ddnreads's reviews
404 reviews

I was so excited with all the marketings, cover, and timeline at the front of this book. However, the reading experience itself is such a let down.

I can't stand the FMC. She's far too naive and gullible. The MMC didn't impressive at all and there's no chemistry between them.

The history has a potential to be better written and make it more exciting. The whole vibe is flat and gloomy and I don't like to be in Inez's head much longer.

There are a lot of plot twists which for me personally, didn't work out. The sacrifice in the end was unnecessary and despite everything they've been through, come in just passing in the end.

Idk I don't understand the author's stand does it mean the characters in this story are another visitors digging up Egypt's rich history and jeweleries??? If indeed the author is with the Egyptians, it would be much better to include native Egyptians in the books, and I don't vibe with the book revolving Egypt mythology without Egyptian characters.

Oh, and the magic system!!!! It could be better written bcs it started off good but didn't really useful when needed in the crucial time.

The only thing I like is how Inez is excellent at drawing.

If you're into character driven story started in Egypt laced with murder mystery and plot twist, with a smallest hint of magic and strangers to lovers romance, you might want to give this book a go.

And please don't buy from Wednesday Books. We're still doing SMP boycott~ thankyou for the arc 

My heart ache for Nahr and Bilal 🥺🥺
But this book is much more than the love story of Nahr and Bilal (eventhough their love is extraordinarily tender and healing). 

Unputdownable and sharp, Against the Loveless World told a life of a woman who tried to find her way among the generational trauma of colonialism, refugee, and occupation. 

I love how the characters are flawed. How bare and jarring they told their lives. I love the raw honesty, the swearing, the curses.

This is a feminist book in its own way. 

I wept for the love mothers share. Their toughness through the worst of conditions. They're the real world's strongest soldiers. 

America is A Zoo is a sharp satirical literary fiction mirroring the debauchery of United States. In short, under a secret operation, a special chemical turn the govt officials into animals. It personified each person with different animal and lead the country into progressive change.  The politicians, combined with their beastly desires, delivered their sins one by one.

As the page turned, we've got to see the background and significant figure behind the operation. This book tackled the bad stereotypes and terrorism narratives placed upon Muslim and Black people. 

Personally, I wouldn't say this book is a light read. It's that kind of food for thought and I think I need someone to discuss the content. Definitely not English beginning friendly. It will be much more compelling if you're following US political dynamics. I don't, but I get the whole message it tried to send through (I felt like it mirrored my own gov system lol)

The science was too good to be true, and sometimes I lost in the process of who's who. 

Bottom line, I know that this is a well researched book. Still enjoyable despite the heavy theme. 

The message was strong and well delivered.

What I don't really get is the self-insertion the author did . It didn't vibe well😅

If you like book about politic, secret operation agents, satirical work, give this book a go!!!!

Thank you Process Protocol LLC and netgalley for the arc. I had so much fun and can't wait to browse and dive further in America is a zoo dot com

First, I like the artsyle 👌
Second, I love COMING OF AGE STORY and this graphic novel delivered!!!!
The theme it discussed is super relatable. It didn't just about teengers willing to runaway to find the commune, this is actually what's corrupting in our society. Why do they have to demand us to do things as soon as possible. Why cant we just live???? I feel you Oli 🥺🫶🏽
It contained lots of quotable conversation. 

I love the friendship dynamics between Olivia, Milo and Alvin (but I'm still not sure about Liam and Mom. I actually would love to see more Olivia background in her family).

I wouldn't say this is a light book, however,  it's still super enjoyable 👌✨

Thankyou netgalley and Penguin Random House for the arc✨

I enjoyed it overall~ however, in terms of phrases and dictions I prefer the first book Ithaca. It doesn't as poetic 🥲 I have a bit of problem with the pace of this book. I found it quite dragging, and the end didn't really as I expected. However, it delved to the characters' thought better. We saw clearly all the behind the scenes of the decision and it was a good thing. I liked how Penelope and Elektra finally bound with each other. I would like it better if Penelope became more cunning and showed her ruling bolder.
If you finished with Ithaca, go definitely get this book. 
This is a long die review, thank you so much netgalley and Redhook books for the arc ✨

I LOVE IT. I'm no poetry master tapi aku cocok sama puisi-puisinya kak Norman 🥺 it speaks feelings to me. 
Sebenernya mostly isinya angst, but it's beautifully written. It's painful, and sad, and blue, and grey, and all the colours before the rain. 
I will sure look forward to his other works!!! Salah satu buku yg ga nyesel beli di semesta 🥺🫶🏽

Page turning bgt selesai sekali duduk. It was a well researched, well written book 🥹👌 bener sih, jarang ni nemu novel yg tokoh utamanya kerja di BMKG. Seru bgt banyak dapet trivia baru tentang per-cuacaan. Engga berasa info dumping. 

Penulisannya super smooth. Isu yang diangkat ga cuma ttg lingkungan dan perubahan iklim aja, tapi juga menyangkut masyarakat adat, pelecehan seksual, tambang illegal, dan sampe penyakit klinis. Semua isunya ngalir dan nyambung masuk ke cerita. I love it. Tulisannya sangat atmospheric. Tetap dikasih bumbu2 mistis when it was science after all. Dibikin pembacanya tu gamang antara masuk akal sama engga. 

Karakternya well written semua and I how they were made to be imperfect. The emotion and hatred toward Asa.....🤌🤌 Karakter developmentnya oke bgt si untuk semua org (but at what cost....) 😭🥹 isinya orgil semua
Tapi seneng karena in the end it fills the puzzle perfectly 🫶🏽

Ini buku pertama Kai Elian yang aku baca dan langsung suka!!!!
Will look forward to the other works!!! 

First, what drew me to this book is it's cover. I'm weak when it comes to gorgeous cover 🥺👌❤️ Then, I fall in love with the story. I enjoy the first 50% of the book so much!!!! The premise is very intriguing. It told a story about a heartsooth,  people who is able to heal or soothe the pain through the touch. What makes it interesting, the magic was combined with medical condition. We're talking about anatomy, nerve system, and tissues in our body. I found it uncanny and unique. I LOVE THE STORYTELLING SO MUCH🥺 Nikha, our main character, is believed that she's the last one of her kind. A lonewolf fighting grief and doing whatever she can to survive. The stakes went high when she was caught and someone offered her astronomical money to revive a comatose victim believed to be the last witness of the death of one of the most important public figure in the continent. She unfurled more than what she has ever expected. 

As a debut, this book is well researched and neatly written. The character is strong and I can feel her, emphtize with her. However, none of the other characters elicit the same excitement. It's not that they're not solid, I just happened to not be able really connect with anyone aside from Nikha. The fact that this book is told from her pov might influence how I saw other characters.

Now, what happened with the rest 50%? It's still enjoyable. However, it rellied heavily on the romance which I'm not a fan of in this story. It's not insalove but it sure felt like one. The way Nikha suddenly a lovey dovey girl is so out of character. As she said it to herself "Rationality be damned". I can't feel the chemistry of the people falling in love here. Idk. I think it could be told in a better smoother way.

The ending left me speechless like really 🥺🥺🥺 now you're playing with my heart (figuratively). Before the end END, I think it could be better written at how they deal with the culprit. 

It was less atmospheric from my liking. But it's a me problem. It can probably work for you 🫶🏽

Maps is always a + 😻

Overall, give this book a go. I finished it in only 2 days. It's page turning ❤️❤️❤️
If science fiction fantasy with the combination of traditionald and modern world building (a Bloodcarver practice in a automaton and robotic world), magic system dealing with medical condition is your time, pick up this book now.

Thank you so much for the arc netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing group for the unproofed advance reader copy. I had so much fun reading!!! 🧚

When I say I love children nonfiction, here's what I mean. It gave a comprehensive understanding on how money works covering all the essentials points (incl but not limited to saving, loans, debt, credit, etc). The things no one told me about it when I was a kid.
It adds another perspective that it's okay for children to start understanding about money. This is a first step towards being financially literate.
This book is a complete package: light, colorful, accurate and easily understandable.

Wtf did I just read it's so bizzare so unique never like anything I've read before. I don't hate this book and don't particularly love it either. It was far from being just a fine book. It's a finely made book but I don't know what to make of it. Contemplating of reading the sequel....