Scan barcode
piastri's reviews
85 reviews
I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.5
The second half of this book was absolute god-tier stuff, but the first half just felt off which kinda messed up the whole vibe.
I understand that this is meant to be about the parasocial relationships between ‘famous’ people and their fans, but it really just read like a self insert wattpad fic. maybe i’m just a little too self aware that I have been exactly the same person and it’s a bit confronting like that, but it just set the tone of the story a bit off for me.
that being said, the second half was absolutely excellent and i loved the relationships between the characters once they properly developed
I understand that this is meant to be about the parasocial relationships between ‘famous’ people and their fans, but it really just read like a self insert wattpad fic. maybe i’m just a little too self aware that I have been exactly the same person and it’s a bit confronting like that, but it just set the tone of the story a bit off for me.
that being said, the second half was absolutely excellent and i loved the relationships between the characters once they properly developed
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Outing
Minor: Biphobia and Transphobia
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
the writing was nice, but i just couldn’t get into the story and i couldn’t stand the characters and the plot felt a bit ridiculous.
it seemed like nothing really happened in the story, and the reflection on relationships and what it means to love and be loved just felt so pretentiously pessimistic.
maybe i’m missing the point of the book, but i don’t really see the hype.
it seemed like nothing really happened in the story, and the reflection on relationships and what it means to love and be loved just felt so pretentiously pessimistic.
maybe i’m missing the point of the book, but i don’t really see the hype.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Self harm
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
The Meaning of Birds by Jaye Robin Brown
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.25
a really cute book (bar the whole dead girlfriend thing, that was ouch) but it was a lovely depiction of grief that definitely validates younger wlw relationships and feelings. i wish i had this when i was younger.
that being said: i had some issues! one of the characters is implied to be aroace and that is not approached in a wholly positive way. also some issues around consent (nothing terrible happens, just some concerning dialogue in a couple of scenes) and what it means to be a lesbian or sapphic - this book definitely orients that lesbian is the only thing a girl can be if she doesn’t like guys.
overall it was sweet though, just read gently.
that being said: i had some issues! one of the characters is implied to be aroace and that is not approached in a wholly positive way. also some issues around consent (nothing terrible happens, just some concerning dialogue in a couple of scenes) and what it means to be a lesbian or sapphic - this book definitely orients that lesbian is the only thing a girl can be if she doesn’t like guys.
overall it was sweet though, just read gently.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Death of parent and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia and Acephobia/Arophobia
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
really quick read but vo did not miss whatsoever. the world building is amazing, the prose is beautiful and it’s gay! literally what more could you want.
i also loved the way that the story emerged throughout the book, and how the reader gets to figure things out along with Chih
i also loved the way that the story emerged throughout the book, and how the reader gets to figure things out along with Chih
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Pregnancy
Minor: Suicide
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
this book broke me and put me back together again oh my god. the exploration of gender and power and politics in the ancient chinese context is just beautiful. i love this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
I’ll probably come back to this later, but it’s just not holding my attention right now
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
do you ever read a book and hope that it will be read by others for centuries in the future and change their lives just like it did yours? yeah. that’s what this book is
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Racism
Minor: Transphobia and Abortion
The Monster of Her Age by Danielle Binks
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
a beautiful tribute to the arts industry in australia, and the references to local artists makes me so happy.
i also really enjoyed the exploration of grief and loss, and the complex family dynamics when someone has hurt you deeply but you still love them.
and to top it all off, it’s gay. what’s not to love.
i also really enjoyed the exploration of grief and loss, and the complex family dynamics when someone has hurt you deeply but you still love them.
and to top it all off, it’s gay. what’s not to love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Bullying and Death
Loveless by Alice Oseman
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
alice oseman once again capturing such a delicate insight into love – be that platonic, romantic or something else.
their writing always manages to normalise and familiarise things that may seem new or unknown, and i will forever appreciate this book for demystifying aromanticism and asexuality
their writing always manages to normalise and familiarise things that may seem new or unknown, and i will forever appreciate this book for demystifying aromanticism and asexuality
Content Warnings
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
adventurous
emotional
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
oh my poor sapphic heart - this book is a thing of beauty. it may have taken me a long time to finish, but every moment was worth it
shannon’s world building is insane, it feels as if she’s showing you a universe that exists in its own right, not one she has created. also the way she’s created so many characters, but has given each one the depth and consideration so make all of them so compelling is truly wonderful. i absolutely adore the way the threads of the story start from so many places with so many people, to be woven into the most beautiful ending.
i’ll never stop loving this book
shannon’s world building is insane, it feels as if she’s showing you a universe that exists in its own right, not one she has created. also the way she’s created so many characters, but has given each one the depth and consideration so make all of them so compelling is truly wonderful. i absolutely adore the way the threads of the story start from so many places with so many people, to be woven into the most beautiful ending.
i’ll never stop loving this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage