ddnreads's reviews
391 reviews

Fury of the Dragon Goddess by Sarwat Chadda

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adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective 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? No

5.0

I LOVE IT AND I CANT STRESS THAT ENOUGH!!!!!! 😭
Dear Sir Sarwat Chadda, WE NEED TO TALK

I love what happened in City of the Plague God but this sequel is elevating everything's there. The stakes are MUCH HIGHER, more stressful, a lot more meaningful also (not that the previous book lacking in those stuffs, this book's just gave u more).

The MOTHER, the dance in the end, the reunion.... I'm in shambles.

What's this book is about?
Met Sikander Aziz, a deli owner son whose friends are third level Mesopotamian demon and a worldwide supermodel (there's no in between).

Following the events in City in the Plague God, Sik's adventure started in England. I like how we finally have a new setting. New scenery, new history to unlock. Refreshing.

In this adventure, Sik has to deal with the tablet of destiny, multi layered realms, and an unfriendly super strong God.

This book dwelled in coming of age for middle graders, brotherhood bound, found family, friendship, and facing yourself.

Action packed and entertaining, Fury of the Dragon Goddess is an automatic 5 ⭐

Notable issues:
The shade about colonialism ✅
Mental health problems ✅
Anti fragile masculinity ✅

Do I have to read City of the Plague God first?
Yes.
Eventhough City of the Plague God is a completed story with no cliffhangers, it will explain the relationship among the characters.

So, the reading order would be:
City of the Plague God - The Loneli st Demon (in Cursed Carnaval book) - Fury of the Dragon Goddess.

If you're into Mesopotamian Mythology with Muslim main characters, found family, and coming of age middle grade, then this book's perfect for you!! Give it a go
Bloom by Bellebird James

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I love the premise and the first few pages looked promising. At the end, this book fell into okayish category for me. The pace is way too slow for my taste and the plot is quite jumpy. Some expressions was simply repetitive. It doesn't make me giggles or blush, or anything extraordinary.

I love the atmospheric settings, tho. I love this siblings trope and how Izzy, Eli, Peny and Nico just get together. I love Izzy and Nico's dynamic and convo banter.

The family drama adds the flavour. However the resolution at the end could be better executed.

If you're into small town romance, strangers to friends to lovers, love natures, with a family drama and school ambition trope, this book is perfect for you.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks for the arc✨
The Last Fallen Realm by Graci Kim

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adventurous 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? No

5.0

WHAT AN ENDING

I finished this in 4 hours straight. I love how effortlessly the plot went. 80% through the book, the 'twist' was predictable but still very enjoyable to read. BUT IT'S JUST SO HARD FOR ME TO ACCEPT THAT FINALITY 😭🥹 the ending omg madam Graci Kim we need to talk. When I see the titles I didn't realize you mean it quite *beeeeeeeppp*

The ending was powerful. I'm not a Korean. I'm just one of the saram in the world, but the ppl in giften clan series is my family and you can't say otherwise. 

The narrator did a very fine job of delivering Riley's feelings. Her grief, her frustration. The outburst. AND THE BELIEF 🥹🥹🥹

A very fine middle grade series I'll always cheris 🫶🏽
Dilan: Dia Adalah Dilanku Tahun 1990 by Pidi Baiq

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

2.0

I'm all for cute high school romance, bad boy good girl. He fell first she fell harder. However, despite the hype, this book didn't live up to my expectations. The execution is just meh.

1. I don't like the writing style. Unrealiable narrator is not my cup of tea. Too much unnecessary ha ha ha he he he????? Is that supposed to be funny or sweet or what??? It is acceptable only bcs at the start of the book, it is written that Milea is not am author. So yeah, amateurish writing style is forgivable. But I personally, hate it.

2. Milea's character is unlikeable 😂 she's so.... Shallow???? Big main character energy and a bit pick me. It's hard to sympathise with her and honestly I don't care what she's been through 😭 other men who likes her was portrayed annoying. And yes we know she's beautiful. We can do without anyone sees her saying she's pretty. Narcissus enough?

3. And please give Dilan a therapy appointment for his anger management issue. 

4. I LOVE WATI AND PIYAN should make a spin off abt them🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 the definition of "Sini maju lo" gf, "sabar sayang" bf

Light, easy to read, quite atmospheric that I want to visit Bandung 1990✨
Girl. by Robin Williams

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emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

4.75

A heartfelt affirmative poem. For every bi and ace out there, this one's for you. It's a nice reminder that you're queer and you're enough 🫶🏽
Not Today Satan (Maybe Tomorrow) by Andrew Shaffer

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.75

Finished this in about 15is minutes. It's hilarious front to back 😆 light and enjoyable, I love it.
If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang

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emotional 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

3.0

I read a lot of coming of age story of Chinese students. Living up to their parents expectations, wanting to break free, or forging their own path into the world. Not wanting to disappoint their parents, being an over achiever. BUT.... None of them tell it as atmospheric as this one. It felt so real on so many levels. It critize the gap in education for which only the rich could afford. The struggle of not being privilege enough that fail is not an option. Where the only way to move forward is to work your ass off on a very slippery slope bcs there are no safety net once you slipped.

Laced with a sweet high school romance that start from academic rivals (it's one-sided rival actually bcs the male character didn't feel the same way or acknowledging that they're rivals), to business partners, to friends, and into something more, If You Could See the Sun is an okay read.

Alice is a persistent FMC who'll take you in her shoes to feel the frustration on the social gap she felt among her friends, justification for her questionable decisions (even though the crime is still the crime, and she has no accountability for this matter), and her consciences to act in the end. It has tiny bits spark of magic which I didn't expect 😂 it wasn't too much, but it could be better written or better explained in the book. It comes out to nowhere and disappear just like that.

An ambitious, beautifully written coming of age story. 

If you like Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer, you'll love this!!!!
Little Thieves by Margaret Owen

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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? No

4.5

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

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funny lighthearted reflective 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? No

4.25

Cozy fantasy with romance sub plot!!! Grumpy sunshine at its best. Modern day witches who has to take care of 3 witches children.
It is light and entertaining. However, what I like the most is the subtlety at the end where everything unpacked. It has hints of mystery, unloading past trauma, and self acceptance as a poc background. A very nice read.
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

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adventurous challenging emotional informative tense 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? No

5.0

WHY DIDN'T I READ IT SOONER??!!!
This is soooo goooood
A heist story but better. 
Found family but better. 
Dan Brown's typical book but better. 
Elemental magic but better.
History trivia but better. (I love how the decoloniasation subtly found its way along the pages)
Unique distinctive characters who are diverse 👌

This book means a lot better to me than anything I've read in those genre. I'm obsessed