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rebeccaxpaige's reviews
118 reviews
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Shelley
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Domestic abuse
Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This book is a dark, almost Breaking Bad-esque novel with two different POVs with similar objectives. A missing woman and mysterious film cause mayhem.
I was impressed by this book and how Garcia was able to paint a consistently dark and mysterious atmosphere. It was also somewhat unnerving but I found myself heavy invested in both Elvis and Maite’s stories. Elvis is a long time thug as he calls himself- a criminal who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. Then we have Maite, a secretary who wants nothing more than to leave her current employment and perhaps do something else.
Though I am not sure what that is.
This story is mysterious, thrilling and rich. My only critique would be that I needed more emotion evoked in the language- it would have made the story much more impactful. Though, I’m still giving it 4 stars.
This is a wonderful read, so please read it.
I was impressed by this book and how Garcia was able to paint a consistently dark and mysterious atmosphere. It was also somewhat unnerving but I found myself heavy invested in both Elvis and Maite’s stories. Elvis is a long time thug as he calls himself- a criminal who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. Then we have Maite, a secretary who wants nothing more than to leave her current employment and perhaps do something else.
Though I am not sure what that is.
This story is mysterious, thrilling and rich. My only critique would be that I needed more emotion evoked in the language- it would have made the story much more impactful. Though, I’m still giving it 4 stars.
This is a wonderful read, so please read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Heartbreak for Hire by Sonia Hartl
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
This is a slow paced read that didn't fail to make me feel something. Klara our protagonist is an AF that is assigned to Josie- who is suffering from a chronic illness. The observational qualities of Klara were spotty at times, but they were cleverly revealed or hidden to keep you interested nonetheless. I thoroughly enjoyed the reflective nature of this book and even though the read itself is slow paced, I would highly recommend it regardless.
Klara was hard to depict at the beginning, at first I didn't realize exactly who she was until about 100 pages in, but after that- I was invested in her story. Klara has this special thing about her and transcends her being and I watched her go from robotic to more and more human throughout. I spotted these subtle changes in the writing that indicated to me that she was developing and it was beautiful to see. This book is an exploration of love and humanity and Ishiguro depicted it masterfully.
The only reason this wasn't a five star was solely my personal preference in endings. Though the ending was open ended and left much to think about- I prefer everything to be wrapped up in a much tighter bow. Otherwise, brilliant.
Klara was hard to depict at the beginning, at first I didn't realize exactly who she was until about 100 pages in, but after that- I was invested in her story. Klara has this special thing about her and transcends her being and I watched her go from robotic to more and more human throughout. I spotted these subtle changes in the writing that indicated to me that she was developing and it was beautiful to see. This book is an exploration of love and humanity and Ishiguro depicted it masterfully.
The only reason this wasn't a five star was solely my personal preference in endings. Though the ending was open ended and left much to think about- I prefer everything to be wrapped up in a much tighter bow. Otherwise, brilliant.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Chronic illness
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
5.0
Sylvia Plath always does something to me, what is that something you may ask? She hits home. Her blunt, honest and confessional writing in this book made me FEEL emotional in a way that no writer or poet could make anyone feel. She single handedly will take you through the mind of someone so disconnected in the most accurate “nail on the head” bluntness that no one seems to do nowadays. I felt Esther’s pain and sorrow vividly.
There are obvious content and trigger warnings in this book, read with caution. Sylvia does not sugar coat, the vivid account of Esther’s slow destruction isn’t for the faint of heart. However, it is tragic, uncomfortable and exactly what depression looks, sounds and FEELS like on a daily basis.
Esther had everything and felt she had nothing. She’s a strong, quick witted and methodical. It’s incredible how Plath doesn’t hold back as I, myself, would have no courage to write the way she does.
This book is art. This book is pain. This book is the greatest works of art. I do not say this lightly. This book needs to be on your bucket list.
There are obvious content and trigger warnings in this book, read with caution. Sylvia does not sugar coat, the vivid account of Esther’s slow destruction isn’t for the faint of heart. However, it is tragic, uncomfortable and exactly what depression looks, sounds and FEELS like on a daily basis.
Esther had everything and felt she had nothing. She’s a strong, quick witted and methodical. It’s incredible how Plath doesn’t hold back as I, myself, would have no courage to write the way she does.
This book is art. This book is pain. This book is the greatest works of art. I do not say this lightly. This book needs to be on your bucket list.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I’m a romantic, I live for a light hearted and deep romance. This delivered. Chemistry- unmatched. It was steamy, heart warming and a wonderful palette cleanser from all the intense books I’ve been reading lately. If you said you don’t like this book- I get it, it’s not for you. But it’s wonderful to me and if you’re a hopeless romantic, get this book, it is a warm hug on a cold night.