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gattolino_nn's reviews
566 reviews
She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
I loved this book. It was a cute read that for the most part was easy to listen to whilst working. Due to how easy it was to get lost in this book and the characters I had this almost finished it in one day and one sitting. It kept me hooked and interested throughout whatever activity I was focusing on. The characters were flawed but learnt to grow and acknowledge and overcome of the hardest moments in their teenage lives.
Scottie and Irene were so much fun together. Their moments ranging from cute, to bantering and sassy to some of the more sadder and tender moments. I loved them together and thought how their relationship grew and changed through the book fitted in so well with Scottie's own personal journey.
Scottie and Irene were so much fun together. Their moments ranging from cute, to bantering and sassy to some of the more sadder and tender moments. I loved them together and thought how their relationship grew and changed through the book fitted in so well with Scottie's own personal journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Biphobia
Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town by Charles L. Marohn Jr.
informative
medium-paced
4.5
I thought this was a really interesting look into how roads, streets and stroads impact a community. How designs really effect the people and how we all perceive the environment around us and how little changes can help improve it.
I think it would be wonderful to have places that implemented some of the changes mentioned throughout the book, but unfortunately I also think governments are also not focused on wanting those changes. I constantly hear that things will costs too much money or that it is not finically viable as they will not make money back.
Hopefully this does slowly change and starting as a town level could be the way to achieve this.
I think it would be wonderful to have places that implemented some of the changes mentioned throughout the book, but unfortunately I also think governments are also not focused on wanting those changes. I constantly hear that things will costs too much money or that it is not finically viable as they will not make money back.
Hopefully this does slowly change and starting as a town level could be the way to achieve this.
The Damned by Renée Ahdieh
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
3.75
I thought this book was a good read but it was really setting up for the third and final book in the series. It didn't feel like much happened to progress the world but instead focused on Sebastien's struggle with becoming a vampire and what is means to him and humanity.
Where The Beautiful felt more about Celine, The Damned is Sebastien's story. Much like the first story we we still get POV from Celine and other people but Celine doesn't really get involved until later in the book. It is also around this time that I feel we pivot from a historical paranormal to more a historical fantasy in my opinion.
This book does a good job or setting up for the third and where we expect to see it go.
Where The Beautiful felt more about Celine, The Damned is Sebastien's story. Much like the first story we we still get POV from Celine and other people but Celine doesn't really get involved until later in the book. It is also around this time that I feel we pivot from a historical paranormal to more a historical fantasy in my opinion.
This book does a good job or setting up for the third and where we expect to see it go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Love, Pawprints & Promises by Karen Drew
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I thought this was such a cute book. It was an easy read and the characters made me smile when reading. This series is turning into one that I can pick up and just enjoy. There is nothing overly dramatic or sexual in the books so it does just make for a cozy read.
The only thing in the book I wish I could change was the lack of communication between the Selena and Devlin. The book would have honestly been shorter or less treading over the same issues and story points. Honestly it was annoying to see these characters just not talk about their feelings and making preserved drama.
All in all it was still a fun read an the animals in this book were really cute.
The only thing in the book I wish I could change was the lack of communication between the Selena and Devlin. The book would have honestly been shorter or less treading over the same issues and story points. Honestly it was annoying to see these characters just not talk about their feelings and making preserved drama.
All in all it was still a fun read an the animals in this book were really cute.
A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I thought this was a solid read for a start of a series. It was good at introducing the word and magic. It has characters that had some nuance in emotions and actions which changed depending on the environment and who was around and involved.
I did think the ending was weak. There was drama and betrayal that really could have been sorted if people talked, or at least made the ending less annoying. Especially when those people who didn't explain anything then turn around and act indignant when people act on information that they know and hasn't been stated otherwise to be false.
I will be interested to see if this series changes characters every couple of books like her Bridge Kingdom series or if we will stay following Freya for a while.
I did think the ending was weak. There was drama and betrayal that really could have been sorted if people talked, or at least made the ending less annoying. Especially when those people who didn't explain anything then turn around and act indignant when people act on information that they know and hasn't been stated otherwise to be false.
I will be interested to see if this series changes characters every couple of books like her Bridge Kingdom series or if we will stay following Freya for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Blood, and War
Moderate: Transphobia and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Original Rating 3.5 ★
I found that the second time reading I was not mixing with the characters as much. As it was this was only a 3.5 star read the first time. Rereading the first book had the same issue and now reading this right afterwards had put me into a reading slump.
I found the chemistry between Bryce and Hunt non existent and ended up skipping parts of them together, but the rest the story was lack luster. There was some solid moments like with Ruhn and Daybright that really kept me invested but it just felt really all over the place for the most part.
I'll be interested to see how I feel about the third book when I get around to it.
I found that the second time reading I was not mixing with the characters as much. As it was this was only a 3.5 star read the first time. Rereading the first book had the same issue and now reading this right afterwards had put me into a reading slump.
I found the chemistry between Bryce and Hunt non existent and ended up skipping parts of them together, but the rest the story was lack luster. There was some solid moments like with Ruhn and Daybright that really kept me invested but it just felt really all over the place for the most part.
I'll be interested to see how I feel about the third book when I get around to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Slavery and Torture
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
funny
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
4.5
This was such an easy read to get into. As a previous YA author I think Victoria Aveyard wrote this book that felt like the easy pick up and read of a YA but had the plot and character struggles you more often see in NA or adult works.
The characters were captivating from the start and kept my attention throughout the whole book. There wasn't one person's chapter that I was interested in reading as they were all compelling in their own way. I think this book's strongest area as each character felt unique from one another and even if they are feeling the same emotions and turmoil they express them in different ways.
I thought the plot of the book was good but it wasn't a driving force for me when it came to reading. It is a simple set up but in a way that allows the characters to shine without having a convoluted plot hanging over them. It was an interesting and I am intrigued to see where it goes in the next two books.
All in all if you have previously liked Victoria Aveyard's works this is a must read.
The characters were captivating from the start and kept my attention throughout the whole book. There wasn't one person's chapter that I was interested in reading as they were all compelling in their own way. I think this book's strongest area as each character felt unique from one another and even if they are feeling the same emotions and turmoil they express them in different ways.
I thought the plot of the book was good but it wasn't a driving force for me when it came to reading. It is a simple set up but in a way that allows the characters to shine without having a convoluted plot hanging over them. It was an interesting and I am intrigued to see where it goes in the next two books.
All in all if you have previously liked Victoria Aveyard's works this is a must read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Blood and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
Dragonclaw by Kate Forsyth
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I thought the plot was interesting enough, and the different POVs did help keep my attentions but the pacing all felt slow most of the time and the plot jumpy. I also struggled a lot with the writing. The characters have Scottish accents which were written into their dialogue which just made it hard to read.
The characters were sort of interesting but not nearly enough to keep my attention throughout the whole book. There were some personalities that clashed with me, but it doesn't mean others will have the same issues. Overall the plot kept me invested but I don't think I'll be continuing the series any time soon.
The characters were sort of interesting but not nearly enough to keep my attention throughout the whole book. There were some personalities that clashed with me, but it doesn't mean others will have the same issues. Overall the plot kept me invested but I don't think I'll be continuing the series any time soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Death and Xenophobia
Minor: Rape
Learn My Lesson by Katee Robert
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book and it was a break that I need from my other reads an normal genres. It was fun and something I think that did a really good job of displaying a polyamorous relationship between Hades, Meghan and Hercules. It really highlighted how each of them helps the other and no one is the main focus or feel like that are just added on as an after thought.
I also appreciated that the issue of communication was addressed in the book and how it was highlighted as being an issue and how it can take some time for people to adjust and start talking again after so long of holding everything in.
A very solid read to end the month with.
I also appreciated that the issue of communication was addressed in the book and how it was highlighted as being an issue and how it can take some time for people to adjust and start talking again after so long of holding everything in.
A very solid read to end the month with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Car accident
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This is a reread of this book and I still love it.
It is just filled with fun, fae based of mythology and fairytales as well as being an easy read that helped me in a reading slump.
This was a cozy read for me. I loved how this book sets up an issue and it doesn't feel like it gets dragged out. I feel like a lot books have plots that don't resolve without their books and get spread out too much over a series instead of expanding the world for the rest of the series. I also love the cast of characters was fun with Grimalkin being my favourite character. They all feel like fun and bring their own takes to each situation and a different dynamic to the story.
I am very excited to continue my reread of the series.
It is just filled with fun, fae based of mythology and fairytales as well as being an easy read that helped me in a reading slump.
This was a cozy read for me. I loved how this book sets up an issue and it doesn't feel like it gets dragged out. I feel like a lot books have plots that don't resolve without their books and get spread out too much over a series instead of expanding the world for the rest of the series. I also love the cast of characters was fun with Grimalkin being my favourite character. They all feel like fun and bring their own takes to each situation and a different dynamic to the story.
I am very excited to continue my reread of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, and Sexual harassment