kaadie's reviews
173 reviews

Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

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

3.75

I don't think its a good thing, but I did really enjoy this book *giggles in mental unhealth* 
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

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reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

Not for me hey. Just, no. 
The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin

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

2.5

This book suffered from middle-book syndrome. Promises the continuation of the plot and answers to questions posed in the first book but instead stalls with characters being purposefully obtuse so that the author can spoonfeed us information and Murphy's Law where literally everything goes wrong. 

Nassun and Essun are kind of sucky characters not going to lie. I know, hot take to have beef with a fictional child but like, girl bye. Essun was just stupid in this book.
The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

Ehhhhh, I don't know hey. It definitely was a wasted read but I feel rather underwhelmed. I thought that the story was actually quite simple and thus predictable. The author made the ending seem obscure and mysterious by dressing their story up in unique and inaccessible detail. The world was complex and carefully constructed but I felt that the author withheld too much information about how the world operates in order to aid in shock-value down the line.

Meh, a truly unique fantasy-scape that had a rather dull ending in my opinion. 
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

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

4.0

The Stillness is a fascinating place. I love how detailed and unique the world building has been so far. The story progressed at a good pace and the characters are interesting. The story is intriguing and definitely makes me want to read further. 
A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

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lighthearted mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Boring and predictable plot. Obstinate and stupid character. Hermes was a nice touch though. 
Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I loved this bite-sized (ba-dum-sss) novel. It was written in a lovely ye olden times fashion with long poetic sentences. Gotta love some good old-fashioned Sapphic literature. 
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.25

Engrossing and devastating. 

The author maintained a really good balance of reveal and withhold. I was invested in Cadence's story til the very end. I did find the reveal clichéd and expected but the impact can not be understated. 

The book did end on a positive note but I was sincerely horrified on behalf of the character when the truth was revealed.
I don't know how one even begins to forgive oneself after a tragedy like that. The realization that she had played a role in the death of not one, not two, but three people who were her world. It leaves me feeling nauseous with horror.


The character wasn't the best and the story wasn't the most unique but I find myself leaving the book quite affected and deeply upset. 
Some Like It Sinful by Deborah Raleigh, Alexandra Ivy

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lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

Banal.
The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book was quite lovely. It had all of the hallmarks of an engaging middle-grade fantasy novel and was a nostalgic read for me. I loved the focus on books and the writing style. The book is a lovely blend of fun and insightful.