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cerina's reviews
418 reviews
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This books is so FUN. There’s so much silliness. Just off-handed comments that are outrageous. It was highly enjoyable. I did call the twist ending beforehand, but I think that’s a hallmark of a well-written book.
The characters are all so lovable, and the relationships built are so genuine.
The only reason it’s not 5 stars is that at no point did it get such an emotional reaction out of me that I know I’ll remember it forever.
Really great book 🩷
The characters are all so lovable, and the relationships built are so genuine.
The only reason it’s not 5 stars is that at no point did it get such an emotional reaction out of me that I know I’ll remember it forever.
Really great book 🩷
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
4.5 stars
For being a novella, this story showed SO much.
Wonderful growth, tension, and relationship building.
Removed half a star just cuz death/violence isn’t really my thing and there is a detailed scene.
The author is very good at showing details that explain a lot without it feeling dense.
Overall, a great story and now I want to read everything else they’ve written haha.
For being a novella, this story showed SO much.
Wonderful growth, tension, and relationship building.
Removed half a star just cuz death/violence isn’t really my thing and there is a detailed scene.
The author is very good at showing details that explain a lot without it feeling dense.
Overall, a great story and now I want to read everything else they’ve written haha.
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
I enjoyed the flashbacks in this book, and I normally don’t enjoy following separate timelines. But the name dropping of it was very fun. Partying with the Fitzgeralds, sailing with Captain Cook, etc.
My favorite character by far was the surfer friend. When they met up is when I finally started feeling like something good was happening. His perspective was a breath of fresh air. My main issue with this book is that for most of it, it felt as though no happiness was going to happen because everything was inevitably doomed.
It also felt weird that his daughter is so full of hate and anger that she shoots someone and it’s just not commented on. I mean she didn’t kill him, but still.
adventurous
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
My favorite character by far was the surfer friend. When they met up is when I finally started feeling like something good was happening. His perspective was a breath of fresh air. My main issue with this book is that for most of it, it felt as though no happiness was going to happen because everything was inevitably doomed.
It also felt weird that his daughter is so full of hate and anger that she shoots someone and it’s just not commented on. I mean she didn’t kill him, but still.
The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
dark
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I struggled to finish this book, but I don’t think that was really the fault of the book. Just with everything going on in the world, I needed more feminism and diversity.
However, I didn’t enjoy how this one played out. I don’t like the whole “is this option going to happen or this option? JK Secret Last Minute Third Option!” Especially when the third option includes killing off characters. And when everything got wrapped up, it felt very abrupt. Like “look! Everything has been put right! The end.” Not really any exploring of what that means.
I did like learning more about the kandra, though. And I liked the bits when Elend and Yomen were on opposite sides but finding common ground.
Overall a decent series, but I’m not sure I’d read it again
I did like learning more about the kandra, though. And I liked the bits when Elend and Yomen were on opposite sides but finding common ground.
Overall a decent series, but I’m not sure I’d read it again
The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wonderful book! The ending felt kind of rushed, but that’s really my only complaint. Well, and I don’t love sex scenes unless I’m purposefully looking for that, which I wasn’t. There’s only 2 quick ones in this book, so not *too* bad, but I would’ve preferred none haha.
Going in, I thought it was just going to be a really fluffy read, and I was pleasantly surprised. The overall feeling of the book is a bit fluffy, but there were also scenes that were so gut wrenching. I teared up in a few different places. I cried over a bee dying! And then cried again when I was recounting it to a friend.
I absolutely LOVED that this was written in a version of the 1800s where same sex relationships are acceptable. And the women empowerment in this novel was fantastic 🩷 as was characters learning the importance of a person having their own agency
Going in, I thought it was just going to be a really fluffy read, and I was pleasantly surprised. The overall feeling of the book is a bit fluffy, but there were also scenes that were so gut wrenching. I teared up in a few different places. I cried over a bee dying! And then cried again when I was recounting it to a friend.
I absolutely LOVED that this was written in a version of the 1800s where same sex relationships are acceptable. And the women empowerment in this novel was fantastic 🩷 as was characters learning the importance of a person having their own agency
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
4.0
Another imaginative read by this talented author. Somehow this felt like a cozy read but with dark, uncomfortable elements.
Kingfisher is so good at dark, creepy bits. I think because I’m always so astonished at how creative it is, I don’t feel drowned by the unpleasantness.
The characters and relationships in this book, though! I love LOVE a found family story. I really enjoyed all the strong independent women in this book, too. Hester is absolutely fantastic, but so are Imogene and Penelope!
I’m not sure I’d re-read this book, as the dark bits are fairly dark. But I did love it
Kingfisher is so good at dark, creepy bits. I think because I’m always so astonished at how creative it is, I don’t feel drowned by the unpleasantness.
The characters and relationships in this book, though! I love LOVE a found family story. I really enjoyed all the strong independent women in this book, too. Hester is absolutely fantastic, but so are Imogene and Penelope!
I’m not sure I’d re-read this book, as the dark bits are fairly dark. But I did love it
From Bad to Cursed by Lana Harper
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Good book. Emotions were written fairly well, especially the emotional development and learning to communicate. I enjoyed it, but it was a bit of a “fluffy” read. Not as fluffy as some, but still leaned that way. Didn’t like it quite as much as the first, but it was still good 😊
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
I was so excited for this book. For some reason I just really thought I would love it.
Terrible ending, SAD and also a little open-ended. I didn’t love the main character. I feel like there was no redemption for her behaviors until the last few pages. I hated the leading the reader on with a possible future and then it not being that at all and instead being terrible. And my favorite character died. I felt down-trodden after finishing this book.
I feel like I put it in the time - invested - in these characters and there was no payout.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Terrible ending, SAD and also a little open-ended. I didn’t love the main character. I feel like there was no redemption for her behaviors until the last few pages. I hated the leading the reader on with a possible future and then it not being that at all and instead being terrible. And my favorite character died. I felt down-trodden after finishing this book.
I feel like I put it in the time - invested - in these characters and there was no payout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, and Cannibalism
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
I finished this book while being kept awake by a migraine, and I still haven’t slept yet (it’s been 37ish hours), so maybe I’ll have more coherent thoughts later.
It was rough to get into. There was more trauma than I was expecting, however I don’t feel like it’s overly explicit about it. I was also having a hard time with it because of the political climate in the country right now. I think at points it was helping me process my feelings and at other points it just aided in my spiraling.
Overall, it’s a wonderfully written book. I laughed out loud at times, cried at others, and even said a sarcastic comment at a couple points. Going in, I was trying to explain to my friends that the main character is a trans woman struggling to feel worthy enough to exist, there’s a woman that sells souls to a demon, and there’s a woman that started a bakery to escape a war in the galactic empire. It’s such a zany combination! But really it’s a book about found family. And I enjoyed it immensely.
It was rough to get into. There was more trauma than I was expecting, however I don’t feel like it’s overly explicit about it. I was also having a hard time with it because of the political climate in the country right now. I think at points it was helping me process my feelings and at other points it just aided in my spiraling.
Overall, it’s a wonderfully written book. I laughed out loud at times, cried at others, and even said a sarcastic comment at a couple points. Going in, I was trying to explain to my friends that the main character is a trans woman struggling to feel worthy enough to exist, there’s a woman that sells souls to a demon, and there’s a woman that started a bakery to escape a war in the galactic empire. It’s such a zany combination! But really it’s a book about found family. And I enjoyed it immensely.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Such an emotional book. Cried multiple times. Made me very reflective. It’s such a gut-wrenching book. It tackles depression, alcoholism, suicidal ideation, physical and emotional abuse, social awkwardness, and loneliness. I got anxiety during this book as if I was the one that had just accidentally hurt someone’s feelings.
I love the main guy in the book, he reminded me of Chris O’Dowd.
During parts of this book, I really didn’t like the main character. She does grow, though.
I don’t know if I’ll ever want to read this again. It was so anxiety-inducing that I couldn’t sleep last night. I just felt like I couldn’t put it down until there was some resolution.
I love the main guy in the book, he reminded me of Chris O’Dowd.
During parts of this book, I really didn’t like the main character. She does grow, though.
I don’t know if I’ll ever want to read this again. It was so anxiety-inducing that I couldn’t sleep last night. I just felt like I couldn’t put it down until there was some resolution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
Minor: Death of parent