ivi_reads_books's reviews
302 reviews

This Motherless Land by Nikki May

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

4.25

 This Motherless Land by Nikki May is a heartfelt story set between England and Nigeria, exploring themes of adaptability, entitlement, racism, and prejudice. The narrator does a fantastic job bringing the story to life. 
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Plant Academy: The Cookbook by Lauren Lovatt

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informative inspiring medium-paced

3.0

 Plant Academy: The Cookbook by Lauren Lovatt is quite wordy and focused on making everything from scratch. It includes a number of raw recipes and detailed plating instructions. While the photos are beautifully styled, the portions shown are quite small.

Thanks to Netgally and Leaping Hare Press for the digital advance review copy
Heir by Sabaa Tahir

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

 Heir by Sabaa Tahir is a thrilling read with strong world-building, a touch of romance, and plenty of intrigue. I’m already excited for book two! 
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

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

3.5

 ✨ Hot Take Alert! ✨
Is Onyx Storm the comeback this series needed? After feeling let down by Iron Flame, I wasn’t sure if I’d stick with Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series—but here I am, ready for book four! 📖🔥

This third installment is undeniably fast-paced, packed with action, and delivers a much-needed deep dive into history and world-building in its latter half. I loved how Violet’s internal recitations introduced us to the world in book one, and while I missed that early on, the second half made up for it.

But let’s talk about the banter... again. It’s the same old formula: Andarna is still a brat, Violet and Xaden are ridiculously obsessed with each other, and the squad’s inside jokes haven’t evolved much. Meanwhile, Violet defies authority at every turn but barely tolerates dissent in her own ranks. And where’s the underdog we fell for in Fourth Wing? I miss the Violet who had to fight, adapt, and rely on her community. Now, she’s an unstoppable force, brushing off major injuries with two hours of sleep. As someone who’s chronically ill, I just can’t relate anymore.

That said, I did enjoy the writing (aside from the banter), and this book convinced me to keep going with the series. 

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How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Lots of text. Wisdom packaged in long winded stories. Would have preferred it to be more concise and presented in a more scientific way
The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World by Tiffany Yu

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hopeful informative slow-paced

4.25

The Anti-Ableist Manifesto by Tiffany Yu is an insightful guide packed with reflection questions, calls to action, and resources to help you take the first steps toward allyship and advocacy.

The book draws from a wide range of activists and groups, offering a wealth of knowledge and opportunities for deeper learning. It teaches empathy while highlighting systemic issues and practical solutions—how to ask respectful questions, provide support, and take accountability for past mistakes.

Yu doesn’t shy away from the complexities of the disability community, showcasing its diversity, differing opinions, and how to navigate constructive conflict. This is a must-read for anyone looking to grow and make meaningful change. 
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James by Percival Everett

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

5.0

James by Percival Everett is a masterfully told reimagining of the Huckleberry Finn story from the perspective of a male runaway slave. Through his journey, we see the nuanced ways he has to adapt—speaking and acting differently depending on whether he’s interacting with Black or white people.

Dominic Hoffman’s narration is phenomenal, breathing life into the characters and capturing the emotional depth of the story. While the book highlights the dehumanizing realities of life as a slave before the Civil War, it doesn’t delve into graphic details. That said, it’s a story that requires the right headspace to fully engage with its weighty themes. 

Amazing book!
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Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

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

3.25

A book about books—what's not to love? Well, I couldn’t quite get on board with why the main characters were enemies (it felt more like a plot device than genuine tension).

That said, the sexy scenes delivered 🔥, and the romance had its moments. However, the heavy dose of family drama and trauma felt like too much for me. 
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Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

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adventurous emotional medium-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? No

4.5

Heartless Hunter is a captivating tale of blood magic, thrilling chases, and forbidden connections. The world-building is immersive, the storytelling masterful, and it’s easy to follow despite its depth.

Expect a gripping cat-and-mouse game, a hint of a love triangle, and a refreshing take on blood magic—including period blood, handled without stigma.

 I couldn’t put it down and am already counting the days until book two! 
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Artificial Condition by Martha Wells

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells brings us back into Murderbot’s world with new adventures and challenges! While I loved continuing Murderbot’s journey, I wasn’t a fan of the dramatization in the audiobook—the background noises where distracting for me.

That said, the story itself is just as engaging, filled with the humor, heart, and sharp insights that make this series so addictive. 
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