spellbindingtomes's reviews
321 reviews

Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati

Go to review page

dark emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I have so many thoughts on this. It started off great. I loved the first half in Sparta and getting to know Clytemnestra and her family dynamics. My heart broke for her circumstances and I felt her rage. But then the second half in Mycenae really dragged on with very little character development. 

What bothered me the most was that we see little evidence of Clytemnestra's supposed political acumen or leadership abilities during Agamemnon's decade-long absence at Troy. Instead of showcasing her capabilities as a ruler, the story focuses on her insecurities and violent responses to anyone who opposes her.

I also would've loved to see more of her with Electra. 9 years have passed, and we see nothing of their complex mother-daughter relationship during this entire period?? I really wanted to root for Clytemnestra, but there was just something missing from her character beyond her desire for vengeance that made it really hard for me to do so. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

Go to review page

emotional sad slow-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? No

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Go to review page

adventurous emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Imperium: by Robert Harris

Go to review page

informative tense slow-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

4.25


Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Thrum by Meg Smitherman

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious slow-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? No

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-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

3.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad slow-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

5.0

𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦.



𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡.



I felt every single emotion with this book 😭 All My Rage is a perfect testament to how a story can be simultaneously beautiful and heartbreaking. We follow the lives of Salahudin, Noor, and Misbah as they grapple with the weight of their choices and the rippling consequences.

This is one of my favorite books of 2024 and a phenomenal introduction to Sabaa's writing. Through Misbah's story, beginning with her arranged marriage in Pakistan, to her son Sal's struggle to keep their motel afloat in America, to Noor's attempts to escape her controlling uncle's grip, Sabaa weaves a devastating narrative about the price we pay for the things we value most.

The audiobook deserves special mention. All three narrators were fantastic, delivering emotional performances. I will definitely be looking for other books they've narrated. 

All My Rage is a soul-crushing story about friendship and love, but most of all about the painful beauty of forgiveness. It both broke my heart and stitched it back together. Misbah, Salahudin, and Noor will stay with me for a very long time.

"𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘦."

Though I believe this is such an important read and I highly recommend it, please check TWs, as it deals with heavy themes.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Lights Out by Navessa Allen

Go to review page

dark funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings