ddnreads's reviews
391 reviews

Zabuza - Haku arc was actually very sentimental. Conflicted how Haku was actually a minor....
Team 7 enjoying their days before the chunin exam is actually the calm before the storm


We finally got to see other teams and peek of their power. yes sakura u really should step up your game

Loving the fight. They're still so smol but the fight was actually life-death situation :" Sharingan activated for the first time in Sasuke
Friendly reminder that before Sasuke collapsed, all he thought was all the adventures with team 7 

Zabuza - Haku arc.... 
I hate Sakura's character development in this (Or the lacking of it)

I'm rereading Naruto after ages of finishing it for the first time. Everyone's so shitty and definitely a bully wkwkwk loving teacher - protegee Iruka Naruto relationship
just realized how fast paced and action packed it is
It's actually quite a complete build up to get to know our main characters and his supporting friends, and sensei. Team 7

Moonstorm is a YA sci-fi set in alt universe of Joseon era (Korea inspired). The world building and Mecha description is admirable. 

We followed Hwa Young in her rebel moon resident, Carnelian, with her family when suddenly at attack from Imperial lancer burst through and she's the only survivor. The pilot of the lancer then took her to the imperial resident to join the academy militer where she might be a pilot herself. The moment Hwa Young saw the lancer, she wanted it so much. (Don't care the very same thing just destroyed her whole family and livehood. I found it very questionable bcs what's the motive??? She literally saw her family ripped to pieces then she want the power??? What was the background. It doesn't make sense that her first instinct is to switch loyalty). The first half of this remind me of Iron Widow, which I love, but lacking the intensity. It moved so fast we didn't get to understand why she wanted the power that annihilate her people surely for the sake of power. Why was that an imperial army wanted to take an orphan child of enemy's origin???
I wish there will be more build up on that matter. 

Bcs the background is quite questionable for me, the experiences in the academy military was just okayish. The frienemy rivalry, classmates, best friends, second best is quite tropey. 

However, I love the action-packed fast paced it offered. I don't usually enjoy sci-fi but Lee's writing is on another level. It flew effortlessly and easy to follow. Even if it's predictable at parts, it's still enjoyable.

I love the idea of how the army each has their own speciality in combat. The team up builds. The color, etc. 

Challenge appeared the momen Hwa Young realized her first mission will be attacking her used to be homeland. As she struggled to reminded herself that she's empress child (it's become very repetitive it lost its significance), she went to the battle. As it goes by, she found the empress questionable (ofc) and the hidden agenda could destroy all. I'm not sure what to make of the twists, but I don't really invest in it and from the start Hwa Young feelings with her family is not clear. At one point she loved them, proud of them, then she hated them the moment she found out one of them survive?? It's your typical naive strong headed FMC.

The rep was great. Lee managed to blend the his own world without trying to hard and it's well written. 

Eventhough it might not be my favourite, I devoured it in just 2 days bcs yes it's page turning 😭👌🏼
I can see how the others are loving it. If you're into sci-fi, the family you chose, Mecha and action packed space battle give it a go!!!

Thankyou for the arc in exchange of honest review. I'm quite intrigued to read the sequel.

I love it. I thought it's going to be similar in tone with Kaikeyi, but it's different. For me, the story in Goddess of the River flew more effortlessly, more calming tone but still managed to highlight the women empowerment ideas intended by the author. I love Gangga and her thoughts since the very beginning. I love how the story written in a neat chronological order from the curse to the war at the end. Gangga has made a lot of difficult choices, a morally grey entity at it's finest. Talking about morally grey, now I think about it all of the characters/ divine beings are morally grey. This book is not only well written but also well researched. It's there on the pages and I love how it managed to be atmospheric. 

I'm quite familiar with Mahabharata story, pandava brothers, the God/Goddess and this book is a fresh reading because it gave new perspectives and dove deeper into the characters' thoughts and consideration. Mother-sons relationship goes strong and complicated. The ending definitely bittersweet.

Please be aware of the trigger warning (infant deaths, explicit war scenes, attempted SA)

Thankyou so much Orbit and netgalley for the arc in exchange of honest review.

If you're into epic mythology story, Indian myth, the story of God/Goddess, Kingdom dispute, and warfare, GIVE THIS BOOK A GO.   

I really want to love this book but I can't. I really love the idea of the world building, Fathomfolk, half submerged and surface level communities. However, it could be much better written. The creature's description, how they looked like etc. I've heard of Kelpies but probably what I have in mind is difference than what this book intended me to imagine (?)
It's very hard for me to get hooked with the story. The first half felt very dragging, and it's diff cult to focus and care with the characters. It felt flat. It's more telling than showing. 

It talked a lot about social gaps, racism, and the struggle of fitting in. The extent of extremism action that we need to do. However, I don't actually get what the author wanted to convey. It doesn't really portrayed the resistance to be of value (?) (eventhough I know Nami is very naive), juggling to hold the place of power between being realistic and protect our kind (Mira) with that ending???? Idk 😶

If you're into high fantasy laced with betrayal and political turmoil, magical creatures, and slight romance, give it a go. 

Thankyou for the arc in exchange of honest review. 

1 whole star for the breathtaking cover. Unfortunately, the story failed to get me engaged and hooked since the very beginning. It was all tell and not showing. I can't care with what Xue was thinking. The characters are boring and flat....

The world building is actually pretty cool. It has potential to be a well written one. The premise is promising but again, the execution didn't live up to its advertisement.

The second half to the end was actually pretty intriguing. It's unfortunate that the sudden many realms were underdeveloped. I prefer a more action packed pacing and a great character development arc.

And the romance dynamic was not there....

The writing's oke, the interlude was a nice touch ✨👌🏼

If you're into slow paced Chinese inspired fantasy, give this book a go. 

Thankyou for the arc in exchange of honest review.

I just finish this book a while ago and OMG there are so many things I want to share.

First, the characters' complexity. I LOVE HOW Kak Hanna addressed the issues because THE THINGS HAPPENED TO THEM HAPPENED TO A LOT OF YOUNG GIRLS. 
- Rachel. The have to be miss perfect. Who crumbled under her mother's pressure. I NEED TO HUG THIS GIRL:( hate how it's true this kind of girl is the most vulnerable to be in predator's den.
- Khad.... The mother-daughter relationship is sending me to a rollercoaster ride. How young teenager girl often has to pay with their bodies or even their lives is hurting. You're understood and loved, Khad. I love how even in her lowest condition, Khadijah is a fighter. 
- AND FLO AND SUMI DESERVED ALL THE BEST THINGS IN THE WORLD. Their friendship is the best of all 😭♥️
- Oh and how the headmistress prioritizing the school's reputation over literally everything else? Disappointed but not surprise. Hard pill to swallow. It just reflected the reality how bad our education system actually is. 

Second, the issues. I love how Kak Hana made it uncomfortable to read but handled sooo delicately. Surely, it didn't exploitative and the points came across quite well.

Third, the writing. It feels so atmospheric. It gave me goosebumps. It's uneasy (as it should).

Forth, the mystery, the pace, the clues. If you love or an avid reader of CTM, this book might not amaze you as much. Thing is the ending is either a hit or a miss. For me, St. Bernadette's is just so so. The first half was very intriguing. The second half could be faster and I'd love to have the ending and the explanation, the dots connecting to be more elaborated. It felt rushed in the end. But I personally still enjoy it. It's the journey that counts.

Last, the horror. I love horror stories. Urban legends. Mass Hysterical at all girl school. I can see it clearly happening. It felt so close to home. And I love how in the end it remains as a mystery.

Give this book ago. Thanks so much Kak Hana for the arc in exchange of honest reviews. I love it.

Finished in one sitting. I always love Adam's art style. Quite predictable but still enjoyable👌🏼