expecto_padronum's reviews
138 reviews

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Go to review page

adventurous funny medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

It took me a while to get into it but the last few chapters really came through. It was a bit repetitive but that’s probably because it’s main audience is kids lol
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

A perfect book. It was sweet and lovely and interesting and thoughtful and funny and sad. No notes.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

This book was so beautiful and fast paced and worth all the hype - my only critique is that it felt like he wasn’t quite sure how to end it and the last few chapters dragged on a bit. 

I was laughing when Werner falls in love at first sight with Marie-Laure meanwhile she’s trying to sus out whether he’s here for the diamond just like the last guy. Like sir. You’re dehydrated. Go drink some water and get some nutrients and get to know this girl for a minute before you declare you’re in love with this traumatized girl. I also felt like they were playing hot potato with the miniature house at the end. Bruh she made a detour while evacuating her home to go throw it IN THE OCEAN! Why would you go back and get it!!! It was clearly a priority to get rid of it!! And why did it have to go from Werner to an admin office to volkheimer to Jutta back to Marie-Laure? It felt unnecessary and dragged out. But all that aside, fantastic book.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty

Go to review page

funny hopeful informative medium-paced

4.0

It took me a few chapters to get into it but Caitlin Doughty really does a great job of engaging in open conversation about death. I especially loved the stories that included her Westwind coworkers and loved that she included the pros and cons of different post-death options. 
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

This book is the perfect witchy Halloween romance. Looking forward to reading the sequel!
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Go to review page

mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

The heightening paranoia was done really well and I was not even close to guessing the ending. I enjoyed the break from Poirot lol

my main gripe is with the last page of the epilogue. I don’t understand how the gun/elastic/door handle contraption worked. Wouldn’t there be a gun tied to a string sitting on the floor of his bedroom? Wouldn’t that be suspicious? I was a little disappointed because I thought Hugo was going to be the murderer and that he orchestrated this whole thing as a way to punish Vera for letting his baby cousin drown. Especially since she was that last to go, suffered the most paranoia, and had the seaweed AND noose planted in HER room and her backstory was the most developed out of everyone but oh well. This ending was a good twist too.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Go to review page

adventurous funny tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

What a ride, that was so much fun!! Looking forward to reading the sequel too :) 
Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Go to review page

adventurous fast-paced

4.0

I love the movie and the nostalgia was definitely a big part of me enjoying the book. I’m not sure I would’ve been very interested if not for the movie, but I still had a good time and it’s a solid 4 stars for me. 
Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon

Go to review page

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A

3.0

There were some funny and sweet moments but it was mostly boring :/ 
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

I thought the beginning was a little slow (maybe because I had JUST read Daisy Jones which is lightning fast) but I’m SO glad I stuck with it because the second half was perfect and made me cry!!