caity_reviews_books's reviews
93 reviews

The Mere Wife by Maria Dahvana Headley

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2.75

Honestly, this book was just dull. Its messages were a little on the nose, and sometimes Headley’s prose got a little wonky. However, the character work was excellent. By the end, I felt like I knew the two main characters really well, and could predict their actions. But, even by the climax, I was still bored. And, as a “reimagining” of Beowulf I felt it strayed pretty far from its premise.
Beowulf by Unknown

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3.0

While the story within is entertaining, the epic poem that is Beowulf is all over pacing-wise, and its structure in terms of said story is a mess. However, I did consider the age and that it was initially told orally. Overall, I still found myself enjoying this classic.
Golden Son by Pierce Brown

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4.0

While the pacing in Golden Son is better than the first, the romance within felt forced. I loved the plot, however, and the twists were magnificent. So while I enjoyed parts of this book more than the first, I liked some parts less. So I rate it about the same.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

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4.25

This is an amazing book, and I can see why it’s a classic. It explores deep, interesting themes and conflicts, mainly racism and femininity, through an amazing perspective, that being Scout, a little girl growing up in the South during the Great Depression. While the pacing can be tedious, and often skips months at a time, I recommend reading this book. Its exploration of deep themes is genius. 

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Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been by Jackie Hill Perry

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3.75

Jackie’s story of meeting and finding Jesus is an inspiring one, to say the least. She doesn’t hold back about her motivations, life events, and even what she felt when she was going through the process of finding Jesus and learning how to follow him. However, the formatting wasn’t great. Separating different periods so that they were out of order, it felt more like one long train of thoughts than a memoir. Even so, I highly recommend giving this book a chance, especially if you are a Christian.
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

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4.5

This world and magic system are fascinating, and I greatly enjoyed learning about them. However, the romance subplot felt a bit forced, and the writing is sometimes info-dumpy. But the ending was phenomena , and getting to walk with Sciona on her character arc was an extra special treat. 
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

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4.25

When I first stepped into the world of Piranesi, the beauty of the world, told through Clarke’s amazing prose astounded me. However, the final act was less appealing and felt rushed compared to the rest of the book. On the other hand, the soft-magic of this world was also fascinating, and I enjoyed getting to know Piranesi as a character.
Red Rising by Pierce Brown

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4.0

I really enjoyed this book! However, I felt like the first half wasn’t well connected to the second half. I love the characters and the world, as well as the implications of the ending. I cannot wait to spend more time in this fictional universe! 
Unraveled by Shannon Messenger

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3.5

This is a great little addition to the Keeper Universe. I really enjoyed the character development, but I felt like this concept could have been explored a bit more in depth. And, because it is a middle grade book, it was riddled with tropes. If you are a fan of the Keeper books, I recommend giving it a go. If you like middle grade fantasy however, I do recommend this series and book.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

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3.75

I really enjoyed the cozy, second-hand bookshop vibes of this book. The pacing was a little bit off, and I felt like the author could have expanded on the story (I know there’s a sequel, but this is the only book I'm reviewing). The characters were also great and well rounded, besides the length. If your looking for a short, cozy read, I would recommend this book.