The pacing for the first part of the book (it is split into parts) was pretty slow and it was dragging for me. It's worth sticking with it because things do pick up with interest and pacing once the second part ensues.
I could not sit an exam on this book, I would fail. However...I'm grateful to another reviewer who shared a link to Brian Cox's theory on fermi's paradox (spoilers, it's the trilogy in a tabloid nutshell!).
The pacing for the first part of the book (it is split into parts) was pretty slow and it was dragging for me. It's worth sticking with it because things do pick up with interest and pacing once the second part ensues.
I could not sit an exam on this book, I would fail. However...I'm grateful to another reviewer who shared a link to Brian Cox's theory on fermi's paradox (spoilers, it's the trilogy in a tabloid nutshell!).
Under the Oak Tree: Season 1, Vol. 1 by Suji Kim
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Well, I am now addicted. I decided to dive into the graphic novel prior to the written novel. Seems like it was a good decision because I am now obsessed and the thought of reading the novel has me excited.
*romantasy
*longing
*uncertainty
*dealing with trauma
*romantasy
*longing
*uncertainty
*dealing with trauma
Cherry Blossoms After Winter, Season 1 by 밤우, Bamwoo
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Headlines:
Didn't want it to end
Quick addiction
Adorable characters
Need a heartstopper-esque fix? Here's your solution. Bamwoo brought the characters, the feels and a solid plot. The characters were 19 but in college/high school.
Haebom was orphaned at a young age and taken in by his mother's friend who had a son (Taesung) the same age. In their late teens these two had a confused relationship or rather, a lack of one. This story was about their connection, friendship and a lot of vibes.
Haebom was bullied at school and much of the plot focused on his experiences and Taesung realising and standing up for him. It was cute and these two were pretty adorable. There was no on-page affection but definitely some bubbling chemistry.
When it finished, I was left wanting more. This graphic novel was so easy to get into, to like and I really enjoyed the artwork. I appreciated that the size of the book was A5 not bigger, it was comfortable to read in all the ways.
Thank you Inklore Books for the review copy. You have made me a fan!
Didn't want it to end
Quick addiction
Adorable characters
Need a heartstopper-esque fix? Here's your solution. Bamwoo brought the characters, the feels and a solid plot. The characters were 19 but in college/high school.
Haebom was orphaned at a young age and taken in by his mother's friend who had a son (Taesung) the same age. In their late teens these two had a confused relationship or rather, a lack of one. This story was about their connection, friendship and a lot of vibes.
Haebom was bullied at school and much of the plot focused on his experiences and Taesung realising and standing up for him. It was cute and these two were pretty adorable. There was no on-page affection but definitely some bubbling chemistry.
When it finished, I was left wanting more. This graphic novel was so easy to get into, to like and I really enjoyed the artwork. I appreciated that the size of the book was A5 not bigger, it was comfortable to read in all the ways.
Thank you Inklore Books for the review copy. You have made me a fan!
The Brightness Between Us by Eliot Schrefer
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
It was so damn good to be back with these men and find out what life was like after...and surprisingly before they left earth. Kodiak and Ambrose are two characters that have lived rent-free in my head for the last couple of years, so when I found out we were getting a sequel, I was incredibly pleased.
Life on Minverva, the new planet was not easy, but years later they had a whole new life, two children Owl and Yarrow plus a whole lot of urgent complications. The plot was thrilling, angsty with some very unexpected twists and turns. It was rather sad in places but still with underlying hope.
What I was surprised at were the past-flashback chapters which centred on the original Kodiak and Ambrose in their time on earth before and after the ship left for the new planet. I did enjoy these chapters to a point but I felt they dragged a little when all I wanted was to be on Minerva with the crew I knew. Overall, that background information enriched the story though.
I have to mention Kodiak and Ambrose as dads. They were just chef's kiss, still their typical selves but so warm and nurturing. Kodiak's ways made continued to amuse me. Owl was probably my favourite character after the dads, she was one great kid.
I'm so glad we have this second book and honestly, if there were more books, I'd read them.
Thank you to Harper 360YA and Pride Book Tours for the review copy.
Life on Minverva, the new planet was not easy, but years later they had a whole new life, two children Owl and Yarrow plus a whole lot of urgent complications. The plot was thrilling, angsty with some very unexpected twists and turns. It was rather sad in places but still with underlying hope.
What I was surprised at were the past-flashback chapters which centred on the original Kodiak and Ambrose in their time on earth before and after the ship left for the new planet. I did enjoy these chapters to a point but I felt they dragged a little when all I wanted was to be on Minerva with the crew I knew. Overall, that background information enriched the story though.
I have to mention Kodiak and Ambrose as dads. They were just chef's kiss, still their typical selves but so warm and nurturing. Kodiak's ways made continued to amuse me. Owl was probably my favourite character after the dads, she was one great kid.
I'm so glad we have this second book and honestly, if there were more books, I'd read them.
Thank you to Harper 360YA and Pride Book Tours for the review copy.
Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Robb returned with another romance that takes contemporary into magical realism. I was really into this read and then the magical bit happened. What happened next was so quirky and out there that I did struggle a little.
Brynn and Josh found themselves inside a small town from a favourite TV series something like a cross between Dawson's Creek and Gilmore Girls. Brynn had a mission to fulfill and the time in this small town was the start of them connecting.
I didn't love the backdrop of Carson's Cove and its residents, but I did like the two MCs. Because of these two I was able to see this read through. It ended up being an okay read with ups and downs.
I would like to see this author write without magical realism and see how that turns out.
Thank you to Viking Books for the review copy.
Brynn and Josh found themselves inside a small town from a favourite TV series something like a cross between Dawson's Creek and Gilmore Girls. Brynn had a mission to fulfill and the time in this small town was the start of them connecting.
I didn't love the backdrop of Carson's Cove and its residents, but I did like the two MCs. Because of these two I was able to see this read through. It ended up being an okay read with ups and downs.
I would like to see this author write without magical realism and see how that turns out.
Thank you to Viking Books for the review copy.
Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Quick, easy, enjoyable but forgetable. I didn't mind the predictability.
Silver by Olivia Levez
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Headlines:
Humanity
Compassion, touch and skin
Being a pioneer
This story was part invasion of the body snatchers, part Roswell and much of its own unique conception. It was firmly placed in the YA genre, so that age and immaturity that comes with it was present in the pages. It was about the exploration of humanity through the eyes of Silver, an interesting alien character trying to sketch what it meant to be human.
The story was told in past and present, both were equally engaging. Present being Silver's life in a family in the UK and past being her cadet training on board an alien ship, preparing to be the first pioneer on Earth. Not everything was as it first appeared and there were some good reveals along the way.
The family that Silver found herself in was chaotic but real and how she found her feet there kept me reading in the early stages. The situation with the founders on board the ship, the need to 'shield' and then the second pioneer had me stress reading.
The plot was super exciting in the final quarter and the ending felt right for all that had gone before.
Thank you to Hot Key Books for the review copy.
Humanity
Compassion, touch and skin
Being a pioneer
This story was part invasion of the body snatchers, part Roswell and much of its own unique conception. It was firmly placed in the YA genre, so that age and immaturity that comes with it was present in the pages. It was about the exploration of humanity through the eyes of Silver, an interesting alien character trying to sketch what it meant to be human.
The story was told in past and present, both were equally engaging. Present being Silver's life in a family in the UK and past being her cadet training on board an alien ship, preparing to be the first pioneer on Earth. Not everything was as it first appeared and there were some good reveals along the way.
The family that Silver found herself in was chaotic but real and how she found her feet there kept me reading in the early stages. The situation with the founders on board the ship, the need to 'shield' and then the second pioneer had me stress reading.
The plot was super exciting in the final quarter and the ending felt right for all that had gone before.
Thank you to Hot Key Books for the review copy.
Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
The final book in this collection brought the swoony feels. I’ve not read Alexis Daria previously, but I’ll definitely go back and try her books now. The FMC in this book was a newish resident of this NY apartment building and her upstairs neighbour was someone she’d craved from afar for months. They’d had a few interactions and there was a clear sizzle. The sizzle came to ahead over a party and some secret gifts.
There was a natural chemistry with these two that built into a good on-page intimacy. I got the feels from their connection and it ended this collection so well.
Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
This story had all the right ingredients, a fireman, a cute heroine brought together by serendipity or fate. However, I just didn't get the feels with these two. The chemistry was on page but didn't connect with my brain or heart. The ending felt rather rushed and didn't seem authentic with some of the things the heroine had been saying previously.