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mahaofhyrule's reviews
89 reviews
Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
The Lady or the Lion by Aamna Qureshi
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Forget Me Not by Julie Soto
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
<b>2.5 Stars</b>
I have a lot of problems with this book, but I will say that it was a quick read since the writing style is pretty easy on the brain, so it's a good time passer book. There were also some parts of the story that were nice. Also Elliot looks like S4 Eren Yeager on the cover, which is the reason I picked up this up in the first place.
But okay:
- I didn't like either of the characters. Ama annoyed the hell out of me and she definitely needs therapy. She wanted everything out of a relationship but didn't wanna commit to the label. I also feel like I know nothing about her except that she's a wedding planner, has very bad commitment issues and eats an obscene amount of donuts.
- Elliot grew on me a little towards the end but he was so grumpy and rude for no reason. Only thing I really liked about him was his tattoos if I'm being honest.
- Ama and Elliot also had no emotional chemistry. Their whole relationship was built on lust and the fact they banged a few times. Because of that I couldn't even invest in them as a pair.
- The dual POV was interesting, and also the past and present shifts. In the present though the couple barely interacts which goes back to me not feeling invested in their relationship.
This book also focused too much on the wedding planning aspect. That's fine and good except for the fact that this was supposed to be a second chance (?) romance. But how could their be second chances for a relationship that had very little foundation in the first place???
I have a lot of problems with this book, but I will say that it was a quick read since the writing style is pretty easy on the brain, so it's a good time passer book. There were also some parts of the story that were nice. Also Elliot looks like S4 Eren Yeager on the cover, which is the reason I picked up this up in the first place.
But okay:
- I didn't like either of the characters. Ama annoyed the hell out of me and she definitely needs therapy. She wanted everything out of a relationship but didn't wanna commit to the label. I also feel like I know nothing about her except that she's a wedding planner, has very bad commitment issues and eats an obscene amount of donuts.
- Elliot grew on me a little towards the end but he was so grumpy and rude for no reason. Only thing I really liked about him was his tattoos if I'm being honest.
- Ama and Elliot also had no emotional chemistry. Their whole relationship was built on lust and the fact they banged a few times. Because of that I couldn't even invest in them as a pair.
- The dual POV was interesting, and also the past and present shifts. In the present though the couple barely interacts which goes back to me not feeling invested in their relationship.
This book also focused too much on the wedding planning aspect. That's fine and good except for the fact that this was supposed to be a second chance (?) romance. But how could their be second chances for a relationship that had very little foundation in the first place???
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
emotional
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.5
I am devasted.
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
Was honestly not really into it. I might try it again another time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Murder
They describe the victim's body in graphic detail.
Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
3.5 Stars
Kinda fun and kinda boring at the same time, but mostly fun.
What I DID like though was the following:
- The Writing Style: Very easy on the brain. I also liked the inclusion of the media outlets here like Chani's blog, news articles, etc. to support the narrative too. Very creative!
- The talks on female journalist stereotypes and actor typecasting: Probably my favorite parts of the book. Chani's addresses on breaking that stereotype that female journalists sleep their way to good stories, and actors being criticized for taking roles that break their usual mold (and what it means to be a public figure). I really like these parts of the book and lowkey I wish this book was more of a character study on that vs. the romance.
- Oliver Matthias: What a gem. Also ties in with actors as a public figure point.
- This line: “He laughed. It was a great laugh, all low and dark and rich. If chocolate cake had a laugh, it would be that.” Like what does that even mean? I love it.
And now the dislikes:
For one thing, I didn't connect with Chani and Gabe's romance. To me, their whole dynamic felt like insta love, which is a trope I don't really like that much in romance novels. (Though this might be on me, I probably could have inferred that from the title.)
Chani and Gabe as individual characters were kind of a hit or miss for me too. Chani's insecurities made sense when she was younger and made the choices she did , but the way it carried onto her later years was crazy. Girl was still hung up on her no good ex after so many years. (On that note, it got a little annoying that she mentioned Jeremy in pretty much every other sentence.)
I also didn't really like that ending. It felt a little too rushed. More in the spoiler tag.
They slept together and then had this weird fight about Chani's article, and this point there was like 10 pages left in the book. HUH? And the way they immediately made up was so quick. Very romcom Hallmark movie vibes
But anyway this was a quick fun read!
Kinda fun and kinda boring at the same time, but mostly fun.
What I DID like though was the following:
- The Writing Style: Very easy on the brain. I also liked the inclusion of the media outlets here like Chani's blog, news articles, etc. to support the narrative too. Very creative!
- The talks on female journalist stereotypes and actor typecasting: Probably my favorite parts of the book. Chani's addresses on breaking that stereotype that female journalists sleep their way to good stories, and actors being criticized for taking roles that break their usual mold (and what it means to be a public figure). I really like these parts of the book and lowkey I wish this book was more of a character study on that vs. the romance.
- Oliver Matthias: What a gem. Also ties in with actors as a public figure point.
- This line: “He laughed. It was a great laugh, all low and dark and rich. If chocolate cake had a laugh, it would be that.” Like what does that even mean? I love it.
And now the dislikes:
For one thing, I didn't connect with Chani and Gabe's romance. To me, their whole dynamic felt like insta love, which is a trope I don't really like that much in romance novels. (Though this might be on me, I probably could have inferred that from the title.)
Chani and Gabe as individual characters were kind of a hit or miss for me too. Chani's insecurities made sense when she was younger and made the choices she did , but the way it carried onto her later years was crazy. Girl was still hung up on her no good ex after so many years. (On that note, it got a little annoying that she mentioned Jeremy in pretty much every other sentence.)
I also didn't really like that ending. It felt a little too rushed. More in the spoiler tag.
But anyway this was a quick fun read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction
Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Rape
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Trigger Warnings: Rape (pg 18 specifically in the hardcover book), sexual assault, sexism (a lot of it), suicide, character death.
The talks on feminism were great. That was the unfortunate reality at the time after all. I think the moments of Elizabeth, Harriet and other women rejecting the status quo were awesome moments. Encouraging women to pursue careers. Encouraging women that they have more goals in life besides marriage and children. More of that please!
That being said, I could not connect to Elizabeth at all. Her personality...was a little too quirky for my liking. Nothing about her felt human to me. I mean sure, I felt bad for her at many times, cheered for at some other times, yes Don't even get me started on her daughter too, oh my goodness. You mean to tell me that I'm supposed to find a 4 year old citing the periodic table funny? I did not. Six-Thirty the dog was okay though (the fact he had lines was also weird to me, but somehow I dealt with that).
Harriet Sloane was my favorite character for sure. Her friendship with Elizabeth was one of the better aspects of the book. I also did like Calvin too, as he was one of only two men who wasn't a sexist pig.
I liked the food chemistry taught through the cooking show too. It was fun to learn, and also a great storytelling device for Elizabeth to encourage change.
Idk, my thoughts are all over the place. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either.
The talks on feminism were great. That was the unfortunate reality at the time after all. I think the moments of Elizabeth, Harriet and other women rejecting the status quo were awesome moments. Encouraging women to pursue careers. Encouraging women that they have more goals in life besides marriage and children. More of that please!
That being said, I could not connect to Elizabeth at all. Her personality...was a little too quirky for my liking. Nothing about her felt human to me. I mean sure, I felt bad for her at many times, cheered for at some other times, yes Don't even get me started on her daughter too, oh my goodness. You mean to tell me that I'm supposed to find a 4 year old citing the periodic table funny? I did not. Six-Thirty the dog was okay though (the fact he had lines was also weird to me, but somehow I dealt with that).
Harriet Sloane was my favorite character for sure. Her friendship with Elizabeth was one of the better aspects of the book. I also did like Calvin too, as he was one of only two men who wasn't a sexist pig.
I liked the food chemistry taught through the cooking show too. It was fun to learn, and also a great storytelling device for Elizabeth to encourage change.
Idk, my thoughts are all over the place. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Homophobia and Pregnancy
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Fatphobia