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honeyreads1066's reviews
349 reviews
The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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 have so many thoughts like so many. First off this really dis not do what most sequals do and feel like filler. I feel like I got so much growth and depth from all of the characters and that we genuinely learnt a lot more about the world and what everyone is capable of.
On that vein the way that these characters were developed and have changed was done so so well. It was very much shown rather than told and it felt as though I was learning this by having actual conversations with them myself rather than reading about them which I loved.
The story kept me on edge the whole time. There was no way that I could predict what each character was going to do and for that reason I was OBSESSED with their actions. It made me finish this book a lot quicker than I originally expected.
Overall, I loved it. It gave me the same feels as the first one, did not feel like filler and I'm excited to see what happens in the next book.
On that vein the way that these characters were developed and have changed was done so so well. It was very much shown rather than told and it felt as though I was learning this by having actual conversations with them myself rather than reading about them which I loved.
The story kept me on edge the whole time. There was no way that I could predict what each character was going to do and for that reason I was OBSESSED with their actions. It made me finish this book a lot quicker than I originally expected.
Overall, I loved it. It gave me the same feels as the first one, did not feel like filler and I'm excited to see what happens in the next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-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 loved this book so much. I did not expect it to give such deep emotions but I was WRECKED when I finished it.
As duologies and second books in general go I was expecting this to not hit the same as the first but truly it was better. The characters the plot everything about this, is incredible. Every single time I thought I knew how something would go down it turns out that I truly did not, it was truly incredible.
I have no words except I'm still processing and in pain.
As duologies and second books in general go I was expecting this to not hit the same as the first but truly it was better. The characters the plot everything about this, is incredible. Every single time I thought I knew how something would go down it turns out that I truly did not, it was truly incredible.
I have no words except I'm still processing and in pain.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I really did not expect to EAT THIS UP the way that I did.
The hype was absolutely worth it. I think my favourite part of the book was the characters, immediately I found our whole crew extremely loveable and only wanted them to succeed from the get-go. They were all so human and had flaws and just felt so real I had extremely strong emotions for all of them.
Let me just say, usually I'm not keen on romance, especially in a YA book but the relationships and growth, especially between Matthias and Nina, were insane (maybe I'm biased because I love the two of them so much).
The plot as well I love reading about heists, I mean I'm a suckered for the genre in general but I've never seen it done like this. When they said impossible heist with many, MANY twists this was not what I was expecting and I was DELIGHTER.
So yeah maybe my opinion will change when I have processed but right now I'm in love. I will be starting the second one right now and I hope I EAT IT UP like I did the first.
The hype was absolutely worth it. I think my favourite part of the book was the characters, immediately I found our whole crew extremely loveable and only wanted them to succeed from the get-go. They were all so human and had flaws and just felt so real I had extremely strong emotions for all of them.
Let me just say, usually I'm not keen on romance, especially in a YA book but the relationships and growth, especially between Matthias and Nina, were insane (maybe I'm biased because I love the two of them so much).
The plot as well I love reading about heists, I mean I'm a suckered for the genre in general but I've never seen it done like this. When they said impossible heist with many, MANY twists this was not what I was expecting and I was DELIGHTER.
So yeah maybe my opinion will change when I have processed but right now I'm in love. I will be starting the second one right now and I hope I EAT IT UP like I did the first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was absolutely worth the hype.
I was a bit of a sceptic when I started reading it because of course it's split into 4 parts and with the first, I thought hmm I feel like it's going to try too hard to be emotional and just not be but I was so wrong. It had me so so close to tears and that truly is a feat.
The characters themselves were loveable and I really felt like I knew them despite the tiny amount of time we were actually able to see them. I felt like they were all extremely well developed and through snippets of their pasts etc, we really were able to get a complete, 3-dimensional view of what they are like. Also omg I loved all of them.
The plot itself was just amazing, it's so original and I'm not even sure how to describe it. I'm not sure how to explain it but it tried and succeeded in being its own thing and I thank Kawaguchi so much for that.
I'm still processing so I have little to say except I'm a FAN so yeah would recommend 100%.
I was a bit of a sceptic when I started reading it because of course it's split into 4 parts and with the first, I thought hmm I feel like it's going to try too hard to be emotional and just not be but I was so wrong. It had me so so close to tears and that truly is a feat.
The characters themselves were loveable and I really felt like I knew them despite the tiny amount of time we were actually able to see them. I felt like they were all extremely well developed and through snippets of their pasts etc, we really were able to get a complete, 3-dimensional view of what they are like. Also omg I loved all of them.
The plot itself was just amazing, it's so original and I'm not even sure how to describe it. I'm not sure how to explain it but it tried and succeeded in being its own thing and I thank Kawaguchi so much for that.
I'm still processing so I have little to say except I'm a FAN so yeah would recommend 100%.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Grief, and Pregnancy
Milkman by Anna Burns
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Honestly it's just not my vibe. I'm not keen on stuff that's historical and just the writing style was not a me thing.
When Wishes Bleed by Casey L. Bond
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Honestly, this book was exactly what I expected it to be. Whoever said it was like an action based on the selection it's true. There were also some elements of avatar the last Airbender and I guess like the hunger games without the violence.
This book scratched the itch I needed it to, did that mean it was good, not particularly but I did enjoy it until like the last third. There was a madness going on with the big villain, the new character and a reveal that felt not really needed. Also, the last couple of chapters after the battle felt a lot like filler and probably could have happened at the beginning rather than the end.
Overall would I recommend this book, no not really but again it scratched the itch it needed to and I enjoyed it and that's what mattered.
This book scratched the itch I needed it to, did that mean it was good, not particularly but I did enjoy it until like the last third. There was a madness going on with the big villain, the new character and a reveal that felt not really needed. Also, the last couple of chapters after the battle felt a lot like filler and probably could have happened at the beginning rather than the end.
Overall would I recommend this book, no not really but again it scratched the itch it needed to and I enjoyed it and that's what mattered.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
HellSans by Ever Dundas
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.
I was really interested in the overall idea of the book especially the way it was structured and the concept. However I felt that the execution just got a bit confusing. The way that HSA actually works had me extremely confused and really took me out of the story. I would have carried on had it been explained better.
All of Our Demise by C.L. Herman, Amanda Foody
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book significantly more than I expected. With sequels or prequels, it's often that the hype and how good the first book is doesn't translate into the second, but here it did extremely well.
I think I was most surprised by the development of the characters. While as with the first book, there were multiple perspectives, even the characters that were not privy to their own POVs I felt were still talked about in great detail, enough for me to connect with them on a level I don't think I did in the first book. Also, the change in relationships and the way things developed felt SO natural. Relationships that, had they been written differently, I would have hated, I absolutely adored and found myself rooting for.
Another thing that surprised me was what Herman decided to do with the plot. I truly thought as I was reading that it was going to be completely predictable, but with every turn of the page, I was pleasantly surprised, sitting at the edge of my seat. There was no way to predict where certain things would go or how certain characteristics would change, and I loved that. I also commend Herman for the fact that she was not scared of making the book sad and did not have a happy ending for everyone. It made me connect to the story a lot more because it once again really did not feel predictable.
Overall, this was a pleasant surprise that I don't want to say too much about, but honestly, I will be recommending this to everything because I think it is up there with my top 5 books I've read this year.
I think I was most surprised by the development of the characters. While as with the first book, there were multiple perspectives, even the characters that were not privy to their own POVs I felt were still talked about in great detail, enough for me to connect with them on a level I don't think I did in the first book. Also, the change in relationships and the way things developed felt SO natural. Relationships that, had they been written differently, I would have hated, I absolutely adored and found myself rooting for.
Another thing that surprised me was what Herman decided to do with the plot. I truly thought as I was reading that it was going to be completely predictable, but with every turn of the page, I was pleasantly surprised, sitting at the edge of my seat. There was no way to predict where certain things would go or how certain characteristics would change, and I loved that. I also commend Herman for the fact that she was not scared of making the book sad and did not have a happy ending for everyone. It made me connect to the story a lot more because it once again really did not feel predictable.
Overall, this was a pleasant surprise that I don't want to say too much about, but honestly, I will be recommending this to everything because I think it is up there with my top 5 books I've read this year.
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
I loved this book honestly.
Firstly the magic system was incredible. I think it was such an interesting idea and I enjoyed every moment reading about it. The plot was simple but effective. It had a large amount of things I didn't expect as well a plot twists.
The characters were really likeable and usually I have issues with main characters but I really was rooting for Ning from beginning to end. The side characters were also very likeable. I was invested in the wellbeing of everyone and even characters that were in a only a few scenes I liked.
I think the only thing is, I wish there was a little more political intrigue. It becames clear that connections and politics were a huge thing when Ning went to the capital but I feel like for its importance it wasn't explored enough.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and I look foward to reading the second book when it comes out.
Firstly the magic system was incredible. I think it was such an interesting idea and I enjoyed every moment reading about it. The plot was simple but effective. It had a large amount of things I didn't expect as well a plot twists.
The characters were really likeable and usually I have issues with main characters but I really was rooting for Ning from beginning to end. The side characters were also very likeable. I was invested in the wellbeing of everyone and even characters that were in a only a few scenes I liked.
I think the only thing is, I wish there was a little more political intrigue. It becames clear that connections and politics were a huge thing when Ning went to the capital but I feel like for its importance it wasn't explored enough.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and I look foward to reading the second book when it comes out.
Babysitter by Joyce Carol Oates
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
I think this book is a very ambitious choice to start with when you've never read Oates' work before. I like that it's written like poetry but with what I expected the content to be about I found that it disconnected me from the story and the characters. While I'm usually one for abstract pieces of work, the writing style just was not for me but I am intrigued to read other books by this author (maybe a short story ) to get a better feel of the style without the pressure of reading a full-length novel.