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akamm's reviews
493 reviews
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Picked this audiobook up because it was readily available at the library and I had heard of it. I didn't really know what the plot would be, but was willing to give it a shot.
Wow. I'm glad I read this one. First, the narration was wonderful. Also, the story was so sad, so real, but also very charming. It made me think a lot about the opioid crisis and it really humanized those affected by it.
Wow. I'm glad I read this one. First, the narration was wonderful. Also, the story was so sad, so real, but also very charming. It made me think a lot about the opioid crisis and it really humanized those affected by it.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-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
3.5
I need to be better about remembering the previous plot because I spent the first several chapters of this book confused at all the characters.
I don’t know if it’s because it’s been a minute since I last read this series, or what, but this book was not my favorite. I think Yarros’s strongest moments are her fight scenes and I did like the plot line about searching for potential missing dragons. However, a lot of the rest of the book dragged for me. I felt like we were flying all over the place and things were happening, but they also weren’t. I also was very annoyed by the Violet / Xaden dynamic in this book.
Spoiler for the last 7 chapters…I have such mixed feelings about the choice to be in Violet’s pov for the majority of the book until the last few chapters. Because then we got an Imogene pov and a Rhi pov?! I liked that we got to see the dynamic between other riders and their dragons. I did not like that we got those povs for such a short time. I feel like we could have used that change throughout the book because being in Violet’s head was grating
This book felt like a very middle of the series book where there’s some setup for future plot, but the main plot points of this book weren’t interesting by themselves. I’lol probably continue the series for the zeitgeist-ness of it all.
I don’t know if it’s because it’s been a minute since I last read this series, or what, but this book was not my favorite. I think Yarros’s strongest moments are her fight scenes and I did like the plot line about searching for potential missing dragons. However, a lot of the rest of the book dragged for me. I felt like we were flying all over the place and things were happening, but they also weren’t. I also was very annoyed by the Violet / Xaden dynamic in this book.
Spoiler for the last 7 chapters…
This book felt like a very middle of the series book where there’s some setup for future plot, but the main plot points of this book weren’t interesting by themselves. I’lol probably continue the series for the zeitgeist-ness of it all.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Picked this up on a whim from the library because it was popular in 2024.
The story was nice! It had echoes of Elinor Oliphant Is Completely Fine but not quite as sad throughout - this has a more hopeful end.
I liked the characters and the flow of the book. It felt like Phoebe was able to interact with other organically.
Overall, an easy nice read. It definitely made me want to vacation in New England.
The story was nice! It had echoes of Elinor Oliphant Is Completely Fine but not quite as sad throughout - this has a more hopeful end.
I liked the characters and the flow of the book. It felt like Phoebe was able to interact with other organically.
Overall, an easy nice read. It definitely made me want to vacation in New England.
The Accomplice by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was intrigued by this novel co-written by 50 Cent even though the cop genre is not really my genre.
This book was a super fast read - I finished it in one sitting. The plot really moves.
However, this book isn't anything memorable. It's also a setup for further stories in this series. I won't be reading any further.
This book was a super fast read - I finished it in one sitting. The plot really moves.
However, this book isn't anything memorable. It's also a setup for further stories in this series. I won't be reading any further.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Car accident
The Grand Scheme of Things by Warona Jay
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was lucky to read an ARC of this book before its release.
I liked the way it was written where the two main characters were narrating as if they were talking to the other. I also did appreciate the ideas presented about how race, class, and gender can all affect who is allowed to reach success.
This book is only three stars because I found the characters kind unlikeable (except Blue). I also found that some paragraphs were needlessly wordy and a little listy.
Overall this book was fine. Its rather serious - I think I assumed it would be a little humorous based on the graphic book cover, but that was my assumption that did not prove to be true.
I liked the way it was written where the two main characters were narrating as if they were talking to the other. I also did appreciate the ideas presented about how race, class, and gender can all affect who is allowed to reach success.
This book is only three stars because I found the characters kind unlikeable (except Blue). I also found that some paragraphs were needlessly wordy and a little listy.
Overall this book was fine. Its rather serious - I think I assumed it would be a little humorous based on the graphic book cover, but that was my assumption that did not prove to be true.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racial slurs
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Miscarriage
River of the Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile by Candice Millard
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
3.0
A fine book, but like many history books, I don't think I retained a bunch.
Weyward by Emilia Hart
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I liked 2/3 of this book - the Altha pov was the weakest, least enjoyable part for me.
I really enjoyed the building of Kate and Violet's stories. I liked the subtle magic and the connection that these women shared.
I recommend this book if you want a short, modern read. There's some light magic and some good "yay women" bits.
I really enjoyed the building of Kate and Violet's stories. I liked the subtle magic and the connection that these women shared.
I recommend this book if you want a short, modern read. There's some light magic and some good "yay women" bits.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Rape
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Death and Car accident
The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A nice conclusion to this series, The Museum of Maiden Lane returns to what I liked about the first two books (but was missing from book three).
I liked how more of the other Furies were in this book and I like Stella and Teddy as main characters.
This book was very cozy, and maybe too cozy...? I didn't feel like there was any conflict in this book between the two of them.
Like I said, I enjoyed this series as an easy listen. I would recommend it if you want low spice and a nice Victorian setting.
I liked how more of the other Furies were in this book and I like Stella and Teddy as main characters.
This book was very cozy, and maybe too cozy...? I didn't feel like there was any conflict in this book between the two of them.
Like I said, I enjoyed this series as an easy listen. I would recommend it if you want low spice and a nice Victorian setting.
The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book was not what I thought it would be. When reading the blurb, I thought there would be a greater emphasis on weaving. In actuality, this book is more about women in this society - the expectations placed upon them, but also their fight for independence & basic rights. I didn't mind the women's movement plot, it just wasn't what I initially expected.
After understanding the true point of the book, I don't think I enjoyed it...? I didn't find any of the characters particularly compelling. I also think this whole book felt like too much of a setup and didn't have enough of its own contained plot. I also find that this book leans more YA than I was anticipating, which is not what I wasn't in the mood for.
Finally, a nit... I do not like when stories in fictional worlds use the word "fuck". I find that it takes me out of the fantasy. I much prefer when an author creates a similar word or phrase that is more in pine with the setting.
As of now, I do not plan to continue in the duology.
After understanding the true point of the book, I don't think I enjoyed it...? I didn't find any of the characters particularly compelling. I also think this whole book felt like too much of a setup and didn't have enough of its own contained plot. I also find that this book leans more YA than I was anticipating, which is not what I wasn't in the mood for.
Finally, a nit... I do not like when stories in fictional worlds use the word "fuck". I find that it takes me out of the fantasy. I much prefer when an author creates a similar word or phrase that is more in pine with the setting.
As of now, I do not plan to continue in the duology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gun violence and Police brutality
Minor: Homophobia and Abortion
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
4.0
I read this book since it was on many "best of 2024" lists.
I liked the uniqueness of this story - the way the chapters are laid out, the various POVs. I also enjoyed the overall plot more than I thought I would.
Not 5 stars because I think this book is too smart for me. There is a lot of reflective wandering, especially from Cyrus, that I don't particularly enjoy.
It is still a distinct book and I can see why others liked it. Would recommend to others, especially folks who like Literary Fiction.
I liked the uniqueness of this story - the way the chapters are laid out, the various POVs. I also enjoyed the overall plot more than I thought I would.
Not 5 stars because I think this book is too smart for me. There is a lot of reflective wandering, especially from Cyrus, that I don't particularly enjoy.
It is still a distinct book and I can see why others liked it. Would recommend to others, especially folks who like Literary Fiction.