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saoreads's reviews
141 reviews
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.0
I don't know how to feel actually. It would've felt different if I had read this as a child. The perspective falling through is too numbed out to properly express an emotion, though I love the simplicity of the message it portrays.
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
The emotional turmoil of the characters seeped in for the readers, and it didn't fail to capture my full attention. It's really interesting to see the heroine's investigation process unfold, though the thrilling and mysterious element is never lost, passing by as a mere subtle hint, which makes up the whole plot. This time it ended up in a grieving manner, with some part of yourself somewhat filled with void, which makes it even more engrossing to read. It makes you want to be excited what the third book will be about, as there are loose ends from this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, and Alcohol
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Difficult, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
It has enlightened me in a lot of ways and opened my eyes about my childhood, family patterns, and life dynamics of long-held beliefs: what they do and where they came from. It's one of those books where I had to emotionally invest myself and something that'll leave me with numerous nuggets of knowledge and understanding how to react and interact as an internalized child.
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
It was one of those books that I read back to back together with "101 essays..." when I was emotionally and mentally drained from things. It has not only comforted me but even brought me a deep sense of understanding. I got to the point where I paused reading this though because I didn't want to rely too much on it with codependency. I finally got to finish it and it was worth a read.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The novel format is quite interesting. It really shows how uncovered cases go through a strenuous process. It grips you with numerous plot twists that leave you wondering what ifs and whys. It tackled the injustices happening in those teeny tiny details that people wouldn't have noticed out in the open. I love the confrontational personality of the heroine. It's a quality I don't think happens in a lot of stories. It demonstrated how seeking the truth can sometimes force you into a corner, putting you in danger and requiring sacrifice, and how being kind was the bare minimum, but people were naturally cruel. I don't know if I am ready to read book two, but I'm sure I'm going to love it. You can never go wrong with the mystery genre, as it's my favorite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
The Nemesis by S.J. Kincaid
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
I had to put this book down for a few days before I got back into it because I was in so much pain from the second book, "The Empress." Before I proceeded, I was actually in the process of detaching myself, accepting whatever the plot led to, and I was waiting for the worst. And the worst did happen in the best way possible. Every turn of the story felt like a climax, and there were a lot of them. You are compelled to continue reading to find out what happens next. The storytelling is astounding. I came to love this book so much. But this is not for the faint of heart because the thrills, twists, and betrayal agenda keep you enraged to the point where you just have to read. Anyway, I will be pondering over this mind-boggling novel for a long time. It is so well-executed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and War
The Empress by S.J. Kincaid
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.5
It made me laugh, made me mad, made me mad, made me mad, and made me mad. I've come to accept the sick dynamic the story was going through so much plot twists and when I force myself to hate the characters, I couldn't and maybe that was what made me mad. At some point all their actions justified one way or another though it felt a pang on the chest that it had to come to that point of going back to forth with becoming enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers to enemies. The steering message it really aims to pull was finding your own self and owning it up without anyone to decide for you, it was forcing you to change. Reminds me of a Phoenix rising out of the ashes, typical, but I guess it existed for a reason.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Deadnaming, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, and War
The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-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
This book has my undivided attention.The character development and the twists and turns of every scene have me on my toes. It has all the elements of what I love about fantasy books, especially in the high fantasy genre, with political factions, fake couple relationship tropes, fighting scenes, a strong female heroine, and tactical and intellectual male characters—it reminds me of the Cruel Prince for some reason. This had a very futuristic setting, onset to living within the cosmos and galaxy where Earth no longer sustains human life. Though it took some time for me to process the terminologies, the novel's concept was really engrossing and impactful. I absolutely love the message conveyed by this: "find yourself, your own truth." I can't wait to read book two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War
The Fine Print by Lauren Asher
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
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
4.5
It was filled with wit and humor. The comedic elements made it engrossing and worthwhile to read. There were numerous lessons to be learned from this book. One of my favorite lines says, "If you don't believe in yourself, no one will." Aside from the relatable and humorous anecdotes, it teaches you to push yourself to get out there and gain experience if you want to. This was lighthearted to read and hopeful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Tales from the Café by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-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
You've made your problem seem so big when it has a simple solution. All it takes is a shift of perspective (a lesson I learned from the first chapter of the book's sequel, entitled "The Best Friend"). From start to finish, every part of the novel never fails to provide moral lessons (and tears, if you may). The second chapter, "the mother and the son," especially struck a cord with me. It unraveled a parent's love that was just so melting to read. A favorite line of mine states, "The world hasn't changed, I have." Though it was impossible to change the past, the key to overcoming loss and grief was to recognize that, while their lives no longer existed, you continued to live and embrace life as their legacy. I think it's a book everyone should read at least once in their life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Pregnancy