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ddnreads's reviews
404 reviews
Little Thieves by Margaret Owen
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.25
Cozy fantasy with romance sub plot!!! Grumpy sunshine at its best. Modern day witches who has to take care of 3 witches children.
It is light and entertaining. However, what I like the most is the subtlety at the end where everything unpacked. It has hints of mystery, unloading past trauma, and self acceptance as a poc background. A very nice read.
It is light and entertaining. However, what I like the most is the subtlety at the end where everything unpacked. It has hints of mystery, unloading past trauma, and self acceptance as a poc background. A very nice read.
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
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
5.0
WHY DIDN'T I READ IT SOONER??!!!
This is soooo goooood
A heist story but better.
Found family but better.
Dan Brown's typical book but better.
Elemental magic but better.
History trivia but better. (I love how the decoloniasation subtly found its way along the pages)
Unique distinctive characters who are diverse 👌
This book means a lot better to me than anything I've read in those genre. I'm obsessed
This is soooo goooood
A heist story but better.
Found family but better.
Dan Brown's typical book but better.
Elemental magic but better.
History trivia but better. (I love how the decoloniasation subtly found its way along the pages)
Unique distinctive characters who are diverse 👌
This book means a lot better to me than anything I've read in those genre. I'm obsessed
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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
*inhale*
AAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH
HUFT
😡🥺😫😫😫😫😭😭
"Did we make it?"
*insert smile through the pain meme*
The Stationary Shop is a romance laced with historical fiction set in Iran. Told through non-linear timeline, it revolved around the political condition at that time, young once-in-a-lifetime lovers, and difficult condition of one's family.
The story traced back the tangled love background history of a mother who affect the young lovers' path to the future.
I have my suspicion, but how it turned out still enraged me :((( I hate miscommunication trope. And I think they deserve better. At least the closure gave it justice 🥺
If you're into historical fiction romance with complicated family dynamic, the love of a mother and the lost of children, pick this book up and suffer with me.
AAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH
HUFT
😡🥺😫😫😫😫😭😭
*insert smile through the pain meme*
The Stationary Shop is a romance laced with historical fiction set in Iran. Told through non-linear timeline, it revolved around the political condition at that time, young once-in-a-lifetime lovers, and difficult condition of one's family.
The story traced back the tangled love background history of a mother who affect the young lovers' path to the future.
I have my suspicion, but how it turned out still enraged me :((( I hate miscommunication trope. And I think they deserve better. At least the closure gave it justice 🥺
If you're into historical fiction romance with complicated family dynamic, the love of a mother and the lost of children, pick this book up and suffer with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Classism
Minor: Gun violence
Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend by Katie Zhao
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
My friend said reading this book is like it's really written by a middle grader which is a good thing and I felt that!!!
Atmospheric and fast pace, Winnie Zeng is an enjoyable, and light reading. It started off very funny on how Winnie explained middle school through her eyes. It infused with academic rival dynamic turned team mate, turn friends, and dealing with Chinese legend spirit who roamed the earth and the cause of the troubles recently. Finding that she is a shaman, Winnie fought her away against evil spirits using MOON CAKES!!! and a COOKBOOK!!!
It also dwells in how her family of Chinese American strive. Straight As, piano lessons, feeling never good enough and being compared to, and facing the bully when she brought Chinese food for lunch. It's reflective in a way. Whether to prioritize saving a lot of people, or prove yourself to make the people closest to you proud.
All and all, the only reason I didn't give it a 5⭐ is bcs some sentences were repetitive and don't have to be emphasized that much. Other that that, It's a great great middle grade book!!!!
Pssst It's also an English beginner friendly book 😍😍
Atmospheric and fast pace, Winnie Zeng is an enjoyable, and light reading. It started off very funny on how Winnie explained middle school through her eyes. It infused with academic rival dynamic turned team mate, turn friends, and dealing with Chinese legend spirit who roamed the earth and the cause of the troubles recently. Finding that she is a shaman, Winnie fought her away against evil spirits using MOON CAKES!!! and a COOKBOOK!!!
It also dwells in how her family of Chinese American strive. Straight As, piano lessons, feeling never good enough and being compared to, and facing the bully when she brought Chinese food for lunch. It's reflective in a way. Whether to prioritize saving a lot of people, or prove yourself to make the people closest to you proud.
All and all, the only reason I didn't give it a 5⭐ is bcs some sentences were repetitive and don't have to be emphasized that much. Other that that, It's a great great middle grade book!!!!
Pssst It's also an English beginner friendly book 😍😍
Gender Is Really Strange by Teddy G. Goetz
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
A beginner friendly guide to understand gender. Definition, brief history, distinction from other terms, THE TERMS used, along with biological & social factors.
Attractively informative, Gender is Really Strange is a highly recommended read 💙❤️💚💛💜
Attractively informative, Gender is Really Strange is a highly recommended read 💙❤️💚💛💜
The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan
adventurous
challenging
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My first rereading!!!! Really ppl shouldn't sleep on this series. It's just as funny and the audacity of Apollo is beyond comprehension 😭🤣🤣🤣🤣
This is where TSaTS takes me~ bcs I can't get enough of just one book
This is where TSaTS takes me~ bcs I can't get enough of just one book
Rebel Girls Level Up: 25 Tales of Women in Gaming and Tech by Rebel Girls
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
3.5
Debunking that gaming world is for men only or video games default is men's interest.
These 25 tales were inspirational. It literally starts from what you love. You can make a world out of playing game. How more interesting could it be?!!!
I love how Rebel girls keep it diverse. Wide range of age, background, positions. You may see yourself in one or two of them 🫶🏽
I read the illustration note and a bit sad to find out the use of AI illustration. The "people creativity behind" is the arts stolen from artists all over the world to be put as references without their consent. Please keep using talented illustrators. Would love to not see any AI illustrations anymore 🥺
These 25 tales were inspirational. It literally starts from what you love. You can make a world out of playing game. How more interesting could it be?!!!
I love how Rebel girls keep it diverse. Wide range of age, background, positions. You may see yourself in one or two of them 🫶🏽
I read the illustration note and a bit sad to find out the use of AI illustration. The "people creativity behind" is the arts stolen from artists all over the world to be put as references without their consent. Please keep using talented illustrators. Would love to not see any AI illustrations anymore 🥺
Notes to Share: Inspiring Tear-Out Messages for Every Bag, Backpack, and Lunchbox by Rebel Girls
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
A heartwarming notes to pass on accompanied by interesting fun facts, cool quotes, and giggling pun jokes.
You're given space to write your own ideas!!!! This is a nice friendship starter pack (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤
You're given space to write your own ideas!!!! This is a nice friendship starter pack (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤
Boundless: Twenty Voices Celebrating Multicultural and Multiracial Identities by Ismée Williams, Rebecca Balcárcel
I feel this on a personal level. I live in a very diverse, very rich with cultures and ethnicites country where it's common for us to be a halfie. I may not get those racism or out of place at times but I understand deeply how it feels.
To be decent enough for both but never mastering them. Learning different local languages. Not Javanese enough, not Bugis enough. Having to explain to people my family background. It's confusing and often meddled with unpleasant stretotyping.
This book opened a lot of struggles experienced by children of multicultural background. Mostly, they don't have it easy. As heartwarming as it could be, there are tries, and hopes here. And I guess lessons for everyone to remember.
I enjoy this beautiful work. My top 3 stories goes to:
- Hispanics Jewish Bingo by Goldy Moldavsky
(I WAS SO HOOKED WITH THE STORY. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'LL HAPPEN NEXT TO JAVIER AND AMALIA'S LIFE.)
- Irish Soda Bread by Eric Smith (I got so hooked bcs the plot went so smoothly. And I'm a teacher. So yeah)
- CONFESSION by Erin Entrada Kelly
(We love a badass who punch someone in the face for being a bully, and a racist)
Honourable mention:
- A halfie's Guide to Mexican Restaurant
- Invisibility
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
"...halving something could make it more intead of less." - From Effing Nico by Randy Ribay
I feel this on a personal level. I live in a very diverse, very rich with cultures and ethnicites country where it's common for us to be a halfie. I may not get those racism or out of place at times but I understand deeply how it feels.
To be decent enough for both but never mastering them. Learning different local languages. Not Javanese enough, not Bugis enough. Having to explain to people my family background. It's confusing and often meddled with unpleasant stretotyping.
This book opened a lot of struggles experienced by children of multicultural background. Mostly, they don't have it easy. As heartwarming as it could be, there are tries, and hopes here. And I guess lessons for everyone to remember.
I enjoy this beautiful work. My top 3 stories goes to:
- Hispanics Jewish Bingo by Goldy Moldavsky
(I WAS SO HOOKED WITH THE STORY. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'LL HAPPEN NEXT TO JAVIER AND AMALIA'S LIFE.)
- Irish Soda Bread by Eric Smith (I got so hooked bcs the plot went so smoothly. And I'm a teacher. So yeah)
- CONFESSION by Erin Entrada Kelly
(We love a badass who punch someone in the face for being a bully, and a racist)
Honourable mention:
- A halfie's Guide to Mexican Restaurant
- Invisibility
"You’re not a mash-up or a crash-up or a mix-up. You’re not parts. You’re a whole. Not a spark, but a fire . You’re not a piece of perfection, but the whole dang enchilada. You are one molten glow, girl, light indivisible."