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ellenisntcool's reviews
516 reviews
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I genuinely thought I was going to adore and obsess over this book, but I have finished it feeling pissed off and slightly betrayed by the reviews.
To start, these were not 25 year olds on a mission. They all felt like 17-18 year spoilt rich kids who fawn over their friend the coloniser king. I couldn’t keep track of who was who at the start as we were introduced to them all at once and found all of them to be pretty useless, especially Heike and Ludwig as if you removed those two the story would be no different! They’re only there as buffers for the ‘villains’.
One of my biggest issues is how weirdly pro-colonialism this story was. It was there to build ip the romance between Sylvia and Loreli but it felt extremely uncomfortable as it meant their people were going to suffer for the sake of them being together so they will be rivals to lovers (which was also done very poorly).
At the end we see those who were planning to rid the king to stop him from colonising even further be portrayed as the villains and punished for their heinous acts, like how DARE they not want their cultures to be erased! Let’s give the coloniser the power he wanted so he can bring us all together for his perfect unified world!!
A very big one star from me overall, would never read another book by Allison Saft.
One of my biggest issues is how weirdly pro-colonialism this story was. It was there to build ip the romance between Sylvia and Loreli but it felt extremely uncomfortable as it meant their people were going to suffer for the sake of them being together so they will be rivals to lovers (which was also done very poorly).
At the end we see those who were planning to rid the king to stop him from colonising even further be portrayed as the villains and punished for their heinous acts, like how DARE they not want their cultures to be erased! Let’s give the coloniser the power he wanted so he can bring us all together for his perfect unified world!!
A very big one star from me overall, would never read another book by Allison Saft.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Colonisation
Moderate: Bullying and Religious bigotry
The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
1.0
Hah, wow. My first and only Freida McFadden because wow, this was bad! So bad. If I didn’t listen to it via audio I would have dnf’d it and missed out on how awful Sydney is as a character.
Oh I will share some actual critiques! I didn’t like the slight fatphobia present and found it strange how it was the men who were perceived to be ugly that were the awful perverts and are rightfully shamed, whilst the tall muscular gorgeous man was allowed to be a complete weirdo and red flag because he is handsome and tall! Weird.
Oh I will share some actual critiques! I didn’t like the slight fatphobia present and found it strange how it was the men who were perceived to be ugly that were the awful perverts and are rightfully shamed, whilst the tall muscular gorgeous man was allowed to be a complete weirdo and red flag because he is handsome and tall! Weird.
Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book fucked me over emotionally. If I could I’d be starting book 3 right away but I sadly have to wait. But holy shit this is such a good series, everyone should read it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Blood, Grief, Outing, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Car accident, and Alcohol
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a spectacular read. I didn’t expect to come away from this book so heartbroken yet wanting more, I think Fredrick Backman is an amazing writer and this book proves it as the characters and the writing was superb.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Vomit
Minor: Homophobia
A Fisherman of the Inland Sea by Ursula K. Le Guin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
This just isn’t for me. I can’t make myself read more or else it’ll make my reading slump worse, so I’d rather DNF and pick something else up.
Januaries: Stories of Love, Magic & Betrayal by Olivie Blake
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
At first I had high hopes! But as I read more stories it felt like a very bumpy ride. Olivie Blake is a good writer, but at the same time it feels like she tries to be very quotable for Pinterest or journaling videos.
Low key, as I was typing up the ratings below I did forget most of the stories and what they were, so… I think that reflects my overall rating.
Overall Ratings:
Low key, as I was typing up the ratings below I did forget most of the stories and what they were, so… I think that reflects my overall rating.
Overall Ratings:
- The Wish Bridge ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- The Audit ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Sucker for Pain ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- The Animation Games ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
- The House ⭐️⭐️
- To Make a Man ⭐️⭐️
- Pre-existing Condition ⭐️
- Monsterlove ⭐️⭐️
- How to Dispel Friends and Curse People ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Fate and Consequences ⭐️
- Sous Vide ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Sensual Tales for Carnal Pleasures ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Chaos Theory DNF
- A Year in January ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5