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eve_reads's reviews
121 reviews
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The historical and socio-political portions of the world-building were all very intriguing. The finer mechanics of Allomancy (especially the travelling via pushing off of coins with magic), however, were overexplained. The many action scenes became boring and also made me feel like I was reading video game tutorials instead a fantasy novel.
⁕ I've heard a lot of people complain that Sanderson doesn't write his women characters well. Apart from the occasional "I'm not like other girls" moment that Vin has, there's not anything in here that turned me off from her portrayal. Maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention, but she just comes across as another (understandably) Katniss Everdeen, jaded-type of heroine with a tough past.
⁕ I think chapters from this book could have been cut without it affecting the story. It dragggged at points.
⁕ The found family in this book is reminiscent of that in The Gilded Wolves and Six of Crows (minus some of the romantic connections). I think fans of those stories would really enjoy this one.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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⁕ The historical and socio-political portions of the world-building were all very intriguing. The finer mechanics of Allomancy (especially the travelling via pushing off of coins with magic), however, were overexplained. The many action scenes became boring and also made me feel like I was reading video game tutorials instead a fantasy novel.
⁕ I've heard a lot of people complain that Sanderson doesn't write his women characters well. Apart from the occasional "I'm not like other girls" moment that Vin has, there's not anything in here that turned me off from her portrayal. Maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention, but she just comes across as another (understandably) Katniss Everdeen, jaded-type of heroine with a tough past.
⁕ I think chapters from this book could have been cut without it affecting the story. It dragggged at points.
⁕ The found family in this book is reminiscent of that in The Gilded Wolves and Six of Crows (minus some of the romantic connections). I think fans of those stories would really enjoy this one.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Furyborn by Claire Legrand
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ I usually don't enjoy dual point of views, but Legrand does it so well. The chapters are relatively short and almost every single one ends on a cliff hanger, so I was completely hooked from start to finish. I truly don't think there was one moment I was bored.
⁕ There is zero info dumping in this book, but it did take me almost 300 pages to get a firm grasp on the important historical and religious context of the world. I really hope the next 2 books in the series further grows upon this knowledge.
⁕ Legrand starts each chapter entry with a journal/text/letter excerpt that is dated with months from the Gregorian calendar. I really wish she had devised her own system for time/date keeping because this was a really small and easy detail that detracted from the world-building.
⁕ SPOILER: The magical kingdom(s) that this story take place in exists largely outside of heteronormative, patriarchal society. LGBTQ+ and women characters are in positions of power without being questioned or explained as "outside of the norm." WHY THEN does Legrand make a point to highlight that the "crawlers" (Frankenstein monsters born from the experiments of the Empire) are made of mutilated women and girls that were stolen?! Without any further exploration or discussion?! I'm still trying to find the words as to why this made me feel so icky but it did.
⁕ To whoever labeled this book as a YA on Goodreads and Storygraph: Why?!?! There are brutal beheadings of children, assault, body horror/experimentation, and at least one sex scene. I'm not complaining (especially since the author expertly used these moments to explore themes of morality, loyalty, and survival), but I think a lot of audiences looking for mature reads might accidentally pass this one over because of false advertising.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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⁕ I usually don't enjoy dual point of views, but Legrand does it so well. The chapters are relatively short and almost every single one ends on a cliff hanger, so I was completely hooked from start to finish. I truly don't think there was one moment I was bored.
⁕ There is zero info dumping in this book, but it did take me almost 300 pages to get a firm grasp on the important historical and religious context of the world. I really hope the next 2 books in the series further grows upon this knowledge.
⁕ Legrand starts each chapter entry with a journal/text/letter excerpt that is dated with months from the Gregorian calendar. I really wish she had devised her own system for time/date keeping because this was a really small and easy detail that detracted from the world-building.
⁕ To whoever labeled this book as a YA on Goodreads and Storygraph: Why?!?! There are brutal beheadings of children, assault, body horror/experimentation, and at least one sex scene. I'm not complaining (especially since the author expertly used these moments to explore themes of morality, loyalty, and survival), but I think a lot of audiences looking for mature reads might accidentally pass this one over because of false advertising.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War
The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The plot of this book was not as ridiculous as The Hawthorne Legacy (no island gangs and exploding helicopters in this one), but it still felt like Lynn Barnes was pulling random problems and solutions out of nowhere. Overall, it just felt too wacky, wild, and disconnected to be considered even remotely realistic.
⁕SPOILER: I'm glad this book finally addressed how cruel and unsympathetic Grandaddy Hawthorne was.
⁕ SPOILER: Controversial opinion: this book canonically does not ship Greyson and Avery and I am so GLAD of it. While Avery's relationship with Jameson is a little underbaked for my liking, at least she ends up with boy who wants to protect, grow with, and work to be a better person with her. I LOVE that this books says "screw the automatic default to the tall, dark, broody one; we're being healthy in our relationships!".
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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⁕ The plot of this book was not as ridiculous as The Hawthorne Legacy (no island gangs and exploding helicopters in this one), but it still felt like Lynn Barnes was pulling random problems and solutions out of nowhere. Overall, it just felt too wacky, wild, and disconnected to be considered even remotely realistic.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The greater metaphor of this book (dragons representing repressed women and their rage/desires in the 1950s) is at times just too simplistic. I understand that, in part, some of the extremer parts of the metaphor are meant to be ridiculous as a means of cathartic release. Still, I also I don't think the text leaves much room for nuance or intersectionality, and at times makes points that are contradictory to the feminist movement it is trying to support/aid.
⁕ The plot meanders a lot, especially in the first half of the book. In an attempt to convey Alex's youth and ignorance, there is a lot of ambiguous language and unclear developments regarding both the larger political climate she exists in and her own home life. To some extent this would have been fine, but it felt too muddled and it affected the pacing of the story severely.
⁕ The strongest, most beautiful part of this entire novel is not the larger socio-political themes, but the development of Alex's relationship with her sister. Her struggle to care for her sister, to balance her own needs and ambitions with her sister's, and, eventually, to share her sister with others, was so incredibly touching. I would have read the book without any dragons involved just for that alone.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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⁕ The greater metaphor of this book (dragons representing repressed women and their rage/desires in the 1950s) is at times just too simplistic. I understand that, in part, some of the extremer parts of the metaphor are meant to be ridiculous as a means of cathartic release. Still, I also I don't think the text leaves much room for nuance or intersectionality, and at times makes points that are contradictory to the feminist movement it is trying to support/aid.
⁕ The plot meanders a lot, especially in the first half of the book. In an attempt to convey Alex's youth and ignorance, there is a lot of ambiguous language and unclear developments regarding both the larger political climate she exists in and her own home life. To some extent this would have been fine, but it felt too muddled and it affected the pacing of the story severely.
⁕ The strongest, most beautiful part of this entire novel is not the larger socio-political themes, but the development of Alex's relationship with her sister. Her struggle to care for her sister, to balance her own needs and ambitions with her sister's, and, eventually, to share her sister with others, was so incredibly touching. I would have read the book without any dragons involved just for that alone.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
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
3.75
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ Hoffman's writing style is very distinct. She uses a lot of quirky metaphors and sensual descriptions that create an overall sense of fairytale-like nostalgia. I didn't feel super connected to the characters or even the plot while reading, but just the general sense of fall coziness that her writing provides was enough to keep me happy.
⁕ I love that Hoffman keeps the themes of sisterhood and family at the forefront. While, again, I didn't feel super passionate about the characters, her honest depictions of family feuds was the closest they got to being relatable.
⁕ I didn't really care for any of the love interests. Many of the relationships relied upon the "love at first sight" and fate tropes, so there was no natural development and they just simply weren't interesting.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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⁕ Hoffman's writing style is very distinct. She uses a lot of quirky metaphors and sensual descriptions that create an overall sense of fairytale-like nostalgia. I didn't feel super connected to the characters or even the plot while reading, but just the general sense of fall coziness that her writing provides was enough to keep me happy.
⁕ I love that Hoffman keeps the themes of sisterhood and family at the forefront. While, again, I didn't feel super passionate about the characters, her honest depictions of family feuds was the closest they got to being relatable.
⁕ I didn't really care for any of the love interests. Many of the relationships relied upon the "love at first sight" and fate tropes, so there was no natural development and they just simply weren't interesting.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Monsters by Emerald Fennell
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ This novel is serving Wes Anderson, Lemony Snicket, and Agatha Christy all at once. It's quirky, depressingly self-aware, and full of who-dun-it mysteriousness.
⁕ Fennell devises some very clever red herrings -- I thought on multiple occasions that I had the mystery solved when I, in fact, did not. This was initially exciting, but the actual reveal/ending was so out of the box that I almost wished my original theories were correct.
⁕ The main character (and her sidekick friend) are absolutely nasty, and there is no shortage of dead people and animals. I'm surprised this is labeled on most major platforms as a YA book. While the language and structure of the book is simple and accessible to younger ages, the content is super dark.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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⁕ This novel is serving Wes Anderson, Lemony Snicket, and Agatha Christy all at once. It's quirky, depressingly self-aware, and full of who-dun-it mysteriousness.
⁕ Fennell devises some very clever red herrings -- I thought on multiple occasions that I had the mystery solved when I, in fact, did not. This was initially exciting, but the actual reveal/ending was so out of the box that I almost wished my original theories were correct.
⁕ The main character (and her sidekick friend) are absolutely nasty, and there is no shortage of dead people and animals. I'm surprised this is labeled on most major platforms as a YA book. While the language and structure of the book is simple and accessible to younger ages, the content is super dark.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcoholism and Death of parent
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ Did you know that this book is listed in the dictionary under Dramatic Irony? Just kidding... but seriously, the reader knows key information almost too in advance of the characters. It made the plot DRAG at points instead of building tension.
⁕ The magic system developed by Blake is so refreshing. The influence of physics and the differences between how each of the different mediums interact with the same concepts of time and space was unlike anything I've ever read before.
⁕ This book is stuffed with amoral, flawed characters -- each with their own juicy motivations and fears. They feel so distinct from one another across 6 different POVs.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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⁕ Did you know that this book is listed in the dictionary under Dramatic Irony? Just kidding... but seriously, the reader knows key information almost too in advance of the characters. It made the plot DRAG at points instead of building tension.
⁕ The magic system developed by Blake is so refreshing. The influence of physics and the differences between how each of the different mediums interact with the same concepts of time and space was unlike anything I've ever read before.
⁕ This book is stuffed with amoral, flawed characters -- each with their own juicy motivations and fears. They feel so distinct from one another across 6 different POVs.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, and Violence
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The love story of Miles and Rachel was so much stronger than that of Miles and Tate. I know the major conflict of the novel is Miles' internal struggle to let love into his life again after Rachel, but what love even exists with Tate in the first place? The entirety of their developing relationship consists of horniness and bickering.
⁕ The rampant, benevolent misogyny presented by the male characters had me rooting against every single one of them except the doorman. There are a lot of examples I could reference, but in general, why is Tate made responsible for the emotions of every dude that breathes the same air as her?
⁕ At least this book was fast-paced.
⁕ The love story of Miles and Rachel was so much stronger than that of Miles and Tate. I know the major conflict of the novel is Miles' internal struggle to let love into his life again after Rachel, but what love even exists with Tate in the first place? The entirety of their developing relationship consists of horniness and bickering.
⁕ The rampant, benevolent misogyny presented by the male characters had me rooting against every single one of them except the doorman. There are a lot of examples I could reference, but in general, why is Tate made responsible for the emotions of every dude that breathes the same air as her?
⁕ At least this book was fast-paced.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Car accident, and Sexual harassment
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ This book is straight up brutal. It takes a look at the "special meat" industry from start to finish in specific detail that is no way allegorical. This books is not for the faint of heart.
⁕ Bazterrica does a fantastic job creating moral conflict by exploring how humans rationalize cannibalism through euphemisms and language changes. However, I do wish that the narrative covered the transition period over which cannibalism became acceptable (instead of life after the fact). I think It would have been much more impactful to see that process occur as the reader than just the aftermath of it.
⁕ SPOILER: The plot twist ending was a big surprise, and most definitely contributed to the horror and general hopelessness that transpires across the entire novel. In that way, it makes sense. However, given Marcos' repulsion towards and refusal to emotionally accept cannibalism, it was confusing developmentally for his character to murder the "specimen" he'd been given without any prior build up to such a dramatic shift in his thoughts/actions.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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⁕ This book is straight up brutal. It takes a look at the "special meat" industry from start to finish in specific detail that is no way allegorical. This books is not for the faint of heart.
⁕ Bazterrica does a fantastic job creating moral conflict by exploring how humans rationalize cannibalism through euphemisms and language changes. However, I do wish that the narrative covered the transition period over which cannibalism became acceptable (instead of life after the fact). I think It would have been much more impactful to see that process occur as the reader than just the aftermath of it.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, and Pregnancy
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ This gave major true crime vibes. Despite this being a story about high schoolers, the epistolary style (i.e. the inclusion of interviews, texts, etc. between the characters) will be favorable to folks who enjoy podcasts like Serial.
⁕ The fast paced nature of the book, with additional clues and developments every few pages, made it un-put-downable. I finished it in less than 24 hours.
⁕ The characters are pretty flat and one-dimensional, but this didn't bother me as much because I was more absorbed in the mystery.
⁕ My biggest beef with this book is how unbelievable some of the main character's actions were. You're gonna tell me that an underage high schooler can get away with sneaking out at night, questioning drug dealers, etc., all while documenting it for a school project and she DIDN'T get caught or hurt? Yeah right...
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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⁕ This gave major true crime vibes. Despite this being a story about high schoolers, the epistolary style (i.e. the inclusion of interviews, texts, etc. between the characters) will be favorable to folks who enjoy podcasts like Serial.
⁕ The fast paced nature of the book, with additional clues and developments every few pages, made it un-put-downable. I finished it in less than 24 hours.
⁕ The characters are pretty flat and one-dimensional, but this didn't bother me as much because I was more absorbed in the mystery.
⁕ My biggest beef with this book is how unbelievable some of the main character's actions were. You're gonna tell me that an underage high schooler can get away with sneaking out at night, questioning drug dealers, etc., all while documenting it for a school project and she DIDN'T get caught or hurt? Yeah right...
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Gun violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Drug use, Rape, and Death of parent