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alibookedup's reviews
266 reviews
Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I didn’t think this could get any cuter…but it did. If you can’t tell how much I enjoyed it, it should tell you something that I finished it in half a day. It’s super cute, but also hits on super important topics in the life of a teenager who is LGTQIA. What it means to already have come out vs not ready to come out. What it means to have been outted unwillingly by others vs outing yourself willingly. What it means to communicate through all of this with someone you care about and who cares about you. Definitely gonna binge the rest of this series over the weekend and then binge the show. I’m fully on board Nick and Charlie’s ship and am ready to sail out to sea with them.
Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
o so so freaking cute! Charlie and Nick are both sweet cinnamon rolls and I must protect them at all costs. This made my heart clench so many times. I love Alice Oseman’s art style — it’s so cozy and cute.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Homophobia
Elektra by Jennifer Saint
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A story about the cycle of revenge and how it can curse generations. I really liked that it was written in the 3 POVs of Clytemnestra, Cassandra, and Elektra. It brings you on a full journey that spans years and comes full circle into an ending of closure, but also the tragedy that comes with seemingly righteous revenge.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Child death
Fierce Fairytales: Poems and Stories to Stir Your Soul by Nikita Gill
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I love Nikita gill. She always does a fantastic job blending her chosen topic with meaningful realities of life. Will definitely be reading more from her.
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Such a perfect blend of fantasy, mystery, and romance that never felt TOO much like a YA book. I loved every sweet minute of every Yadriel and Julian interaction. I caught myself actively smiling while reading so many times. Basically I must adopt them and obviously Maritza too. Her loyalty and dedication to Yadriel was so adorable. I loved her sass and spunk — if you can’t tell she was my favorite.
All of the Latino culture interwoven was so beautiful and I’m so happy to see more books like this represented. I mean the food constantly made me hungry, the MARIGOLDS & the spirits, the brujx and Dias de los Muertos!!! Everything was perfect.
Lastly, I bow down to Aidan Thomas for the LGBTQIA rep. He nailed it. Trying to navigate Yadriel being transgender and gay in his brujx community and within his family was so well done. It was never forgotten in the storyline and tapped into only some of the every day struggles of our transgender youth.
All of the Latino culture interwoven was so beautiful and I’m so happy to see more books like this represented. I mean the food constantly made me hungry, the MARIGOLDS & the spirits, the brujx and Dias de los Muertos!!! Everything was perfect.
Lastly, I bow down to Aidan Thomas for the LGBTQIA rep. He nailed it. Trying to navigate Yadriel being transgender and gay in his brujx community and within his family was so well done. It was never forgotten in the storyline and tapped into only some of the every day struggles of our transgender youth.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse and Transphobia
The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World by Michael Pollan
informative
medium-paced
3.0
I just have not been into audiobooks lately and I think that affected my ability to retain and enjoy a book like this. I normally love Michael Pollen and I found a lot of this book interesting, I just could not pay attention. This rating is very much a user error rating. I will have to take some time to get back into audiobooks and do a re-read when I know I can put my heart into enjoying this book.
The Elite by Kiera Cass
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars***
What I liked:
- more interesting story and character development. I liked that the rebels started doing more than just attacking and that there were more interceptions with them.
- learning more about the king (he can suck a butt Forreal) and his relationship with maxon. I’m hoping to see more dive into the queen.
-maxon had more character development and stopped saying “my dear” thank goodness. His storyline with the other girls took a different twist than I expected. Some parts made me mad at him but at the end I understood where he was coming from
- will always love Marlee, Anne, May, and Lucy
- I liked Kriss’ and America’s budding friendship even if they were competitive and jealous (in a lovely polite way)
What I disliked:
- when will America stop jumping to conclusions instantly without just talking to people*sigh*
- when will America stop being the most indecisive and gullible human on the planet *double sigh*. I mean aspen is annoying so it’s an easy pick here
- again Aspen is so condescending. Like how dare you tell America she wouldn’t be a good princess. Uh okkaaaaaay. Need him to get gone
- the rebels attacking still felt a bit repetitive but much better than last book
I am sucked into this series now — if it hadn’t gotten better from last book I wouldn’t keep going, but even with annoying parts there was enough improvement to make me enjoy it enough. I’m hoping American stops being dumb and it improves even more.
What I liked:
- more interesting story and character development. I liked that the rebels started doing more than just attacking and that there were more interceptions with them.
- learning more about the king (he can suck a butt Forreal) and his relationship with maxon. I’m hoping to see more dive into the queen.
-maxon had more character development and stopped saying “my dear” thank goodness. His storyline with the other girls took a different twist than I expected. Some parts made me mad at him but at the end I understood where he was coming from
- will always love Marlee, Anne, May, and Lucy
- I liked Kriss’ and America’s budding friendship even if they were competitive and jealous (in a lovely polite way)
What I disliked:
- when will America stop jumping to conclusions instantly without just talking to people*sigh*
- when will America stop being the most indecisive and gullible human on the planet *double sigh*. I mean aspen is annoying so it’s an easy pick here
- again Aspen is so condescending. Like how dare you tell America she wouldn’t be a good princess. Uh okkaaaaaay. Need him to get gone
- the rebels attacking still felt a bit repetitive but much better than last book
I am sucked into this series now — if it hadn’t gotten better from last book I wouldn’t keep going, but even with annoying parts there was enough improvement to make me enjoy it enough. I’m hoping American stops being dumb and it improves even more.
The Selection by Kiera Cass
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
What I liked:
- the premise of the selection was super interesting since it’s very old fashioned type event happening in a modern world
- the camaraderie between all the girls competing. There’s always one who has to be a b**** but I liked that they all weren’t horrible to another
- Maxon was sweet and the friendship that blossomed with America was cute
- I actually didn’t end up minding the love triangle and I think this is what is pulling me into the next book
I actually felt myself conflicted between aspen and maxon since I think a lot of their moments with America were cute
What I didn’t like:
- maxon saying “my dear”. Too me it felt stilted and unoriginal and a bit creepy instead of endearing
- America jumped to a lot of quick and weird conclusions immediately instead of just thinking about it for more than 5 seconds and always thinking it revolved around her. I am proud of her for standing up for what was best for her tho in the end.
- the writing…was not the best. It felt very short and I wanted way more detail than I got. It’s such an interesting world and it felt like nothing was really painted for me. I can’t really even tell you what americas iconic red dress looked like…
- can I have more on this history of this world please? It’s sounds interesting but I still have a slim grasp of it all.
Overall, it hooked me enough to read the next one. If you like a simple love story that includes competition and a triangle, this could be for you.
- the premise of the selection was super interesting since it’s very old fashioned type event happening in a modern world
- the camaraderie between all the girls competing. There’s always one who has to be a b**** but I liked that they all weren’t horrible to another
- Maxon was sweet and the friendship that blossomed with America was cute
- I actually didn’t end up minding the love triangle and I think this is what is pulling me into the next book
I actually felt myself conflicted between aspen and maxon since I think a lot of their moments with America were cute
What I didn’t like:
- maxon saying “my dear”. Too me it felt stilted and unoriginal and a bit creepy instead of endearing
- America jumped to a lot of quick and weird conclusions immediately instead of just thinking about it for more than 5 seconds and always thinking it revolved around her. I am proud of her for standing up for what was best for her tho in the end.
- the writing…was not the best. It felt very short and I wanted way more detail than I got. It’s such an interesting world and it felt like nothing was really painted for me. I can’t really even tell you what americas iconic red dress looked like…
- can I have more on this history of this world please? It’s sounds interesting but I still have a slim grasp of it all.
Overall, it hooked me enough to read the next one. If you like a simple love story that includes competition and a triangle, this could be for you.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Casey McQuistion has such an amazing ability to come up with the most unique contemporary romance novels. They are all cute and witty with ride or die side characters, but they are also so different.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler did a great job at wrapping you up in a treasure hunt to find Shara. She’s not present most of the book, but you still see the effect she has on Chloe and what they both want from each other. It’s Gone Girl but without murder and more meet cutes. Shara and Chloe are both so chaotic and to see them come together is so funny and perfect. Obviously all the side characters like Rory and Smith and Geo all stole my heart too.
Sorry it took me so long to read this one because McQuiston has again proven she deserves immortality too.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler did a great job at wrapping you up in a treasure hunt to find Shara. She’s not present most of the book, but you still see the effect she has on Chloe and what they both want from each other. It’s Gone Girl but without murder and more meet cutes. Shara and Chloe are both so chaotic and to see them come together is so funny and perfect. Obviously all the side characters like Rory and Smith and Geo all stole my heart too.
Sorry it took me so long to read this one because McQuiston has again proven she deserves immortality too.
Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Wow wow wow!
This blew me away. This is my first book by Lex Croucher and she did not disappoint. I was originally drawn to this story because I am obsessed with anything Arthurian legend related, but I loved that it was so much more than that. It had everything you could want in a medieval romance -- queer characters, action, romance, royalty, and profound loyalty. It's funny, witty, and warm with super lovable characters. It really was a joy to see all the characters growing and coming together as a found family. The characters were quite literally ride or die and made the most rag-tag squad ever. I was even surprised that there was a prolonged action sequence that really brought the 5 stars home for me at the end.
It used on Arthurian legend to set up the plot and characters without leaning to heavily on the myths and magic of it all. It was a super cool twist for a Arthur-Merlin-Morgana nerd like me. It had just enough historical mentions, but never felt overly done like you were getting hit on the head with Excaliber.
All around a super fun adventure! Read if you enjoy medieval romances with queer characters and also a bit of action! Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a chance to read early in exchange for an honest review!
This blew me away. This is my first book by Lex Croucher and she did not disappoint. I was originally drawn to this story because I am obsessed with anything Arthurian legend related, but I loved that it was so much more than that. It had everything you could want in a medieval romance -- queer characters, action, romance, royalty, and profound loyalty. It's funny, witty, and warm with super lovable characters. It really was a joy to see all the characters growing and coming together as a found family. The characters were quite literally ride or die and made the most rag-tag squad ever. I was even surprised that there was a prolonged action sequence that really brought the 5 stars home for me at the end.
It used on Arthurian legend to set up the plot and characters without leaning to heavily on the myths and magic of it all. It was a super cool twist for a Arthur-Merlin-Morgana nerd like me. It had just enough historical mentions, but never felt overly done like you were getting hit on the head with Excaliber.
All around a super fun adventure! Read if you enjoy medieval romances with queer characters and also a bit of action! Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a chance to read early in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Emotional abuse