Scan barcode
seastheday's reviews
79 reviews
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
This was fine. I liked it more than other really young YA’s. But this was REALLY YA. This is my final straw for YA’s unless someone really convinces me to read another one. I WAS done reading YA at the end of the summer, then said ,“I’ll give it one more shot”. That shot? Cruel Prince. THIS WAS NOT THAT.
Evangeline is stupid. Like truly. She’s not just naive. She’s stupid.
Then the foreshadowing is horrendously obvious but it’s more than likely because it’s YA. EARLY YA. This is for 13 year olds. Not like 18-19 Young Adults.
I liked the story and themes. The magic is interesting but seems like it’s mostly made up at that moment to combat a specific scenario. I’d like to have known more about the fates/other fates. It didn’t seem common to run into one yet it kept occurring?
All in all, it was fine. I would’ve been kicking my feet and giggling if I read this when I was 9-12 years old.
I’m listening to the second one right now and I’m not sure if I should abandon these books yet. They’re kind of like putting on a really hideous shirt and loving how soft it is.
Evangeline is stupid. Like truly. She’s not just naive. She’s stupid.
Then the foreshadowing is horrendously obvious but it’s more than likely because it’s YA. EARLY YA. This is for 13 year olds. Not like 18-19 Young Adults.
I liked the story and themes. The magic is interesting but seems like it’s mostly made up at that moment to combat a specific scenario. I’d like to have known more about the fates/other fates. It didn’t seem common to run into one yet it kept occurring?
All in all, it was fine. I would’ve been kicking my feet and giggling if I read this when I was 9-12 years old.
I’m listening to the second one right now and I’m not sure if I should abandon these books yet. They’re kind of like putting on a really hideous shirt and loving how soft it is.
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
3.75
I have so much to say. Firstly, you cannot read this book without reading the Shadow & Bone trilogy (or just knowing most of the story bc of Netflix and Reddit) or the Six of Crows duology. The SOC was absolutely amazing and gave us the gift that is Nina Zenik. However, the woman that wrote SOC lost her way a bit when it came to this book.
I wholeheartedly believe Nina’s story was the fully fleshed-out idea & Nikolai came after. Her story was far superior in writing style as well as actual plot. It was only posed to be centered around Nikolai because Nina serves him/Ravka. It felt like two different authors were writing this story.
There was an idea and for some reason we have to bring back the same villain? That was already defeated???? Why??? Boooo! Tomato, tomato! She gave us SO MUCH to work with and then swerved into a massive fumble instead of the winning catch.
Nikolai gives people too much grace. Although, I liked his storyline & growth.
Issak was presented as a bumbling idiot but also brilliant enough to be multilingual. Then he somehow evaded the best guards ever? His character was a failure in my eyes.
Zoya’s journey was amazing and only bested by Nina! Nina’s storyline was incredible.
I wish there was more of Genya and she wasn’t just crying the entire time. I hated that.
I wholeheartedly believe Nina’s story was the fully fleshed-out idea & Nikolai came after. Her story was far superior in writing style as well as actual plot. It was only posed to be centered around Nikolai because Nina serves him/Ravka. It felt like two different authors were writing this story.
There was an idea and for some reason we have to bring back the same villain? That was already defeated???? Why??? Boooo! Tomato, tomato! She gave us SO MUCH to work with and then swerved into a massive fumble instead of the winning catch.
Nikolai gives people too much grace. Although, I liked his storyline & growth.
Issak was presented as a bumbling idiot but also brilliant enough to be multilingual. Then he somehow evaded the best guards ever? His character was a failure in my eyes.
Zoya’s journey was amazing and only bested by Nina! Nina’s storyline was incredible.
I wish there was more of Genya and she wasn’t just crying the entire time. I hated that.
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
emotional
funny
reflective
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
What the heck was that?? I’m left with open ended disappointment. There was an arc that just turned into a circle.
It was quite literally:
- conversations with friends
- petulant, privileged people
- no growth
- unlikable characters (I marginally liked Bobbi & that’s it)
- each character was self-centered & looking inward toward themselves then reflecting on their past. This should lead to them making different decisions but really they just went back to old patterns.
I purposefully did the audiobook because I didn’t want to deal with the lack of quotations.
I have not decided if I liked this book. I’ll give it a three for now & reflect later. (10/28)
It was quite literally:
- conversations with friends
- petulant, privileged people
- no growth
- unlikable characters (I marginally liked Bobbi & that’s it)
- each character was self-centered & looking inward toward themselves then reflecting on their past. This should lead to them making different decisions but really they just went back to old patterns.
I purposefully did the audiobook because I didn’t want to deal with the lack of quotations.
I have not decided if I liked this book. I’ll give it a three for now & reflect later. (10/28)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcoholism and Mental illness
Minor: Drug use, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, and Religious bigotry
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This was… a lot.
I liked Sloane & Rowan so much more. I loved Lark at first, her inner journey was interesting, but I ended up being really annoyed by her. I liked Lachlan. I wasn’t a fan of their escapades. It just wasn’t for me. It felt demeaning at points? Maybe I’m just not into that.
I’ve never read a marriage of convenience before, but I really thought Larks family would have a bigger role in the book- same with Lachlans boss. I feel like they missed an opportunity by not including Leander (boss).The villain wasn’t actually that interesting / I didn’t feel invested because he was barely in the story. If he had a few more points in the plot line or a POV, I’d care more.
Good points:
-Lachlans growth & inner monologues
-Larks great aunt
-Leander
Bad points:
-type of intimate scenes
-Lark becoming repetitive & irritating
-villain
I liked Sloane & Rowan so much more. I loved Lark at first, her inner journey was interesting, but I ended up being really annoyed by her. I liked Lachlan. I wasn’t a fan of their escapades. It just wasn’t for me. It felt demeaning at points? Maybe I’m just not into that.
I’ve never read a marriage of convenience before, but I really thought Larks family would have a bigger role in the book- same with Lachlans boss. I feel like they missed an opportunity by not including Leander (boss).
Good points:
-Lachlans growth & inner monologues
-Larks great aunt
-Leander
Bad points:
-type of intimate scenes
-Lark becoming repetitive & irritating
-villain
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
Minor: Gun violence and Death of parent
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
Too mentally exhausted to decipher and understand a whole new world. Grisha-verse, I’m coming back.
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was a wildly dark, funny & sexual book. I read the content warnings and really doubted my will to read this. But it was never a darkly scary book, only a dark and funny read. I loved the chemistry between Sloane and Rowan. I was ecstatic when the “misunderstanding” trope wasn’t a huge factor in the entire storyline. Their relationship was very funny.
I didn’t really enjoy some of the banter/Sloanes inner monologues. At times, Sloane especially, seemed really immature in a gross way. I mean gross because some things she says/thinks comes off as what a high schooler would think/say. A fully grown adult who kills pedophiles and the like wouldn’t also SOUND like such a young child. And this book isn’t deep enough to warrant a backstory of that. It’s pretty surface level, I enjoyed it (for the most part) and it does the job of entertaining you.
Just do not listen to this aloud at any point. Just consider the entire thing NSFW or children.
I didn’t really enjoy some of the banter/Sloanes inner monologues. At times, Sloane especially, seemed really immature in a gross way. I mean gross because some things she says/thinks comes off as what a high schooler would think/say. A fully grown adult who kills pedophiles and the like wouldn’t also SOUND like such a young child. And this book isn’t deep enough to warrant a backstory of that. It’s pretty surface level, I enjoyed it (for the most part) and it does the job of entertaining you.
Just do not listen to this aloud at any point. Just consider the entire thing NSFW or children.
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I loved the mental health representation. I appreciated how in-depth it became and how integral it was to the characters. It showed both ends of the spectrum- healing and refusing help. I think the author actually consulting professionals in order to write these characters was a fantastic move. She doesn’t just draw on her own experiences, but comes from a place of true research in order to portray the illnesses correctly for the average person to consume. Even though I loved this aspect, the story still was not entirely for me. I have some issues with Emma having to be completely spelled out by her best friend, Maddie (the ENTIRE book). Also, Justin had zero flaws? How is that possible? He waits for Emma, he has no true hard feelings for his best friend or his ex, he takes over for his mom & finds a way to meet her where she is. It was frustrating. The actual part of this book that I really liked, even though it was difficult to read, was her relationship with her mom. I found it harrowing, dark, realistic, & hurtful, but really important to be portrayed. Since this book had such highs and lows, it got a solid 3 from me.
And something I always ask myself:
Would you reread it?
Nope.
And something I always ask myself:
Would you reread it?
Nope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I’m not really a thriller girly but this was a great book to read as an audiobook. I loved the podcast element, and listening to it made it feel more authentic/interesting. Otherwise, I don’t think it would’ve been as impactful. The entire time we have two unreliable narrators, one is slowly more unreliable than the other. They act as obvious foils to one another. The entire time you question who is to believe and it felt like a swinging pendulum. I would think ahead from context clues then feel jerked off my path of thinking. I liked it as entertainment, I wouldn’t read it again. But as someone currently in a reading slump, it’s helping bring me out of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, and Excrement
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was so deep and emotional. It’s learning trauma, living through past patterns that you’ve never broken as well as absolute heartbreak. Justin was an amazing empathetic and caring character. He only ever wanted the best for everyone. I disliked Maddie at first & understood Amber throughout the book. There was one major part where I didn’t understand her which was how she kept Emma from her ENTIRE BIRTH FAMILY AND MADE HER STRUGGLE & be abused by Amber & her foster families . I ended up loving Maddie for knowing exactly where to meet Emma emotionally. But I wish we got her POV a couple of times, too. Justin & Neal were almost too perfect. That was the only part that felt impractical. The entire book was like, oh the men have no flaws & have fixed themselves!
All in all, it was a good listen. I finished it but if I wasn’t deep cleaning my house I don’t think I would’ve finished it.
All in all, it was a good listen. I finished it but if I wasn’t deep cleaning my house I don’t think I would’ve finished it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death of parent
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I’m interested in the story. But I feel like everything that happens is over-explained. Also, everything was very predictable. Either I’m too experienced of a reader or the foreshadowing is too obvious. I’m giving it a chance for the next book. I mean TOG was a terrible first book and Kingdom of Ash was the most intense and wonderful conclusion.