ddnreads's reviews
391 reviews

The Gulf by Adam de Souza

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adventurous challenging emotional 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? No

5.0

First, I like the artsyle 👌
Second, I love COMING OF AGE STORY and this graphic novel delivered!!!!
The theme it discussed is super relatable. It didn't just about teengers willing to runaway to find the commune, this is actually what's corrupting in our society. Why do they have to demand us to do things as soon as possible. Why cant we just live???? I feel you Oli 🥺🫶🏽
It contained lots of quotable conversation. 

I love the friendship dynamics between Olivia, Milo and Alvin (but I'm still not sure about Liam and Mom. I actually would love to see more Olivia background in her family).

I wouldn't say this is a light book, however,  it's still super enjoyable 👌✨

Thankyou netgalley and Penguin Random House for the arc✨
House of Odysseus by Claire North

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challenging dark emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I enjoyed it overall~ however, in terms of phrases and dictions I prefer the first book Ithaca. It doesn't as poetic 🥲 I have a bit of problem with the pace of this book. I found it quite dragging, and the end didn't really as I expected. However, it delved to the characters' thought better. We saw clearly all the behind the scenes of the decision and it was a good thing. I liked how Penelope and Elektra finally bound with each other. I would like it better if Penelope became more cunning and showed her ruling bolder.
If you finished with Ithaca, go definitely get this book. 
This is a long die review, thank you so much netgalley and Redhook books for the arc ✨
Sergius Mencari Bacchus by Norman Erikson Pasaribu

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emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

I LOVE IT. I'm no poetry master tapi aku cocok sama puisi-puisinya kak Norman 🥺 it speaks feelings to me. 
Sebenernya mostly isinya angst, but it's beautifully written. It's painful, and sad, and blue, and grey, and all the colours before the rain. 
I will sure look forward to his other works!!! Salah satu buku yg ga nyesel beli di semesta 🥺🫶🏽

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Vermilion Rain by Kai Elian

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adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Page turning bgt selesai sekali duduk. It was a well researched, well written book 🥹👌 bener sih, jarang ni nemu novel yg tokoh utamanya kerja di BMKG. Seru bgt banyak dapet trivia baru tentang per-cuacaan. Engga berasa info dumping. 

Penulisannya super smooth. Isu yang diangkat ga cuma ttg lingkungan dan perubahan iklim aja, tapi juga menyangkut masyarakat adat, pelecehan seksual, tambang illegal, dan sampe penyakit klinis. Semua isunya ngalir dan nyambung masuk ke cerita. I love it. Tulisannya sangat atmospheric. Tetap dikasih bumbu2 mistis when it was science after all. Dibikin pembacanya tu gamang antara masuk akal sama engga. 

Karakternya well written semua and I how they were made to be imperfect. The emotion and hatred toward Asa.....🤌🤌 Karakter developmentnya oke bgt si untuk semua org (but at what cost....) 😭🥹 isinya orgil semua
Tapi seneng karena in the end it fills the puzzle perfectly 🫶🏽

Ini buku pertama Kai Elian yang aku baca dan langsung suka!!!!
Will look forward to the other works!!! 

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The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le

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

4.75

First, what drew me to this book is it's cover. I'm weak when it comes to gorgeous cover 🥺👌❤️ Then, I fall in love with the story. I enjoy the first 50% of the book so much!!!! The premise is very intriguing. It told a story about a heartsooth,  people who is able to heal or soothe the pain through the touch. What makes it interesting, the magic was combined with medical condition. We're talking about anatomy, nerve system, and tissues in our body. I found it uncanny and unique. I LOVE THE STORYTELLING SO MUCH🥺 Nikha, our main character, is believed that she's the last one of her kind. A lonewolf fighting grief and doing whatever she can to survive. The stakes went high when she was caught and someone offered her astronomical money to revive a comatose victim believed to be the last witness of the death of one of the most important public figure in the continent. She unfurled more than what she has ever expected. 

As a debut, this book is well researched and neatly written. The character is strong and I can feel her, emphtize with her. However, none of the other characters elicit the same excitement. It's not that they're not solid, I just happened to not be able really connect with anyone aside from Nikha. The fact that this book is told from her pov might influence how I saw other characters.

Now, what happened with the rest 50%? It's still enjoyable. However, it rellied heavily on the romance which I'm not a fan of in this story. It's not insalove but it sure felt like one. The way Nikha suddenly a lovey dovey girl is so out of character. As she said it to herself "Rationality be damned". I can't feel the chemistry of the people falling in love here. Idk. I think it could be told in a better smoother way.

The ending left me speechless like really 🥺🥺🥺 now you're playing with my heart (figuratively). Before the end END, I think it could be better written at how they deal with the culprit. 

It was less atmospheric from my liking. But it's a me problem. It can probably work for you 🫶🏽

Maps is always a + 😻

Overall, give this book a go. I finished it in only 2 days. It's page turning ❤️❤️❤️
If science fiction fantasy with the combination of traditionald and modern world building (a Bloodcarver practice in a automaton and robotic world), magic system dealing with medical condition is your time, pick up this book now.

Thank you so much for the arc netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing group for the unproofed advance reader copy. I had so much fun reading!!! 🧚

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Rebel Girls Money Matters: A Guide to Saving, Spending, and Everything in Between by Alexa von Tobel

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hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

4.75

When I say I love children nonfiction, here's what I mean. It gave a comprehensive understanding on how money works covering all the essentials points (incl but not limited to saving, loans, debt, credit, etc). The things no one told me about it when I was a kid.
It adds another perspective that it's okay for children to start understanding about money. This is a first step towards being financially literate.
This book is a complete package: light, colorful, accurate and easily understandable.
Vita Nostra by Sergey Dyachenko, Marina Dyachenko

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

3.5

Wtf did I just read it's so bizzare so unique never like anything I've read before. I don't hate this book and don't particularly love it either. It was far from being just a fine book. It's a finely made book but I don't know what to make of it. Contemplating of reading the sequel....
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

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

4.0

It's quite straightforward at first in the way I like it. I love how solid each characters are. Quite unhinged at first, but it gets better. I felt a bit bored at the middle bcs I think the journey took too long with anything's really happening. But the tension got better at the end. I love how skedicat the god was made almost innocent but we've got to see it got worse.... I love the group dynamics and definitely looking forward to the second book. Overall, the book was enjoyable. If you're into high fantasy, with medieval vibes, where the wild god/goddess were presence, and a knight and kingdoms, found family laced with betrayals, give this book a go!!!!
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

How am I going to continue my reading challenge without dreading the downhill experience bcs how am I going to TOP THIS BOOK HOWWWWW

It's always a high fantasy with the most intense family drama and romance. Gut-wrenching beautifully written plot. It's a story of valuing tradition and power, a griefing mother, and undoubtedly angst romance. Women empowerment and community care. 

I love it so much. I cried with it. I healed with it. This is awesome end of the story.

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The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix E. Harrow

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

5.0

30 pages of masterpiece.