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jaduhluhdabooks's reviews
299 reviews
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I’m just like. Alina pisses me off. Mal is obnoxious. And Tamar, Toyla, and Nikolai are the things that saved this book for me.
I’m actually very confused on what’s going on and kinda hope Mal dies but 💀
I’m actually very confused on what’s going on and kinda hope Mal dies but 💀
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I mean. There are two things Ali does well. She writes smut well (I said. Can’t be mad about it) and she writes dynamic characters. I’m always so intrigued by the fact that I can find myself in anyone of her characters.
Rue is a socially anxious human with zero regard for if she upsets you. She’s being herself and while she may not be able to voice that she needs to hold on a little longer and learn her, she is indeed yearning for it. But also, ok if it doesn’t happen.
Eli is a life of the party person who’s seen so much of life and how it can hurt you. But he still has a propensity to love and is looking to be reminded … but hasn’t found someone who can point him back in that direction.
Cue, their meeting and life making more than enough sense and rights in bringing them together. Rue needs someone who is safe and allows her the ability to show up and not repress nor feel remorse for being herself. Eli is someone who see’s Rue from the get go and just wants to know her in all the ways she’ll let him. It’s an unconventional and wildly story where they find each other and in safety and love in each other.
ALSO. THE CALL BACK TO CHECK & MATE. I SCREAMED. REELED. LOVVVEEEDD.
And *sigh* once again, Ali gives me more of her characters to faun over. The Hazelverse is everything to me. Give me a book with all the characters being besties NEOW. Rue and Bea would be WONDERFUL together. Ahahaha
Rue is a socially anxious human with zero regard for if she upsets you. She’s being herself and while she may not be able to voice that she needs to hold on a little longer and learn her, she is indeed yearning for it. But also, ok if it doesn’t happen.
Eli is a life of the party person who’s seen so much of life and how it can hurt you. But he still has a propensity to love and is looking to be reminded … but hasn’t found someone who can point him back in that direction.
Cue, their meeting and life making more than enough sense and rights in bringing them together. Rue needs someone who is safe and allows her the ability to show up and not repress nor feel remorse for being herself. Eli is someone who see’s Rue from the get go and just wants to know her in all the ways she’ll let him. It’s an unconventional and wildly story where they find each other and in safety and love in each other.
ALSO. THE CALL BACK TO CHECK & MATE. I SCREAMED. REELED. LOVVVEEEDD.
And *sigh* once again, Ali gives me more of her characters to faun over. The Hazelverse is everything to me. Give me a book with all the characters being besties NEOW. Rue and Bea would be WONDERFUL together. Ahahaha
Heartless by Elsie Silver
adventurous
emotional
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
2.5
The Cloud Searchers by Kazu Kibuishi
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Stonekeeper's Curse by Kazu Kibuishi
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was so nerdy and fun and cute. Rivers is my type of human and he found his other half in Jess and it was so sweet. What would you do if you could genetically calculate the likelihood of your romantic match with another? I mean would you get swept up in the numbers or would you just allow yourself to meet new humans and explore ?
This was such a unique concept of rom com and the also really beautiful with addition of Juno. The epilogue DESTROYED me and I choked up a bit. It was just so sweet and tender and awe.
I think we could’ve either expanded more on her mom situation or we could’ve done without the inclusion of her character at all and just hinted at the relational strain / trauma to add dynamics to Jess’s character there. I think those bits often took me out of the story rather than moved it along or made me understand Jess fuller. But other than that, a great read and a lovely book.
This was such a unique concept of rom com and the also really beautiful with addition of Juno. The epilogue DESTROYED me and I choked up a bit. It was just so sweet and tender and awe.
I think we could’ve either expanded more on her mom situation or we could’ve done without the inclusion of her character at all and just hinted at the relational strain / trauma to add dynamics to Jess’s character there. I think those bits often took me out of the story rather than moved it along or made me understand Jess fuller. But other than that, a great read and a lovely book.
Power Forward: My Presidential Education by Reggie Love
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
I enjoyed listening to Reggie’s story and his years at President Obama’s aid. I think there are so many life lessons to learn and add to the self trajectory of one’s dreams and hopes. He does a good job of balancing the hard with the beautiful and humanizing the President and his family.
The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Dude !!! I loved this series growing up and never finished it, but it was my favorite to snag from the library so naturally, I’m back in my ish and re reading these novels !!
Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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
Amari, my girllll. I feel for her. Always trying to protect the people you love around you and at what cost? Alston does such a wonderful job of immersing young readers into this realm of magic and supernatural phenomena. The way that the Bureau is set up is so unique and wonderfully imagined that I myself feel like a junior agent keeping the peace.
Following Amari on this journey, picking up where we left her after all things Dylan and the Night Brothers, was an adventure. She is learning how to weird her magic and also her emotions and who’s to say that they’re not one and the same? I think that’s something that Amari comes to discover as she trudges forward in absorbed boggling case of time freezes and integrity. Who’s telling the truth? Who hiding behind lies ? It was a powerful book that shows power in belief in yourself rather than your abilities. I’m excited for book three. We fall down to get back up Amari ! So get up girl, we’ve got a world to save !
Following Amari on this journey, picking up where we left her after all things Dylan and the Night Brothers, was an adventure. She is learning how to weird her magic and also her emotions and who’s to say that they’re not one and the same? I think that’s something that Amari comes to discover as she trudges forward in absorbed boggling case of time freezes and integrity. Who’s telling the truth? Who hiding behind lies ? It was a powerful book that shows power in belief in yourself rather than your abilities. I’m excited for book three. We fall down to get back up Amari ! So get up girl, we’ve got a world to save !
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Ugh. THE FRIENDSHIPS IN THIS BOOK.
I literally. Sobbed. When Brad and Benny came and sat with Justin after his mom was taken away. And just cried with him. This display of men having and feeling their emotions together healed something in me. And reminded me of the scene between Peter, Ned, & MJ in Spiderman: No Way Home when they find Peter in his place and immediately go to him after he lost May. Like. So tender. So sweet.
Also the fierce love and protection of Maddy is real and raw. I think sometimes our intimidating friends are the most beautiful and rich in love. They are fighters and while they may be tough in their register and delivery, they still stay and fight for you in the deepest ways and through the darkest of times. I loved that Emma had that…she needed it! I often feel like Maddy and I often get curbed for it. But I think everyone should have a friend who fiercely loves them as deeply as Maddy did Emma.
Also. Neil. The culmination of his story three books over actually made sense to me and made me feel empathy for him in the end. I am someone who believes in the ability of people and I stand by the belief that people can change. When they are willing and committed and intentional about it, they can. And Neil did. And I love that for him in the end.
And then Justin and Emma are just so sweet and tender and goofy and NORMAL. Like it was such a tender story. Ugh. Ok Abby. You’ve redeemed yourself for me. I’ll allow it.
Also the fierce love and protection of Maddy is real and raw. I think sometimes our intimidating friends are the most beautiful and rich in love. They are fighters and while they may be tough in their register and delivery, they still stay and fight for you in the deepest ways and through the darkest of times. I loved that Emma had that…she needed it! I often feel like Maddy and I often get curbed for it. But I think everyone should have a friend who fiercely loves them as deeply as Maddy did Emma.
Also. Neil. The culmination of his story three books over actually made sense to me and made me feel empathy for him in the end. I am someone who believes in the ability of people and I stand by the belief that people can change. When they are willing and committed and intentional about it, they can. And Neil did. And I love that for him in the end.
And then Justin and Emma are just so sweet and tender and goofy and NORMAL. Like it was such a tender story. Ugh. Ok Abby. You’ve redeemed yourself for me. I’ll allow it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent