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opheliaslittlelibrary's reviews
118 reviews
None Shall Sleep by Ellie Marney
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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
North Queen by Nicola Tyche
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Sinner's Isle by Angela Montoya
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Published.: The Proven Path From Blank Page to Published Author by Chandler Bolt
informative
medium-paced
2.75
I was really excited to read this book. I love learning about the craft of writing and the publishing industry, and the cover hooked me pretty easily (I'll give credit where it's due, because it was very well designed).
But after reading, what stood out to me most was how niche this book was. It was clearly targeted towards aspiring writers looking to write and self-publish their first (most likely non-fiction) book, particularly to aid in their business.
If this is you, then sure. Go ahead and read this book. There are some good points in it, especially about marketing your book. But otherwise, I'd say probably not. While the author makes a point of saying that his strategies will work for 70-90% of writers, I knew I wasn't one of them, and to be honest, I didn't feel like I gained much from it.
What stood out to me most about this book was a single sentence in which the author used the term PTSD lightly and entirely out of context. It's sadly not uncommon to see it, along with other mental illnesses/disorders such as OCD and Depression being so casually used in a way that is offensive to those who are affected by them, but it really bugged me and affected me whole view of the book.
So, if you fit into that bracket I mentioned above, then consider looking into this book, but otherwise, I wouldn't consider it to be a very beneficial craft book to members of the writing community.
But after reading, what stood out to me most was how niche this book was. It was clearly targeted towards aspiring writers looking to write and self-publish their first (most likely non-fiction) book, particularly to aid in their business.
If this is you, then sure. Go ahead and read this book. There are some good points in it, especially about marketing your book. But otherwise, I'd say probably not. While the author makes a point of saying that his strategies will work for 70-90% of writers, I knew I wasn't one of them, and to be honest, I didn't feel like I gained much from it.
What stood out to me most about this book was a single sentence in which the author used the term PTSD lightly and entirely out of context. It's sadly not uncommon to see it, along with other mental illnesses/disorders such as OCD and Depression being so casually used in a way that is offensive to those who are affected by them, but it really bugged me and affected me whole view of the book.
So, if you fit into that bracket I mentioned above, then consider looking into this book, but otherwise, I wouldn't consider it to be a very beneficial craft book to members of the writing community.
If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
This book was randomly voted as my next read in my Instagram stories, and my goodness. I was not in any way prepared for what came next.
It looked like a short read (on audiobook, at least) and once it hooked me I was flying through the book. I absolutely loved how short the chapters were, making it so easy to binge read and get through.
It described the teenage experience as best as I could want. The author avoided typical cliches to delve into the emotional side of friendship, first love and experimentation. At times it was laughable, not the author's writing, but the ridiculousness of the teenager's behaviour, mainly they were younger. It wasn't bad, though, because it was pretty accurate I thought.
This was the coming of age story that I never knew I desperately. I can't get it out of my head. It's been a while since I've read a book in under 24 hours, but this book was it. The exploration around alcohol and sexuality was well written, and the mental health rep really topped it off for me. It didn't shy away from the truth of what Autumn was feeling, even when it was ugly or uncomfortable.
The ending was everything. It broke me in the best and worst way possible. It was the finest tragedy I've read in a long time. It was so beautifully written, and the heartbreak is genuine. I am left feeling hungover, and my heart aches every time I am reminded of this book. I need October to arrive as soon as possible, so that the sequel can break me again.
It looked like a short read (on audiobook, at least) and once it hooked me I was flying through the book. I absolutely loved how short the chapters were, making it so easy to binge read and get through.
It described the teenage experience as best as I could want. The author avoided typical cliches to delve into the emotional side of friendship, first love and experimentation. At times it was laughable, not the author's writing, but the ridiculousness of the teenager's behaviour, mainly they were younger. It wasn't bad, though, because it was pretty accurate I thought.
This was the coming of age story that I never knew I desperately. I can't get it out of my head. It's been a while since I've read a book in under 24 hours, but this book was it. The exploration around alcohol and sexuality was well written, and the mental health rep really topped it off for me. It didn't shy away from the truth of what Autumn was feeling, even when it was ugly or uncomfortable.
The ending was everything. It broke me in the best and worst way possible. It was the finest tragedy I've read in a long time. It was so beautifully written, and the heartbreak is genuine. I am left feeling hungover, and my heart aches every time I am reminded of this book. I need October to arrive as soon as possible, so that the sequel can break me again.
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I didn't expect to be crying over a fictional character on a fine Saturday afternoon but here we are anyway.
A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L. Armentrout
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder
From These Dark Depths by Vanessa Rasanen
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, and Blood
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I'm lost. My feelings aren't coping. I knew this would be an emotional read, but I didn't think it would be this emotional.
I'm not sure if it's because I didn't enjoy Daisy Jones and the Six, or I just didn't expect myself to get so worked up about it. Either way, this book wasn't at all what I was anticipating.
For example, if you know me, you'll know that I'm terrible with names. And I thought that'd have a serious impact on me remembering Evelyn's husbands since I thought there'd be an unmemorable one or two in there, since there's so many of them. And while I can't remember their names, every one of them played a pivotal role in the story and I can name how each of her husbands changed the course of Evelyn's life.
Also, the bi and lesbian rep was fantastic (as well as other lgbtq representation, those were just the main two). I was digging Evelyn's relationship with Celia the whole time and it breaks my heart with how it played out.
Plus, Harry was undeniably the best character. And Cooper deserved better.
And lastly, I loved how Evelyn's story was reflected in Monique's. The way that Monique was able to draw from Evelyn's mistakes, and how everything worked out at the ending, the way that their stories more than just had similarities was both amazing and heartbreaking.
I am not ok after that ending.
I'm not sure if it's because I didn't enjoy Daisy Jones and the Six, or I just didn't expect myself to get so worked up about it. Either way, this book wasn't at all what I was anticipating.
For example, if you know me, you'll know that I'm terrible with names. And I thought that'd have a serious impact on me remembering Evelyn's husbands since I thought there'd be an unmemorable one or two in there, since there's so many of them. And while I can't remember their names, every one of them played a pivotal role in the story and I can name how each of her husbands changed the course of Evelyn's life.
Also, the bi and lesbian rep was fantastic (as well as other lgbtq representation, those were just the main two). I was digging Evelyn's relationship with Celia the whole time and it breaks my heart with how it played out.
Plus, Harry was undeniably the best character. And Cooper deserved better.
And lastly, I loved how Evelyn's story was reflected in Monique's. The way that Monique was able to draw from Evelyn's mistakes, and how everything worked out at the ending, the way that their stories more than just had similarities was both amazing and heartbreaking.
I am not ok after that ending.
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm and Suicide