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lilradridinghood's reviews
434 reviews
The Other Merlin by Robyn Schneider
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
I find the sexism really annoying and preachy, and I don't care about the characters. I know the brother is not supposed to be likable, but I think he's overly gross and incompetent. He talks to his sister about how he wants women to get down on their knees with mouths open for him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Renegades by Marissa Meyer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
DNF 15% in. You really had to start with a history lesson AND a prologue and then still info dump about past events in chapter 1? Five chapters later and I'm still bored. I don't care for the characters or for Nova's cringey one-liners ("sorry, I was too busy daydreaming about your funeral").
The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos by Melissa de la Cruz
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
The guy is instantly attracted to her and believes in love at first sight.
A Drop of Venom by Sajni Patel
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
DNF at 46%. The story feels really slow. Manisha doesn't even become the "monster" until about a third into the book. I also don't feel anything between the two leads. I think this is a book that prioritizes conveying a message over developing its characters. And that message is basically that life is unfair for women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual assault
Rules for Rule Breaking by Talia Tucker
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
When Bobby and Winter's parents insist that the two academic rivals go on a road trip together if they want to visit their top choice colleges in Cambridge, MA, they decide to use the trip as an opportunity to have fun breaking the rules for once.
I appreciate how the main relationship is developed because it's missing the main pet peeves I have with a lot of "enemies to lovers" stories. This book is truly rivals to lovers. They really do annoy each other in the beginning, as they have for years, and there's no "I hate him but he's hot" nonsense that I see in a lot of other books. It also seems natural when they start to grow closer.
Unfortunately, the story failed to actually make me feel anything (aside from the uncomfortable tension with Bobby's relatives in one part of the book). I think I just don't care enough about the characters. While not insufferable, they are kind of annoying. I can't think of any traits that endear them to me.
Midnights with You by Clare Osongco
Did not finish book. Stopped at 29%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 29%.
I unfortunately do not like the Filipino representation in this. I wouldn't call it problematic, because I understand that characters can have views that are not necessarily conveyed as true, but it's still upsetting. First there's the fact that Deedee's Filipino mom, her only non-white parent, is incredibly strict and abusive. That abuse is shown in many scenes. On top of that, Deedee and her mom do not like the Filipino features of her face. And yeah, it's not exactly enjoyable to dwell on the supposed ugliness of faces like mine.
There are also casual mentions of racism from others, since Deedee's apparently in a mostly white town. I don't like reading books where it feels like the main character is the author's punching bag, but I really felt that especially in the first fifty pages. Even Deedee's best friend is dismissive of her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Body shaming
The Encanto's Daughter by Melissa de la Cruz
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Read the first six chapters and found them uninteresting. So far it's all plot and no characterization.
Icon and Inferno by Marie Lu
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I read this to see Sydney and Winter's relationship develop further, but I did not like the direction this book went in with those two. I honestly got kinda annoyed with them, and the fun of their dynamic is gone. They act as if the first book ended in a huge fight between them. I also don't care for the new characters, their exes. I liked the first book a lot more.
The one thing I do appreciate is how Winter just cuts his father out and doesn't try to mend things just because he's family.