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ddnreads's reviews
410 reviews
The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Wow that was a lot to take in. 3,5โญ rounded up. The House of Doors is a novel that managed to capture the rollercoaster marriage drama, sexuality, murder, revolution, historical trivias in a back and forth timeline in 1920s Penang.
Honestly, I didn't know anything about the background in this book. This is the first work of Tan Twan Eng that I've read. I never read nor familiar with William Somerset Maugham's work ๐ฌ in short, this kind of story is out of my comfort zone.
Even without knowing the background, I found this enjoyable. Born and raised in Indonesia, there are a lot of familiarities which make the story easier to gulp. It's kinda too slow-paced for me, but the writing is exquisitely neat and even I can see it was well researched. It was also very atmospheric. It captured the sentiments very well. The discrimination, the judgement of homosexuality, the white woman trial, the commentary on women empowerment. Seeing in from our FMC 1st pov, Lesley, made it even better. The characters were also well written with their train of thoughts.
Thank you comment section for the historical trivias!! Im impressed with how this was written based on some true events with its own twists and changes. I can see how people are loving this story.
Thanks so much netgalley and Canongate publisher for the arc in exchange for honest reviewโจ
Honestly, I didn't know anything about the background in this book. This is the first work of Tan Twan Eng that I've read. I never read nor familiar with William Somerset Maugham's work ๐ฌ in short, this kind of story is out of my comfort zone.
Even without knowing the background, I found this enjoyable. Born and raised in Indonesia, there are a lot of familiarities which make the story easier to gulp. It's kinda too slow-paced for me, but the writing is exquisitely neat and even I can see it was well researched. It was also very atmospheric. It captured the sentiments very well. The discrimination, the judgement of homosexuality, the white woman trial, the commentary on women empowerment. Seeing in from our FMC 1st pov, Lesley, made it even better. The characters were also well written with their train of thoughts.
Thank you comment section for the historical trivias!! Im impressed with how this was written based on some true events with its own twists and changes. I can see how people are loving this story.
Thanks so much netgalley and Canongate publisher for the arc in exchange for honest reviewโจ
Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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? No
4.0
A solid 4 stars for a YA dystopian romance aka saphic hunger games!!!!
Finished this in 2 days only. The storyline is pretty gripping from the beggining. The action was quite well-packaged, and I always always love a strong siblings core๐๐พ the it laced with female rage undertone~
The romance is sweet, tender, but fiery at the same time๐ฅน it breaks me, healed me, and shattered me again
This book underlined the wealth gap pretty well. It has climate issues world-building minus the fire of revolution. If you managed to get the first few pages, the world building was okay to follow.
The characters were lively. I hate all the adults in this book (except prob for that one doctor). The parents deserved worst to be honest.
The dedication is cutie. And all the author's note claims were all there we can see it.
If made me wants to re-read THG and the fact that Sunrise at the Reaping will be launched soon ๐ฅน๐ฅน๐ฅน๐๐พ
Thanks so much for the publisher and netgalley for the arc in exchange for honest review โจ
Finished this in 2 days only. The storyline is pretty gripping from the beggining. The action was quite well-packaged, and I always always love a strong siblings core๐๐พ the it laced with female rage undertone~
The romance is sweet, tender, but fiery at the same time๐ฅน it breaks me, healed me, and shattered me again
This book underlined the wealth gap pretty well. It has climate issues world-building minus the fire of revolution. If you managed to get the first few pages, the world building was okay to follow.
The characters were lively. I hate all the adults in this book (except prob for that one doctor). The parents deserved worst to be honest.
The dedication is cutie. And all the author's note claims were all there we can see it.
If made me wants to re-read THG and the fact that Sunrise at the Reaping will be launched soon ๐ฅน๐ฅน๐ฅน๐๐พ
Thanks so much for the publisher and netgalley for the arc in exchange for honest review โจ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Vilest Things by Chloe Gong
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I finished this book in one sitting!! That said something~ in a way that the storyline is gripping enough, the pace is okay (they're wrecking havoc 30% in so yeah).
I feel like this book is finally underline the series' title (False God).
For me, Vilest Things is enjoyable in the matter of me turning off my critical thinking skills and receive whatever Chloe Gong throw my way throughout the plot.... (It's still all over the place, but page turning I guess)
I mean, yes we get this kind of magic system. We understood it from the prev book, only for it to be useless bcs there are so many exceptions. The plot armor..... A lot of things don't make sense. The author conveniently change the way of the magic as she saw fit. In the end it's about the chosen one and it makes the whole series less interesting for me.
And I think book one lost its importance. Vilest Things is very very different than Immortal Longing. Anton and Calla didn't have to go through the bloody games to be in this position for the second book to go through (?) the game itself is not necessarily crucial in the end.
Wondering how someone who's in coma for 7 years, wake up, and basically the strongest person there???? (Told ya if you're not muling over things too hard you may enjoy the book better. Don't question it).
This book has more medieval vibes with the crown that choose the leader kind of thing. Revolution and challenge the monarchy.
For an adult sff novel, I've seen better (in terms of writing, premise, and plot).
Oh, and I actually liked the characters dynamic. Chloe Gong strength ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ
If you're into SFF with kingdom intricts, unhinged FMC, toppling down monarch, laced with compli ated romance, and plot twists, give this series a go!!!
You can start by reading its first installment, Immortal Longing.
Thank you Sgaa Press and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for honest review.
I feel like this book is finally underline the series' title (False God).
For me, Vilest Things is enjoyable in the matter of me turning off my critical thinking skills and receive whatever Chloe Gong throw my way throughout the plot.... (It's still all over the place, but page turning I guess)
I mean, yes we get this kind of magic system. We understood it from the prev book, only for it to be useless bcs there are so many exceptions. The plot armor..... A lot of things don't make sense. The author conveniently change the way of the magic as she saw fit. In the end it's about the chosen one and it makes the whole series less interesting for me.
And I think book one lost its importance. Vilest Things is very very different than Immortal Longing. Anton and Calla didn't have to go through the bloody games to be in this position for the second book to go through (?) the game itself is not necessarily crucial in the end.
Wondering how someone who's in coma for 7 years, wake up, and basically the strongest person there???? (Told ya if you're not muling over things too hard you may enjoy the book better. Don't question it).
This book has more medieval vibes with the crown that choose the leader kind of thing. Revolution and challenge the monarchy.
For an adult sff novel, I've seen better (in terms of writing, premise, and plot).
Oh, and I actually liked the characters dynamic. Chloe Gong strength ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ
If you're into SFF with kingdom intricts, unhinged FMC, toppling down monarch, laced with compli ated romance, and plot twists, give this series a go!!!
You can start by reading its first installment, Immortal Longing.
Thank you Sgaa Press and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for honest review.
Mallory in Full Color by Elisa Stone Leahy
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.5
Mallory in Full Color is a coming of age story of a tween. Mallory is the eldest daughter of divorced parents in an Asian American household. She fits perfectly into a perfect daughter and a perfect friend category. She always wants to please everyone and she did with consequences of losing herself. But Mallory is more than what people saw through her easy-going and perfect daughter with perfect score facade. She created an on going online comics that goes viral. This is where her passion lays. To draw and color and make art and write. But no one knows it was her. When one thing leads to another, we saw how Mallory life turned upside down. How will she manage the current? Give this book a go if this is such a your cup of tea.
This is a complete queer friendly coming of age for middle grade readers. I really love the characters portrayal. She felt real and very specific, and sure relatable in a lot of household. This for everyone who loves to bottle up their feelings. For those burdened from being the eldest daughter. The people pleaser. It told a story of a family, friendship and queer community. I personally enjoy this a lot.
Thanks so much for the publisher and Netgalley for the arc in exchange of honest review.
This is a complete queer friendly coming of age for middle grade readers. I really love the characters portrayal. She felt real and very specific, and sure relatable in a lot of household. This for everyone who loves to bottle up their feelings. For those burdened from being the eldest daughter. The people pleaser. It told a story of a family, friendship and queer community. I personally enjoy this a lot.
Thanks so much for the publisher and Netgalley for the arc in exchange of honest review.
A Song For You And I by K. O'Neill
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.75
A light heartwarming story. Finished this in one sitting. The art-style and color palettes are sure eye-candies. It revolved around the values we take along the journey. Finding bravery to try again, acknowledge one's mistake and getting back to our purpose. To not lose ourselves. love it!!
If you're into graphic novel with coming of age heartwarming story, give it a go!!
Thanks so much publisher and netgalley for the arc in exchange for honest review.
If you're into graphic novel with coming of age heartwarming story, give it a go!!
Thanks so much publisher and netgalley for the arc in exchange for honest review.
Huda F Wants to Know? by Huda Fahmy
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Huda Fahmy did it again!!!
It has the balance of having heavy family issue wrapped in light-hearted iconic art style and sarcastic and funny expressions. Out of all Huda's stories, I feel like this is the heaviest one.
It is enjoyable and gentle. It revolved around mental health, and dealing with divorced parents and how people dealt with it. Second-ing all the parts which said in our community we don't address those kind of things enough.
However, with more people aware of the mental health issues nowadays, hopefully we can navigate life better and find help sooner!!!
Oh, and reading this during Ramadan is the cherry on top!
It has the balance of having heavy family issue wrapped in light-hearted iconic art style and sarcastic and funny expressions. Out of all Huda's stories, I feel like this is the heaviest one.
It is enjoyable and gentle. It revolved around mental health, and dealing with divorced parents and how people dealt with it. Second-ing all the parts which said in our community we don't address those kind of things enough.
However, with more people aware of the mental health issues nowadays, hopefully we can navigate life better and find help sooner!!!
Oh, and reading this during Ramadan is the cherry on top!
Your Letter by Hyeon A. Cho
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I love this. A light eye-pleasing graphic novel about friendship. It started off with something harsh, but turned out ti be something powerful and inspiring. I kinda want to read more about them.
Loving the art styles and colour combination!!! Oh, and the little twist at the end.
If you're into friendship, treasure hunt, and standing up for bullies, give it a go!!!
Loving the art styles and colour combination!!! Oh, and the little twist at the end.
If you're into friendship, treasure hunt, and standing up for bullies, give it a go!!!
Mama Needs a Minute!: A Candid, Funny, All-Too-Relatable Comic Memoir about Surviving Motherhood by Mary Catherine Starr
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
It was so good! Mama Needs a Minute is an unhinged work of art revolving around mother's struggles, the imbalance societal pressure on moms, navigating a marriage life as new parents.
This is gold. Im sure lots of women and mothers feel seen, and understood. The bravery to challenge the status quo, the willingness to make it better. It's all there. Very honest. No sugar coating. Still very much informativeness without being patronising.
Highly recommended for everyone who wants to have a child. Especially If you're a perfectionist and overthinker and easily anxious. This book helps a lot.
Thanks so much publisher and netgalley for the arc in exchange for honest review ๐ซถ๐พโจ
This is gold. Im sure lots of women and mothers feel seen, and understood. The bravery to challenge the status quo, the willingness to make it better. It's all there. Very honest. No sugar coating. Still very much informativeness without being patronising.
Highly recommended for everyone who wants to have a child. Especially If you're a perfectionist and overthinker and easily anxious. This book helps a lot.
Thanks so much publisher and netgalley for the arc in exchange for honest review ๐ซถ๐พโจ
A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
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? No
5.0
Best reading experience for me is gobbling down this book right after I finished The Tainted Cup. It's so enjoyable to see Din and Ana solving mysterious gruesome most unordinary crime in far away land. In this sequel, we were brought to Yarrowdale. A part of the Empire but not exactly part of the empire. It revolved around kings and natives and empire "experiment" with the leviathan's carcass.
I felt like Din is more colorful in this book. We see more other side of him including his background. And Ana!!!! Omg. The eccentric Ana is back with even more mind-bending problem solving. Not only that, it's her vulnerability also that stole the spotlight. I love their dynamics so much. And I love how they have a new lovable friend to the group.
Same as the previous book, it started of as a gruesome murder, led to clues and investigations. However, in this book the interviews are followed with more action and field-investigation which is nice!!! The focus is in the apoth. We see more of their wonders.
Then the scheme๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ the clues ar here and there along the way. The revelation is satisfying. I enjoy this so much.
Thanks so much Del Rey and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for honest review ๐ฉท
I felt like Din is more colorful in this book. We see more other side of him including his background. And Ana!!!! Omg. The eccentric Ana is back with even more mind-bending problem solving. Not only that, it's her vulnerability also that stole the spotlight. I love their dynamics so much. And I love how they have a new lovable friend to the group.
Same as the previous book, it started of as a gruesome murder, led to clues and investigations. However, in this book the interviews are followed with more action and field-investigation which is nice!!! The focus is in the apoth. We see more of their wonders.
Then the scheme๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ the clues ar here and there along the way. The revelation is satisfying. I enjoy this so much.
Thanks so much Del Rey and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for honest review ๐ฉท
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This is my least favourite story from Ali Hazelwood:( the couple didn't get me hooked and the years of pining and denial just didn't work for me.