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determinationss's reviews
55 reviews
Imagine Me by Tahereh Mafi
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I had so many expectations for this book. But honestly I’m at the point where I feel as if I should stop expecting greatness from Mafi. There are times where her books bring me such sweet emotion and glee, and there are times where I’m reading a chapter and just saying, “what the hell is the point of this”
I have. a few grievances, one being the fact that no “war” has lasted longer than two chapters in this entire series. Every conflict seems to be just another time waster in an attempt to give the series a cohesive plot. Which it doesn’t even work.
I loved the idea of Juliette’s secret identity and I loved the idea of her and project Synthesis. I hated however, how it was done after book #5. She goes through this entire journey of learning who she is and being confident in her new identity only for it to be wiped AGAIN. And then returned AGAIN 5 seconds after she gets to see Aaron again.
Another thing, Aaron and Kenji’s relationship just straight up pissed me off. There were moments where they had a brief sense of a brotherhood only for it to be taken AGAIN. It was one of the most frustrating things about the series not to mention Kent still being a character despite adding nothing to the story past book #2.
And, Juliette tells everyone that she wants to be Ella only to revoke that in this book because she “doesn’t want to give Anderson the power”?????
Let’s not forget the fact that Mafi made Ella fawn over Anderson? Was that not mildly concerning for anyone else? It was a severely unnecessary plot point that should’ve never been added.
Kenji and his relationship with (I don’t remember how to spell her name) Never went anywhere. Yet Aaron and Ella get books about their relationship but Kenji never even gets his own moment. Why have him be a narrator if he just gets discarded and only used as a way to talk about Ella? What’s the point in even having his pov?
I’m very disappointed in this ending, it was poorly executed and overall I’m sad that what I thought was going to be a new favorite series ended up being a dud.
I have. a few grievances, one being the fact that no “war” has lasted longer than two chapters in this entire series. Every conflict seems to be just another time waster in an attempt to give the series a cohesive plot. Which it doesn’t even work.
I loved the idea of Juliette’s secret identity and I loved the idea of her and project Synthesis. I hated however, how it was done after book #5. She goes through this entire journey of learning who she is and being confident in her new identity only for it to be wiped AGAIN. And then returned AGAIN 5 seconds after she gets to see Aaron again.
Another thing, Aaron and Kenji’s relationship just straight up pissed me off. There were moments where they had a brief sense of a brotherhood only for it to be taken AGAIN. It was one of the most frustrating things about the series not to mention Kent still being a character despite adding nothing to the story past book #2.
And, Juliette tells everyone that she wants to be Ella only to revoke that in this book because she “doesn’t want to give Anderson the power”?????
Let’s not forget the fact that Mafi made Ella fawn over Anderson? Was that not mildly concerning for anyone else? It was a severely unnecessary plot point that should’ve never been added.
Kenji and his relationship with (I don’t remember how to spell her name) Never went anywhere. Yet Aaron and Ella get books about their relationship but Kenji never even gets his own moment. Why have him be a narrator if he just gets discarded and only used as a way to talk about Ella? What’s the point in even having his pov?
I’m very disappointed in this ending, it was poorly executed and overall I’m sad that what I thought was going to be a new favorite series ended up being a dud.
Defy Me by Tahereh Mafi
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
The way that this book was written has made me cry and made me scream and also made me feel like the most powerful bitch on the planet. I don’t know how she changed her writing style so much between book four and this book but this one is my favorite of the series.
The back story of Ella??? 5 stars
The “she always comes back to him trope” ??? 5 stars
Kenji’s banter??? 5 Stars
Every Ella and Aaron Warner moment??? 5 stars
I’ve loved every single second of this book. Constant plot twists and constantly switching my emotions toward the characters. I have such an emotional attachment to Ella and Aaron’s relationship. Ella’s backstory is tragic and I cannot wait to see what happens in the finale of the series. I love these characters so much.
The back story of Ella??? 5 stars
The “she always comes back to him trope” ??? 5 stars
Kenji’s banter??? 5 Stars
Every Ella and Aaron Warner moment??? 5 stars
I’ve loved every single second of this book. Constant plot twists and constantly switching my emotions toward the characters. I have such an emotional attachment to Ella and Aaron’s relationship. Ella’s backstory is tragic and I cannot wait to see what happens in the finale of the series. I love these characters so much.
Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
THE ENDING?
Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
that was the shortest war i’ve ever seen in a fantasy book. wtf. i hate the separation trope but honestly i wish she had made the war longer and added a big plot twist at the end. the win felt way too easy.
Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.0
all i wanna do is makeout w aaron warner
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
it was good but not at all action packed, praying the next book isn’t as boring
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“It’s the beautiful moments like these that make up for the ugly love.”
Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Hang on, You’ll find your tribe.”
This book tells the story of Ryen and Misha with a twist, two long time pen pals who have no idea what one another look like. They live in neighboring towns but never cross paths, until one fateful night.
Other than the obvious, this romance novel takes the idea of the perfect female character and turns it on its head. Ryen is the poster child for the insecure popular girl who does whatever she can to be on top. She lies and bullies others to distract from her severe insecurities. One thing Douglas does well is her character development. Although I would have loved to see more of her redemption arc, I favored the way she wrote Ryen on her path to happiness.
Misha is the angry bad boy, who has a soft spot for only his girl Ryen. The lead singer in his band, who happens to squat at an abandoned amusement park underground. He goes from being an insufferable asshole to a genuine lover who embraces every flaw of Ryen. Even the insecurities.
This story is for anyone who has ever felt like the world is closing in. You’ll find your tribe one day. Just stick it out and live another day.
This book tells the story of Ryen and Misha with a twist, two long time pen pals who have no idea what one another look like. They live in neighboring towns but never cross paths, until one fateful night.
Other than the obvious, this romance novel takes the idea of the perfect female character and turns it on its head. Ryen is the poster child for the insecure popular girl who does whatever she can to be on top. She lies and bullies others to distract from her severe insecurities. One thing Douglas does well is her character development. Although I would have loved to see more of her redemption arc, I favored the way she wrote Ryen on her path to happiness.
Misha is the angry bad boy, who has a soft spot for only his girl Ryen. The lead singer in his band, who happens to squat at an abandoned amusement park underground. He goes from being an insufferable asshole to a genuine lover who embraces every flaw of Ryen. Even the insecurities.
This story is for anyone who has ever felt like the world is closing in. You’ll find your tribe one day. Just stick it out and live another day.
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
informative
reflective
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? Yes
2.0
this book made me want to die
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.75
this was a tragic love story told from the pov of a victim of domestic abuse by a loved one. this is one of the most heart wrenching books i have ever read and after reading it i am left with a feeling of such a deep nothingness that i’m recalculating my life.
it’s only a 4.75 because i wanted more time with atlas. other than that i loved this book
it’s only a 4.75 because i wanted more time with atlas. other than that i loved this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Blood, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Abandonment