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curiouser_books's reviews
136 reviews
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Is this Hunger Games fanfiction?
Actual stars: 3
Format: audio, libro.fm
What I liked: The pull between the main characters is undeniable and their flirty banter is so fun to read. I think that is what kept me turning pages (well I was listening, but you know what I mean).
What I didn't like: The book is corny. All the feelings are tell, not show. It is doing too much. It hints at a love triangle, but there isn't one. The whole story the characters are just along for the ride. The ride looks terrible, but they aren't fighting too hard against it.
Did I enjoy it? Yes. Was it a good book? No.
Who I'm recommending this to: Teens who love dystopian novels like The Hunger Games and Red Queen and want more of that "romantasy" feeling will like this one.
Actual stars: 3
Format: audio, libro.fm
What I liked: The pull between the main characters is undeniable and their flirty banter is so fun to read. I think that is what kept me turning pages (well I was listening, but you know what I mean).
What I didn't like: The book is corny. All the feelings are tell, not show. It is doing too much. It hints at a love triangle, but there isn't one. The whole story the characters are just along for the ride. The ride looks terrible, but they aren't fighting too hard against it.
Did I enjoy it? Yes. Was it a good book? No.
Who I'm recommending this to: Teens who love dystopian novels like The Hunger Games and Red Queen and want more of that "romantasy" feeling will like this one.
The Fixer Upper by Phoebe MacLeod
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
What happens when a book has no plot beyond romance but it doesn't start until 40% of the way in?
Actual stars: 2.50
Format: audio, libro.fm
What I liked: I liked the character of Callum from the moment we met him.
What I didn't like: My two main issues were that there isn't much plot for the first 40% of the book because you KNOW you are just waiting for her to breakup with her boyfriend. My second issue is that the title makes ZERO sense because it is a gorgeous apartment (and if it is referring to Callum it still doesn't make sense because not being outgoing isn't a problem for people to fix.
Also the instant love between her BFF and his BFF gave me so much secondhand embarrassment I wasn't sure I could finish it.
Who I'm recommending this to: Honestly, I'm not recommending this one to people. It was fine, but there are so many better romances out there.
Actual stars: 2.50
Format: audio, libro.fm
What I liked: I liked the character of Callum from the moment we met him.
What I didn't like: My two main issues were that there isn't much plot for the first 40% of the book because you KNOW you are just waiting for her to breakup with her boyfriend. My second issue is that the title makes ZERO sense because it is a gorgeous apartment (and if it is referring to Callum it still doesn't make sense because not being outgoing isn't a problem for people to fix.
Also the instant love between her BFF and his BFF gave me so much secondhand embarrassment I wasn't sure I could finish it.
Who I'm recommending this to: Honestly, I'm not recommending this one to people. It was fine, but there are so many better romances out there.
The Book of Love by Kelly Link
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Consider me utterly baffled by the reviews for this one. Did we not read the same book?
Actual stars: 5
Format: audio, libro.fm
What I liked: I love a good character and this book is packed full of them. Their development and ability to stand apart from each other is fascinating. This book is dense and if you aren't paying attention, you're for sure missing the best details I think. I took me over a week to finish it (which is long for me) because you just can't read it fast. I loved seeing these characters get dropped back into their lives and have to not only figure out how to exist in the world again but also reconcile everything with this impossible task of discovering magic.
What I didn't like: I really enjoyed this. It is dense. It is slow-moving. It is not plot-based. I did have to re-read the ending (and suddenly the whole title makes sense).
Who I'm recommending this to: If you loved "The Starless Sea" this is a good choice for you.
Actual stars: 5
Format: audio, libro.fm
What I liked: I love a good character and this book is packed full of them. Their development and ability to stand apart from each other is fascinating. This book is dense and if you aren't paying attention, you're for sure missing the best details I think. I took me over a week to finish it (which is long for me) because you just can't read it fast. I loved seeing these characters get dropped back into their lives and have to not only figure out how to exist in the world again but also reconcile everything with this impossible task of discovering magic.
What I didn't like: I really enjoyed this. It is dense. It is slow-moving. It is not plot-based. I did have to re-read the ending (and suddenly the whole title makes sense).
Who I'm recommending this to: If you loved "The Starless Sea" this is a good choice for you.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I WANTED to love this. I really wanted to love it.
Format: physical ARC
The Good: The premise is fascinating.
The Bad: It is too realistic. The people behaved exactly the way I expected them to. Which I hated. People in books should be more brave. More passionate. MORE something.
Format: physical ARC
The Good: The premise is fascinating.
The Bad: It is too realistic. The people behaved exactly the way I expected them to. Which I hated. People in books should be more brave. More passionate. MORE something.
The Fortune Seller by Rachel Kapelke-Dale
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This one is going to stick with me
Actual stars: 5
Format: audio, libro.fm
What I liked: This book requires you to slow down to enjoy it. I do love when a book does that. For the first bit I felt like I was waiting for the story to begin, but then I realized that this is the story and it was amazing. Rosie was amazing from the first moment. Annaliese was exactly the kind of character I want all books to have. Ugh, I don't know what to say without giving away too much. This story is the characters and these characters are 100% worth reading.
What I didn't like: I got nothing. I loved this.
Who I'm recommending this to: The people who like my favorites - Stiefvater and Morgenstern. Also people who like characters and a good, slow story.
Actual stars: 5
Format: audio, libro.fm
What I liked: This book requires you to slow down to enjoy it. I do love when a book does that. For the first bit I felt like I was waiting for the story to begin, but then I realized that this is the story and it was amazing. Rosie was amazing from the first moment. Annaliese was exactly the kind of character I want all books to have. Ugh, I don't know what to say without giving away too much. This story is the characters and these characters are 100% worth reading.
What I didn't like: I got nothing. I loved this.
Who I'm recommending this to: The people who like my favorites - Stiefvater and Morgenstern. Also people who like characters and a good, slow story.
Betting On You by Lynn Painter
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
CUTE! I'm having a YA Romance moment
Actual stars: four
Format: physical
What I liked: I REALLY liked both characters from the first moment. They were both a little too hard on each other, but the spark was there from the airport. I liked the glimpses of them throughout high school until we landed in senior year and then things started coming together. There is some miscommunication here, but I really liked how easily the character moved past it. It was kind of a nothing issue and they handled it better than adult miscommunication tropes.
I think the story is really relatable as the characters initially bond over their parent's mutual divorces (also, thank you Painter for not having their parents get into a relationship because that is so uncomfortable).
What I didn't like: there isn't much in here that I didn't like. I felt like the characters were cute and relatable. The story isn't deep, but no one is reading this looking for great literature.
Who I'm recommending this to: teens who are looking for their next favorite romance and even adults who like romance that isn't spicy. The banter here is good enough for adults to enjoy too.
Actual stars: four
Format: physical
What I liked: I REALLY liked both characters from the first moment. They were both a little too hard on each other, but the spark was there from the airport. I liked the glimpses of them throughout high school until we landed in senior year and then things started coming together. There is some miscommunication here, but I really liked how easily the character moved past it. It was kind of a nothing issue and they handled it better than adult miscommunication tropes.
I think the story is really relatable as the characters initially bond over their parent's mutual divorces (also, thank you Painter for not having their parents get into a relationship because that is so uncomfortable).
What I didn't like: there isn't much in here that I didn't like. I felt like the characters were cute and relatable. The story isn't deep, but no one is reading this looking for great literature.
Who I'm recommending this to: teens who are looking for their next favorite romance and even adults who like romance that isn't spicy. The banter here is good enough for adults to enjoy too.
The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Sometimes you don't connect to a story.
Actual stars: the book itself? four stars. personal enjoyability? 2.5 stars.
Format: audio, Libro.fm
Thoughts: I'm guessing that most of my friends are going to love this book, but from the first moment I just couldn't connect. I think I have an aversion to historical fiction set in the 1900s. I don't mind older things, I don't mind things set 1980s forward, but anything set around a war I really struggle with.
All I could think was if this had been set in 1800 I would have loved it, it if was in a fictional world I would have loved it, it it were set in the future ... well you get it.
In the end, the reason I didn't like it is ME and has nothing to do with how great the book is. I liked the story, the time period just isn't something I like.
Actual stars: the book itself? four stars. personal enjoyability? 2.5 stars.
Format: audio, Libro.fm
Thoughts: I'm guessing that most of my friends are going to love this book, but from the first moment I just couldn't connect. I think I have an aversion to historical fiction set in the 1900s. I don't mind older things, I don't mind things set 1980s forward, but anything set around a war I really struggle with.
All I could think was if this had been set in 1800 I would have loved it, it if was in a fictional world I would have loved it, it it were set in the future ... well you get it.
In the end, the reason I didn't like it is ME and has nothing to do with how great the book is. I liked the story, the time period just isn't something I like.
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.25
Perfect palette cleanser
Actual stars: 4.25
Format: Audio, Libro.fm
What I loved: The characters grabbed me from the opening. There was no "getting into the book" and this is what I love about YA, you don't have to "earn" the book, it gives right from page one. I loved these characters, they were likable and relatable while not being cringy. I also loved the chess element. Reminded me of The Queen's Gambit without the trauma. So much banter, it was so good.
What I didn't love: This reads more like New Adult than YA. It was the Indie Kids pick ... but I'm not handing this to a 13 year old. The talk of sex was comfortable (but never graphic) which makes me hesitate to hand it to a younger teen. That was what I was thinking about while reading, what teens am I handing this to?
Who I'm recommending this to: Romance readers who want less spice, but all the tension. The banter in this is kinda perfect. It's also a quick read, I listened in an afternoon, so people who aren't practiced readers will love it too.
Actual stars: 4.25
Format: Audio, Libro.fm
What I loved: The characters grabbed me from the opening. There was no "getting into the book" and this is what I love about YA, you don't have to "earn" the book, it gives right from page one. I loved these characters, they were likable and relatable while not being cringy. I also loved the chess element. Reminded me of The Queen's Gambit without the trauma. So much banter, it was so good.
What I didn't love: This reads more like New Adult than YA. It was the Indie Kids pick ... but I'm not handing this to a 13 year old. The talk of sex was comfortable (but never graphic) which makes me hesitate to hand it to a younger teen. That was what I was thinking about while reading, what teens am I handing this to?
Who I'm recommending this to: Romance readers who want less spice, but all the tension. The banter in this is kinda perfect. It's also a quick read, I listened in an afternoon, so people who aren't practiced readers will love it too.
Only If You're Lucky by Stacy Willingham
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Meh, I think I'm burnt out on thrillers.
Actual stars: 2.75
Format: Audio, Libro.fm
What I loved: I liked the school setting, missing a friend, the questioning and similarities of a previous life or previous people or previous situations.
What I didn't love: I didn't connect with Margot and this reads more YA than adult to me.
Who I'm recommending this to: I think older YA readers will like this as maybe a "new adult" stepping stone into adult thrillers.
Actual stars: 2.75
Format: Audio, Libro.fm
What I loved: I liked the school setting, missing a friend, the questioning and similarities of a previous life or previous people or previous situations.
What I didn't love: I didn't connect with Margot and this reads more YA than adult to me.
Who I'm recommending this to: I think older YA readers will like this as maybe a "new adult" stepping stone into adult thrillers.
A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I wanted more.
Actual stars: 3.25
Format: Audio, Libro.fm
What I loved: I mean, we are all reading this story for Jacks. I wanted him to have the ending he deserved and that is what this book provided. I just wanted it in a more developed way.
What I didn't love: I didn't love the switch to a new reader for the parts of Jacks and Apollo. The first two books were read by a single narrator and I didn't feel like the new voice fit the roll of Jacks. The reader sounded a little too old to "play the part" and I liked how Rebecca Soler had done his parts before.
I also felt like there wasn't enough emotional tension for this book. It could have been a novella, or something else could have happened. It was just a couple of plot points that brought us to our happy ending. I expected a happy ending, that is what the whole series is about, but I wanted more story.
Who I'm recommending this to: Anyone who loves fun, fluffy, YA romantasy will like this series. As long as you aren't in it for a complex plot, these are a sweet read.
Actual stars: 3.25
Format: Audio, Libro.fm
What I loved: I mean, we are all reading this story for Jacks. I wanted him to have the ending he deserved and that is what this book provided. I just wanted it in a more developed way.
What I didn't love: I didn't love the switch to a new reader for the parts of Jacks and Apollo. The first two books were read by a single narrator and I didn't feel like the new voice fit the roll of Jacks. The reader sounded a little too old to "play the part" and I liked how Rebecca Soler had done his parts before.
I also felt like there wasn't enough emotional tension for this book. It could have been a novella, or something else could have happened. It was just a couple of plot points that brought us to our happy ending. I expected a happy ending, that is what the whole series is about, but I wanted more story.
Who I'm recommending this to: Anyone who loves fun, fluffy, YA romantasy will like this series. As long as you aren't in it for a complex plot, these are a sweet read.