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merenguita's reviews
133 reviews
Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Okay, so I enjoyed the book, but not as much as the first one. I think this one is pretty much a set up for the big finale. The first half of the book was pretty dull for me, nothing really happened and there wasn't a clear objective, the characters are intresting and that's why I kept reading. But in the second half it started to build up, and the last third of the book was so good. I honestly did not predict some of the mayor plot twists so it kept me on my toes.
In terms of the narrating I think it is pretty intresting that Karou feels different, which makes sense after the flod of memories at the end of book 1. And you can feel how her personality shifts a bit. Buuut i did not like that there were so many different POV's, monst of the time i felt it was used to show something taht would've been more intresting if it kept its mistery. Especially the parts were Zuzana or Mik were the main focus, idk, I found them a bit boring. Not as characters necessarily, but as narrators.
About the love triangle:I believe she will end up with Akiva and I really wish she would, I enjoyed Ziri soooo much, he's just so sweet! But yeah... she'll probably end up with the "soul mate" that's morally gray
Pretty exited to read book 3 tbh
In terms of the narrating I think it is pretty intresting that Karou feels different, which makes sense after the flod of memories at the end of book 1. And you can feel how her personality shifts a bit. Buuut i did not like that there were so many different POV's, monst of the time i felt it was used to show something taht would've been more intresting if it kept its mistery. Especially the parts were Zuzana or Mik were the main focus, idk, I found them a bit boring. Not as characters necessarily, but as narrators.
About the love triangle:
Pretty exited to read book 3 tbh
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
Minor: Incest
Marta y Hortensia by Enrique Gómez Carrillo
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
Corto y dulce, la forma en que el narrador describe las escenas da risa por su ingenuidad.
Me dan ganas de escuchar la historia narrada desde Marta u Hortensia
Me dan ganas de escuchar la historia narrada desde Marta u Hortensia
Criadas y señoras by Kathryn Stockett
emotional
fast-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
4.0
Me encantó la forma en que el libro está escrito, creo que se distinguen muy bien las voces de los 3 personajes que narran y sus personalidades. La escritura logra que se conecte emocionalmente con los personajes y rápidamente deseaba verlas con finales felices. El desarrollo en las relaciones que existen entre los diferentes personajes también está muy bien logrado
Skeeter es... molesta... me parece muy cuestionable su objetivo en el libro y hay cosas que hace que me molestan, todavía no me queda claro si la autora busca criticar estas conductas o no.Por ejemplo cuando recién está presentando la idea del libro a la periodista famosa, Abileen le deja en claro que no va a colaborar en algo así, y aún así le dice a la periodista que tiene criadas a quien entrevistar y piensa convencer a Abileen, sin considerar seriamente su palabra y los peligros que correría. Su foco parece estar únicamente en su propio éxito profesional en ese momento .
En general me parece cuestionable que una autora blanca escriba historias de mujeres negras, pero creo que no soy la mejor persona para profundizar en este aspecto. Relacionado a esto también me hubiese gustado ver un poco más de feminismo interseccional aplicado en los personajes, creo que habían hartas oportunidades de hablar de ello, de realizar una critica al patriarcado y esto no es algo realmente logrado. Posiblemente tampoco estaba dentro de los objetivos de la autorapor ejemplo con Elizabeth y la obligación que tienen las mujeres de tener hijos, la exclusión de miss Celia por venir de una clase más baja o juzgarla por como viste, la violencia intrafamiliar que subre Minny, etc. el libro no toma provecho de sus propios set-ups.
Lo otro que no me gustó mucho es el poco romance que se intenta desarrolla, nunca me importó el intéres amoroso y por lo tanto me era indiferente que pasaba con él.
Elementos que me gustaron especialmente: La relación de Abileen y Mae Mobly, en general su preocupación con los niños, pero en especial con ella. El final,me encanta que no haya terminado todo cuando Skeeter se va a Nueva York, temía que eso fuese así y el tema de la violencia intrafamiliar o el futuro de Aibleen quedase abierto, pero no, incluso hay más énfasis en esos finales y me parece maravilloso
Skeeter es... molesta... me parece muy cuestionable su objetivo en el libro y hay cosas que hace que me molestan, todavía no me queda claro si la autora busca criticar estas conductas o no.
En general me parece cuestionable que una autora blanca escriba historias de mujeres negras, pero creo que no soy la mejor persona para profundizar en este aspecto. Relacionado a esto también me hubiese gustado ver un poco más de feminismo interseccional aplicado en los personajes, creo que habían hartas oportunidades de hablar de ello, de realizar una critica al patriarcado y esto no es algo realmente logrado. Posiblemente tampoco estaba dentro de los objetivos de la autora
Lo otro que no me gustó mucho es el poco romance que se intenta desarrolla, nunca me importó el intéres amoroso y por lo tanto me era indiferente que pasaba con él.
Elementos que me gustaron especialmente: La relación de Abileen y Mae Mobly, en general su preocupación con los niños, pero en especial con ella. El final,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Slavery
Moderate: Alcoholism
El proceso by Franz Kafka
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
No estoy muy segura de como sentirme sobre este libro... hay cosas que me resultaron bien interesantes, la forma en que las relaciones administrativas se dan entre lo oficial y lo extraoficial, el constante misterio al rededor de todo el proceso me mantuvo interesada.
Pero siento que hay hartos elementos que probablemente no entendí... Y no me gustó el final, no entiendo para nada cual es la función que cumplen los últimos capítulos.
Me desagradó mucho el rol de los personajes femeninos en la historia, todas se sienten atraidas por K y pareciese ser que su sexualidad termina siendo el foco de su desarrollo. 0 variedad, muy molesto de leer.
Pero siento que hay hartos elementos que probablemente no entendí... Y no me gustó el final, no entiendo para nada cual es la función que cumplen los últimos capítulos.
Me desagradó mucho el rol de los personajes femeninos en la historia, todas se sienten atraidas por K y pareciese ser que su sexualidad termina siendo el foco de su desarrollo. 0 variedad, muy molesto de leer.
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I think it's strongest asset is the intresting worlbuilding, I think it takes some know tropes and transforms them, so it's pretty intresting to explore (Like the MC wanting revenge and not apologizing for it). That being said, halfway through I became suspicious of the plot twist at the end.
There are also some things that I think had more potential to be explored deeper, like some of the pilot matches that appear, but there's also a possiblity that it's something that appears in the next books, so this isn't really a critique yet.
The weakest part of the story is the romance (Slight spoilers ahead), the "childhood friends to lovers" is nice, but honestly not that intresting, it's quickly set up and there isn't that much development. The "Enemies to lovers" isn't really enemies... like she hates what he represents, and even thou when it goes from enemies to compassion is pretty well done, then it just jumps to lovers and it's like "okay, so I guess the like eachother". Aand the "rivals to lovers" isn't really rivals, it isn't really set up that way buuut the scenes between those two are GOOD, they were probably my favourites.
Overall, I'm exited to read the next book and will probably get it as soon as it comes out because i am intruiged about how it will all resolve.
Also, be carefull with the TW
PLEASE DON'T LET SHIMIN BE DEAD, HE CAN'T BE FUCKING DEAD
There are also some things that I think had more potential to be explored deeper, like some of the pilot matches that appear, but there's also a possiblity that it's something that appears in the next books, so this isn't really a critique yet.
The weakest part of the story is the romance (Slight spoilers ahead), the "childhood friends to lovers" is nice, but honestly not that intresting, it's quickly set up and there isn't that much development. The "Enemies to lovers" isn't really enemies... like she hates what he represents, and even thou when it goes from enemies to compassion is pretty well done, then it just jumps to lovers and it's like "okay, so I guess the like eachother". Aand the "rivals to lovers" isn't really rivals, it isn't really set up that way buuut the scenes between those two are GOOD, they were probably my favourites.
Overall, I'm exited to read the next book and will probably get it as soon as it comes out because i am intruiged about how it will all resolve.
Also, be carefull with the TW
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault
Hooked by Emily McIntire
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I honestly don't know what to think about this book, i enjoyed some parts of it (specially the sex scenes) but it still was predictable and Wendy is very annoying and kind of inconsistent.
Also it's really drak and it gets uncomfortably dark at times... but i guess that's more on me... so just bewhare and check the TW.
Also it's really drak and it gets uncomfortably dark at times... but i guess that's more on me... so just bewhare and check the TW.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Drug use
A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
Did not finish book. Stopped at 55%.
I didn't find the characters interesting, they were pretty one dimensional and predictable...
I kept reading coz I thought there would be steamy scenes but as far as i got there was just some teasing and it was very short
It had potential but I kinda got bored
Also this quote had me rolling my eyes:
He hadn't defended her because she was a goddess, he'd defended her because she was a woman.
And despite his many flaws, she had to respect that.
So yeah... prasing sexism because it isn't classist isn't really my vibe
Did not finish book. Stopped at 55%.
I didn't find the characters interesting, they were pretty one dimensional and predictable...
I kept reading coz I thought there would be steamy scenes but as far as i got there was just some teasing and it was very short
It had potential but I kinda got bored
Also this quote had me rolling my eyes:
He hadn't defended her because she was a goddess, he'd defended her because she was a woman.
And despite his many flaws, she had to respect that.
So yeah... prasing sexism because it isn't classist isn't really my vibe
Dune by Frank Herbert
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Loved it.
I was intrigued by the world building since the beginning and even though it was a bit hard to follow at times, I was still caught up in the story.
I think what I missed the most was a good romance, I honestly enjoyed more the relationship between Leto and Jessica than Paul and Chani, which was pretty superficial, we don't really get to see how it develops because theres a time jump right in the middle.
Also would've liked to see some diversity in the female characters, most if not all of their development surrounds having kids, being mothers, getting married... so yeah...
Nonetheless, I am excited to read the next one!
I was intrigued by the world building since the beginning and even though it was a bit hard to follow at times, I was still caught up in the story.
I think what I missed the most was a good romance, I honestly enjoyed more the relationship between Leto and Jessica than Paul and Chani, which was pretty superficial, we don't really get to see how it develops because theres a time jump right in the middle.
Also would've liked to see some diversity in the female characters, most if not all of their development surrounds having kids, being mothers, getting married... so yeah...
Nonetheless, I am excited to read the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Child death
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
adventurous
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
2.5
Meh
I enjoyed parts of this book but overall I don't think it's that good... the main thing that bothered me was the main character, she is frustrating, the way she keeps falling into the same conflict over and over, and she confronts do or die situations with 0 plan I just rolled my eyes multiple times.
I think the set up is interesting and it's probably what kept me reading, but what did bother me is that some of the themes were described in a way that was too on the nose, the author really spelled them out and for me that's a bit annoying.
I will give props for having queer characters without it being a conflict, it just is part of the story and that's always welcome for me (Although the romance isn't that great either, too forced).
I enjoyed parts of this book but overall I don't think it's that good... the main thing that bothered me was the main character, she is frustrating, the way she keeps falling into the same conflict over and over, and she confronts do or die situations with 0 plan I just rolled my eyes multiple times.
I think the set up is interesting and it's probably what kept me reading, but what did bother me is that some of the themes were described in a way that was too on the nose, the author really spelled them out and for me that's a bit annoying.
I will give props for having queer characters without it being a conflict, it just is part of the story and that's always welcome for me (Although the romance isn't that great either, too forced).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, and War
Moderate: Death of parent
Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Y. Davis
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
The writing is direct and precise, a definite must-read if you are interested in the topic