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takarakei's reviews
525 reviews
The Stolen Heir by Holly Black
Did not finish book. Stopped at 63%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 63%.
I simply do not care about these characters
Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Is this the best romance I've ever read? Nah! but did I have fun? you bet!
idk maybe it's just my love of the Scottish highlands and the lore that hooked me, but I actually was surprised that it seemed like this book was well researched (note: all my information on this topic comes completely from Outlander so do with that what you will).
The only thing that frustrated me was that I figured out how they had to break the curse like very early on and it takes Riley far too long (especially for a 'pro') to realize it. And it felt like the only reason for that was just because they had to build this pseudo-enemies kind of trope. They are not true enemies because they've only just met, but sure there's some antagonism there due to the fact that Clark just downright doesn't believe in curses or what Riley is doing at all.
But in the end I thought this was a cute little paranormal-adjacent romance with some decent spice and banter! Also the MC is described as what I would consider to be average to plus size, and there's no fatphobia at all which always seems like a hurdle that has to be jumped over when a MC is plus sized!
idk maybe it's just my love of the Scottish highlands and the lore that hooked me, but I actually was surprised that it seemed like this book was well researched (note: all my information on this topic comes completely from Outlander so do with that what you will).
The only thing that frustrated me was that I figured out how they had to break the curse like very early on and it takes Riley far too long (especially for a 'pro') to realize it. And it felt like the only reason for that was just because they had to build this pseudo-enemies kind of trope. They are not true enemies because they've only just met, but sure there's some antagonism there due to the fact that Clark just downright doesn't believe in curses or what Riley is doing at all.
But in the end I thought this was a cute little paranormal-adjacent romance with some decent spice and banter! Also the MC is described as what I would consider to be average to plus size, and there's no fatphobia at all which always seems like a hurdle that has to be jumped over when a MC is plus sized!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Abandonment
Minor: Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I have read the introduction written by Karen Joy Fowler included in this version now 3 times. The first time it was sent to me by a friend to convince me to read this book. Then again obviously when I read it. And a third time after I finished I went back and read it again, to really understand what the hell was going on! (Sometimes I just need to read analysis of something to fully comprehend it) That third time really blew my mind! WOW!
The only thing I didn't love about this was the flashback parts about the MC's life prior to the expedition. I understand they were included to build context for her relationship with her husband and why our MC even decides to go on the expedition. But they oddly went into a bit of a lit-fic-y kinda realm, which to me felt a little out of place with everything else going on. I just cared way more about what was happening on the expedition and found myself less interested in her husband in general *shrug*
I do think I will probably read the rest of this series in physical form vs doing exclusively audio to be able to follow along better!
The only thing I didn't love about this was the flashback parts about the MC's life prior to the expedition. I understand they were included to build context for her relationship with her husband and why our MC even decides to go on the expedition. But they oddly went into a bit of a lit-fic-y kinda realm, which to me felt a little out of place with everything else going on. I just cared way more about what was happening on the expedition and found myself less interested in her husband in general *shrug*
I do think I will probably read the rest of this series in physical form vs doing exclusively audio to be able to follow along better!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Cancer, and Sexual content
This Gilded Abyss by Rebecca Thorne
Despite some photography inaccuracies which took me out of the story for a bit (totally a me thing)... this was super fun to read! I found the world building interesting and the mysterious plot kept me reading along! I've heard this was inspired by Bioshock? which makes sense. Audiobook is good too!
Downside is it's the first in a series and the next book isn't out yet :'( but I shall be continuing once that's out!
adventurous
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
4.0
- 'submarines' more like a giant cruise ship underwater
- a bit of sci-fi horror
- environmental undertones
- queer second chance romance!
Despite some photography inaccuracies which took me out of the story for a bit (totally a me thing)... this was super fun to read! I found the world building interesting and the mysterious plot kept me reading along! I've heard this was inspired by Bioshock? which makes sense. Audiobook is good too!
Downside is it's the first in a series and the next book isn't out yet :'( but I shall be continuing once that's out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, and Medical content
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and War
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage
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
3.25
I'm not sure if I found the immediate/sudden chemistry between the two MCs to be super believable. It was a little too much "wow this person is suddenly hot to me for no apparent reason" for me. But +.25 for good spice! FMC is ADHD rep.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, and Abandonment
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Idk I liked this, but I got a little disinterested in the third act. Loved the queer rep! but also Ari was so messy askldnasdlk. I've seen When Harry Met Sally but it's not like a fav movie so I appreciated it as the backbone to the story. Wish there would've been dual narration!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft
Did not finish book. Stopped at 64%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 64%.
Unfortunately I just don't think this author's writing is for me. Like her other books, I really struggled with her world building not being fleshed out enough. You're just kinda thrown in the deep end of this world, without enough explanation - everything is just a bit too surface level. And not being able to really understand the world (in this case beyond it being some comparison to post WWII Germany?) really fought against my engagement with the story. Which is a shame because I think conceptually there were some interesting things going on with the storyline: research team, mystery, romance etc but I really need to understand the world to be motivated to continue a book.
I read an arc of this book provided by NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts are my own
I read an arc of this book provided by NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts are my own
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death and War
Angels Before Man by Rafael Nicolás
Did not finish book. Stopped at 56%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 56%.
I feel like you have to be someone who grew up reading the Bible for this story to make sense. Cause I was not, and I was lost. I tried to just kinda focus on the central relationship, but it still didn't work for me.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
this was a reread on audio and unfortunately I didn't love the narrator, which downgraded my overall experience because I really love this series!
Ghostsmith by Nicki Pau Preto
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.25
I really enjoyed this duology! I just found the world to be absolutely fascinating to read about.
There is a LOT of action - it truly felt like there was no room for breaths from like 60% in til the end. Very high stakes coupled with twists and betrayals, kept me reading!
There is a big focus thematically on family dynamics - Wren has dealt with some Shitty Family™ and I think there's a lot of emphasis on how she overcomes her family trauma. Basically most of the adults really are just out here being the worst to everyone around them and the world in general, and I found Wren's journey getting past that really traumatic in the midst, but in the end honest and healing. In the end it becomes: your family is the one that you choose, which is always nice to read.
I love getting all the different POVs, I think they all add something to the story providing a very well rounded overall viewpoint [one audio complaint is it's just one narrator and while they do a great job of voices, sometimes it was slightly confusing to know who's pov we were in since they switch mid-chapter]
I just really recommend this duology if you like ghosts, a bit of creepy vibes and a fantastic cast of characters!
There is a LOT of action - it truly felt like there was no room for breaths from like 60% in til the end. Very high stakes coupled with twists and betrayals, kept me reading!
There is a big focus thematically on family dynamics - Wren has dealt with some Shitty Family™ and I think there's a lot of emphasis on how she overcomes her family trauma. Basically most of the adults really are just out here being the worst to everyone around them and the world in general, and I found Wren's journey getting past that really traumatic in the midst, but in the end honest and healing. In the end it becomes: your family is the one that you choose, which is always nice to read.
I love getting all the different POVs, I think they all add something to the story providing a very well rounded overall viewpoint [one audio complaint is it's just one narrator and while they do a great job of voices, sometimes it was slightly confusing to know who's pov we were in since they switch mid-chapter]
I just really recommend this duology if you like ghosts, a bit of creepy vibes and a fantastic cast of characters!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Sexual content, and Pregnancy