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jaduhluhdabooks's reviews
299 reviews
Waverider by Kazu Kibuishi
And I felt that and resonated so deeply with them. Wow. What a wending and a twist as we concluded - connecting us back with the present time. Powerful stuff. Beautiful designed and creative in its thinking. Fun in its adventure and world building. Profound in its connection to life , humanity, and the ever blossoming fantastical world.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was such a fun and powerfully written series. I started this series in middle school and never kept up with the release and returning almost 15 years later to the series has made this such an impactful re read and series ending. There’s so much beauty in Emily and Trellis’s characters as they develop throughout the series. I found myself so connected to their struggles with grief and trauma and power. What does it mean if we can hold even the slightest bit of control in our hands and weave a reality we want ourselves?
I loved these words from Leon we’re so powerful:
I loved these words from Leon we’re so powerful:
WE HAVE TRAVELED TOO FAR AND FOUGHT TOO MANY BATTLES...
FOR US TO JUST GIVE OURSELVES OVER TO THE DARK.
And I felt that and resonated so deeply with them. Wow. What a wending and a twist as we concluded - connecting us back with the present time. Powerful stuff. Beautiful designed and creative in its thinking. Fun in its adventure and world building. Profound in its connection to life , humanity, and the ever blossoming fantastical world.
Supernova by Kazu Kibuishi
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The character development in this one!! This series is top tierrr
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
Ok. Miss Center is redeeming herself for me. Also the authors note at the end of this one - chef’s kissssssss.
I just with Charlie would’ve got over himself and let people help and love him … like puh leassseee.
I just with Charlie would’ve got over himself and let people help and love him … like puh leassseee.
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
Firelight by Kazu Kibuishi
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Never Love a Highlander by Maya Banks
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
These books are guilty reads and let me just say I’m not mad. My mom use to listen to these in the car and I was I OBSESSED with the Scottish lore and accents and stories. Naturally, I find myself revisiting these stories and easily Rionna and Caelen are my favorite. She’s so fierce and wild and takes no bullshit from anyone. Caelen is broody and guilt ridden, and they find themselves in each other. A vulnerability that can withstand their fierce independence and loyalty while also creating a wealth of beauty in weakness.
I just UGH. I remember being 15 and listening to this and falling MADLY in love with these two. Ten years later and they still make me swoon!!
I just UGH. I remember being 15 and listening to this and falling MADLY in love with these two. Ten years later and they still make me swoon!!
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
What an ENDING. I can’t say I saw ANY of this coming honestly. I thought yah boi was gonna die fr
Ok. Coming out of book two I was ready to shelf this series but Leigh really brings it around. I NEEDED growth from Mal. Needed it and received it. Which, I’m so grateful for. He has some BANGER one liners in here.
I think the Darkling is such a wonderfully written character. Because I LOVED his psycho ass. In the end, he just wanted connection and when you learn Bahgra’s stories you realize that he was just a boy who learned much more than how to wield his power from his mother. He saw her hurt and her pain and her sorrow at never being seen or known and vowed to find someone… anyone who make sure … ensure that he never was. It was a generational cycle and a layeredly woven story that Leigh weaved SO WELL.
I think I can’t give this book 5 stars because at the end of the day… Alina’s character was so obnoxiously stagnant. Like move a little. Digress much more. I just felt her character wobbling from understanding to “woe is me” - but I also understood that she was a girl who has a lot of unprocessed traumas and for that, I can extend grace. I’m happy she got her Mal or whatever. I would’ve actually taken Nikolai all the way THE FUCK up in his offer ten times over.
Genya’s story is the most beautiful out of all the characters I believe and what really saved this series for me. “I am not ruin, I am ruination.” YES. POWER. she is and she deserves the world and so much more. Ugh.
It was a sweet ending.Would’ve been ok if Mal stayed dead but whatever I get why she lowkey had to bring him back… anyways.
Ok. Coming out of book two I was ready to shelf this series but Leigh really brings it around. I NEEDED growth from Mal. Needed it and received it. Which, I’m so grateful for. He has some BANGER one liners in here.
I think the Darkling is such a wonderfully written character. Because I LOVED his psycho ass. In the end, he just wanted connection and when you learn Bahgra’s stories you realize that he was just a boy who learned much more than how to wield his power from his mother. He saw her hurt and her pain and her sorrow at never being seen or known and vowed to find someone… anyone who make sure … ensure that he never was. It was a generational cycle and a layeredly woven story that Leigh weaved SO WELL.
I think I can’t give this book 5 stars because at the end of the day… Alina’s character was so obnoxiously stagnant. Like move a little. Digress much more. I just felt her character wobbling from understanding to “woe is me” - but I also understood that she was a girl who has a lot of unprocessed traumas and for that, I can extend grace. I’m happy she got her Mal or whatever. I would’ve actually taken Nikolai all the way THE FUCK up in his offer ten times over.
Genya’s story is the most beautiful out of all the characters I believe and what really saved this series for me. “I am not ruin, I am ruination.” YES. POWER. she is and she deserves the world and so much more. Ugh.
It was a sweet ending.
Notes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Before this book I was not sure who Chef Kwame, and as I finish this book I am once again, honored to have sat and listened to someone’s journey.
I was surprised to find that Chef Kwame was 30… only a few years older than me and still so much life to live and yet, I could tell from this narrative alone that life had dealt him many hands and with each he lived and learned.
I am always going to uplift Black narratives because they’re a significant part of history and they deserve to exist in the everyday and struggle and life of the world without scrutiny or idolatry. Chef Kwame’s accounts are rich and real and extremely raw in their telling. From the walls of his home to the stoves in his kitchen, there’s so much for him to know and learn.
My hope is that he continues cooking and opens many restaurants and eventually finds healing from his relationship with his dad.
I was surprised to find that Chef Kwame was 30… only a few years older than me and still so much life to live and yet, I could tell from this narrative alone that life had dealt him many hands and with each he lived and learned.
I am always going to uplift Black narratives because they’re a significant part of history and they deserve to exist in the everyday and struggle and life of the world without scrutiny or idolatry. Chef Kwame’s accounts are rich and real and extremely raw in their telling. From the walls of his home to the stoves in his kitchen, there’s so much for him to know and learn.
My hope is that he continues cooking and opens many restaurants and eventually finds healing from his relationship with his dad.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small by Kath Stathers
adventurous
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.0
As someone who’s embarking on a monumental year in a few mi the this book has given me so much to dream about and research and makes plans for! It’s exciting and new and different and I can’t wait. I’m so excited. It gives you both life changing and reflective suggestions and I think that’s an important part of dreaming.
I would say I docked half a star because this updated edition, still has the Tokyo Olympics as a bucket list item and that was 4 years ago!
I would say I docked half a star because this updated edition, still has the Tokyo Olympics as a bucket list item and that was 4 years ago!