Scan barcode
takarakei's reviews
516 reviews
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
Did not finish book. Stopped at 37%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 37%.
soft dnf might come back, but also I feel like I don't know enough astrology to get this?
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
dark
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
4.0
Oh gee, well I forgot to write a review of this when I finished, so here we are at month's end...
I remember not loving this, but liking it pretty well enough? and feeling like maybe I wanted it to be a tad longer? I think if the book was longer we could've gotten a bit more in depth with the themes. I did learn a bit about Jewish history which was cool. And there's a classic Leigh Bardugo sad boy™ character so there's that!
I remember not loving this, but liking it pretty well enough? and feeling like maybe I wanted it to be a tad longer? I think if the book was longer we could've gotten a bit more in depth with the themes. I did learn a bit about Jewish history which was cool. And there's a classic Leigh Bardugo sad boy™ character so there's that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Antisemitism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Infertility, Sexual assault, and War
Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this short story collection. I've mainly read Naomi's Scholomance series, which is why I picked this up because I will take every crumb of that world I can get (only one of these is connected, and I don't think it would make any sense really if you haven't read the series first). A few other stories seem to have been the seeds of her other books, or related to them - but I don't think any would really be spoilers or not make sense if you haven't read her other books. I did feel the stories in the first half were stronger. I do think also you can tell Naomi got her start in fanfiction because there's a few retellings (but I think they're generally done well): Ariadne, Sherlock, Pride & Prejudice. The story set in the Temeraire world, but during the Roman empire was really funny.
If you're familiar with Naomi's work you'll probably get even more out of this!
If you're familiar with Naomi's work you'll probably get even more out of this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Death
Moderate: Violence, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Minor: War and Classism
The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
idk man maybe I'm just slumping but I wasn't interested enough, and I thought it would be more holiday-y than it was
Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thích Nhất Hạnh
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
As someone who hasn't done a ton of reading on Buddhism, but has some general knowledge I felt like this book was a fairly good introduction to some concepts. They're applied to a perspective of using techniques like breath in certain situations as an activist that can be distressing (as an example). A lot of his personal anecdotes from Vietnam give context for the life Thay lived practicing these concepts in reality.
I'm not sure quite what I was expecting but I was thought I would be a bit more inspired/motivated/etc or maybe to just have a little more depth? There's definitely some quotes here or there that I could come back to. I think it could've leaned a lot more into the 'saving the planet' part I suppose.
I'm not sure quite what I was expecting but I was thought I would be a bit more inspired/motivated/etc or maybe to just have a little more depth? There's definitely some quotes here or there that I could come back to. I think it could've leaned a lot more into the 'saving the planet' part I suppose.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Mental illness, Racism, and Colonisation
Cross the Line by Simone Soltani
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The plot was kinda cookie cutter. While I didn't really connect with either MC, I did appreciate the disability rep for Willow as it seemed to be handled with care!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Racism, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infidelity
The Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice
dark
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
4.5
YOOOOOOO What the f did she put in this book!??! This was by DEF my favorite of the series so far [this might also be fueled by my recent obsession with the tv series which is why I decided to actually continue reading the books]
Lestat is iconic as always
We got some new female rage characters (praise!)
Really enjoyed the expanded world building from prev books
I honestly couldn't put it down!
-.5 star just for some slow parts, if you've read the first two books you know how Anne can go on a bit too long...which she did do a bit less in this
Lestat is iconic as always
We got some new female rage characters (praise!)
Really enjoyed the expanded world building from prev books
I honestly couldn't put it down!
-.5 star just for some slow parts, if you've read the first two books you know how Anne can go on a bit too long...which she did do a bit less in this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Genocide, Rape, and Murder
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, and Death of parent
Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Did I listen to this mainly cause Teddy Hamilton narrated? Yes.
I really struggle with insta-attraction as a starting point for a romance, like they meet in a bar and are then kissing in the back of said bar without really much conversation? idk it's not my vibe
But I did like where the romance went ultimately, I thought Ada's journey back to love after being in an awful borderline abusive marriage was well done. I super loved how supportive Wes was and how he helped her on said journey. Also appreciated Wes being a character with depression who openly talks about it.
I really struggle with insta-attraction as a starting point for a romance, like they meet in a bar and are then kissing in the back of said bar without really much conversation? idk it's not my vibe
But I did like where the romance went ultimately, I thought Ada's journey back to love after being in an awful borderline abusive marriage was well done. I super loved how supportive Wes was and how he helped her on said journey. Also appreciated Wes being a character with depression who openly talks about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Gaslighting
all toxic/emotional abuse is from Ada's prior marriage
My Vampire Plus-One by Jenna Levine
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I didn't like this quite as much as the first book. Fake dating is also not my trope of choice. I think I just felt like I enjoyed the characters and setup of the first book more. But if you're a fan of the first book you might like this! who knows
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
the MC's parents really don't treat her super nicely, like in a passive aggressive way, they are for some reason not proud of their daughter...
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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
4.0
The storytelling style is very unique and unlike anything I've read before. You'll know by the first ~50 pages whether it's for you or it's not. I will say I would not recommend reading this exclusively on audiobook because there aren't really chapters, the pov changes frequently, and there are interjections from random people that are just italicized to indicate their thoughts. The physical text, the way it's printed helps a lot with comprehending what's going on. Despite all of that once I got into a rhythm with the unique style of storytelling I did get used to it and even enjoy it.
However, I did feel like this book really leaned on that storytelling style and there were some things lacking from the world building. I don't enjoy when magic isn't really explained (like being a god just gives you ultimate power? ok...well that's kinda lazy imo). The pacing of the plot is also a little all over the place. It meanders in parts, but then has really great sections that are super engaging. The final 'conflict' really did kinda throw me for a loop which I think came back to a bit of lacking in the world building and it felt like we got a lot of explanations at the end because they had to be included for it to remotely make sense.
I did really enjoy our central two characters Keema & Jun, and their journey/relationship. So the very very end resolution with them was satisfying.
Overall I'm glad I read it for the experience! I don't think this book is for everyone, but is worth a try if you're looking for a really unique standalone fantasy.
However, I did feel like this book really leaned on that storytelling style and there were some things lacking from the world building. I don't enjoy when magic isn't really explained (like being a god just gives you ultimate power? ok...well that's kinda lazy imo). The pacing of the plot is also a little all over the place. It meanders in parts, but then has really great sections that are super engaging. The final 'conflict' really did kinda throw me for a loop which I think came back to a bit of lacking in the world building and it felt like we got a lot of explanations at the end because they had to be included for it to remotely make sense.
I did really enjoy our central two characters Keema & Jun, and their journey/relationship. So the very very end resolution with them was satisfying.
Overall I'm glad I read it for the experience! I don't think this book is for everyone, but is worth a try if you're looking for a really unique standalone fantasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Confinement, Blood, and War
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Trafficking