expecto_padronum's reviews
139 reviews

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

4.25

I normally don’t like the “getting back with your ex” trope but Emily Henry pulled it off as usual. This was also my favorite of her books in terms of the side characters / non-romantic plot development! The way Harriet talks about her job and her parents + the friend group dynamics were so realistic and well written.

Other People's Clothes by Calla Henkel

Go to review page

dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I half listened to and half read this book - the writing was really good but I did not like the audiobook narrator. Every sentence sounded angry! Maybe I got my hopes up too high from all the reviews but the ending fell a little flat for me despite the plot speeding up in the last third of the book. The last sentence was intriguing/answered one question, but also had me like… and? How does that connect to the majority of the story? So overall it was fine

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Go to review page

funny hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

I adored this book. It was so sweet and funny and had a meaningful message. It also somehow managed to have a twist?? In a romance?? Sanguu Mandanna really did the most. It gave me House in the Cerulean Sea vibes.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Go to review page

adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.5

Man this book is long. However, the ending does pick up the pace and leave you with a cliffhanger. It’s definitely better than the first one, although the writing style is still annoyingly repetitive (everyone “clicks their tongue” or “jerks their chin” or looks “feral” or “had the good sense to look scared” every other page,, and Feyre’s still acting shocked when she sees things made of bones even though half the villain architecture is made of bones). It’s kind of like trash reality TV. I’m rolling my eyes at half the stuff they say but it’s entertaining enough that I will still read the next 700 page book lol.

I usually found Feyre to be overdramatic, but my favorite part of this book was how much she processed her past relationship with Tamlin. While the book overall felt too long, I liked that her transition from Tamlin to Rhys didn’t feel rushed.

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

Go to review page

adventurous funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

If you love the movie you’ll love the book too. Such a fun read and the 3rd person omniscient POV let’s you see all the characters’ thoughts.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Go to review page

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was one of the best books I’ve read in a while. I was so engrossed in the story, I truly felt transported to this world. The writing is beautiful and the storytelling style is interesting and fresh. The central relationship is vaguely like Normal People in the simplest way, but it has so much more substance. Plus, I loved learning about what goes in to making video games, a field I had absolutely no knowledge of. I’m glad it was so long because I did not want it to be over. She ends it at the perfect time. Loved loved loved it.

Content Warnings

Specter of the Past by Timothy Zahn

Go to review page

adventurous funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This was my first foray into the Star Wars Expanded Universe so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but I thought this book was a fun and fast read. I didn’t think I was going to want to read the sequel, but it ended on a cliffhanger and I’m invested enough that I think I will pick it up.

Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced