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jjvaldezbooks's reviews
302 reviews
The Name-Bearer by Natalia Hernandez
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
the plot has so much promise but the characters are kind of flat and the line level prose is mid even at its best. head hopping increases as you get further into the book and more characters matter, but never enough for me to come to really care about them. might have been better as wholly separate POV chapters.
Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I'm crying this author has killed me
Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Tell You Everything You Need to Know About Global Politics by Tim Marshall
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
a summary: all over the world, white men put lines on maps that destroyed cultures and exploited resources of those they considered "other", ruining the lives of millions over the course of decades and sometimes centuries
I came nearly a decade late to this book but it was fascinating nonetheless. frustratingly repetitive at times, but it's also not Marshall's fault that colonizers gonna colonize and therefore they come up in just about every chapter
I think my favorite section was about the Arctic, since I knew the least about it, and now I'm curious to see how things have gone on up there since this book's publishing
I came nearly a decade late to this book but it was fascinating nonetheless. frustratingly repetitive at times, but it's also not Marshall's fault that colonizers gonna colonize and therefore they come up in just about every chapter
I think my favorite section was about the Arctic, since I knew the least about it, and now I'm curious to see how things have gone on up there since this book's publishing
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
it's a bit slow and low on plot, which almost put me off in the middle, but ReadsWithRachel had such good things to say that I kept at it and OKAY they were super cute and now I want to read the first one
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Gun violence
Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
2.75
someone get this girl a better therapist
Border Lore: Folktales and Legends of South Texas by Mark Glazer, David Bowles, José Meléndez
dark
informative
3.5
Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
I was ready to be disappointed after King of Scars but this book really came in clutch and wrapped up the series in a satisfying way.
I will have to eventually riot though, if another Crows book never comes after that tacky tease in the literal last two pages of the book
I will have to eventually riot though, if another Crows book never comes after that tacky tease in the literal last two pages of the book
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
medium-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
3.0
Felt like the main plot (with Nikolai and Zoya) was treading some of the same water from the first trilogy, while Nina and Izaak's were doing something new and refreshing. Wishing they had been strong enough to hold up on their own, but no, they're relegated to the B plots. The fantastical elements also become a much larger part of the story, and it stood out from the rest of the series in a way I didn't love.
But as usual with Bardugo, I adored all the characters and will still follow them through to the end of any plot they're given
But as usual with Bardugo, I adored all the characters and will still follow them through to the end of any plot they're given
Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica by Chris Tulach, Ari Levitch, James Wyatt, Ben Petrisor, Robert J. Schwalb, Jeremy Crawford, Mike Mearls
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
waiting for my Strahd campaign to finish so I don't spoil myself on anything
Montessori: A Modern Approach by Paula Polk Lillard
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
decided to be a stay at home mom instead of a Montessori teacher for now