ddnreads's reviews
404 reviews

I love this kind of book. Told in beautiful verses, The Lightning Circle is a soft coming of age story of girls in a summer camp. I wish I had one. As we flipped the pages, we got to know each camp better and resonate with them. It's a found family at its core. I love how these girls found home in eachother. I love how they perfectly safe and sound in the environment. If you've never been to Summer camp, this book might just convinced you to take a shot. I love how it was written. The verses are beautiful ❤️

The premise was very promising, and the book turned out to be beautifully written. 

It started with dual POV and dual timeline (which I don't mind). We're introduced to Verity, a historian who focused on women's contribution in medieval era.

I enjoy the dual POV so much especially diving into Beatrice's mind thousands years ago. 

I admitted that the book is well researched. However, some ppl might not enjoy the info dumping (I don't mind).

The pace is quite inconsistent to my liking.

If the premise suits your taste, give it a go.

I LOVE IT I FINISHED IT IN ONE DAY!!!
I didn't realise I would enjoy it as much as I felt right now. The story telling flew effortlessly and it was very heartwarming 🥺🥺🥺 there are lessons on everyone's journey.

So, this book has 5 chapter. Each chapter has different pov BUT they connect one way or another. As an acquittance, friends, ex co workers, etc. What makes it more beautiful is that ALL OF THEM WENT TO THE LIBRARY AND THE SUBTLE LIFE CHANGING THEY EXPERIENCE IS PRICELESS.

I adore how the author manage to get me hooked from the 5 diff povs. We're seeing from the first person pov on every chapter. The distinctive characterization was clear. They all have solid personality. It got me care for them and happy once they get a betterment in any form.

As a 25+ reader, this slice of life book hits too close to home. I reflect soooo many things from these characters. It talked about works and dreams, and it opened a vast hopeful opportunity to still "live" your life as you grow older. Do not let age limit what you want and can do. 

I'm not even 30, but I feel old already. I get anxious easily about the future and what if I can settle down the way other people are able to achieve. What if my work is not enough for me to live the old age. Not to mention the age limit to apply for a new job in my country in very very young (mostly 27yo). When I say this book is an eye opening, I'm not exaggerating. It warms me to be able to reflect that life goes on, and the playground is big. When you're forty, it could be you're about to start 💞🫶🏽

I love it so much!!!
I love the English translation, too. Turn out the translator is the same of Sweet Bean Paste (which I also happen to like)!!!

I like the first 25% of the book. It was SOOOO atmospheric and magical. A romantasy at its core. I love the world building. The characterization is quite solid as it unfold the background of each throughout the book.

However, since there's only one pov, Eva, I got frustrated a lot nearing the end of the book 😞
She was just so naive and indecisive. I can't really connect with her idea of love of how she loves the idea of loving itself (?)
She trusted the wrong person all the time even if it's crystal clear what she should and shouldn't do. The magic system is unclear and oversimplified (with the potion and spells. U don't have to really master anything to do it)
I can't stand her. I said what I said. 

If you're not familiar with fantasy, and would love to try reading one, this book is a perfect choice.

If you're into romance but you want it to be fantastical and whimsical, this one is highly recommended.

It's a romantasy at its core. Ball gowns, pretty girls and boys, simple magic system, princess, princes, kings, queens, kingdoms and exaggeratetion of love.

Give it a go if it suits your taste.

This is a love letter to Kathy's younger self. I have so much feelings rn after finishing this book. I love how the things she wrote make it true to the future (never beat an Asian mom).

I wanted to hug 11yo Kathy, Idk I feel sad for her 😭 I understand her loneliness. This is a book about fitting in, be honest with your younger self even though it's hard. It made me realize that no family is perfect either:"

THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (Jennie lives her American dream yay, and sorry about your dad:") AND THE PICTURES ARE SOOOO PRECIOUS 💞💞

I LOVE IT. I love it when the main character is a clever, cunning, morally grey woman. I love it when they have platonic love. I love it when there are layers of antagonizing colonialization and tackling one or two real life issues with the power houses. I love it when they have slow burn romance as the subplot (with other characters). It's a well-written fantasy of heist and found family.
Everyone has their own background and the main 5 characters are lovable, and the world building is nicely described. I need to visit Spindrift and order a cup or two. Yes, the writing is (typical Hafsah) very atmospheric.

The story plot itself is very gripping. From start to finish, layers upon layers of alibis and plot twists:))))
(I kinda need book 2 right now!!!)

This is a story about a society of thugs, aristocrat, and vampires running a country.  It's a fight against powerhouse to keep on living from what they've built bricks to bricks. 5 creatures who didn't really trust one another securing an important evidence of savagery acts. It bleeds betrayal and tricks. 

Heard that this book sit on B&N an WS front page? Well deserved indeed👌

It makes me want to re-read Sands of Arawiya duology :)))
And NO you don't have to read Sand of Arawiya first before diving into this story, but I bet you would want to read Sands of Arawiya duology after reading this 🥰🥰🥰

If you love beautiful writing with anti-hero main characters, clever plot, and Six of Crows, go read this book!!!!!!!

I love it so muchhh😭🫶🏽 The art style, the colours, the concept. I learn a lot about elephants and I think they're massively impressive. I just know that they have such a rich community 🥺 I love it I love it

I love it. It offered a perfect combination of action and pace. It didn't let you sleep. 

The characters are well written. They have significant trait that's make it bearable throughout the story. A pinch of jokes and sassines here and there. OH THE EMPRESS. I love it when woman right, but I like it even more when woman wrong. Clever, sadistic, and ten steps ahead. AND THE PRINCE HIMBO!!!! 🐣🐣🐣

Go pick up this book if you like an alternate universe of Tang dynasty, dead bodies come to life, PLOT TWIST, gripping story telling, kingdom political intrigue, with thick lines of sibling love and romance. Historical trivias here and there. Highly recommended!!!

I LOVE IT WITH MY WHOLE ORGANS
This book is for every PARCABETH Stan out there!!!
I love it soooo soooooo muchhhh
When Percy got to do mundane things and being extremely sarcastic about it 
Percy got to spend a normal dinner
Percy to get closer to his family
Percy being bucin to Annabeth 

POOR KIKI!!!!
OVERALL I LOVE IT

High school romance is definitely my jam. BUT high school romance in JAKARTA?! sign me up!!!

I love how this book managed to wove online gaming sexism, cyber bullying, school bullying, and mysoginistic into a still sweet tender love story. A story of becoming a woman. Of becoming unapologetically YOU. Of a girl stands up on herself and managed to find courage with her friends. 

F*** the racist mysoginistic school that only want to SAVE FACE among other bullying problems. Sadly, it happened a lot in Indonesia, and it reflected clearly here. I love love how Kiki finally take "revenge" on this.

Oh my sweet green flag boy🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽
Hope u rot in hell for those red flags boys yikes

If you're into gaming, high school romance, friends to lovers, and problematic school, give this book a go!!! 💖💖💖💖

Ps. It's a standalone book. However, if you have read Well That Was Unexpected, you'll find one or two familiar names here. EVEN IF YOI HAVEN'T (bcs I haven't too), it's okay. The story is still very much understandable and enjoyable.