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gattolino_nn's reviews
566 reviews
The Apothecary Diaries by Natsu Hyuuga
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was just a fun read after having watched the first season of the anime. It covers the first half of the season and I could see how so the anime followed the book, and see it all play again in my head.
The story is also very different from what I'm use to with a series like this. Each chapter was it's own story (much like in the anime) and gave it a real story story collection feel. I haven't come across this in western books before, I think we tend to still have an over arching story for a book, or break them down into novellas for those shorter stories.
I cannot wait to continue the series.
The story is also very different from what I'm use to with a series like this. Each chapter was it's own story (much like in the anime) and gave it a real story story collection feel. I haven't come across this in western books before, I think we tend to still have an over arching story for a book, or break them down into novellas for those shorter stories.
I cannot wait to continue the series.
THE RIGHTEOUS by Renée Ahdieh
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I thought this book was just ok. It felt kind of strange considering where we left off with the second book. I thought this was going to be the final book until I realised that it was different characters and the series is a quartet. As such this book honestly just felt like a filler, nothing really progressed the overall story in anyway. It is more like a side quest when playing a game that can add to the experience but it isn't detrimental to the overall story. There are some key moments but honestly nothing that didn't feel like it could have been worked in another way.
In saying that the story itself was not bad but didn't work in the series personally for me. I would rather it had been the fourth book and we finished the story we started and got these books on the other characters as the series continued as almost stand alones.
In saying that the story itself was not bad but didn't work in the series personally for me. I would rather it had been the fourth book and we finished the story we started and got these books on the other characters as the series continued as almost stand alones.
Wavewalker: Breaking Free by Suzanne Heywood
emotional
slow-paced
4.0
I found this book to be an interesting read. You could see how the adventure of living on a boat starts off as exciting but as the years pass Sue becomes more and more disillusioned to it.
As this is a memoir there isn't much to say expect that the parents were quite selfish in their wants and needs and did not act like parents at all. By today's standards it feels like this would be pulled up for either child abuse or neglect, but it is hard to say. What I can say it is good to know that Sue is getting the help she needs to go over her childhood and has her own family to love and support and who will hopefully do the same back.
As this is a memoir there isn't much to say expect that the parents were quite selfish in their wants and needs and did not act like parents at all. By today's standards it feels like this would be pulled up for either child abuse or neglect, but it is hard to say. What I can say it is good to know that Sue is getting the help she needs to go over her childhood and has her own family to love and support and who will hopefully do the same back.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Abandonment
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book had me hooked from the beginning and did not let me go.
I loved how we have dual POVs of Devon and Chiamaka as they both bring their own troubles and perspectives to the book and work to figure out who Aces is and why they are targeting them.
The whole book has a lot of confronting matieral (warnings can be found on Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's site.) which sets up this uncomfortable feeling when reading. There doesn't feel like a moment of rest wen reading which heightens your senses and paranoia that works so well in conjunction with the story. This atmosphere makes for each twist to hit that much more along with the ending.
I loved how we have dual POVs of Devon and Chiamaka as they both bring their own troubles and perspectives to the book and work to figure out who Aces is and why they are targeting them.
The whole book has a lot of confronting matieral (warnings can be found on Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's site.) which sets up this uncomfortable feeling when reading. There doesn't feel like a moment of rest wen reading which heightens your senses and paranoia that works so well in conjunction with the story. This atmosphere makes for each twist to hit that much more along with the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail
A Stone Of Destiny and Despair by A.P. Beswick
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book really brings all the characters from the previous stories into play. Whilst the team is not fully formed you can see how everything is starting to come together which is very exciting to see how it all comes together in the final couple of books.
I must say the ending was not something I was expecting going into the story but was similar to where I thought it was going as the story went on. I am very excited to see how everything concludes.
I must say the ending was not something I was expecting going into the story but was similar to where I thought it was going as the story went on. I am very excited to see how everything concludes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual content
We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
This was a solid second half of a story. There is so many twist and emotions between characters that just keep you wondering what is happening and how they are going to get out of the situation they find themselves in.
It had really good character development both progressive and digressive that show struggles and trauma of all the events that have happened in the lives of these characters. I felt that the book was easy to read and even with the length it felt like it went by so fast when I sat down to read.
The only thing that threw me for so long was the ending We Hunt the Flame shows a perspective of Yasmine and we never got her perspective in this book, but also she wasn't really in the book until half way or about part 2. It felt like there should have been more of her with how the ending of the first book went.
It had really good character development both progressive and digressive that show struggles and trauma of all the events that have happened in the lives of these characters. I felt that the book was easy to read and even with the length it felt like it went by so fast when I sat down to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Gore and War
Archenemies by Marissa Meyer
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
I think this is a solid middle book of the series. It does a lot of setting up for the final book without spoiling anything. It keeps raising the steaks until it feels like it is only a matter of time before everything comes crumbling down for everyone. It makes reading this really quick as you are constantly wanting to see what happens.
I cannot wait to see how it all comes together in the final book.
I cannot wait to see how it all comes together in the final book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Child death
In the Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
3.75
I thought this was a really interesting story premise and how the magic system was something contacted to one's family and bloodline. I did think the writing was a bit jarring at times with pacing or word usage, but it was still a really enjoyable read.
I will say there is a romantic subplot that felt a bit shoehorned in. I could still keep reading the book without much issue with it but it is something that should be noted if you are already someone that is not a romantic subplot lover.
Over all I still loved the premise of the book and how the world works. The ending was super cute and honestly a different way to end a book.
I will say there is a romantic subplot that felt a bit shoehorned in. I could still keep reading the book without much issue with it but it is something that should be noted if you are already someone that is not a romantic subplot lover.
Over all I still loved the premise of the book and how the world works. The ending was super cute and honestly a different way to end a book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
Supernova by Marissa Meyer
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
I loved how this series ended. I was so invested through out this whole book waiting for the pin to drop where everyone knows who is who and what is happening.
This book and the series as a whole does a fantastic job or morally grey thinking. How different people can want the same outcome but can go at it at different angles. It also highlights how people can be idolise and not live up to the pedestal with put them on or how we will morph who they really are to fit out image and ignore evidence that contradicts it.
The ending was a surprise as I was expecting it but not the twist. The epilogue just hurt and now I need another book to resolve that.
I really enjoyed this series and hope that others can sit down and really take in how well this is written and the topics that it tackles and how they are brought up.
This book and the series as a whole does a fantastic job or morally grey thinking. How different people can want the same outcome but can go at it at different angles. It also highlights how people can be idolise and not live up to the pedestal with put them on or how we will morph who they really are to fit out image and ignore evidence that contradicts it.
The ending was a surprise as I was expecting it but not the twist. The epilogue just hurt and now I need another book to resolve that.
I really enjoyed this series and hope that others can sit down and really take in how well this is written and the topics that it tackles and how they are brought up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Torture, Death of parent, and War
Fox and Hound Volume 2 by N.S. Kane
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This issue picks up where issue one finishes and much like the first issue is there is some fun moments and the art is still really good. This issue does a get a bit more serious and shows us that there is more to Hound then one might think as there is something in her past she is running from.
This is where we start to see where the series is heading without giving too much away. It leaves you wanting to read that next serious to see what is happening.
This is where we start to see where the series is heading without giving too much away. It leaves you wanting to read that next serious to see what is happening.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence