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gracielleberry's reviews
254 reviews
The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
3.5
I really enjoyed this book (except the character death /sob) and it would have gotten a higher rating if only it caught my attention to the point of my finishing it faster than I actually did. Not sure if it was just because my interest in reading have unfortunately dwindled since the pandemic started (and is still ongoing /eyeroll), but I hope to do better in the remaining months of the year.
The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson
adventurous
tense
medium-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
3.5
Finally finished this one! Not that it wasn't a good read, just needed time to adjust to its world. Silly me, I thought this was a standalone novel and only realized it wasn't about halfway through the book. Lmao.
Were there things I loved about it? Definitely! I need me more crows!! But there were also a handful I'd much rather skip. Hope things get better in the sequel!
...oh, and I also like the other guy more. Can we get a redemption arc or something? Please and thank you.
To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
adventurous
dark
medium-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
I don't know if my words could give justice to this book but I'll go ahead anyway...
First of all, this is my first time to read a retelling of a fairytale—my favorite one, in fact—and I was not expecting much because nothing beats the original, right? Right? WRONG. This is The Little Mermaid... but made perfect. Does that even make sense? If it doesn't, well, it's still true.
The thought of this story focusing on sirens instead of mermaids put me off at first, but I still picked it up because it's intriguing. I mean, sirens naturally kill humans and the prince is human, so how will this work?
Seriously was not expecting THAT.
To Kill a Kingdom is an adventure-fantasy-plot-driven story with flawed yet strong and likeable characters. It's a love story but without a smidge of yech, and yet it still has all of the good stuff.
Ugh, I can sing praises about it all day long and still feel I haven't said enough. JUST READ IT.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I originally intented to read the book before watching the film but ended up doing the opposite... which is probably a good thing 'cause back then, I didn't know any better so I was able to enjoy the movie. Naturally, I hate it now. Lol.
Ready Player One was an absolute thrill to read even for a casual gamer like myself, and it also felt like a warm hug which I hope more people would get to experience.
Quotes Section:
"I created the OASIS because I never felt at home in the real world. I didn't know how to connect with the people there. I was afraid, for all of my life. Right up until I knew it was ending. That was when I realized, as terrifying and painful as reality can be, it's also the only place where you can find true happiness. Because reality is real. Do you understand?" —James Donovan Halliday
Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige
Did not finish book. Stopped at 52%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 52%.
First log here on StoryGraph and I already used their "did not finish" shelf. Lol. It has been SO long since I opened this book that I can't even recall most of it, but what I'm sure of is I just couldn't finish it.
...probably unlikeable characters + plot and writing just didn't work for me.
...probably unlikeable characters + plot and writing just didn't work for me.
For One More Day by Mitch Albom
3.0
Mitch Albom excels in writing books that are light to read, but are heavy in content. This novel opened my eyes to how truly important time and family is, how our choices shape our lives, how forgiveness starts from within, and how we shouldn't take anything for granted, for we can never know what might happen tomorrow.
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
4.0
Where do I start? Hmmm. How about "I really liked this book"? For starters, this novel completely changed my feelings towards Nicholas Sparks. I felt that he's the guy I should run to if I need mushy, tearjerker romance novels which will be bearable to read 'cause Sparks is a very good author. Well, I stand corrected on how I stereotyped him.
Safe Haven kept me on my toes. It is very well written, and I expected nothing less from Sparks. I have to say it's a romance/mystery novel to me. I eagerly flipped though the pages just so I'd know what'd happen next, on the other hand, I didn't want to read too fast and finish the story 'cause it's so good! I was torn, basically, but I was very pleased of how the story progressed, and how it ended. Love, mystery, family, haunting pasts... it's a fiction novel, but the story stayed realistic, and I liked that very much.
Safe Haven kept me on my toes. It is very well written, and I expected nothing less from Sparks. I have to say it's a romance/mystery novel to me. I eagerly flipped though the pages just so I'd know what'd happen next, on the other hand, I didn't want to read too fast and finish the story 'cause it's so good! I was torn, basically, but I was very pleased of how the story progressed, and how it ended. Love, mystery, family, haunting pasts... it's a fiction novel, but the story stayed realistic, and I liked that very much.
Quidditch Through the Ages by J.K. Rowling, Kennilworthy Whisp
3.0
A very light read, Quidditch Through the Ages is quite entertaining. It was written with pure dedication, I can see, for the game's history contained within the pages seems all too real. If there's anything I need to know about this popular magical sport, I would surely seek out this book for help. After reading Quidditch Through the Ages, I now wish even more that I could play the sport. I'd even settle for just watching one good, real game.
Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling, Newt Scamander
4.0
Because of my soft spot for animals, I was delighted to read and find out about the different creatures in the Wizarding World. The dangerous ones fascinate me, while the ones which can be domesticated, I want for pets. This book is a must for fellow animal-loving Potterheads... darn, I feel like Hagrid.
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
5.0
Rick Riordan is most definitely my second favorite author (the first being J.K. Rowling), and this novel proves why. A sucker for fantasy/adventure books, I instantly fell in love with his works, and I am very grateful that he didn't stop at Camp Half-Blood. To my delight, Riordan has opened another world for his avid readers to explore: Egyptian Mythology. And the protagonists, Carter and Sadie Kane, are facing an all new kind of adventure that I am very eager to join.
The Red Pyramid is a promising start of The Kane Chronicles, a new series packed with Riordan's signature "magic and adventure, with a sprinkle of humor and romance" that we've all come to love. So, anyone coming to Brooklyn with me?
The Red Pyramid is a promising start of The Kane Chronicles, a new series packed with Riordan's signature "magic and adventure, with a sprinkle of humor and romance" that we've all come to love. So, anyone coming to Brooklyn with me?