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kailafitz's reviews
323 reviews
The Will of the Many by James Islington
adventurous
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom by Maryanne Vollers, Yeonmi Park
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
A fascinating story of a young woman’s escape from North Korea.
As one can imagine, this story was heart breaking and inspiring in so many ways that it was a very quick and satisfying read. The material was heavy but the style of writing was not so it was easy to follow and understand.
I highly recommend this book to anyone whose interest or curiosity is peeked by the mysterious livelihoods of North Koreans in the Hermit Kingdom.
Having done some research before settling with my final thoughts, I found there there to be quite a lot of controversy over Park’s account of her journey and the way she represented the lives of North Koreans. This disheartened me quite a bit and having looked her up on social media, I must admit I’m not sure what to believe.
”…it was Park’s ‘ability to treat facts as malleable that has allowed Park to find like-minded allies on the MAGA right’", New Lines Magazine, 2014
Take what you will from that, I always say it’s best to do your own research anyway and make up one’s own mind on these things. The truth is hard to find these days and it feels awful to have doubts about someone telling their own story, especially when it is truly horrific as this is.
But unfortunately, this is the world and the times that we are living in.
An eye opening read, in every way.
As one can imagine, this story was heart breaking and inspiring in so many ways that it was a very quick and satisfying read. The material was heavy but the style of writing was not so it was easy to follow and understand.
I highly recommend this book to anyone whose interest or curiosity is peeked by the mysterious livelihoods of North Koreans in the Hermit Kingdom.
Having done some research before settling with my final thoughts, I found there there to be quite a lot of controversy over Park’s account of her journey and the way she represented the lives of North Koreans. This disheartened me quite a bit and having looked her up on social media, I must admit I’m not sure what to believe.
”…it was Park’s ‘ability to treat facts as malleable that has allowed Park to find like-minded allies on the MAGA right’", New Lines Magazine, 2014
Take what you will from that, I always say it’s best to do your own research anyway and make up one’s own mind on these things. The truth is hard to find these days and it feels awful to have doubts about someone telling their own story, especially when it is truly horrific as this is.
But unfortunately, this is the world and the times that we are living in.
An eye opening read, in every way.
The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Uggghhhh this is almost a 2 star for me except for the female protagonist character development that ends somewhat on a good note upon reflection.
Plot ending was pretty meh but it does leave for a decent plot to come. Still won’t be reading it though lol.
Some thoughts whilst trying to leave out spoilers:
Oraya
Okay so yes she’s a shell of herself after what’s happened, but how in the name of whatever are there thoughts of lust towards Raihn in the first half of the book??? I was expecting a big revenge plot or something even like enemies-to-lovers because surely the hatred would be so much more?? Like I just felt so uncomfortable at how unnatural I felt her pov was. She felt like such a strong character and I do feel like she’s developed and gone through a lot and come out the other side, but the romance pov didn’t sit well for me throughout the book and I felt it undermined her character’s role and priorities.
Raihn
Raihn is absolutely pathetic after the turn of events and instead of becoming a powerful and cunning figure, he’s a pure sap undeserving of all that was destroyed for him to take the throne. Pure sap. I don’t even know what more to say. His back story could have contributed more context to his character if he was actually a strong character but his weak disposition made it all seem even more meh. Like if he was actually a ruthless, cunning, strong character you might look at his backstory as the slave that finally got revenge but his revenge just felt like weak nothingness. I don’t even know what he contributed to this storyline other than his dick.
Not sure what my final thoughts are tbh. There were no plot twists or much of anything that was exciting. But taking a step back I think the world building is still decent and the writing is not too bad.
Plot ending was pretty meh but it does leave for a decent plot to come. Still won’t be reading it though lol.
Some thoughts whilst trying to leave out spoilers:
Oraya
Okay so yes she’s a shell of herself after what’s happened, but how in the name of whatever are there thoughts of lust towards Raihn in the first half of the book??? I was expecting a big revenge plot or something even like enemies-to-lovers because surely the hatred would be so much more?? Like I just felt so uncomfortable at how unnatural I felt her pov was. She felt like such a strong character and I do feel like she’s developed and gone through a lot and come out the other side, but the romance pov didn’t sit well for me throughout the book and I felt it undermined her character’s role and priorities.
Raihn
Raihn is absolutely pathetic after the turn of events and instead of becoming a powerful and cunning figure, he’s a pure sap undeserving of all that was destroyed for him to take the throne. Pure sap. I don’t even know what more to say. His back story could have contributed more context to his character if he was actually a strong character but his weak disposition made it all seem even more meh. Like if he was actually a ruthless, cunning, strong character you might look at his backstory as the slave that finally got revenge but his revenge just felt like weak nothingness. I don’t even know what he contributed to this storyline other than his dick.
Not sure what my final thoughts are tbh. There were no plot twists or much of anything that was exciting. But taking a step back I think the world building is still decent and the writing is not too bad.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
3.0
So I wasn't a huge fan of the style of writing from the get-go. I feel like given the hype that this is getting, a "literary masterpiece" this is certainly not.
But okay, I can't get my knickers in a complete twist as I love a fun book every now and then.
In no particular order:
I think I was thrown with the ya-na-romantasy vibe. Violet is 20 which makes it YA but it’s reading like NA/ mature sometimes and I couldn’t decide which vibe it was on. I’m not even sure why this throws me off. It just does.
The enemies to lovers trope definitely was not strong enough. Violet and Xaden were supposed enemies but nothing really happened to build this up. After a few hard stares and 1 or 2 weak interactions, like that was it. Not enough of a burn for me.
The world building was a bit bland to me, I didn’t feel enthralled by the academic setting or the world or the dragons. I would have liked to have felt more of the magic surrounding the storyline and plot (and less of the other kind of magic tbh).
Speaking of dragons, eh was not a fan of the weird dragon humour. I feel that such ancient species don’t think or mind-speak like that. It just didn’t settle with me. I was cringing at times at the dialogue.
And Violet herself? I think I’m personally just over the “tiny”, “weak” FMC with family issues. Just too much mehhhhh to begin with even though I can admire that she’s still a strong character in how she handles herself. I just didn’t feel like I was completely behind her as the story went on. I struggled to read her in 1st person. Reading from her POV possibly made me dislike her more.
Overall, I would say that this book didn’t feel like anything new. It felt pretty generic from a lot of other novels in a similar space.
But okay, I can't get my knickers in a complete twist as I love a fun book every now and then.
In no particular order:
I think I was thrown with the ya-na-romantasy vibe. Violet is 20 which makes it YA but it’s reading like NA/ mature sometimes and I couldn’t decide which vibe it was on. I’m not even sure why this throws me off. It just does.
The enemies to lovers trope definitely was not strong enough. Violet and Xaden were supposed enemies but nothing really happened to build this up. After a few hard stares and 1 or 2 weak interactions, like that was it. Not enough of a burn for me.
The world building was a bit bland to me, I didn’t feel enthralled by the academic setting or the world or the dragons. I would have liked to have felt more of the magic surrounding the storyline and plot (and less of the other kind of magic tbh).
Speaking of dragons, eh was not a fan of the weird dragon humour. I feel that such ancient species don’t think or mind-speak like that. It just didn’t settle with me. I was cringing at times at the dialogue.
And Violet herself? I think I’m personally just over the “tiny”, “weak” FMC with family issues. Just too much mehhhhh to begin with even though I can admire that she’s still a strong character in how she handles herself. I just didn’t feel like I was completely behind her as the story went on. I struggled to read her in 1st person. Reading from her POV possibly made me dislike her more.
Overall, I would say that this book didn’t feel like anything new. It felt pretty generic from a lot of other novels in a similar space.
Tales from the Café by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
relaxing
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
5.0
I have read a few books now by Lauren Oliver and I can honestly say that she is one of my favourite authors.
This book was another wow.
“They say that just before you die your whole life flashes before your eyes, but that’s not how it happens for me.”
Samantha Kingston thought she was happy with her life, with who she was, until she died in a car accident.
Until she wakes up the following morning to relive that day over and over again, seven times.
And then she finally sees.
“I mentally try to add up all the things I’ve done in my life, but no clear picture emerges, nothing that will tell me what kind of person I am—just a lot of haziness and blurred edges, indistinct memories of laughing and driving around.”
Caught up in Lindsay's group, Sam loves the attention that comes with the power of being the 'populars' at school. Along with one of the most sought after boys by her side, life is almost perfect.
“A good friend keeps your secrets for you. A best friend helps you keep your own secrets.”
Stuck in time reliving her last day, Sam tries to find out why she's stuck in this vortex. Experiencing it all again, it is clear that she must find a way to undo what has been done. But the closer she gets, the more ugly things look.
“I mentally try to add up all the things I’ve done in my life, but no clear picture emerges, nothing that will tell me what kind of person I am—just a lot of haziness and blurred edges, indistinct memories of laughing and driving around.”
Seeing the damage she's inflicted, the pain she's caused, Sam finally starts to see the wrong and right.
The beautiful and the ugly.
The happiness and the fear.
The love and the hate.
And now she must make it right.
“Even before the accident I’m not sure that I was a whole person—that’s what I’m realizing now. And I’m not sure where the damage begins.”
She becomes a better person, appreciating the parts of her life and the people in her life that she dismissed for so long. Her eyes now open to the life she should have led, Sam is determined to save it all.
But saving herself isn't the key.
“It’s not supposed to go this way. I’m supposed to save you.”
I love Lauren Oliver's style. It's simple, meaningful, and light, with a slight weight to it.
This story was so beautifully written, it was thought provoking and had my heart spilling out on to the pages.
“You can see them every day—you can think you know them—and then you find out you hardly know them at all.”
I found the dialect perfect for Samantha's character. At the end, an honest 17 year old who lost herself and didn't mean for anything to turn out the way it did. She had changed without knowing it, had gone along and initiated things that she eventually looked back on with regret. She made mistakes, but she asks us, did she deserve this?
“Time and space recede and blast away like a universe expanding forever outward, leaving only darkness and the two of us on its periphery, darkness and breathing and touch.”
There was stunning imagery in this book. The reality of life, the haziness of death and that space in between, and Oliver never lost sight of the story. It was a joy to read and I was completely captured by her writing.
“I watch patterns of snow coming down at an angle as though flowing, cresting, breaking on a massive current, a tide that leaves the world glittering. It’s beautiful. All I can think is that it’s the first of many things Juliet won’t see.”
Sam was a wonderful character. I loved reading this story through her. Watching her come together piece by piece was so beautiful. She was a real character, and we got a glimpse into what girls like her are really all about.
And we also see the consequences.
The ending was bittersweet as just as she finally got her act together, Sam must sacrifice it all.
“They say that just before you die your whole life flashes before your eyes, but that’s not how it happens for me. I see only my greatest hits.”
This book was another wow.
“They say that just before you die your whole life flashes before your eyes, but that’s not how it happens for me.”
Samantha Kingston thought she was happy with her life, with who she was, until she died in a car accident.
Until she wakes up the following morning to relive that day over and over again, seven times.
And then she finally sees.
“I mentally try to add up all the things I’ve done in my life, but no clear picture emerges, nothing that will tell me what kind of person I am—just a lot of haziness and blurred edges, indistinct memories of laughing and driving around.”
Caught up in Lindsay's group, Sam loves the attention that comes with the power of being the 'populars' at school. Along with one of the most sought after boys by her side, life is almost perfect.
“A good friend keeps your secrets for you. A best friend helps you keep your own secrets.”
Stuck in time reliving her last day, Sam tries to find out why she's stuck in this vortex. Experiencing it all again, it is clear that she must find a way to undo what has been done. But the closer she gets, the more ugly things look.
“I mentally try to add up all the things I’ve done in my life, but no clear picture emerges, nothing that will tell me what kind of person I am—just a lot of haziness and blurred edges, indistinct memories of laughing and driving around.”
Seeing the damage she's inflicted, the pain she's caused, Sam finally starts to see the wrong and right.
The beautiful and the ugly.
The happiness and the fear.
The love and the hate.
And now she must make it right.
“Even before the accident I’m not sure that I was a whole person—that’s what I’m realizing now. And I’m not sure where the damage begins.”
She becomes a better person, appreciating the parts of her life and the people in her life that she dismissed for so long. Her eyes now open to the life she should have led, Sam is determined to save it all.
But saving herself isn't the key.
“It’s not supposed to go this way. I’m supposed to save you.”
I love Lauren Oliver's style. It's simple, meaningful, and light, with a slight weight to it.
This story was so beautifully written, it was thought provoking and had my heart spilling out on to the pages.
“You can see them every day—you can think you know them—and then you find out you hardly know them at all.”
I found the dialect perfect for Samantha's character. At the end, an honest 17 year old who lost herself and didn't mean for anything to turn out the way it did. She had changed without knowing it, had gone along and initiated things that she eventually looked back on with regret. She made mistakes, but she asks us, did she deserve this?
“Time and space recede and blast away like a universe expanding forever outward, leaving only darkness and the two of us on its periphery, darkness and breathing and touch.”
There was stunning imagery in this book. The reality of life, the haziness of death and that space in between, and Oliver never lost sight of the story. It was a joy to read and I was completely captured by her writing.
“I watch patterns of snow coming down at an angle as though flowing, cresting, breaking on a massive current, a tide that leaves the world glittering. It’s beautiful. All I can think is that it’s the first of many things Juliet won’t see.”
Sam was a wonderful character. I loved reading this story through her. Watching her come together piece by piece was so beautiful. She was a real character, and we got a glimpse into what girls like her are really all about.
And we also see the consequences.
The ending was bittersweet as just as she finally got her act together, Sam must sacrifice it all.
“They say that just before you die your whole life flashes before your eyes, but that’s not how it happens for me. I see only my greatest hits.”