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hviareadsbooks's reviews
1159 reviews
Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love Libba Bray's writing, and getting to read another one of her books was a treat!
I loved the commentary on right vs wrong, and how people make assumptions about others. It was a little hard to listen to how the Jewish individuals were treated during WW2, but I knew that going in.
I love how all the character are unique and have their own voices. Each story is compelling in it's own right, and each character has their own flaws and twists.
The ending made me sob.
I loved the commentary on right vs wrong, and how people make assumptions about others. It was a little hard to listen to how the Jewish individuals were treated during WW2, but I knew that going in.
I love how all the character are unique and have their own voices. Each story is compelling in it's own right, and each character has their own flaws and twists.
The ending made me sob.
Listen to Your Sister by Neena Viel
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
I love horror books that make me laugh but also make me afraid to go to the bathroom at night. And horror books that deal with family trauma and generational trauma and childhood trauma. Guess what. This book does all of that.
I appreciate the nightmare aspect of this. The way in which the sister is used and tired of her brothers is so accurate. I didn't find Drew and Jamie to be very sympathetic characters, because they keep messing up Calla's life without any regard to what she has given up for them. However, as the story winds down, I do appreciate them more.
I appreciate the nightmare aspect of this. The way in which the sister is used and tired of her brothers is so accurate. I didn't find Drew and Jamie to be very sympathetic characters, because they keep messing up Calla's life without any regard to what she has given up for them. However, as the story winds down, I do appreciate them more.
The Outcast Mage by Annabel Campbell
adventurous
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
5.0
Holy cow this was amazing!
Everything about this book is perfection. The characters? So well written. The magic system? Complex and fascinating. The plot? Driving and suspenseful. This book had me hooked from the first page.
I also think this book is really applicable to today, as it deals with ideas such as caste systems, corrupt governments, and how tradition can be deadly.
Can't wait for book 2.
Thanks Orbit books for the ARC!
Everything about this book is perfection. The characters? So well written. The magic system? Complex and fascinating. The plot? Driving and suspenseful. This book had me hooked from the first page.
I also think this book is really applicable to today, as it deals with ideas such as caste systems, corrupt governments, and how tradition can be deadly.
Can't wait for book 2.
Thanks Orbit books for the ARC!
Head Cases by John McMahon
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
If you like Criminal Minds, you'll like this. I can see where the inspiration for the characters and the killers came from, however, I felt that it wasn't that different than most books that already exist. I enjoyed it, and probably will buy a physical copy, but overall it's a normal FBI thriller novel.
The Scorpion Queen by Mina Fears
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-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? Yes
4.25
This was a dark, beautiful, powerful YA story. I loved the interwoven of mythology and new story telling, the characters, and the writing.
I really disagree with most reviewers that Amie was annoying. I think she was a sixteen year old girl who was betrayed, forced into service, and unloved. Her whining and being upset is to be expected. I also think she had the best character growth, realizing that her wants and needs shouldn't outweigh others, and that wouldn't shouldn't put their future on a boy.
The other characters were great, with depth that you can appreciate. Even the villain is understandable.
I cannot wait for book 2.
Thank you Flatiron Books and Macmillion Audio for the ARC!
I really disagree with most reviewers that Amie was annoying. I think she was a sixteen year old girl who was betrayed, forced into service, and unloved. Her whining and being upset is to be expected. I also think she had the best character growth, realizing that her wants and needs shouldn't outweigh others, and that wouldn't shouldn't put their future on a boy.
The other characters were great, with depth that you can appreciate. Even the villain is understandable.
I cannot wait for book 2.
Thank you Flatiron Books and Macmillion Audio for the ARC!
The Legend of Meneka by Kritika H. Rao
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
This book was so good OMG! I loved how it built up and showed the character Meneka as she grew. This story really was great at showing how differing perspectives, The love story and bi rep was also great. I have delved much into Hindu mythology, but I can tell this story does a great job combining mythology and a new tale. I can't wait for book 2.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.
Babylonia by Costanza Casati
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Why aren't more people talking about this? My childhood obsession with Babylon and Mesopotamia has been unlocked.
I loved this book. It was so well written, and Casati's prose is amazing. At the same time, the DRAMA. This family is messy and I absolutely love it. Semiramis was such a great and complex character, and I can totally understand why everyone hates/loves her. Her political playing, her mind, and her legacy is amazing. The mother queen is so annoying and hateful AND I LOVE IT.
I need more mythology books like this.
I loved this book. It was so well written, and Casati's prose is amazing. At the same time, the DRAMA. This family is messy and I absolutely love it. Semiramis was such a great and complex character, and I can totally understand why everyone hates/loves her. Her political playing, her mind, and her legacy is amazing. The mother queen is so annoying and hateful AND I LOVE IT.
I need more mythology books like this.
Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
Sue Lynn Tan, the woman you are.
SPOILERS.
This book was everything. The enemies to lovers. The long last lovers. The complex court intrigue. A stabby main female character. Respect for disabilities.
I was kicking and giggling my feet at every interaction Liyen and Zhangwei. They were so awkward and couldn't stop fighting with each other, it made me giggle.
I loved the reference to Chinese mythology. If you like Korean dramas such as Love Between Fairy and Devil, you'll like this one.
SPOILERS.
This book was everything. The enemies to lovers. The long last lovers. The complex court intrigue. A stabby main female character. Respect for disabilities.
I was kicking and giggling my feet at every interaction Liyen and Zhangwei. They were so awkward and couldn't stop fighting with each other, it made me giggle.
I loved the reference to Chinese mythology. If you like Korean dramas such as Love Between Fairy and Devil, you'll like this one.
A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you are a fan of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, I think you'll like this.
The characters were funny, and I enjoyed the way this book delved into how relationships can fall apart when the couple isn't truthfully. The focus on the relationship between Hazel and Jenny and how important having female friends as a woman was great. I think this book would hit harder if I was married and had children, but I still really appreciated it.
One star was lost due to the surface level feminism. I just don't vibe with the "I am woman, hear me roar" type of feminism.
Thank you to Random House for the ARC!
The characters were funny, and I enjoyed the way this book delved into how relationships can fall apart when the couple isn't truthfully. The focus on the relationship between Hazel and Jenny and how important having female friends as a woman was great. I think this book would hit harder if I was married and had children, but I still really appreciated it.
One star was lost due to the surface level feminism. I just don't vibe with the "I am woman, hear me roar" type of feminism.
Thank you to Random House for the ARC!
Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
4.25
THIS WAS SO CUTE!
I am not a romance reader in the slightest, but I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up because I like playing D&D, and I heard good things about the authors other book. It was cute, there was banter, the charm, all of it! The characters were adorable and I appreciate how low stakes it was. Kristy Boyce is going to join Ali Hazelwood as one of the few romance authors I read.
Thanks Delacorte Romance for the ARC!
I am not a romance reader in the slightest, but I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up because I like playing D&D, and I heard good things about the authors other book. It was cute, there was banter, the charm, all of it! The characters were adorable and I appreciate how low stakes it was. Kristy Boyce is going to join Ali Hazelwood as one of the few romance authors I read.
Thanks Delacorte Romance for the ARC!